I'm looking to build a 416 ruger if I can't buy what I want. The reason I'm looking at that cartridge is because I want 400gr, at 2400fps out of a 20 inch barrel. I don't *need* it, but I want the option.
I'm looking at controled feed actions for a donor and I'm starting to get confused about action the lengths.
Can somebody point me to a chart, or tell me what to look for?
Thanks.

Any action setup for cartridges of 3.340" can be used. In other words, easiest actions to use are those already setup for the .300 Winnie or 7mm Rem. Usually cheap and easy to find.

In order of size + or - means longer or shorter than a 30-06
416 Taylor -
416 ruger -
416 Remington +
416 accrel -
404 Jeffery+
416 rum+
416 rigby+
416 weatherby+

Last two are significantly longer and wider.

Ok, that is very helpful. Next question. I suspect I know what barrel and stock I want. What is the easiest way to come up with a suitable action?

Don't think you can get 2400fps out of 20" barrel in 416 Ruger. Maybe with the 416 AccRel, or 416 Short A-Square, both used in standard length magazine.

quote:

Don't think you can get 2400fps out of 20" barrel in 416 Ruger

I was thinking more like 2300

Ruger's data from a 20" won't quite get you to 2300. A lapped custom barrel might help.

just a thought here regarding the velocities you seek. if a 20" 416R won't get 2300 have you actually held or fired a properly set up DG rifle in the English stocking tradition? I have and I can tell you you don't notice the longer barrel as much as you think.

What you do get is the velocity you seek plus a rifle that "hangs" and feels damned good in the hands. My local Cabela's a couple years ago had a 375 H&H with a 26" barrel and it was put together so well and balanced and hung so well I didn't believe the barrel length until I confirmed it with a tape measure and even then all I thought was I would definitely hunt with such a weapon in my hands.

In fairness, I have never hunted Africa at this point and certainly never been in close quarters with the Big Five so I cannot offer any more than what I have shared as food for thought.

Keep us posted!

Jeff

Huh, I guess the data I was reading was from a 24 inch barrel. I can't believe I missed that.
So, I guess it's back to the drawing board.

I guess that is why the ruger alaskan has a 20 inch barrel and the african has a 24 inch barrel. The velocities produced by the 20 inch barrel are adequate for the most dangerous game in north america, but another 4 inches of barrel are needed for the most dangerous game in africa.

Crap.

I was thinking that the new ruger bottlenecked cartridge produced higher velocities with less barrel and that was the main advantage. I'm not so enamored with it now. I guess if I want 2400fps I will need 24 inches in rigby or remington or ruger or whatever.
I guess that gives me more choices at least. But I have no idea what advantage the ruger case has over the others.

Bummer.

I doubt if a Columbian Mammoth could tell the difference between 2250 and 2400fps. The 416 Ruger easily fits into readily available standard length actions, you get a shorter bolt throw, it kicks the least, brass is cheaper, powder is cheaper because you're using less, and factory ammo is cheapest. What's not to like. If you just have to have 2400fps, your easiest and cheapest option would be to buy a CZ550 in 416 Rigby, shorten the barrel or have it rebarreled, then make your own stiff handloads that reach 2400fps.
Have fun. Matt

frank,

when ruger announced the 375 offering a large portion of their marketing efforts were focused on the cartridge fitting into a standard length action rather than a magnum length action with the attendant pluses including lighter action, shorter bolt stroke and overall trimmer rifles.

lots of folks here more qualified than I to comment as they have hunted both and I hunt a M70 in 375 H&H. since the m70 can accomodate the 375 length as is i call BS on the action weight and shorter bolt stroke. i use a wiebe bm unit holding four down without using a drop box magazine and this works for me as i dont' have large hands so the rifle remains trim in the hands.

the ruger offering was also marketed as being a more efficient case design. again, i do not feel qualified to discuss case design efficiency but, the 375 H&H does what I need it to do. unless using one of the new masuer type offerings from GMA for instance, an H&H length cartridge requires removal of some metal from a std length action to make it fit along with some pretty detailed gunsmithing by someone who knows what they are doing to ensure reliable feed and function. the ruger length case does away with many of those issues which may, or may not, be advantageous.

i strongly urge you to find someone with some 416 caliber rifles to get a feel for. one of my favorites is a Whitworth Express. those are 24" barrels and feel absoultely wonderful in hand.

i'm sure others can chime in.

Jeff

Of course this one here could fill your needs: http://forums.accuratereloadin...2711043/m/8841014481

barrel could easily be shortened and the sight reattached.