Wanted Pre 64 Model 70 In 416 Rigby

[geoff rath]

If you really want to go that way, chase down a Brno 602 or CZ550 as a base rifle, or blow some real money on a new GMA action. This advice from three top G'smiths down under... Don't bastardise a great Winnie Model 70 for such a project.

 

[Doug3006]

I think your best move is to buy a model 70 in 416 Remington magnum. If a model 70 action is a firm requirement.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Interestingly enough, back in the good old days of the Winchester Custom Shop… they actually DID build ONE Winchester Model 70 Super Express in .416 Rigby in 1989.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/84/483/winchester-model-70-super-express-rifle-in-416-rigby

This is the world’s only .416 Rigby caliber Winchester Model 70 which was configured in said caliber from the Winchester factory itself.

Personally speaking, get yourself a Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum Mauser action. It’s properly designed for the gigantic .416 Rigby cartridge. If budget is a concern, then use a military surplus Pattern 14 Enfield action.

If you HAVE to purchase a Winchester Model 70, then get it in .416 Remington Magnum.

 

[ve7poi]

Interestingly enough, back in the good old days of the Winchester Custom Shop… they actually DID build ONE Winchester Model 70 Super Express in .416 Rigby in 1989.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/84/483/winchester-model-70-super-express-rifle-in-416-rigby

This is the world’s only .416 Rigby caliber Winchester Model 70 which was configured in said caliber from the Winchester factory itself.

Personally speaking, get yourself a Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum Mauser action. It’s properly designed for the gigantic .416 Rigby cartridge. If budget is a concern, then use a military surplus Pattern 14 Enfield action.

If you HAVE to purchase a Winchester Model 70, then get it in .416 Remington Magnum.

And rebarrel to 404 Jeffery bolt face opened up and mag insert grind off two protrusions on sides to allow three down mine works perfectly

 

[rookhawk]

Interestingly enough, back in the good old days of the Winchester Custom Shop… they actually DID build ONE Winchester Model 70 Super Express in .416 Rigby in 1989.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/84/483/winchester-model-70-super-express-rifle-in-416-rigby

This is the world’s only .416 Rigby caliber Winchester Model 70 which was configured in said caliber from the Winchester factory itself.

Personally speaking, get yourself a Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum Mauser action. It’s properly designed for the gigantic .416 Rigby cartridge. If budget is a concern, then use a military surplus Pattern 14 Enfield action.

If you HAVE to purchase a Winchester Model 70, then get it in .416 Remington Magnum.

Or spend $6000-$8000 for a very nicely configured mid-grade, barely used, 1990s era Dakota 76 or Empire rifle that is in 416 Rigby and save yourself thousands and thousands of dollars on gunsmithing to fix problems created by using the wrong action on the wrong caliber.

Or if that's too expensive, just go get a CZ550 in 416 Rigby slightly used for $2400 and call it a day.

 

[ve7poi]

Sako also made one as well
shoots well

 

[wyoming_sal]

I'm not sure one was ever built on a pre-64 action? If I recall correctly, Griffin and Howe refused to perform that conversion as there wasn't enough length in the pre-64 M70 actions to accommodate the 416 Rigby cartridge overall length? If anybody knows otherwise, I'd be interested to see an example of one!

Sir G&H built one (that I know of) however Al Biesen built two! One for a friend of Jack O’Connor and the other for another close friend owned a sporting goods store in Idaho.
I happen to own that rifle. It has traveled the world. Been to Russia for brown bear, Africa and took the second largest lion ever recorded (none of this by me).

Pictures for your review.

 

[wyoming_sal]

The old adage comes into play "Just because you can doesn't mean you should." Big actions were probably scarce and ridiculously expensive when that rifle was built. There was a lot of skill in building that rifle. It is interesting at least to have a look at.

Sir please see my post below…

 

[wyoming_sal]

That is just malpractice, no smith any even a small amount of pride would ever let something like that see the light of day.

Sir
I beg to differ, unless you are comparing yourself to Al Biesen? He built two. See my post below reference the one I own.

 

[wyoming_sal]

Griffin & Howe built one, this was their reply to a request to build another on a pre-64:

"Not sure if we spoke about this but we do not recommend this conversion as too much has to be removed from the locking lug to fit and feed the cartridge.

We had one where the lug was recessing and causing excessive headspace and inconsistent vertical stringing."


Paul Chapman
Vice President
Director of Gun Smithing
Griffin & HoweSir

Griffin & Howe built one, this was their reply to a request to build another on a pre-64:

"Not sure if we spoke about this but we do not recommend this conversion as too much has to be removed from the locking lug to fit and feed the cartridge.

We had one where the lug was recessing and causing excessive headspace and inconsistent vertical stringing."


