I'm building a 416 Taylor on an M17 action and I have a few questions for Taylor owners.....
I intend using 340 and 400 gr Woodleighs, so my first questions are....

What sort of velocities would I get from a 22" barrel?
what would be a comfortable rifle weight considering using 400 grainers ?

I would hazard a guess that I will have more queries as I go along.

Roger

A buddy on here just bullet one with 22 inch barrel. The gunsmith that did the build loaded the ammo. He reports 2300 fps w 400 grain Woodleigh.

I have asked him the rifles weight. He told me recoil was not a punishment.

He also cerekoted it.

I have two in the house both with 25 inch barrels.

If doing so now I would do a 416 Ruger.

I get 2450 with 350's not pushing them

Over 2600 with 300s

Haven't shot any 400's.

I found IMR4064 gave me better vel. then RL15 with less powder.

I had a 416 Taylor built on an Interarms MkX action a number of years ago. Not much real need for this caliber here in Georgia, but I really enjoyed shooting it. My favorite load was with cast bullets… RCBS 416-350 RFN. Loaded to 1700 fps, it was pleasant and accurate.

My buddy’s weighs just under 10 pounds scoped.

He also had two mercury recoil reducers put in it

When I built mine I asked for 2 Mercury recoil recyclers in the stock and there is some lead shot epoxied into the forend to balance it out.

I specified 10.5 pounds with a 21.5” barrel and my gunsmith hit it almost on the nose.

Very pleasant to shoot for a big bore.

My 416 Taylor of some years ago weighed 9 Lbs loaded and recoil was about like a 375 H&H..today I recommend a 416 Ruger for a number of reasons. A great caliber but its seen its day I fear..but thats speaking for myself only..

My choice of the Taylor was for many reasons...nostalgia, always wanted one and mainly for the fact that I have bags of belted cases ( 7mm RM, 300 WIN MAG, ETC.ETC ) from rifles I don't have any more.
Not being rude Ray, but the calibre hasn't changed, only the case....

Roger

Build it. Great classic wildcat. I had a buddy that had one built by his son on a M70 while at Trinidad. Lovely rifle. Shot well and killed well.
I don’t remember his velocity with the 400’s he used but he was happy with it.

My 416 Taylor is a Custom LAWSON on an FN action with a 25" barrel.
It has 4-slot Magna-porting and weighs 8 pounds 7 ounces.
It has very manageable recoil with 400g bullets.
Recoil is less than a 375 H&H.

I have a .416 Taylor Encore handgun. Have killed a charging lion( 475#) at 25 yd., a Cape buff (40", a roan (28"), a sable (40"). Velocities are around 2100 in my short barrel and performance has been excellant. I used a special made Northern Precision 400 gr. bullet for the lion. The rest were 400 gr. DGXs.

quote:

Originally posted by WV Hitman:
I have a .416 Taylor Encore handgun. Have killed a charging lion( 475#) at 25 yd., a Cape buff (40", a roan (28"), a sable (40"). Velocities are around 2100 in my short barrel and performance has been excellant. I used a special made Northern Precision 400 gr. bullet for the lion. The rest were 400 gr. DGXs.

Larry, this is the most modest statement of several grand adventures i think i have ever seen
good hunting
j

quote:

Originally posted by buckstix:
My 416 Taylor is a Custom LAWSON on an FN action with a 25" barrel.
It has 4-slot Magna-porting and weighs 8 pounds 7 ounces.
It has very manageable recoil with 400g bullets.
Recoil is less than a 375 H&H.

I wonder if that rifle has ever been used on a hunt ?

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
I wonder if that rifle has ever been used on a hunt ?

Hello 458Win,

I have used it hunting here in Wisconsin, but not yet for dangerous game.

Doctor Larry, goodness gracious, is there anything you have not hunted with a handgun? Your experience in these matters surely must be unique in all the world. Thanks for mentioning your results with a handgun in the Taylor.
(I had a Taylor built on a VZ24 with PacNor barrel in a Bell and Carlson Medalist stock that I sold to someone here on this forum perhaps 15 years ago. Wonder if it still hunts.)

Your explanation of the need for a 416 Taylor is impossible to argue with, get after it and enjoy and yes its as good today as it was back in its day or any other 40 caliber ballistically.