Big Bore Rifle Project ?

[UMFAN1]

I'm kinda like the idea of having a rifle built in .416rem.mag or .458win.mag.  Either rebarrelled from a used gun or by buying a used action and going from there. Any suggestions on what may be the easiest/most economical way to accomplish this? How much is involved, etc. Just looking to have a functional big bore at a minimal cost.  Thanks in advance for your feedback! :grin:

[John Traveler]

Afraid your idea of a minimal cost big-bore .416 or .458 Winchester Magnum rifle is sorta confusing.

Unless you can do most of the metal and wood work yourself, here are the challenges:

1.  Both are hot, "high intensity cartridges, and cheap actions are NOT the way to go with either caliber.

2.  The most readily available "cheap action" will be a surplus M1917 Enfield or an 1898 Mauser action.  Both require lots of machine work to feed and fire the magnums.  a good action will probably run you $150 minimum.

3.  A reputable gunsmith will have the action magnafluxed or x-rayed for integrity (no cracks, fissures, etc.) and hardness tested.  $40-$60 lab fee.

4.  A barrel blank in either caliber will set you back a minimum of $150.  No cheapskating here, again, because they are hot calibers.

5.  Machine work for fiting barrel to action, alteration of boltface, magazine lips, extractor, bending bolt, drill & tap for scope mount, scope mount, scope, etc. polish & blue.  Minimum $30/hour labour fee.

6.  Custom stock inlet, fit, checker, & finish.

7.  Few alternatives available:  both bores are too large to re-bore/re-chamber from an existing common rifle caliber.  Few sporting rifle barrels (except heavy varmit barrels) think enough to handle a re-bore.

When done, you are looking at more than the cost of a factory rifle in either caliber.  I'm guessing, but I'd say it's the rare gunsmith that can pull this project off for less than $700 or $800, minimum.

Still want that "economy rifle"?

Curious John

[UMFAN1]

Maybe I'll look at the .416 Taylor.
I could buy a Savage screw-on barrel from Midway for about $160.
Pick up a used Savage Rifle for $300 or less.
A little chamber work from my gunsmith buddy and I'll be all set.
Thanks for your info John.

[gunnut69]

The cheapest way to get into a big bore is to buy a used comercial rifle.  They are often found for sale on auction sights and in the 'GunList' type sales sheets.  They are never shot out!!  The stocks are sometimes the pits but that can make a nice project for the winter..  If going the custom rifle route go with the P14 or P17 enfield.  They require less expensive work to make functional with the big mag rounds.  The safeties are fine as is and the magazines can also be left alone although the feed lips will need work..  These are good solid actions and will make a simple hard working rifle.  They do cock on close of the bolt but who cares...  The mausers normally encountered are simply pushed too far by the conversion to the big magnums and buying a magnum specific action will cost more just as an action than several factory new heavy rifles..