Which Action For custom Dangerous Game Build

[Altitude sickness]

There are so many quality rifles looking for a new home. Adopt one of those.

Don’t bring another new rifle into the world.

 

[Rule 303]

I would be going the B&M route not the WSM route with a 416 just so you do get the required velocity with the heavier bullets, not to mention the monometals if you are going to use them.

 

[Velo Dog]

In somewhat affordable actions:
1.
Brno 602 Magnum.
2.
CZ 550 Magnum.

Both are sadly no longer in production.
However, both were made in plentiful numbers, during their time.
So, they are still available but getting harder to find and steadily climbing in price.
Still worth every penny when you find one.

Both are perfect for truly large caliber builds, up to and including .500 Jeffery and .505 Gibbs.
I recommend rifles in well established calibers. not so much in all the newest wildcat ones (ammunition availability).
With that, the .458 Lott is my recommendation for a serious heavy / dangerous game caliber.

Both the above actions are absolutely perfect for the .458 Lott.
And, they both hold either 4 or 5 rounds in their deep magazines.
Not likely you will need that many shots to bag even elephant.
But, the resale factor might be important to you.
It certainly is to me.
But I digress.

Stay safe and stay in that front sight,
Velo Dog.

 

[Mauser3000]

On another forum i'm on a guy had a custom 416 built with detachable mag. On his first shot at a bull elephant the mag fell out leaving him with an empty gun. Its not worth the risk when you're talking dangerous game.

Keep it simple and make sure you train with your equipment well before you go.

I wouldn't try and reinvent the wheel with a wildcat because you want to save a $1000 on an action. Just buy a good DG rifle that is proven.

I had this happen on a hunt with a borrowed rifle. As soon as I cycled the bolt, the detachable box dropped in the sand. It was a kelbly action and accuracy international magazine/bottom metal. Just because it’s high end components doesn’t replace reliability stee floor plate.

 

[AZDAVE]

I have a 416 WSM that I am starting to do load development for. It is built on a M70 action it has the standard bottom metal. Getting wildcats to feed from a standard action is tough enough. I would skip the box mag option. Just to may things for Mr Murphy to cause you problems with.

 

[colorado]

There are so many quality rifles looking for a new home. Adopt one of those.

Don’t bring another new rifle into the world.

The comedian Bill Burr said the same thing about kids ...

 

[400Jeff]

I don't know, but when the OP said drop box mag, I got the impression that he meant the extended bottom metal, not a detachable magazine.