Over in the Big Bore forum, Mufasa is asking about the relative merits of the various 416’s. This has me thinking about what cartridge combinations make sense for a matched-pair with the larger gun being a 416 of some ilk.

Here’s what I’m pondering: A matched pair of custom rifles on Granite Mountain actions, wood stocked in the classic style; I want the pair chambered in a 338 and 416 of some variety, suitable for hunting anywhere in the world (but they have to handle buffalo and elephant). The pair stands alone and cartridge choices are not constrained by anything else I might own.

Some combinations that make sense to me are:

338 Win Mag and 416 Rem Mag – Standard length actions, lighter rifles, readily available ammunition.

330 Dakota and 416 Dakota – Standard length actions, properly headstamped brass, proprietary cartridges but at least there’s a method to Dakota’s madness.

338 RUM and 416 Rigby – Long actions, I can handload up or down the power spectrum and not worry about pressure problems, properly headstamped brass is readily available.

318 WR and 404 Jeff – Standard length actions, light trim rifles, brass available but more scarce; the combo is uber classy. The 318 is a bit “range-limitedâ€.

What do you guys think about these or other possible combinations?

9.3 x 64 and 10.75 x 68? Something different, anyway.

That would be an extremely classy and very useful choice, especially here in B.C. For practical purposes, I would pick the .338 Win.-.416 Rem. combo, but, the .330-.416 Dakota is probably the "ballisticly best" choice.

If I were building a matched pair on Granite Mt. actions, I'd build a 338 Win. Mag. and a 416 Rigby. That pair makes sense, especially since a larger version of the GM action can be tailor-made to house the Rigby properly. You can hunt the world with that combo. Retained value of those rifles should be excellent in these two chamberings, not to mention ammo availability, etc. Off-beat chamberings are to be avoided for a lot of reasons, especially with a considerable investment in the rifles themselves, as well as the hunts they'll be used on.

The one thing I would do with the 338 is put both sling swivel bases on the stock. Then you can shoot with a sling and best take advantage of the 338s down-range potential. That's the one place where I'd break with having both rifles perfectly matched..........

AD

You've got some pretty damned nice bolt guns already, what about a matched pair of Hagns? Two different size actions. The 500/416 would be neat on their big action, the 8x75 rimmed on the intermediate action. Swamped full rib barrels with integral scope mounts of course.

At this point you don't need another rifle Forrest, forget about it. Besides I might want to use the services of your smith oneday. Not fair for you to keep booked solid till his retirement (joke)

You've got the H&H pair, Why not a pair of Rigby's. A .350 and .416 Rigby sound like the ticket to me. A .338Winmag and .416Rem sound more practical, but not as much fun.

Terry

Some years ago I had a matched pair of Sako Safaris, an original factory job in .375 and another rebarreled to .300 H&H. Both held five in the box and one in the chamber. An African trip with the .375 and a Ruger 7mm Mag, when I had to concentrate too hard on remembering the differing safety catches and magazine capacities, convinced me that I needed identical rifles. I never did go back to Africa but the gent I sold the pair to has used them there and is happy with them.

Don’t worry about what’s already in the safe, this pair isn’t necessarily for me. I’m talking about a matched-pair (of BOLT guns, FLA) that would cover the world of hunting from elephant down. My first inclination is the same as ever-practical Allen’s – 338WM and 416 Rigby. But if I’m handloading anyway, why not go with the 338 RUM just for the extra capacity even if I don’t always use it?

I agree, the Dakota pairing makes the most sense in terms of ballistics; but my fear is I’d be buying “Beta†instead of “VHSâ€.

The 350 Rigby is an interesting idea, but might lack the range needed for some situations. The more esoteric (for a Yank) metrics don’t do anything for me.

Thanks for the ideas.

i've got a couple of matched pairs. One is a set of beretta o/u's in 9.3x74R & 30:06 with a 3rd pair of 20 ga. barrells fitted so they go in either action. The second is a paid of dakotas in 375 and 416 dakota. These were made by don allen when he was still with us & I'n still amazed at how identical they are. I finally put a different scope on each so I could tell at a glance which was which. Otherwise you had to look at the hole in barrel to tell.

I'd go with the .338 Lapua Mag. and the .416 Rigby, just to be different!

