Winchester Model 70, CZ 550, Ruger M77, what's next?

[cash_tx]

If it were me, I'd probably lean towards an early Dakota 76 or something along those lines. That way you've got a lot of resale value in a very practical and usable form. Alternatively, I'd probably put the money towards a slew of Ruger No. 1's, but not in DG calibers. I guess I'm just a sucker for those. ;-)

 

[Northern Shooter]

If it were me, I'd probably lean towards an early Dakota 76 or something along those lines. That way you've got a lot of resale value in a very practical and usable form. Alternatively, I'd probably put the money towards a slew of Ruger No. 1's, but not in DG calibers. I guess I'm just a sucker for those. ;-)

Ha, a No.1 is also on my list but was hoping for one in a big bore, even though I hear they kick quite a bit. Unfortunately Ruger isn't currently offering those in anything larger than .275.

Those Dakota rifles do look nice. I'm seeing a few in stock but I'm unsure how old they are, they may be recent production under Remington ownership pre bankruptcy.

 

[Aaron N]

Elwood Epps has a Dakota African in 416 Rigby for $7900. That rifle should end your search if you are serious

 

[Northern Shooter]

Elwood Epps has a Dakota African in 416 Rigby for $7900. That rifle should end your search if you are serious

I've been eyeing it and going to call them this week. I'm not a fan of the synergetic stock it comes with though, hoping they still have the original and if not, know where to source one.

 

[Aaron N]

I've been eyeing it and going to call them this week. I'm not a fan of the synergetic stock it comes with though, hoping they still have the original and if not, know where to source one.

You can have a custom one made to your specs and tastes

 

[Northern Shooter]

Synthetic stock*

 

[Nevada Mike]

For reasonable money (your budget range) it's hard to beat a Dakota 76 in a traditional caliber - 416 Rigby, 404 Jeffery, 458 Lott. etc

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Since you're insistent on bolt action and would prefer currently manufactured, a Mauser Model 98 Magnum Diplomat in .450 Rigby seems like your most logical choice.

 

[krish]

@Northern Shooter
Here you go. A Mauser 98 magnum in 450 Rigby Expert not a Diplomat.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Thanks guys. I'm 99% sure that I'll be going with a 416 Rigby mainly for nostalgia but also factory ammo availability.

I just did a search for 450 Rigby ammo and looks like only a single retailer has some in stock (Norma, 550gr Woodleigh SP) where as 416 is fairly easily to acquire.

I've never gave much though to the 450 Rigby begore, I'm guessing it is the to Lott what the Lott is to the Win Mag?

Impressive SD with 550grain.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

so roughly +/- $7500 USD...

I think you've probably got a lot of options at that price point.. I dont know the names of any Canadian gunsmiths/makers other than Ralph Martini, who has already been mentioned above.. but I would imagine there are at least a few that could source a quality M98 action, a quality barrel, quality trigger, a good piece of timber to send to a quality stock maker, etc..etc.. and build you an absolutely beautiful rifle for that amount of money..

I tend to DIY my own customs.. and just use a gunsmith for the steps I either lack the tools or the skills to perform myself.. for example, when I built my 416 Taylor, I installed the barrel, finished the chamber, installed the trigger, did the finish inletting on the stock, etc..etc.. but I shipped the barreled action off to ER Shaw to have them open up the bolt face for a "magnum" caliber and to open up the rails on the action so that the big 416 rounds would feed properly..

Ive got less than $1500 in parts and labor in the rifle.. but I'd guess it would sell for significantly more than that if I ever wanted to get rid of it (I doubt I ever do)..

View attachment 576836

Yep. When I built my 404, I had to have the barrel threaded, reamed, and installed because I don't have the tools. A local machinist took a crack at opening up the bolt face and did a great job. I gave him a bit of guidance. Changing the safety, trigger, extractor, bottom metal, follower, feeding rails, and ramp was all done by me. No one was willing to tackle that work within the time frame I required. And I also fitted the action and finished the stock. All within a couple of months. It was quite the learning experience and lots of fun.

There's an Aussie barrel maker in Red Deer but I think he only has stainless blanks. Nice guy though. Very helpful. Lidja in Plains, MT made my barrel and they offered to ship it to a gunsmith in Calgary to have it threaded, reamed, etc, but the time frame wouldn't work for me. I can't remember the name of the outfit (Lidja can tell you). Talked with them on the phone. I seem to recall they were mostly doing AR stuff, but have undoubtedly changed focus now that those guns are essentially outlawed. I wound up driving my whole gun across and having it rebarreled in Montana, then driving it back. I know nothing about Martini. Epps in Orillia apparently has ceased gunsmithing. The supply of Canadian gunsmiths/builders is limited but they are out there.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Thanks guys. I'm 99% sure that I'll be going with a 416 Rigby mainly for nostalgia but also factory ammo availability.

I just did a search for 450 Rigby ammo and looks like only a single retailer has some in stock (Norma, 550gr Woodleigh SP) where as 416 is fairly easily to acquire.

