Rechamber from 338 Win Mag to a 416 Rigby

[Manny R]

I need some advice and this is my go to place to get honest answers. First let me tell you I am a Lefty and good Lefty Rifles are hard to find and more expensive.
I have a Dakota 338 Win Mag. My thoughts it is so similar to ballistics to a .375. I would like to get my 338 win mag rechambered to a 416 Rigby. Is that possible or would I be better off trying to find a 416 Rigby. I have a 404 Jeffrey and a 300 win mag. I feel the 338 win mag is an in-between which I really do not use that much. What is your thinking? What do you think the cost to rechamber ?
Who do you think I would talk to about doing this JJ ?
Thanks for your advice in advance.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

If you have a 404 Jeffery, why do you want/need a 416 Rigby?

I converted a Win Mod 70 in 300 RUM to 404J. I re-barreled it. I suspect there isn't enough steel to rechamber a 338 to 416.

There might be an issue with the action/magazine size. A 338 WM has a COAL of 3.34" and a 416 Rigby has a COAL of 3.75".

Since you are in Houston, I would talk with the guys at Hill Country Rifle, which isn't too far a drive for you.

 

[krish]

+1. 338 Action is not big enough.
Krish

 

[Manny R]

I spoke to Parkwest and they will run some numbers for me for a new barrel and rechamber opposed to a new LH 416 Rigby.
Thanks everyone

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Perhaps a .416 Remington Magnum would be better suited for your Dakota action ? Cartridge overall length is less than that of the .416 Rigby.

 

[Luvthunt]

+1. 338 Action is not big enough.
Krish

Ditto on Krish. If it is a 416 you want look at the Remington

 

[TOBY458]

416 Rem Mag would work much better IMO. Same case head and cartridge diameter.

 

[CoElkHunter]

.416 Taylor would be even better as it uses the EXACT same case as the .338WM. Just get a .416 Taylor chambered barrel and no expensive gunsmithing required. Has the same ballistics as the Remington and Rigby. No factory ammo though at reasonable prices or availability.

 

[mdsalern]

I would leave the gun alone.

 

[ftrovato]

If it were me and I didn't have the money for a 416, I would sell the 338 & then put the money toward a 416. I think you would come out financially better this way.

 

[Manny R]

I am thinking very seriously putting up my Dakota LH 338 Win Mag for sale.

 

[Bullthrower338]

I am thinking very seriously putting up my Dakota LH 338 Win Mag for sale.

That would be a much better idea Manny, you need a true Magnum length action for the Rigby. I’m sure someone out there would give it hell trying but by the time you got done slicing, dicing, milling and finally to billing, you would be money and time ahead just to just order one from park west

 

[Manny R]

I am awaiting a phone call back from Parkwest. I want them to take any measurements at the DSC and just do it the right way.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

.416 Taylor would be even better as it uses the EXACT same case as the .338WM. Just get a .416 Taylor chambered barrel and no expensive gunsmithing required. Has the same ballistics as the Remington and Rigby. No factory ammo though at reasonable prices or availability.

Beat me to it. The Taylor would be perfect.

 

[hseII]

I need some advice and this is my go to place to get honest answers. First let me tell you I am a Lefty and good Lefty Rifles are hard to find and more expensive.
I have a Dakota 338 Win Mag. My thoughts it is so similar to ballistics to a .375. I would like to get my 338 win mag rechambered to a 416 Rigby. Is that possible or would I be better off trying to find a 416 Rigby. I have a 404 Jeffrey and a 300 win mag. I feel the 338 win mag is an in-between which I really do not use that much. What is your thinking? What do you think the cost to rechamber ?
Who do you think I would talk to about doing this JJ ?
Thanks for your advice in advance.

.375 Ruger is pretty impressive.

That or a 338PRC/340 Weatherby.

 

[geoff rath]

Doesn't, or didn't Ruger produce a L/H 416 Ruger?

 

[colorado]

If you have a 404 Jeffery, why do you want/need a 416 Rigby?

I converted a Win Mod 70 in 300 RUM to 404J. I re-barreled it. I suspect there isn't enough steel to rechamber a 338 to 416.

There might be an issue with the action/magazine size. A 338 WM has a COAL of 3.34" and a 416 Rigby has a COAL of 3.75".

Since you are in Houston, I would talk with the guys at Hill Country Rifle, which isn't too far a drive for you.

This! Buy yourself a nice 505 Gibbs or even better a nice double in 500 NE. seems like your missing a big 50

 

[RLL]

Doesn't, or didn't Ruger produce a L/H 416 Ruger?

They did but only made around 100ish in left hand. Ive not seen one for sale in a few years. Most I’ve come across have been rebarreled actions.

 

[John Telford]

.416 Taylor would be even better as it uses the EXACT same case as the .338WM. Just get a .416 Taylor chambered barrel and no expensive gunsmithing required. Has the same ballistics as the Remington and Rigby. No factory ammo though at reasonable prices or availability.

This is the route to go!

 

[mdwest]

The Taylor is an excellent cartridge. I’ve got mine matching rigby performance with 400gr TSX over a charge of IMR 4064..

If you’re a hand loader, properly head stamped brass is available from a few different manufacturers.. or Norma usually puts 416 T solids on sale for cheap a couple of times a year which is a great way to get brass and practice ammo in 1 transaction…

And as mentioned above.. 338 WM easily necks up.. and 458 WM easily necks down…