Building a "tactical Dangerous Game rifle"

[mdwest]

While not up to standard for Afican DG.. Ive got an AR15 chambered in 458 SOCOM.. which basically replicates 45-70 ballistics in a standard AR15 sized package..

Its hell on sounders of pigs.. and would probably be outstanding on big bears, big cats, etc as well.. (an assumption on my part.. Ive obviously never deployed it on a lion, leopard, or griz)...

 

[mdwest]

If youre wanting a big bore "tactical" rifle.. A couple of companies are already way out in front of you..

Barrettt's MRAD comes chambered in 338 Lapua, 338 Norma, and other calibers.. and could pretty easily be stepped up to a 375 or a 416 without much effort..

MRAD® - Barrett Firearms

barrett.net

 

[Inline6]

It will be the weight of the package that is going to be the deal. Really anything (AI, Barrett, DTA, Sako TRG line, ect) that has a 300wm bolt head can handle up to a 458Lott in theory (feed reliably might be a different story). They all have 338LM bolt heads too so you could run a 416 Rigby. The open sights are going to be a problem. Feeding I think will be too they are all feed ramp that accommodate high BC bullets. I'm not sure how well it will do with more blunt bullets. Just thinking out loud.

 

[Inline6]

While not up to standard for Afican DG.. Ive got an AR15 chambered in 458 SOCOM.. which basically replicates 45-70 ballistics in a standard AR15 sized package..

Its hell on sounders of pigs.. and would probably be outstanding on big bears, big cats, etc as well.. (an assumption on my part.. Ive obviously never deployed it on a lion, leopard, or griz)...

Whatch a guy laying out some does with one from a long was off. I was impressed with it's performance shooting subs. Had me thinking I need to order a .45 can.

 

[mdwest]

It will be the weight of the package that is going to be the deal. Really anything (AI, Barrett, DTA, Sako TRG line, ect) that has a 300wm bolt head can handle up to a 458Lott in theory (feed reliably might be a different story). They all have 338LM bolt heads too so you could run a 416 Rigby. The open sights are going to be a problem. Feeding I think will be too they are all feed ramp that accommodate high BC bullets. I'm not sure how well it will do with more blunt bullets. Just thinking out loud.

Completely agree...

Which is why I'll stick to my 375 H&H Winchester 70, and my 416 Taylor M98 Mauser for all of my DG hunting... weight and balance are appropriate for shooting from the standing/sticks.. guns are built to properly feed, extract, eject their assigned cartridges, etc.. and they both already have good irons installed..

The "tactical" DG rifle is fun in theory.. but there's a reason no one has started marketing anything like that aggressively... (there's no market for it)

 

[mdwest]

Whatch a guy laying out some does with one from a long was off. I was impressed with it's performance shooting subs. Had me thinking I need to order a .45 can.

Ive considered getting one of these for the .458 a couple of times.. but haven't actually done it (yet)... I think a good .30 can is likely going to be purchased before the .458 can does..

Bowers Vers 458 - Silencer Shop

#html-body [data-pb-style=JL4P325]{justify-content:flex-start;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background-position:left top;background-size:cover;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-attachment:scroll}The Bowers Group VERS 458 is purpose-built for big

www.silencershop.com

 

[IvW]

Crap....just buy a reliable crf actioned rifle with wood stock for a dg rifle.....keep it simple stupid.....pimped rifles are not the go to for the dg game.....or I am too old...

 

[BeeMaa]

I’m with @Inline6 - Blaser R8 would be hard to beat but doesn’t meet all of your initial requirements.

 

[Inline6]

Crap....just buy a reliable crf actioned rifle with wood stock for a dg rifle.....keep it simple stupid.....pimped rifles are not the go to for the dg game.....or I am too old...

We are all getting too old!

 

[IvW]

Yip....the youngsters can fool around with this crap I will stick to my ZKK602 500 Jeff......the buff will die before me.....

 

[Mekaniks]

Completely agree...

