Gentlemen:
I have a Mark X action that was originally chambered for .30-06. I am wanting to build it up for my son into a .416 for his use in hunting in Africa and Alaska. Since I hunt with a .416 Rigby, I have bullets in various weights and styles and I am very secure with the caliber. So the questions I raise are which .416 cartridge the Lazzeroni .416 Meteor, or the .416 Howell. Or any other cartridges I might look at. I am looking for a single rifle that will reliably do the job on any large game for him. Thank you for your in put and advice. I am aware that the bolt face will need to be opened up, and some gunsmithing on the action will be needed.
Respectfully Hans

The 416 Howell seems to be a fairly common choice here. It would surely require the least extensive modifications to the action.

Don

I just went through the same decision making process. I decided on the 416Rem Mag not because I like the belted magnums, but because:
1) The ammo is easy to get
2) Brass is 45 cents rather than 1 to 2 dollars each
3) Velocity is equal to the others
4) Dies and other stuff is cheaper.
I almost went with the Rigby due to nostalgia, but I opted for user friendly instead.. at least on this one.
I used a Stainless M700 action, and got a Pac-Nor barrel in #6 contour. I waited twice what I was quoted for the barrel, but aside from unreasonable delivery claims, the barrel scopes out nice and looks great. Great product, if they would just be less optimistic about delivery times.

I have previously stated my aversion to using Mauser actions for the long magnums. As a consequence of this my choice would be the compact and efficient 416 Taylor. If I were to do a long magnum I would choose the 416 Rem. Regards, Bill.

Hans,
If I were you, I would try to get some dummy rounds for the 416 Rem and see how the point of the round nose bullets will feed on the mausers short ramp. I have had two on mausers actions and have not been satisfied
with either. The mauser actions were made with smaller diameter shell cases. Going to larger cases forces the nose of the bullets deeper into the magazine and this sometimes puts the nose of the bullet too low for optimum feeding. I hope this might help.
George

Hans,

I had a brain fart that got away from me. Please excuse me.

I meant to say a 416 Taylor would be easier to build on your action and is fairly popular here.

You should be able to get 2300 fps with a 400 grain bullet without going to excessive pressures.

Don

Both the 416 Taylor and the 416 Hoffman are very interesting. Both have rim diameters of .532. Both bases are .513. The 416 Taylor is made by necking up 338 mag brass, and the Hoffman by necking up 375 H & H brass. The OAL for the Hoffman and the Remington Mag. is 3.60" While the OAL of the Taylor and the 30-06 is 3.34". .30" is a lot of extra room to try and cut out of a Mauser magazine. The Taylor can be made to feed in your action with the least work.

Hans, I found a place that has a couple of interarms mk-x magnum bolts complete.

Hans,

Peter V just posted on the Africa Forum under "416 Blow-up" He says his company PH's all get issued 416 Taylors. You can't ask for a better testimonial than that. He can be reached at www.shafa.net, if you want to talk details.

Don

Gentlemen:
Thank you for your input...I will be having the action built in to a .416 Howell, I think that after talking with my son he will be very happy with the rifle for a very long time.
Thank you, Hans

George and all,

I have never had any trouble making a Mauser feed the 416 Rem, 458 Lott or any magnum caliber...Well, I say no problem but yes it can be a little tricky with the 458 Lott and the 404, but nothing insurmountable.

What is required is to examine a Holland and Holland or Westley Richards modification as they are done right...Open the action up in back and subtract a very small amount in front or even add a litte depending on your rail work as you must open the rails to let the round rise up and tilt a degree...If you have to weld up the ramp then you must do so in degrees or cold weld it as Dennis Olson calls it..The heat must be contained in that area..

the old English guns made on std. actions in 404 Jefferys, 375 H&H and others have been around for years, and are still working.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com