How do you think a #4 barrel with .650" at the muzzle would work? Would I be better off going with a #5 @ .700" at muzzle? Or heavier? I want to put this into a McMillan Hunter stock and they recommend no bigger than a #4. Thoughts? Thx.

I would not go larger than a #4

Because of the stock? Or caliber? Thanks.

Because I do not like barrel heavy rifle, I prefer them to be balanced. That way they are more lively and faster to get into action with an accurate shot in my experience

I get that but will there be enough barrel in a #4 left with a 416 hole in it?

I've got an Interarms Whitworth in 416 Ruger and I had one in 458 win, they used the same barrel OD as the 30/06 they made. That didn't leave much meat but worked well for me.

I'd ask your builder that question and see what he thinks

Kewl! Thanks.

Agree with #4.

The NH M-70 Express rifles have a heavy barrel, probably close to a #5. Mine is .375, so lots of steel in a 24" tube and too heavy.

I cut it to 21" which helped a lot. Sent it to Karl Kampfeld for deep fluting, hoping to lose another 7-8 oz. Waiting for it to return.

I built a .404J on a M-70 RUM and used a Walther barrel, probably close to the #4. At 24", it was about right.

DF

I have both. A 26" Sendaro and a 22" 700 Safari. I need them both the long gun shoots 300Xs @2950 with a 300 yard zero for hunting on the beach. The 22" has express sights and a 2.5X for scraping a bear out of the jungle.The short gun shoots A frames with a 40 and by accident 140 yard zero. I very much dislike a compromise. Were I to do it over however...I would build a 400 H&H to shoot lots of 41 mag and 405 bullets.Probably with a 25 inch #4 quarter ribbed...well you get the idea. Make sure you can fire aimed shots until and after you reload.Low scope rings are a liability.

You will be very happy with Karl's fluting!! He's done 2 for me.

Thanks.

Can't wait to get it back and see what he's done.

DF