English Walnut

I agree.....There's a reason why the walnut tree was put here and walnuts is only a part of the reason.

Think Bastogne........

Depending on where you plan to hunt the 416 I would think about Walnut. In Africa it just seems to me that Walnut stocked rifles are the tradition. Synthetics just don't look the same in a picture with or Cape Buffalo or whatever. If you were hunting in Alaska I think you would prefer a stainless gun anyway. For the 300 Win Mag (I'd do a Weatherby on the STW instead) the same might apply.
I've used the Williams and Blackburn bottom metal. The Williams is much less expensive and of very high quality. It's also not too hard too inlet. Since it is so close to the original Winchester it's sometimes hard to tell that you really have custom bottom metal. But it works great and the price is right.
I like the shape of the Blackburn's triggerguard, it makes it look more like a custom rifle. You have to do a little more work to your magazine block etc. It also costs a little more. It is available in a drop-box version.
So if it were mine to do, I would do a Drop-box Blackburn bottom metal in a nice piece of Walnut for the 416. With the 300 mag, I'd make a 300 Weatherby in a Body's JRS Laminate with Williams Bottom metal and Teflon coat the thing for all weather use. With the money I save on the 300 you could spend a little extra and get a wood stock on the 416. You'd have a traditional African rifle and an all-weather 300 mag for everything else. Gee it's fun trying to spend other peoples money.............DJ

Any of yo all got a link for the blackburn stuff?

Hey gang,
I stopped by my default gunstore today to pick up a used Sako that they had cut down and recoil padded for my girlfriend unit. Unfortunately the balance on my account there was in favorable territory. Sooooooo..... I walked out with two hardly used blue/walnut Winchester classics, one in 7mm STW, and one in 338 Win Mag.
I have no desire for an STW, and already have two perfectly serviceable .338's.
The 7mm STW action is going into a 416 Rem Mag project, and the .338 is going into a 300 Win Mag project.
Will send them to either Dennis Olson or Mark Penrod. Will use Krieger barrels. Will use Legend stocks painted olive drab. Will use NECG Masterpiece front sight on the .416, and an island rear sight. Will replace the extractor with a quality after market model. Will have the action wizardry done. Will use Talbot scope mount bases, and set up 2 1.5-5x20s for the .416, and a 4x and 6x for the 300.

This will take a few years and a lot of scrimping and saving (ie normal protocol for my life).

What is my best bet for a magazine box and bottom metal?

Any fatal flaws in the plan (besides lack of funding)?

JCN

JCN, I am in the same boat! I just acquired a pair of 7STW for a song. They will be going to Mr. Penrod for the usual appointments. As for bottom metal, I went with Blackburns.

Good luck with your projects!