FWIW, here are a photos of the bottoms of my son's non drop magazine rifle and mine, with a drop magazine:


You can see where mine balances because of the wear. That would be with scope since if I want to carry with express sights I just carry my DR.

JPK

Thanks again for the wealth of information for making up my mind, and the suggestions I got via PMs.

So far:

Caliber will be 450 Rigby. I decided I did not want to deal with a wildcat, and I think this will give me what I am looking for (500gr @2,400+ ft/s).
Regular stock, no Mannlicher.
I will buy the LH Granite Mountain action and barrel assembly and ship it to the gunsmith.
I have interviewed a couple of gunsmiths (more to come), and will have to place the order in the next 4 months if I want the rifle ready for March 2016.

I have a 450 Rigby that Duane Wiebe built on a double square bridge Mauser action. Have used it on a couple of tuskless elephants. Really like the caliber. Use the 500 grain cutting edge solid and Northfork soft in mine.

I would recommend keeping the rifle weight around 10.5 pounds and make sure it has good iron sights. If you hunt elephants the proper way you will be using iron sights (personally believe a scoped rifle can get you into a jam in thick brush).

All the best with your build and let me know if you need any load data.

With a big strong new action like Granite Mountain a person can use 460 weatherby handloading data.

the 450 Rigby is a VERY NICE CHOICE.

Best of shooting and hunting for you!

+1 on the 450 Rigby choice. Can be loaded through quite a power range without pressure problems. Likewise Northfork solids are very accurate, consistent and easy to regulate with their softs if you want to down the road.

quote:

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I would recommend keeping the rifle weight around 10.5 pounds and make sure it has good iron sights. If you hunt elephants the proper way you will be using iron sights (personally believe a scoped rifle can get you into a jam in thick brush)...

Thanks, that was the weight I was thinking of. Yes, I will have iron sights. Looking at NECG iron sights with a height adjustable fiber-optic front bead, window hood, and an adjustable rear sight.

https://www.newenglandcustomgu..._Services/Sights.asp