I just added another 416 cal to the battery - a Custom Walter Abe 416 Van Horn cal.

Well, I just bought this 416 Van Horn custom rifle built by Walter Abe. 416 is my favorite caliber.

It just so happens that I have a custom wildcat rifle chambered in 416 MRE from 1972 (Mid Range Express) ... that's the same caliber as the 416 Van Horn that Gill Van Horn invented in 1977. Its a 460 Weatherby Mag case shortened to 2-1/2" and necked down to .416 cal. Its basically a 416 Weatherby Mag "short".

as always comments are welcome ... and any info about Gil Van Horn or Walter Abe would be appreciated.

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/abe-000.jpg



http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/abe-bases.jpg

Beautiful rifle. I always thought this as a worthwhile wildcat. Sufficient power in a short action. I believe there was a 460 Van Horn as well.

That sounds like a very cool cartridge. Nice rifle.

Maybe you can tell, .416 is absolutely my favorite caliber. I'm up to ten, .416 caliber rifles ... .... here they are....

The A-Square is a .416 Hoffman ... The Lawson is a .416 Taylor, The recently acquired Abe in .416 Van Horn ... The other 7 are all .416 Rigby caliber.


http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/10-416s.jpg

I added these pictures to my original post. Does anyone know what rings would fit these bases?

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/abe-bases.jpg

I found that the front scope base has a small ledge that hangs over the action with a large set screw that keeps the base from moving forward under recoil. This takes the load off the 2 screws that hold the base. I purchased a set of 16mm Warne QD Lever rings that worked great on the 2.5x32 scope that I now mounted. This allows for quick and easy "on-off" scope and iron site swapping, as needed. Field tests with the scope to follow.

Here is a picture of the 416 Rigby cartridge next to a 416 Van Horn cartridge. With modern powders the 416 Van Horn can equal original 416 Rigby performance.

And a picture of a target using the iron sites. This is a fun "puppy" load for practice.

And finally a picture of the mounted scope showing the overhang base. If you look close you can see the large set screw.


http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/RIGBY-VAN-HORN.jpg




http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/abe-targ.jpg




http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/abe-scope-0.jpg