I just got a MRC PH stainless action. It has a Rigby boltface.

What should I build with it?

I already have a 375H&H and a 600 Overkill. So those are off the list. The potential is there to open the boltface and do something based on a 505 Gibbs, like a 375 CheyTac, but I have a sneaking suspicion something else would be much cooler.

Sooooooooo, I am taking suggestions.

Andy

.375 + .620 / 2 = .4975
Something "50" maybe?

Lefteris
www.europeancartridgeunlimited.com

Why not a 450 Rigby?

Loaded from 450 Nitro ballistics to full power 450 Rigby ballistics, depending on how much recoil you like, it would be suitable for any game on the Planet.

With 350gr Hornady RN bullets from 1800 to 2300fps it would make a great deer/pig gun for Texas, giving you the opertunity to get in a lot of practice with it.

With cast bullets loaded at 45/70 ballistics it would be great fun to shoot as well.

You should do a .470 or .500 MBOGO. That really is a good cartridge. I have two of them and they are fun to shoot and outrageously cool turtle guns! -Rob

Build something with a long OAL to utilize the length of that action. You were in the right ballpark with the Cheytac.

I second the 450 Rigger.
Plenty of .458 bullets to play with.

Nitro

It has a Rigby bolt-face

Why not a classic 416 Rigby?

SSR

Make a switch-barrel
for every known Gibbs/Chey-Tac and then some new ones.
What are you going to be able to get good brass for?
Can you get Jamison or Horneber brass in Chey-Tac variety
of choice in adequate supply?
Seems to me you should use that big bolt face and action length
for something based on the Gibbs case head.
Norma makes .505 Gibbs.

Vote for 375 CT

Get a 1:8" twist .375 barrel.
That will allow you to use the 400 and 402-grain .375 bullets
from CEB, with BC of about 1.000.
Build everything from .375 to .510 Chey-Tac.

Can the MRC PH action handle the bolt thrust
of full pressure .408 Chey-Tac?
That would be interesting.

Neal's 550 Magnum would work well in that action also.

550 mag or 500 AccRel with practac build-up ..

Andy:

Lot of room between a .375 and .600. Lots of good suggestions. Why not a .505 Gibbs, or a .416 of a Rigby or other persuasion?

.465 H&H

There is probably no reason at all that you need a 505 Gibbs...which is why you should make one. Make it a fun gun whatever you do...

I am leaning heavily towards some flavor of the Gibbs case. Like .416 or .423. Maybe something on the 600 Overkill case unless it will just trash the barrel in less than 200rnds.


That 1-8 barrel sounds wicked. Any mfg you recommend? 30-34 inches..... Interesting that the Chey-Tac website says they use 1-11.5, must not be using very heavy or very long bullets.

Jeffe, I have the perfect blank in mind. Very straight grain

375 CT brass is $52.97/20pcs.

500 Mbogo.

That's a Rigby casehead and you can load to 8500 ftlbs, which can be considered a reasonable use of capacity.

I am doing a 416-505 on a ph action as we speak.1/12 twist Douglas barrel. It should finish out 27" long and about 1.125 dia. It will be a bench or bipod rifle only. It should be a good 1500 yard rifle,

I do not know how much more I will get out of it with a 27" than what you can do with a 416 Rigby loaded to the gills. The rigby would have a better resale do to the fact you could re-contour the barrel and make it a sporter.

JD

450 Rigby or Dakota, as the mood moves you.

500gr bullets pushing 2500fps are a very effective choice.

Rich
Sua Sponte

Hey Rich,

How was the fishing trip?