I'v decided to go for a new barrel for my cz550 416Rigby.

CH4D has dies, are they any good or should I consider another maker? I newer heard of them before, are they comparable or better than RCBS?

What twist should the barrel have. Im planning to shoot 400-500grain bullets, preferable the 480grain woodleight.

How long should the barrel be, is 22" enough or will a longer barrel give much advantage? Perhaps I should go for 24"

I'm not really into muzzle brakes, would you find it nessesary to have one? I rather shoot down loaded rounds than ruin my hearing even more.

Sorry for all the stupid questions but I rather get everything right from the beginning.

Many thanks from "newbee"

Thomas,
The dies you mention are as good as any, IMHO.
Perhaps, being that you live in Sweden, it might be easier for you to buy a Walther barrel? I can recommend these barrels for quality and I suggest you heed their recommendation as to rate of twist and barrel length, once they have all your information. In this boresize, I would think that any reasonable length of barrel will provide you good ballistics.

[ 10-13-2002, 23:00: Message edited by: Nickudu ]

Ok I go for the CH4D dies.

The smith I'l ask to do the work lives in Finland and I heard thar there is a barrel maker in Finland as well. I guess nobody here has heard about it/him???

Any way, I go for a european barrel because it will be cheaper and much easier than ordering a barrel from USA. I heard only good about Lothar Walther.

Either CH4D or RCBS can make you a set of 450 Rigby dies. I have had dies from both makers and have been happy with both of them. As a matter of fact, I got a set of 450 Rigby die from CH4D just recently. It is a three die set and I like it that way.

As for the barrel, I would go with a 6-groove 1:10" or 1:14" and with a 24 in barrel length. It also depends on your barrel maker as he might not have a particular twist rate that you are looking for.

I would go without the brake first as you can always add one later if desired. You would definitely want to put on a good recoil pad. I have tried all three different pads (Decelerator, Kickzee, and Triple X) and I like the Kickzee better. The Triple X is also very good for a heavy recoil but it is a little mushsy and it does not look very good.

Good luck and keep us posted.

If you find the 22" barrel handier, you can easily load the 450 Rigby up to the desired 2400 fps anyway. The case is sooooooo . . . big that you will not run into the pressure questions that might occur with a Lott. Personally, I feel that a 24" barrel is just fine. If I am going shorter than that I'll go all the way down to an 18", like on my Mannlicher. Now there'w a handy rifle. (Of course, the muzzle blast from an 18" .450 would turn your head inside out.) I suspect that any reliable barrel maker would balk at making you anything that wouldn't perform so I'd let them decide . . . especially if you go Lothar.

Just my advice,
get the 24" tude, as it's easier to cut it down than to get that "extra" 100-125 fps from a 22"

also, if you need to cut it down, or put a brake on, you can do so.

tell us how it goes, please
jeffe

Like jeffe said, start with at least 24 inches as you can always cut it back.

As to muzzle brakes, I think it depends on a couple of things.

Firstly is the issue of open sights and appearance. Although to my eye at least, the Ryan Breeding rifles look great with their muzzle brakes and you can always screw them off and put threaded cap on.

Secondly, it will depend on the use of the rifle. For a 10 pound rifle with a 500 grainer going at 2300 to 2400 f/s, I think this is banging on the door of muzzle brake country but will be OK if rifle is just used for "big game". However for much wider use and shooting from improvised field rests, I think a muzzle brake is needed once you go past 375 H&H recoil or perhaps 416 Remington recoil.

Mike

[ 10-14-2002, 11:08: Message edited by: Mike375 ]

Thomas M

I would go for a 24 or 25 inch barrel, cutting off is much easier than streching an inch or two

I would order a Border barrel from Dr. Geoffery Kolbe. He has the original profile for the rigby rifles, if you wish to have that. He use to made barrels for Paul Roberts before rigby moved to USA. I have border barrels on some of my rifles and they are great. Border has a pretty good delivery time, and no fuss with export/import papers.

I would not even consider a brake, not much bang for the ears. 10-11 pounds will be fine for this rifle. Recoil is not that bad, just hang on to the gun.

Good Luck
/ JOHAN

[ 10-14-2002, 11:38: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

Thomas M,

I have one friend who really likes the CH4D dies. He has visited their plant, and says they are very responsive. This guy shoots a lot of odd firearms, so he has a lot of special requests for them.

I have another friend who is a gun writer in Scotland. He knows the Border Barrels people, and has a lot of praise for their products.

Of course Lothar Walther makes fine barrels too, there are several people on the AR forums who strongly recommend them.

Good luck with your rifle...

jim dodd

Thomas M

You got mail

I would pick the Border barrel since it cut rifle, which the walter isn't. Border is a bit more dosh, but the crazy Doctor knows what he's doing

If you want a tad flatter trajectory on the ashtrays load with 300-350 grain barnes X.

/ JOHAN

Thanks everyone, I'l keep you informed about the progres

I'v ordered a reamer from JGS. They never made one in 450 Rigby but they had the drawings. Delivery in 4 weeks.

Having some trouble locating a barrel but it will soon be solved I hope.