Bad Weather .416 Rigby

[J416]

Hello Big Bore Lovers. I'm a new Member and this is my first post.

I am anguishing about how to best accomplish my goals. My Goal: I need an All Weather .416 Rigby bolt gun.

I believe in being short and sweet (which I rarely achieve) so I will leave it at that, and ask all of you for your advise and / or suggestions. Please Help Me !!! I cannot sleep !!!

BTW. This is one Awesome Forum !!!

 

[gillettehunter]

Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you here. You might check on Gun Broker or Guns America. Both seem to a lot of firearms listed.
Bruce

 

[J416]

I should explain myself further.

I do have a 416 Rigby now. It's an early Ruger Magnum. My problem is that it's so gorgeous, I simply cannot endure exposing it to nasty weather.

So I am hoping to get some suggestions on how to either modify my existing rifle, or find a replacement that I will not cry if foul weather comes in.

 

[TTundra]

Won't be able to make your current rig "weather proof" without altering the appearance. May be best to look at something thats already built for those types of conditions. Check out MRC's Alaskan:

http://montanarifleco.com/rifles/dgr-ss/

 

[J416]

I have come up with some options after months of sleepless nights.

One option I've thought of is to send the Ruger Magnum out for Cerakote treatment. I've seen that finish (in color) on my Wilson Combat Border Patrol shotgun. I was unsure if that finish would ruin the asthetics.

 

[TTundra]

Cerakote helps all the exposed metal for sure, and you can pick a color that will look good, but if you have a wood stock, you'll want to ditch that and go with synthetic.

 

[J416]

Thanks TTundra.

That's what I was afraid of. I MIGHT have been willing to put a better Finish on my rifle. But I'm not willing to ruin a Ruger Magnum. And yes. My Rifle has gorgeous walnut.

 

[J416]

One option that I've pondered is the Sako Brown Bear.

Everything seems there. I know it has a laminated stock. But I wouldn't be upset if it got a little wet. I would have to send it out for a Cerakote treatment tho.

 

[Milehighshooter]

CZ550 is available with a synthetic stock

 

[Mekaniks]

Go to the Montana Rifle Co web page and look at their Alaskan Series rifles. I believe they have what you are looking for and they offer Ceracote on top of Stainless as an option, with an all weather stock and a variety of calibers including 416 Rigby

 

[J416]

Milehighshooter,

I have looked (and looked, and looked) at the CZ 550 Synthetic. It looks good. But I'd still need to Cerakote it. AND. To make it up to my satisfaction, I'd need to send it off to Wayne at AHR for his #1.

That would at least put me up at the $2,700 mark.

 

[J416]

Mekaniks,

I have gone, I believe the whole 360 degrees with Montana Rifle Company. I was really high on their Alaskan. Then, while going back like 18 pages on this Forum, reading, found where one Member had a really horrible experience with them. I was like "No Way" after that.

Then I read here where the new owner is really making good strides to remedy Customer Service. So I'm back on thinking about them. You're right. They look really good on paper.

 

[J416]

Question:

Does anyone know "From Hands On Experience" what these 2 rifles actually weigh?
1) Sako Brown Bear in 416 Rigby
2) CZ 550 in 416 Rigby
3) MRC Alaskan in 416 Rigby

I know what the websites say. But that can be different from what they actually weigh. Help??

 

[Mekaniks]

Mekaniks,

I have gone, I believe the whole 360 degrees with Montana Rifle Company. I was really high on their Alaskan. Then, while going back like 18 pages on this Forum, reading, found where one Member had a really horrible experience with them. I was like "No Way" after that.

Then I read here where the new owner is really making good strides to remedy Customer Service. So I'm back on thinking about them. You're right. They look really good on paper.

They are a Sponsor here on AH. You might consider contacting them directly and discuss exactly what your looking for. And yes, I also hear that they are improving their customer service so it might be worth an inquiry.

 

[meigsbucks]

Welcome to AH. I have a Roger Alaskan in .416 Ruger, I used on the buff in my avatar. Not a Rigby but a Ruger Guide Rifle in .416 Ruger would be just what the doctor ordered for a foul weather rifle.
I don’t think you need to worry about a MRC. I have one (.338 RUM) from when it was under the previous ownership and I love it and had no problem with their customer service. Now it should be even better.

 

[J416]

Thank you Meigsbucks, I'm really liking this Forum.

I'm kinda set on 416 caliber. Only because I already own a 416 and love it. And because I hunt a lot in Grizzly infested country.

I'm kind wondering. Do you know if, hopefully I'm not highjacking my own Thread, the 416 Ruger is the same as the old 416 Taylor?

 

[cagkt3]

See link
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/cz-550-416-rigby-synthetic-stock-for-sale.44952/

 

[Shootist43]

J416, I suspect you were looking at an old thread about poor experiences with MRC. The firm is under new ownership and has gone to great lengths to overcome the previous quality and customer service issues. I haven't see a word about a dissatisfied customer for over 6 months. Give Ron at MRC a call, I'm betting he will take good care of you.

 

[TOBY458]

There's a CZ 416 Rigby for sale on this site. It's been customized by AHR with 3 position safety, glass bedding, and barrel band front sight. Barrel cut to 21". Has a camo paint job.
Check it out.

 

[colorado]

I'm in the same situation. I want to take my 500 Jeffery to Alaska in a few years. I'm less worried about cosmetic damage then I am it changing point of aim. I'm thinking of getting it CeraKoted (want to find a color just like my blueing) and having my gunsmith put it in a B&C synthetic stock. I want to be able to put it back in it's walnut stock when I get back with minimal fuss. So I will talk to Harlan at Triple River and Kevin Weaver (my Colorado gunsmith) about the pros and cons.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!