Smiths;

I have a Left hand PO Ackely Mauser that I am considering having built into a 416 Rigby. My question is:

-Who can do this work on a limited budget (say not more than $1200)
-Is this feasible and liley to tun out well (with becoming a money pit)
-Will this action handle the task well?

I want to bulld a classic LH medium weight 3 round down 416 (no, I don't want any other caliber/chambering)

This will be my go-to gun for all big fgame (deer to elephant) rifle.

Other than checkering, I will do the wood work...

Advice? Recommendations?

If this is a standard Mauser and not a true magnum Mauser, there are a lot of people on this board who say it can't/shouldn't be done.
Do a search on posts by ColoradoMatt. He is having one built on a standard 98 Mauser to look like the one PH Harry Selby used for many years. It is a lot of work, but can be done. He may be willing to give you an some of the pitfalls he may have gone through.

Mike;

It indeed is a standard length action. I'll check out the lead you gave.

Happy Thanksgiving!

You might consider a 404 Jeffery.

Andrew,
I honestly don't think you can get much rifle for that amount of money. I really don't think you could do it even if you did all the work yourself.
Butch

If that's all you think you can spend, I would get a lefty post 94' Model 70 in any of the standard magnums and have it converted to 416 Rem mag. (I understand that it's actually a very easy conversion). You could even convert your Ackley Mauser to 416 rem using some of Duane Wiebe's bottom metal (bottommetal.com). I bet the Japanese made Ackley mausers have pretty good metallurgy. I am hoping to keep my 416 Rigby under 5K-7K, and I am getting a smokin' deal on almost every aspect of the work going into this rifle. Good luck. The 416 Rigby is a very fine cartridge, but the 416 rem mag is every bit its equal, unless you want to try and load up to 416 Weatherby, and you certainly wouldn't want to do that with a standard action conversion unless you are trying to kill yourself. Brass and ammo for the 416 Rem are a lot cheaper. Give it a hard look. Or, you could save your money for a couple of years and do what I'm doing. Either way, good luck. Give me a P.M and I can tell you about my project, so you can decide if you want to go that route.
Matt

Andrew,

PM sent.

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:
Give me a P.M and I can tell you about my project, so you can decide if you want to go that route.
Matt

Maybe you can give us all an update on how it's going. I sure would like to hear.