Well if it has to be GM bolt guns and has to be 338 & 416, I'd choose 416Rigby on the magnum length and 338Hawk on the standard length.

a pair are 2 identical {wt,lop,bore etc} guns made at the same time.matched pair are identical guns made at different times but "matched" to each other. composite pair are 2 guns not identical but {usually cased}together.pairs command a premium.as one gunmaker told me "try to make identical toothpicks". dont know if there is a different convention for rifles?

quote:

Originally posted by allen day:
If I were building a matched pair on Granite Mt. actions, I'd build a 338 Win. Mag. and a 416 Rigby. That pair makes sense, especially since a larger version of the GM action can be tailor-made to house the Rigby properly. You can hunt the world with that combo. Retained value of those rifles should be excellent in these two chamberings, not to mention ammo availability, etc. Off-beat chamberings are to be avoided for a lot of reasons, especially with a considerable investment in the rifles themselves, as well as the hunts they'll be used on.

The one thing I would do with the 338 is put both sling swivel bases on the stock. Then you can shoot with a sling and best take advantage of the 338s down-range potential. That's the one place where I'd break with having both rifles perfectly matched..........

AD

I pretty much would agree 100% on everything Mr Day has said.

338 win. and 416 taylor same action length

Forrest, The 404 and .318 combo would be my choice. I just like to be different! I love my Vickers .318 and would not feel range limited. Most African shooting is under 200 yds. from everyone I have talked to and most of the books I have read. I may be going to Botswana next year on a plains game hunt, and plan to take the .318 with 250gr. handloads. I started putting together a light 416 Hoffman several years ago, before the Rem version came out. If I had not barreled up the action and put a Dakota qtr. rib on it, I would be building a 404. Lots of romance and history in that pair of calibers, and both have stood the test of time. Just my .02. Lee.

ForrestB

333 Jeffery and a 416 Rigby or 8X68S and 404 Jeffery

Cheers
/JOHAN

Actually, if I were building a pair of classic bolt guns to hunt the world, I'd probably build a 404Jeff and a 300H&H.

Forrest,

If practicality isn't much of an issue, I'm in agreement with Johan. The 333J is ballistically superior to the 318WR. And of course, the 404J would make a perfect match to the 333 Jeffery. Magnum actions required for neither helps keep the finished product a bit trimmer than say a 416 Rigby.

Of course, your post just allows me to day dream a bit as I currently own neither, but certainly hope to some day.

The last time I “pondered a matched pair†it had very little to do with rifles!

Forrest - you just completed an appropriately caliber-themed set in 300 & 375 H&H calibers, why not a comparable set in 8mm REM mag and 416 REM mag or maybe a “faster†pair in 300 and 375 REM Ultra Mag? I like sticking with the same caliber maker’s name… that seems to reinforce the value of the pair.

quote:

I like sticking with the same caliber maker’s name… that seems to reinforce the value of the pair.

The thought of paying an engraver to scribe "Remington" anywhere on a rifle gives me a queasy feeling. (though I have done it a couple of times)

416 Rigby and a 8X68's. The 8X68's will accomplish anything that a 338 WM will and will easily best it when the shots are a bit longer.

Or if you prefer a more plain vanilla/americanized version 416 Remington and a 8mm Remington mag.

ForrestB,

This is what I would do,

300 H&H & 400 H&H

or 300 H&H & 465 H&H

and would build a 240 H&H, manlicher just for grins.

Three blanks from the same slab may be tough, but........we knew the job was dangerous before we took it.

Seems like a 375 ought to fit in somewhere, will have to think about it

Forrest- here is what I did; Duane is building a .416 Rigby and a .338 Ultra Mag. I wanted the horsepower of the Rigby and the UM. I would like to follow-up with a lighter and shorter .404 Jeffery. Thanks very much for your help. P.S.-I'll still buy the steaks.

Forrest,

To stay away from the dreaded "REMINGTON" stigma you really do need to go with the .338 Lapua Mag. and the .416 Rigby.

Same case; same size actions and rifles; and no cringing.

How about a matched pair of 22 Hornet and 577 Tyrannosaur?

To me a matched pair also means the case size is matched or as close as can be. Some of the other posters seem to be of the same general view.

Restricting to 338 and 416 and no wildcats

338 Lapua and 416 Rigby
338/378 and 416 Wby

I would not pick the Wbys as I think Wby calibres should be in Wby rifles. Remington calibres in M70/Mauser type custom rifles also cause me to break out in hives. I would also be a bit reluctant on 338 Lapua as it is a shortened Rigby and seems to go more hand in hand with the fibre glass rifle and Nightforce scope.

Personally I would drop 338 so I could have 300 H&H and 400 H&H and as someone else said a 244 H&H could be added.

Mike

Is it wrong that I have two in the works First a pair of 70 stainless 375 and 470 capstick and a pair of FN mausers 9.3 and 458 win. I found the stick for the winnies and am looking for the stick for the FNs. I already have a 30-06 in both for practice.