As mentioned in another post I have a .458 Win Mag on a Mauser 98. Now I am thinking about the possibility of another barrel for the same action. I have a barrel vise etc. to remove and replace my own barrel when I need to so. Should I do a .416 Taylor or wait and see if someone comes out with a .416/300WSM and see if there is anything to be gained there? Sean

I would leave that 458 alone. Start afresh with another M98 and set it up as you like. The 415 Taylor is easy to do, but why not a 404 Jeffery? It achieves more than the Taylor with less pressure.

Well, I kind of thought I would stick with the same general case (if I went with the Taylor) or at least the same cartridge length so as not to have to further modify the action or Mag as would be necessary with the .404 you mentioned. Sean

If I hadn't gotten side tracked into a 416 howell, a shortened and necked down 404, I'd be having a 416 howell made. Actually, my first version will be a 45 caliber 2.5" 404 case.

Now, what you could do, is take advantage of your situation, and have the action set up for the 2.5" 404 case, have the 45 barrel re-chambered to get class 2 performance, and have the 416 barrel chambered to the howell, to get std action rem mag performance. The taylor is a great round, but can't do 400 gr @ 2400 fps, though if you can live with 2300 fps, go for it.

Oh, don't know why you'd want to go with the WSM, as its a 2" case. If you are interested in a pair of std length 404 based rounds, drop John Ricks a line star@olypenl.com, he has several 416 howells in the works, and will be finalizing the 458 design soon.

Another barrel for the same action is a pain in the kazoo, even a quick switch barrel gun is a non working set up that has no practical purpose...You will always have the wrong barrel on when you need it...

The difference in the 416 Taylor and 458 serves little, both are big bores capable of the same thing...Killing Buff, Lion, elephant and bear at up to a 100 yds.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

I must agree with Ray about the interchangeable barrel rifles. You will always have the wrong one on. I have heard story after story of that happening with the Blazers and their change is fast.

If you aren't looking for a big jump in performance you can stick with the 458 and just go to lighter bullets. You will get close to the same velocity as the 416 Taylor, without the added cost. All you will loose is sectional density. If you want to improve velocity of the 458 do as mentioned earlier by others. The 450 G&A or Howell will give you added velocity without going into the expense of the big changes.

If you want a real change then get another rifle with a longer action.

I have a 416 Taylor that has the same case design as John Wooters rifle. Its body is .1" longer than the standardized version or 2.120" to the shoulder (instead of the standardized 2.040"). I can get the 2400fps Wooters got with his rifle but it is not for hot weather (Africa). There is nothing wrong with the cartridge. Saying that I must say that if your 458 Win Mag shoots well you can do everything with the 458 the Taylor can do, plus shoot 500 gr bullets.

Just my 2 cents worth.
Good luck in your search.

Good Hunting
Steve

The 416 Taylor data in the reloading section of this web sight shows 2400 fps with 400 gr bullets. I have broke 2600 fps with 350 Speer bullet however 2550 fps is a better pressure/velocity combination. It is a fun cartridge. Mine used to be a 300 Win Mag. The 416 Taylor uses 8 to 10 gr less powder to achieve simular velocities to a 416 Rem but cannot match Rem max velocities. it is a real killer of hogs.

Rchapura,

I am waiting on my 416 Taylor as we speak! I would be interested in any load data you may have, in addition to the data posted here.

Mainly 350 gr and 400 gr. stuff.

Thiis rifle will never see Africa and having a "quick-switch" is not necessary. The idea was simply to have another barrel to play with. I don't know anything about the "Howell" cartridges you speak of but I would prefer to keep things simple.
I know if I won't go to Africa then why have the .458 or .416 but as mentioned in my other post if I draw a Moose permit here this year I think I will give that .458 some excersise. I enjoy shooting and loading and think I will have a barrel chambered to the Taylor round just for the hell of it. Sean

I believe Saeed's rifle had a longer than usual barrel, for a 416 Taylor.

I'm always looking more load data to add to my webpage. Please! If you have data, I'd love to have it! I will post it, without your identity, if you wish.

Thanks!

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Brian
The 416 Taylor WebPage!