I am trying to build a .416 remington. My first thought is that I wanted to buy a Winchester Model 70 with controlled round feed and the extractor, then simply have some work done to it. Blueprint action..ect.. After much effort I have had no luck and will not find a left handed Model 70 Windchester in .416 or .375. I need help on finding a good custom action for these bigger bore guns. The action has to be CRF. Comments welcome.

Lightning,

Have you considered just buying a left-handed Dakota M76?

You can get either a complete rifle or an action.

jim

Sounds like the MRC action is a good candidate.

Jim

Have you had good used many Dakota actions? I get mixed stories on them and don't know what to believe. I am trying to see if Nesika makes something for this caliber. But I have heard mixed reactions with them also. I am confused!

Find a gunsmith that is familiar with "modifying" a standard long action to accomodate the 416. The rear bridge will need to be milled to the rear, the follower and box will need to be replaced, the bolt stop and ejector will need to be shortened, and the fins at the rear of the rails will need to milled square to the rest of the rails. It is easily accomplished by a competent gunsmith and the cost will be darn close, in price, to what a .375 donor action will run you anyway.

Chuck

P.S. Employ Mark Penrod to do the work, and sleep soundly.

Chuck,

I would like to talk to him. Do you have his contact info? Thanks for the advise.

Mark Penrod
Penrod Precision
312 East College Avenue
North Manchester, Indiana
(260) 982-8385

Chuck

Ditto the Mark Penrod recommendation, I have a M70 that he is completely re-working with him now, and, another about to be on the way!


Huntr

I think Mark is becoming the unofficial gunsmith of AR. I to have an action at his shop.

Lightning
This might seem like a dumb Q but are you a south paw or are you going for the quicker second shot from a set of shotting sticks?

What!? Actually I see your logic, but WHAT!?

Chuck

The cheapest and the easiest option - but not necessarily the worst - would surely be to order a M1999 from MRC. Their regular LH action with a magnum boltface and a magazine box for long magnums would do the trick. You'd save yourself a lot of trouble in the blueprinting too, compared to a M70. I'm not quite sure whether MRC ships LH actions immediately these days, or whether there is a wait involved?? Probably depends on the configuration you order (CM, SS etc).
- mike

I mainly shoot from a bipod and I am left handed. It didn't dawn on me that because I didn't have to remove my triger finger and can cycle the bolt with my free right hand that I have a advatage in the field. This gives me faster cycling of the bolt. Witch gives me more time to get on a new target. So are left handed? If so,I suggest that you shoot a right handed rifle with a bipod or stick and give it a go. YOU MIGHTBE SURPRISED!! Aric

I feel like a monkey with a football trying to work a right bolt. I have tried it numerous times. I would love to make that switch. I wouldn't feel comfortable with this DGR that i am building. Off-hand I really can't do with a right bolt. I know some guys can though.

Of course I am biased, but I agree with mho. Using our Model 1999 action in left hand will give you a custom rifle at a reasonable price.

Of course there have been some delays, but I can assure you that none of the delays were caused by the Montana Rifle Company itself. If anyone has had anything manufactured you'll know the problems that we have faced. Sometimes, and I really hate to say it, our suppliers are completely brain-dead. But we are working through them and will have each and every action that has been pre-ordered filled as quickly as we possibly can. For more information, please contact our Sales Manager, Jeff, at jeff@montanarifleman.com

Dan

Dan, I am glad to see you are still alive and kicking. What is the latest on the LH SS long actions?

Yes I am Left handed, and because I have used right handed bolt action rifles a fair bit I know what you are getting at. However, it really isn't justified (its also a safety issue) unless said rifle is going to sit on bags or a bipod its entire life. I don't own a single rifle in that category so the point is moot. There are also those LH'ers out there who simply feel to awkward using a LH bolt to want to switch from one on the right side. Finally, any RH'ed shooter that, on purpose, seeks out a LH action to build a hunting rifle on really ought to be kicked in the rear until his nose bleeds .

Chuck

I too, would suggest the MRC LH action. I have a RH action at John Ricks' place being mated with a Lothar-Walther barrel for a 404 Jeffery. Within as couple of weeks a LH MRC action will be delivered to John for another 404 Jeffery project. Then both barreled actions will be sent to Scrollcutter for his magic touch.

It has been a bit of a wait for the LH actions, however unless you are willing to plunk down between 1-3K for a "Mauser"/"Reimer Johannsen"/"Dakota" square bridge magnum action, if you can find one in a LH model and get it imported, the MRC LH action looks terrific at twice the price!

Just my opine.