I have a Ruger stainless 7 Mag that has been sitting in my safe for over 4 years without being shot so I was considering changing it to a bigger bore and the 416 Ruger looks like it will be a drop in conversion.

Does anyone see any issues with converting to this?

just a wee bit of advice.....get a few rounds of .416 Ruger and try feeding them through the magazine. The large round nose bullets may require alterations to the magazine feed ramps. You'll see it immediately.....if they feed for you or if you see what needs to be done to make them feed then proceed.....nothing worse than rebarreling and facing feeding problems and many smiths will ask upwards of $500 to fix the feeding issues!

Isnt the 7mm Mag and the 416 different diameter? This would require the smith to open up the bolt face some if my thinking is correct...

If you want to spned the money you can do about whatever you want...

quote:

Originally posted by Brando:
Isnt the 7mm Mag and the 416 different diameter? This would require the smith to open up the bolt face some if my thinking is correct...

Nope they're the same rim diameter; just think of the Ruger case as being a belted magnum case without the step-down from the belt to the case body...just straight from edge of belt to shoulder which gives greater case capacity in same length case.

change the barrel and go bang.

on a ruger, no, or minimal, feeding differences.. the 416 ruger obviated the 416 AR ..

same bolt face, same largest diameter

might order a follower and box, maybe

I say sell what you have and purchase the Ruger Alaskan 416 instead of going thru all of the trouble....there won't be any difference in cost til your done and you will have a better overall gun, with sights. Of course, if you wanted a longer barreled 416 Ruger then that is a bit different, but it certainly isn't necessary. I have both the 375 and 416 Ruger Alaskan rifles and they are quite nice. The 416 has a slightly heavier 20" barrel but it will get your attention, and I really like the sights.

Thanks guys.

The reason that I'm converting rather than buying a new Ruger is that I'm left handed.

Fjold,

I'm currently doing this with a model 70 in 7 mag, but to a 375 H&H. Waiting to hear from the smith to see if there will be feeding issues. Will let you know if it does.

G

Oh yeah, I'm a lefty too. So we're in the same boat...

Interesting, as a fellow lefty purchased a couple of stainless Rugers and a Shilen .416 blank to do just the same thing.
But it is on hold till I finish a lot of put off load work ups for existing rifles.

Can tell you I removed my factory 375 Ruger and 300 Win Mags from their stocks and can not see any difference in the actions or bolts.