416 build barrel length and contour

[MShort]

I’ve had a desire to own a 416 of some flavor for too long so it’s time to build one. Current thoughts are either 416 RM or Taylor depending on what action I end up with.

I have a Legendary Arms Works m704 in 7 mag that I’m thinking I may use as the donor but that may force me to the Taylor as the ejection port is only 3.525”.

That said what barrel length and contour would you lean towards using on a 416 build where the primary game will be elk and black bears.

 

[DLSJR]

Mine is a .416 Hoffman (think Remington Mag) 22” barrel with medium contour, which works well. The rifle is well balanced and not overly heavy, 9.2 pounds without ammo. If I were building it again it’d be a Remington chambering. But I think the Taylor is very cool and a damn fine cartridge so maybe I’d swing that way.

 

[MShort]

A buddy of mine is friends with Jim Wisner and it sounds like he may be willing to do the work. I would be very happy to have a Wisner built rifle in my safe.

 

[Boyd Brooks]

My avatar is my 416 Taylor. It’s a commercial Parker Hale mauser action with a composite stock. If you reload I would go for the Taylor. It is a great shooter with felt recoil less than my buddies 338win mag. I repurposed some 400gr A-Square dead tough lion load 416 Hoffmans to Taylor and they kill bears dead.
Good luck with your build, let us know what you pick.

 

[Northview902]

For a .416 Taylor intended for hunting elk and bear, you need to balance portability, velocity, and recoil management.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

If you reload, go the Taylor with a 22-24 inch barrel depending on how thick the scrub is where you will hunt
That would be my choice, you may like shorter barrels but then they will be louder(barky)
Gumpy

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

With Elk on license I’d go with 25” barrel. I’d phone Krieger Barrels and talk with their technical staff about barrel contour options.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I re-barreled a Win M70 in 300 RUM to 404 Jeffery. I went with a Kreiger #5 contour, final length of 23 inches.

 

[Nhoro]

I think it is all about the balance point of the rifle. So a shorter barrel should have a heavier contour. I have a 25 inch barrel on my 458 lott. A friend has a custom lott with around a 22 inch barrel in a heavier contour. Both rifles feel similar on the shoulder. If I went custom, I would choose a heavier contour 22" barrel and ensure the rifle balances between your hands. That makes for a nice handling and soft recoiling big bore.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

My 404 on Czech vz.24 has 24" barrel #4 contour. It balances perfectly at the forward end of floorplate. Weighs about ten pounds. I can carry it all day but I'm not adverse to slinging it on my shoulder. It has Titan detachable sling swivels so sling can come off for final stalk.

 

[Stompbox]

The Model 70 .416 Ruger that I recently finished for a friend has a Shilen #5 cut to 20".
I was going to use a 24 inch one for my personal build but after feeling the balance of this I'm considering making mine 20 inches also. If I remember right it weighed just under 8 lbs.