Best action for a 416

[Old Moss]

  Good evening Gents,

I am very seriously going to start a project gun - to be built into a Big Bore 416.  Either a 416 Rigby or a 416 Ruger.  I would like to use a Mauser action if I can find a good solid one (for under $350).  An enfield 1917 would be great to, but cannot find for less than $500+

Question is what is the best action for this project rifle?   I know that CZ makes a 416 mag actions (for sale new) would love to have one but they are a bit tough on my budget!      I may scope it but the plan is to just use a good receiver/express sights

Mauser 98
Mauser VZ 24 (getting hard to find)
Mauser 98/22 Yugo
Turkish Mauser
Argentine Mauser
1917 or 1914 (303 cal)

My intent is not to ruin a nice WWII collectible

Want to start out inexpensively take it slow and do it in phases.  This is going to be a dangerous game rifle so strong/rugged, simple and dependable are first priority! 

I see a lot of old military stuff out there and lots of actions for sale but want your all's advice and thoughts.  Thanks a lot for your time and experience.  Old Moss   

[Nobade]

My advice? Buy a brand new CZ 550 Magnum in 416 Rigby. By the time you get done building one, even if you get the action for free, you'll have way more invested into it than buying one of their factory made rifles. And unless you can get your hands on a magnum Mauser action or other action that's big enough, it's not going to work. Believe me, I have been down the same road. Have you priced out flip up express sights, drop box bottom metal, good stocks, etc? That rifle is a give away compared to buying the parts!

[bja105]

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=126310255
That would be a good start.

[Antietamgw]

I have an '03 Springfield custom wildcat that was built in the late40's, early '50's and had been to Africa a couple times. It was made with a .416 tapered ribbed barrel blank using a .404 Jeffrey reamer with proper neck for the .416 barrel and bullet. The case length is 2.5" instead of the long original Jeffrey case. I make brass from .404 Jeffrey and now, Ultra Mag cases. It's alot of fun with 260 and 400 grain cast bullets. This case feeds perfectly in this action. Picture a 2.5" 404 Jeffrey case.  It also feeds in my '03 sporter in .30-06. It appeared no feed rail work had been done to the action and I decided to check it on another rifle just for the devil of it. It would seem to me that one of the shorter .416's would work on a mauser with less hassle,  maybe the Taylor or Remington? I recall an article in Gun Digest by Ray Ordica - he built a 416 Rigby on a '98 Mauser. I seem to recall that it took a great deal of work and he was only able to get 1 or 2 cartridges in the magazine.  Like soda and smokes, there's an awful lot of different .416's out there now to choose from and I haven't kept up on all the new ones.  I don't think there is any reason to go with the overly long cartridges anymore since you won't likely be burning sticks of cordite in 100+ degree weather. New powders should give the performance in a standard length case at a reasonable pressure. The Enfields give you some extra magazine room without taking out a bunch of metal behind the bolt lugs to increase magazine length. That might be why A-Square used them for their big boomers. I have a spare P14 action or two, PM me if you decide to go that route and want one.

[Antietamgw]

2.5" .416 Jeffrey vs 2.87 404 Jeffrey

[gunnut69]

The Rigby round won't feed from a mauser(unless the mag action) and keep a decent safety margin. The cheapest place to start would be a 1917 Enfield or the British P14 which is the 303 version of the same rifle(already has a large bolt face).  They are getting more expensive all the time but deals still pop up occasionally. I bought a batch of 9 actions only(no bottom metal) for $10 each.. This is a huge action and a Rigby would work quite well. I would alter to a M70 style safety and reshape the receiver to a more pleasing profile. The CZ would likely be a cheaper way to go than any custom..unless you can do much of the work yourself.