I recently picked up a real nice 1909 DWM action from M1 Tanker. Anyhow I was going to build a 9.3x62 on it, but I just recently picked one up in that caliber. I was wondering how hard would it be to build a 416 Rigby on this action? I found a place to buy the barrel I just need to find a gunsmith, The gunsmith I use, for one doesn't have the reamer and he is so backlogged I wouldn't get it for another year. Thanks for any help.
323

If you truly know a smith that can do it and you trust him to do a good job IT'S WELL WORTH THE ONE YEAR WAIT.

Bear in mind that you need a firm quote in adavnce so there's no "sticker shock" in the end.

He is a damn good smith, But I do know of a couple of other smiths who have the reamers to do the job.

The reamer has nothing to do with it, that is simple to buy or rent.

You need a smith that knows how to open up the action, heat treat it, get it to feed, rail work, etc.

You could easily get too much slop in the action when you pull the bolt back if you are not careful. Too much metal can also be removed if not careful. You are MUCH better off building a 404 Jeffrey, which still requires an experienced gunsmith, but does not require as much extreme action work. The 404 performance on game (loaded to 2,300 fps) is similar to the 416 Rigby I would NOT use a gunsmith who has not successfully built a 404 Jeffrey or 416 Rigby on a M98 action before. He will be learning on the job and you will be paying his tuition.

Tim

Shumba, I already have a 404, I'm in the process of getting a 458 Lott built, I have a 338 win mag, I have 348-06 AI, 323 Hollis. I just want to build something that will go with the 1909 action. I forgot to mention I have 35 Whelen AI and 358 Norma Mag. I think the 416 Rigby would be a good round for this action if it was possible and from what I'm reading it is. I will just shipp it to H&K gunshop up in Forest Grove, Oregon and have Kurt put it together, Instead the regular smith I use. I should of worded my post a little different I do know of a couple of gunsmiths in oregon to do the the work, I should of asked if anyone knows of someone in this area Arizona that does good gunsmith work. M1 said he knows of someone in this ara or clos by.

323: I'm with Shumba on this one. The action is going to require A LOT of work to get opened up to a 416 Rigby. Since youu already have a 404, how about a 416 Rem? same ballistic performance as the Rigby is a trimmer action. I have a Rigby and on reflection, the Remington would have been a more practical choice. jorge

Man, the .416 Rigby is a LONG cartridge for an action designed for the x57 caliber family... For a big bore on a Mauser, a sensible option would be a 9.3x64. That cartridge was designed to fit Mauser M98 actions - even the .375 H&H (and related cartridges) are pretty long for a Mauser. Not impossible, but long. The 9.3x64, on the other hand, was designed with the M98 as a base...

Before WWII, the 9.3x64 was running rings around the .375 H&H in terms of sales in Africa. It is a very capable round...

- mike

P.S. 9.3x64 Article from G&A

Personally, i would not want a .416 Rigby on the 1909 action. If it were me, i would either choose anothe r caliber, or if stuck on the Rigby, sell the 1909 and apply that to the cost of a magnum Mauser action. WHile it is possible to get the Rigby in there, it is far from an ideal situation

The .416 Taylor or .375 Taylor, both built on .338 Win Mag brass, would be good alternatives and would fit easily in a M98 action....

BigDogMK

I see that you are missing a 500 Jeffrey. You may want to give that a try. Should be able to squeeze into a 1909 M98 easier than the Rigby.

Tim

One of my many projects is also a 375-338, Maybe I should build another 35 Whelen. I made a big mistake on my last one I used a Adams and Bennet barrel. I have not shot this rifle but from what I have read these are hit and miss barrels. So it is safe to say ther eis a lot of work involved If I want to go the 416 Rigby. Hell I don't know what to build.

I think you should make a 30/30 out of it!!!!

Have you considered the 6.5/06 AI? If I ever get mine done it will be a neat rifle. Maybe another 7x57? Or if you want to go big bore then maybe the 9.3x64.

I'm with you, I'm also going to take your recommendations and replace the spoon handle bolt on my 9.3x62 and replace the double set triggers and get a good synthetic stock. Where would I be with out your recommendations.

I already told you that I would personaly skin you alive if you touch that bolt handle or triggers. I think you need to swap your new toy to me before you desacrate it any further.

I'm just going by your recommendations that's all. So shoud I go with a ramline or corelite synthetic stock. As far as triggers go, I'm looking at taking the trigger out of that Turk I got off of you and putting it in. Also I'm going to take that worthless 1x4 weaver off and put a good 4 power simmons on it, and whacking the barrel down to about 19 1/2 inches.

Personally I think you should swap the 9.3 barrel on it for a nice Turk 8mm barrel. I even have a nice ramline stock you can put on it.

Bullshit!. Harry Selby´s famous 416 Rigby was built using a 98 action and served for more than 50 years of African usage...more than all we´ll see in our whole lives!

... built on a Magnum Mauser or a military length action like we have been talking about here??
- mike

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Think 500 Jeffery and don't look back.

quote:

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Originally posted by 323:
One of my many projects is also a 375-338, Maybe I should build another 35 Whelen. I made a big mistake on my last one I used a Adams and Bennet barrel. I have not shot this rifle but from what I have read these are hit and miss barrels. So it is safe to say ther eis a lot of work involved If I want to go the 416 Rigby. Hell I don't know what to build.

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I am a little bit confused here. How could you say you made a mistake on any brand of barrel by what you "heard" about it and without shooting it?

You can build a 416 Rigby on a standard action but it is akin to a blivit (10 lbs. of crap in a 5 Lb. bag)

I would recommend a 416 Remington or a 404 Jefferys on a standard 1909 action, they both will work fine with the addition of a proper magazine...the 416 Rigby is just too big a case IMO for a Mod. 98 Mauser...

Thanks for your input Mr. Atkinson.