Paul Chapman
Vice President
Director of Gun Smithing
Griffin & Howe

roothawk

Please see my post below. Respectfully

 

[fourfive8]

I'll go with the group that advises to get a Win Model in 416 Rem. I've never seen nostalgia operate correctly through any action, be easier to reload, be easier to find or buy ammo for or to shoot and certainly never kill anything quicker or better. The over-sized 416 Rigby cartridge was designed out of necessity for operating in higher temps without over pressuring with cordite powder known for it's extreme temperature sensitivity. I've had 2 Win 70s in 416 Rem, still have one. Both nearly identical late New Haven guns- accurate, reliable and the smoothest cycling of any magnum I've ever owned. If you find a trashed pre-64 Model rifle, have a smith make it into a 416 Rem- no issue. Otherwise, IMO, just find a lightly used late New Haven Win 70 in 416 Rem. Or go out and spend a ton of money on nostalgia if that floats our boat

 

[dogcat1]

Contact Matt Roberts, MNR Custom Arms in Vermont, he has a .416 Rigby on a Dakota 76 frame and a Rigby Big Game Rifle in .416 Rigby. They are excellent choices.
The Model 70 you would need to start with would be a .300 RUM, with a lot of mods.

 

[Rickmt]

There is a Dakota rifle model 76 in 416 rigby on guns international

 

[wvfred]

I have a pre 64 Winchester in 416 Remington done by Gene Simillion and it is my go to rifle.It feeds and functions perfectly very accurate and easy to get factory ammo also duplicates the Rigby velocity.If I were to buy a Rigby I would look for a Dakota as many has stated above.

 

[fourfive8]

Often overlooked in considering various Win Model 70s are two important design details found in the later CRF models made in New Haven prior to the FN changes and move of 2006. The anti-bind bolt feature originally added to all M 70s in 1968 and the excellent original Model 70 trigger found on all M 70s until the FN move.

 

[wyoming_sal]

I'll go with the group that advises to get a Win Model in 416 Rem. I've never seen nostalgia operate correctly through any action, be easier to reload, be easier to find or buy ammo for or to shoot and certainly never kill anything quicker or better. The over-sized 416 Rigby cartridge was designed out of necessity for operating in higher temps without over pressuring with cordite powder known for it's extreme temperature sensitivity. I've had 2 Win 70s in 416 Rem, still have one. Both nearly identical late New Haven guns- accurate, reliable and the smoothest cycling of any magnum I've ever owned. If you find a trashed pre-64 Model rifle, have a smith make it into a 416 Rem- no issue. Otherwise, IMO, just find a lightly used late New Haven Win 70 in 416 Rem. Or go out and spend a ton of money on nostalgia if that floats our boat

Sir
I first let me say that I agree with you in that a 416 Rem is a better choice for the pre-64 action. However I wish you could handle and fire my rigby made by Al Biesen. Yes the work it required was thriple the time (just guessing) to make. But well worth the effort. Works flawlessly. Pics above. Again no modern gunsmith would undertake this unless it was for love of it or a big paycheck
Respectfully

 

[Odinsraven]

Have a 458 win mag pre 64 should you be interested ...message me

 

[bobdahunter84]

Sir G&H built one (that I know of) however Al Biesen built two! One for a friend of Jack O’Connor and the other for another close friend owned a sporting goods store in Idaho.
I happen to own that rifle. It has traveled the world. Been to Russia for brown bear, Africa and took the second largest lion ever recorded (none of this by me).

Pictures for your review.

View attachment 645862

That's an absolute beauty. Looks very much like the Biesen 458 Lott I bought from a member on this site. If you ever need to thin the herd or need extra room in your safe, shoot me a message!

 

[analog_peninsula]

Custom Winchester Model 70 Bolt Action Rifle .416 Rigby

Receiver manufactured circa 1952 with an unmarked 23" barrel that was added at a later date. Slotted muzzle break is attached to the muzzle. Professionally redone, blued finish with jeweled bolt. Custom walnut stock with fine cut checkering on the wrist and forearm. Right hand shooter check...

guns.richmondauctions.com

Coming up soon. I’m watching other items in this auction.

 

[CZDiesel]

I’m not exactly sure why so many say that the Winchester M70 Magnum isn’t true magnum length? Sure it isn’t overly long and heavy Mauser type action but it doesn’t need to be!
Winchester Custom Sop offered them and I’m sure not many made. But Im also sure every on who had one made is completely happy with them!
Also many others were made by custom gun makers and everyone loved them as this American Hunter article shares!

An Official Journal Of The NRA | .416 Rigby

The .416 Rigby has been called “ideal lion medicine” by no less an authority than John Taylor, the author of “African Rifles & Cartridges.”

www.americanhunter.org

To the OP, just find a 90’s or early 2000’s controlled feed M70 or if you want something really special a pre-64 magnum length M70 Winchester and send it off to be converted. There are plenty of 375 H&H, 300 RUM, and 7STW that will work just fine! And the you will have one heck of a rifle that will make all the CZ owners jealous!!!