This is an "out of curiosity post"...

I read an article one time about the .416 Rigby that Selby had on a standard 98 mauser. I saw a picture and I could see the area in the front ring where they had removed some of the metal to make it feed and eject properly.

The question is, how advisable or inadvisable is it to convert standard length, good quality mauser actions to Magnum length cartridges?

Thanks guys.

Red

I've personally played with an original Rigby .416 built on a std M98 and owned by the Zimbabwe PH Paul Zorn. The Rigby was built by basically cutting back in the action as far as possible. The bolt stop was machined back and a cut was done in the top of the front action ring to allow a cartridge to easily be fed in. The rear action ring ejector port was dramatically elongated for positive ejection. A totally new drop box magazine box was built to .416 Rigby dimensions and a dropped floorplate allowed it to hold three or four .416 Rigby's down in the mag. The biggest problem is the magazine box in my opinion. Given the low operating pressures of the .416 Rigby, I fully believe this is a totally doable project although it would be quite expensive to duplicate. The major advantage is that you wind up with a very nicely proportioned and relatively light gun as compared to having to use a magnum mauser action for the basis of a .416. Very little metal had to be removed from the front lower locking lug to get this to work. Paul's .416 Rigby fed and extracted like it was on glass rails!
I actually plan on building one of these in the near future myself once I learn how to properly build cyustom magazine boxes for Mausers!-Rob

The longest M 98's I have lengthened is to 3.70" inside magazine length. I am very selective of which action I chose, due to model and heatreatment.

I have know Paul Roberts, former owner of Rigby, for over a decade. I asked him a few years ago about the 416 Ribgy on the M98. He stated that the Firm had made a FEW on the standard action before and after WW2 when the magnum actions where not available. He also said that it was a practice they no longer do.

Regarding the operating pressure of the 416 Rigby, you need to remember the following.

Cordite was the powder originally used.

Pressures go up in the tropical heat where most of these guns are being used.

Dago Red,

Your questioon was asked by someone else a few months ago and I had told them that I had a copy of an article in an old edition of Gun Digest by Ray Ordorica just about this. I had sent it to them on e-mail and if you are interested, could gladly send it to you.

Just let me know if you want it.

Good shooting.

Mehul,

I am probably the beginning of the avalanche but I would like a copy of the article too, if you could email me one as well.

Mark

YES, I would very much appreciate a copy of the article. I don't personally plan on doing it, just like to get the information on things that seem to get thrown around in discussions sometimes. If you could e-mail it to my I would love to read it a few times.

theonlybigred@earthlink.net

Thanks!

Red

My friend, mehulkamdar!!
Could you please mail it to me to. I'm planning to open up a M98. Maybe I'll get second thoughts.

aristoe@frisurf.no