After selling my 416 Wby due to recoil, I had a 416 Taylor built on a Springfield action. I just got it back from the 'smith and will start fitting it to wood soon. Currently the barrel is at 26". I would like to shorten it, but I don't want to hurt performance too much or increase blast too much. I believe most of the load data that I have seen is out of a 21" barrel. I'm thinking 22" would be nice.
Your thoughts??

IIRC, 23" is the Fire standard for barrels...

DF

I owned one with a 22" tube. It was just great. Will be interested to read your report about recoil.

Why don't you cut it back 1" at a time, and once you have it where you want it, have the gunsmith crown it right? Don't forget that the length of the foreend and barrel need to match aesthetically. That is probably more important performance. I'll bet the 416 Taylor loses very little fps/barrel" past about 20" (maybe 15.) Handling and aesthetics would be my issues.

If you want to cut it an inch at a time and not have to take the barrel out of the receiver for a lathe cut, try this:

Blue tape around cut site for perfect concentricity. Padded vice with hack saw, cutting along edge of tape and turning barrel until the ongoing cut meets perfectly with the original cut. Once off, use a 11* target crown tool with correct caliber brass guide from Brownells to cut the crown, then a crown polishing tool with 600 grinding cmpd. to finish it out. Works well and is less trouble than setting up a lathe, IMHO, especially for multiple cuts.

DF

My 416 RM is a 21 inch tube (trimmed a Model 70 to the rear most front sight hole) and I'm a lot more fond of the improved handling than I was the few extra fps. No way I'd go more than 22.........

...IMHO, barrel length is mostly a matter of personal preference.

FMIW: I have two .416 Taylor rifles. Both are built on Pre 64 M-70 actions. One has a 24" barrel, the other rifle as a 25" barrel. The velocity differential is barely negligible across the screens. The load(s) are designed for 400gr bullets at 2380'/sec. I've used the combination of rifles/components in Africa on numerous occasions, with temps in the upper 90's, and have never had any problems. Viz; extraction/pressure/accuracy.

Good luck with your project...I trust you'll enjoy the Taylor as much as I.

Hunt hard, life's short

Same reason my .375 H&H was cut to that length.

DF

I have a 24" barrel on my Taylor, goes really well with a 14" LOP, loaded the 400 gr Hornadys to 2400 fps with RL-15, shot a few then loaded remainder of brass cases to a more sedate 2300 fps.

Gunner

Believe it or not the Taylor that I had was 23"...grin

Dober

Now, who'd a figured that...!

DF

Bart I have a 425 Express that is within a C-hair of your Taylor and have a 22" barrel. A little weight up there helps on a fairly light rifle.

Oops. Mine sports a 23" tube also.

It's easy to get 2,350 out of 400's with it. It weighs around 10 lbs even with scope and ammo. I've put it into play several times on grizz within seed spittin' distance and (in retrospect) I've never found it to be too cumbersome or have I ever felt hampered when bring it up to ready. My physical size may have something to do with that aspect though, I do not know.

It is an awesome round. I've carried this rifle many miles over the last ten years. It has never felt too much to carry and the balance is just fine. It does inspire confidence with it's (proven) ability to manage any rowdy beast I run into.

As to cutting the barrel several times to "get it right," I'd think it possible to come up with a couple other rifles in progressively shorter lengths and just try them for size by swinging, pulling up to ready, etc. Couldn't hurt thinks I.

Good luck on the completion of your project and enjoy it much!

beat,
bhtr

Mine is 22", still can't find even a minute bit of regret. Works in Africa and the Pennsylvania deer woods - with reduced, hand-cast 400 grain bullets. I've been shooting this rifle longer, and with fewer problems than any of my 3 marriages, maybe I should have married shorter women!

Terry

Agreed wholeheartedly Bluesman, my new relationship with the 416 Taylor has been nothing but positive, light recoil, very accurate, and IIRC the 400 gr .416 cal. bullets are some of the best penetrating bullets ever fired through game.

I cant imagine a more handy and capable rifle for the Big Bears and Moose of Alaska.

Gunner

I think I will go with a 23" then have the option of shortening it.