Which is why I'll stick to my 375 H&H Winchester 70, and my 416 Taylor M98 Mauser for all of my DG hunting... weight and balance are appropriate for shooting from the standing/sticks.. guns are built to properly feed, extract, eject their assigned cartridges, etc.. and they both already have good irons installed..

The "tactical" DG rifle is fun in theory.. but there's a reason no one has started marketing anything like that aggressively... (there's no market for it)

But just think of the hog hunting fun

 

[Tanks]

My .458 B&M has an 18" barrel. Does that count?

 

[TOBY458]

My .458 B&M has an 18" barrel. Does that count?

That might work if they didn't put the bolt on the wrong side. Damn SSK! Lol!

 

[Challer]

An R8 would get you everything you are asking for. If you wanted an extra trigger group (mags are attached and loaded) for fast reloads it could happen.

It would not have CRF, everything on your list it does have.

I don't have any experience with the switch lug, have seen them just not played with them. I have quick change features on one of my AIs. For barrel changing I like the R8 better. No worries with grit getting in-between the recoil lug and the face of the barrel. Would also be concerned with the recoil lug screw working loose. Stepping up the recoil department means any weak point will be found.

Definitely not talking you out of the idea. I'm thinking about failure points that need to be addressed.

Stock - taking the punishment
Recoil lug - that little screw worries me, it is only clamping around the barrel so it might just be in my head. If it were to let loose in the field you could make sure it is tight by hand. Had a custom FN-SPR the the barrel worked loose on it in the middle of a match. It rotated enough that the bolt would not close. Moon (a very good smith) and George Gardner (another very good smith) were on the line with me. It took them about 5 minutes to figure out what was going on. The claw was hitting the back of the barrel instead of going into the relief cut were it should go. Someone had a strap wrench and they tighten it up for me. I zeroed the next 2 stages due to my rifle zero being off. It was 1mil (3.5 MOA) high and 2.6 mils (9.1 MOA) right (figured that out at the 500 yard line watching my impact in the berm). Made my adjustments there to rezero my scope. It worked and it was a lesson for me. CRF are not setup like push feeds. We are talking about very little movement in the barrel that caused that. You could not see the gap between the barrel and the receiver.

I did buy a 375 blank and thought long and hard about necking up a 338LM to 375 and throwing that on my AI. It was just going to be a pig of a rifle 16#. It would have been fun to play with.

R8X even better. I'm told both Akila and GRS have R8X versions in the works

 

[NTX]

J Alain Smith has put this to work on some dangerous game (in .375 Ruger)

Skuhl Rifle System

Built specifically to hunt dangerous game, the Gunwerks Skuhl brings force and precision when shots count.

www.gunwerks.com

 

[TOBY458]

The real question to all of this is, why would you subject an Elephant or Buffalo to such an undignified death?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Is this something along the lines of what you wanted, @Backyardsniper ?

VR1 PSR - Modern Firearms

VR1 sniper rifle with camouflaged stock. image: www.vigilancerifles.com VR1 sniper rifle with laminated wood stock. image: www.vigilancerifles.com VR1 sniper rifle partiallydisassembled. image: www.vigilancerifles.com Ammunitionfor VR1 rifle, left to right:.505Gibbs, .408 Chey-tac, .338...

modernfirearms.net

Admittedly, not to my tastes. But tastes are very much a personal choice. I think you will like their work.

 

[Inline6]

Damn I did not realize the 505 was that big!

 

[Tra3]

I think the Snipex Alligator 14.5x114mm is really what your are looking for, but you’ll need to modify the bolt so it can be a repeater.

In truth, a R8 or the other straight pull rifles like the Sauer 404 will get all the speedy shooting you need. I have a thumbhole stock on my R8 and really like the fit and function.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I don't think do but there is a company that made a 338 lapua, I might have been Nemo arms. That might work. It would definitely be a super custom rig but if they can make a barret M107 then they could make a 416 rigby

Yah Nemo did a 338 Lapua and 300WM in an AR Platform. Having shot both, they were pretty cool, but I couldn’t justify what they’re going for now.