I've never gave much though to the 450 Rigby begore, I'm guessing it is the to Lott what the Lott is to the Win Mag?

Impressive SD with 550grain.

If you haven't shot a 416 Rigby or 450 Lott, you might want to do that before committing to those calibers. Even their biggest fans will acknowledge they pack a mean wallop at both ends. My first safari I took a 416 CZ over for my lodge owner because he needed a DGR backup rifle. He shot it a half dozen times and got rid of it. I watched a video of the previous owner's son-in-law shooting that rifle off the sticks at the range. He's a big dude and when that gun went off, it looked like a tidal wave ran down his backside from the top of his shoulder to butt cheeks. Ugh! Needless to say, with my fragile retinas I never shot it once.

 

[Northern Shooter]

If you haven't shot a 416 Rigby or 450 Lott, you might want to do that before committing to those calibers. Even their biggest fans will acknowledge they pack a mean wallop at both ends. My first safari I took a 416 CZ over for my lodge owner because he needed a DGR backup rifle. He shot it a half dozen times and got rid of it. I watched a video of the previous owner's son-in-law shooting that rifle off the sticks at the range. He's a big dude and when that gun went off, it looked like a tidal wave ran down his backside from the top of his shoulder to butt cheeks. Ugh! Needless to say, with my fragile retinas I never shot it once.

I'm a big guy as well. I've can comfortably shoot my 458 WinMag which seems to produce comparable recoil figures to the 416 so I'm not too concerned.

It looks like a full powered 416 load (400gr@2,400) produces similar recoil energy & velocity to the heavier 458 loads (450gr@2,250 and 500gr@ 2150).

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I'm a big guy as well. I've can comfortably shoot my 458 WinMag which seems to produce comparable recoil figures to the 416 so I'm not too concerned.

It looks like a full powered 416 load (400gr@2,400) produces similar recoil energy & velocity to the heavier 458 loads (450gr@2,250 and 500gr@ 2150).

Sounds like you know what you're getting into. 458 Win is no wimp cartridge.

When I ordered the barrel Lidja asked me what taper I wanted. I confessed to being unknowledgable (for once ) and left it up to him. He went with #5 which is on the thick side. Made my standard action 404 weigh in at ten pounds ... and I'm grateful for it! Don't skimp on the weight. You're a big boy. In Africa you only have to carry the gun and ammo. The tracker and PH carry everything else. Ten pounds isn't much to lug around all day.

 

[Dewald]

All the above brands are of course very nice and legit, but before you pay that money, find yourself a Brno ZKK602 magnum with a pop up peep sight, preferably a .458 WM reamed out to .458 Lott. Now that you have a real African rifle go buy all the tourist rifles you can afford.

 

[HWL]

I do have a pre64 M70 Winchester, .300 H&H, a CZ 550 Magnum, .375 H&H, a M77 Ruger, .416 Rigby, a pre Martini Heym Express, .416 Rigby, a A-Square from the hands of Col. Arthur B. Alpin, .470 Capstick, a Mauser M98 in 10,75x68 and a Mauser M98, .404 Rimless.
My advice... have a Mauser M98, built by a competent gunsmith, that fits your demands.... in .404 Rimless.... all you need.

HWL

 

[MTHunter]

BTW, it's Lilja, not Lidja, in case you are searching for the Montana barrel maker. Dan Lilja retired, his son now runs it, but they still make good barrels, although no longer winning all the matches as they once did.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

BTW, it's Lilja, not Lidja, in case you are searching for the Montana barrel maker. Dan Lilja retired, his son now runs it, but they still make good barrels, although no longer winning all the matches as they once did.

I need to be more careful re names. People misspell mine all the time. How long has Dan been retired? Last summer I only talked with the young lady when placing my order and she referred to a "Dan." Quality product and a reasonable turnaround.

 

[mauserhunter]

so roughly +/- $7500 USD...

I think you've probably got a lot of options at that price point.. I dont know the names of any Canadian gunsmiths/makers other than Ralph Martini, who has already been mentioned above.. but I would imagine there are at least a few that could source a quality M98 action, a quality barrel, quality trigger, a good piece of timber to send to a quality stock maker, etc..etc.. and build you an absolutely beautiful rifle for that amount of money..

I tend to DIY my own customs.. and just use a gunsmith for the steps I either lack the tools or the skills to perform myself.. for example, when I built my 416 Taylor, I installed the barrel, finished the chamber, installed the trigger, did the finish inletting on the stock, etc..etc.. but I shipped the barreled action off to ER Shaw to have them open up the bolt face for a "magnum" caliber and to open up the rails on the action so that the big 416 rounds would feed properly..

Ive got less than $1500 in parts and labor in the rifle.. but I'd guess it would sell for significantly more than that if I ever wanted to get rid of it (I doubt I ever do)..

View attachment 576836

Nice, where you get the stock, and how much did shaw charge for the work.