Okay almost hate to ask,I have decided to rebarrel /change up on caliber in my Mark-5 it is now a 300 Weatherby,what would ya'll go to,I don't mind handload and am looking for a big bore,
GeorgeS what you think you have given great advice before.

On a MK5 I think you could do a 500 A2 on it. Which is pretty well the .460 weatherby necked up. If you go this way make the barrel around the 1" mark at the muzzle, break it and put a good pad on. Also barrel lug is pretty well mandatory. You could also do .460 weatherby, .416 weatherby, .378 or .375.

With the weatherby actions I would stick with the weatherby cartridges. If you want a real big banger get the .500 A2. I think it pushs a 600 gr to 2300-2400 fps !!

Dave,

The Mark V will be the easiest of all actions to make major caliber changes on as the action rails are not involved in feeding.

If it is a 300 Deluxe, I think unless you went for a thin barrel, then 416 would be the upper limit because of stock dimensions.

I don't know whether there is some variation in models because John Ricks has posted a couple of times that alterations have to be made to fit the magazine box for the 378 based calibers. That has not been the case on those I have seen.

Both face and extractor of course are needed unless you only wnet to the 416 Rem etc on the H&H case size.

Unless you are stuck on Wby Mark 5s and don't like CZs, the best road to travel might be to sell the Wby and get a CZ 550 in 416 Rigby.

Mike

Gentlemen

I would recommend a 416 rigby, like mike375. It will do most things well and without beating the shooter to death.

300 wby is not a bad cartride for most hunting and would make a good match to a 416 for Africa.

good luck
/ JOHAN

Dave,

Just to add something. Up until the 416 Rigby in CZ came out I always thought of the Wby Mark V as the easiest way to a big banger. No so sure now that the CZ 416 is there, all ready to go and a snap to go up to 450 Rigby or 450 Dakota.

Mike

[ 09-30-2002, 12:45: Message edited by: Mike375 ]

After reading the other posts I tend to agree now that the CZ would be the better option.

Thanks all for the ideas,forgot to mention that its left hand action,so no CZ for me.Wasn't sure if it was long enough for the Rigby,if done up that way,how many rounds do you think would fit the in the magizine,do any of you know any one making a extended box for the weatherby actions?

Dave,

The Wby magazine for the 378 based calibers holds 2 rounds and would be the same if it was a 416 Rigby. The box is about the same length as the CZ550 in 416 Rigby.

If do one in 416 Rigby or 416 Wby, fire off some full powered loads without a muzzle brake and see if your desire for a magazine box being extended still holds up

Mike

I believe I would sell it and perhaps buy a nice Mauser, Ruger Safari, or Winchester in 416 Rem...It is so much simpler.

I have look at those Mr.Atkinson,but I'm left handed,and after reading the borad for awhile now I have decided that the plains game are out of the question,I MUST HUNT BUFF,so will need to build a rile for them,working with in the budget I can't see spending 900-1000 on a left handed Winchester just to have it rebuilt.
Mike,if its worse than my 45-120 with a 750 grain slug than I quess 2 or 3 rounds will be all right ,right now the ele population is down here in the swamps of VA.

Dave,

If you plan on hunting Cape buffalo with that rifle, consider turning it into a .375H&H (or .375 Weatherby) or a .416 Remington. The conversion will be simple enough: a new barrel, sights, crossbolts, perhaps a secondary recoil lug, and extensive range testing to work out any kinks. (If you like, get a McMillan fiberglass stock which is strong enough to withstand the recoil without crossbolts and a secondary recoil lug.)

Another option to consider is to turn it into a .340Wby; you'd still have a long-range hammer, and with properly constructed, heavy-for-caliber bullets, it would do for Cape buffalo (it would make the energy requirements in Zimbabwe). Just a thought.

George
P.S. Drop the word 'budget' from your vocabulary when talking about rifles for dangerous game; power and reliability are the only things that matter.

GeorgeS,thanks only thing I mean by budget is its a work in progress,am useing OT money to build,I figure it will take a year or more to put together,I don't mean cheap,I know that cn get you killed.