What do you guys think the optimal length for a 416 would be taking into account muzzle blast, jump, velocity, etc.?

Personally, I like my hunting rifles to balance at the front receiver ring of the action or slightly farther back.

Also with the caliber's capabilities, even at longer ranges, I wouldn't want a barrel shorter than 22".

I have one .416 Rigby with a 24", while the second one has a 25" barrel.

23 to 25, depending on LOP
j

LOP is 14

I usuallyl default to 24 on most everything. But I wouldnt mind doing a rigby with a little longer barrel, but I'd make sure I didnt a little skinner barrel if I was going to make it longer, say 26, kinda like the some of the older period rifles.

I am constipating on a CZ 550 in 416, and I think it has a 25 inch barrel. I prefer barrels on my rifles in the 24 to 26 inch range. It is just a personal choice, and I think the rifles look better. JMO

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
I am constipating on a CZ 550 in 416, and I think it has a 25 inch barrel. I prefer barrels on my rifles in the 24 to 26 inch range. It is just a personal choice, and I think the rifles look better. JMO

Constipating huh?

On my McMillan stocked CZ in 416 Rigby, the balance is too far forward with a factory barreled action, in my opinion. I've got the option of sticking more weight in the butt (recoil reducers?) and making the rifle too heavy, or shortening the barrel. I think balance is more important than barrel length, especially if you might use it on DG.

Never owned a 416 but I find shorter is usually better for me. Much handier in the bush. Somewhere there's a balance for every rifle, but when in doubt I've never regretted shorter. Just my 2 cents.

I prefer shorter as well, 21/ 22 inches with opensights. If you want it scoped, go to 24 inches, as then you have spoiled the balance/ handyness already, and you might want some more velocity to make full use of the scope.

I own a 24" barreled 416 Rigby (Ruger)and I think it's too long for the type of work a rifle of this caliber is designed for. Fortunately Ruger listened and reduced it to 23", which is pretty close to perfect. A 25" barrel such as a CZ is not the way to go. jorge

quote:

Originally posted by bulldog563:
I have just ordered a barrel for a 416 Rigby project. What do you guys think the optimal length for a 416 would be taking into account muzzle blast, jump, velocity, etc.?

I have a number in mind but would like to hear what you guys think before I say.

Mine had 25" and think it was just fine and would do it again if I had any use for one.

bulldog563,
My 416 Rigby rifle has a 25" barrel that makes it balance right below the receivers recoil lug. I prefer this as I like a 'slite' muzzle heavy feel. If you are building it start at 26" and then cut it off till your happy with it, then finish The blueing and front sight install. Remember to compinsate for the weight of the front site also,(It is small but measureable.).
Good luck, Doug

I have a CZ550 in 416 Rigby. It is in a Brockman Laminate and barrel has been cut to 21" which is same as my Brno 602ZKK in 375. Handy and accurate. Theres a pic on one of the forums here along with some tusks.

Just saw the pic with the rifle in front of the mounted tusk.

How long was the barrel initially? What were the main reasons for the modification?

Is the picture from after the barrel was cut to 21"? It looks a bit longer then that to me for some reason.

Did you happen to chronograph any loads before and after the barrel length reduction?

quote:

What sort of gain in velocity do you guys think I would get if I went for a 24" barrel versus a 22"?

A 416 Rigby will provide all the velocity you need out of any barrel over 18". The Rigby has a big case, and it's not likely you'll be filling it up before you reach 2,500 fps with a 400 gr bullet.

The nice thing about a custom rifle is that one can balance all the parts to optimize the whole. I use a 14" LOP and like a 9" forearm to avoid "over-reaching" the stock. With these dimensions, I find a 23-24" barrel length looks right to me.

That said, it comes down to a matter of preference. If you want a short stout working gun look, 21-22" works fine. If you want a well balanced rifle with a classic look, 23-25" works best. If you want a period piece, you could go as long as 27-28"

The most important thing to do is to tell your barrel maker what size action you're using and the overall weight/balance you're looking for. If you're building the rifle on a GMA Magnum action with a .750" bolt, you'd probably want a beefier barrel than if you were using a Satterlee magnum Mauser action with a .710" bolt.

If the barrel and action are properly matched, your stockmaker should be able to get the balance point just where you want it. If not, you need a new stockmaker.

It was a stock CZ before the cut. The Pic is 21". Barrel band and front sight were added. It's a NECG front ramp with red fiber optic, chosen because the ramp has elevation adjustment in it and didn't require re-cutting the factory rear blades to zero. I don't have chrono so don't know velocity, but the Remington tech data says the loss should only be about 10 or so FPS per inch below 24" for the velocity being loaded. The bullets were 410Gr Woodleigh solids I believe and load was out of one of the manuals. I'm not home now so can't look up the particulars. Stock is fully glassed incidentally and shoots into 1" consistantly. Scope is a 1x4 Swarovski Professional in CZ rings. I'm VERY satisfied with the gun. Why 21" and not 22"? Just like odd numbers,no particular reason...

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:


The nice thing about a custom rifle is that one can balance all the parts to optimize the whole. I use a 14" LOP and like a 9" forearm to avoid "over-reaching" the stock. With these dimensions, I find a 23-24" barrel length looks right to me.

From where do you measure the length of the forearm? Front of receiver ring?

- stu

If it does not matter velocity wise after 18 inches, why are so little rifles barreled with a 18 inch tube? 21-22 definately better to use in thick stuff, and would always be my reccommendation

quote:

Originally posted by Stu C:

From where do you measure the length of the forearm? Front of receiver ring?

- stu

Yes, from front of ring. A 9 to 9-1/2" forearm lets me wrap my left index finger around the front of the forearm. I like the look of short forearms, but with anything shorter than 9 inches I tend to reach too far out and grab some barrel.

Karl, my point with regard to an 18" tube relates to velocity alone. The muzzle blast would be severe, but a shooter could get 2400 fps from an 18" tube if he desired. I'm certainly not advocating an 18" barrel.

The Rigby burns a lot of powder. I like a 24" barrel, but I wouldn't argue with someone suggesting anything between 21-25". The total rifle package is more important to me than an inch of barrel one way or the other.

I prefer the steady "hang" of a long, fairly heavy barrel.

It really helps me hold better and steadier for offhand shooting. So, my .416s have 24 and 25 inch barrels.

I have not found them to be the slightest hindrance in hunting, even in thick brush.

But, as others have said, much shorter is enough to get the needed velocity. So, it just becomes a matter of personal preference.

Forrest,

What is your LOP?

14" LOP fits me well. I'd rather have it 1/4" longer than a 1/4" shorter.

I think 21"-23" is the best handling. There are variables such as LOP, and forearm length and weight to consider. I think generally shorter is better in a DG rifle.

Everyone is different!

I have a 25 1/2"on my cz while I quite like and shoot it well I think it would be better at 23"

Have a Ruger 375 with a 23 inch barrel and its just too da** short and the balance is off. Much prefer the 24-26 inch lengths of Winchester, CZ, Weatherby, etc. The Whitworth is about right with 24.5 inch barrel and it balances nicely. A nose heavy gun is a slow gun and for DG could be costly.