Been contemplating starting a big-bore project. Will be a 375 h&h or 416 rem (more likely a 416). May become a project that gets strung out over a few years. What should I look for in an action. I have all Rem 700s right now... should I stick with what's familiar or go the mauser route? If I go mauser, what specifically should I be looking for? Not opposed to taking a few years to get the metal work right on the mauser. Also, keep in mind, Africa is not in my near future, more likely brown bear in the next 5-10 years (so a ss/syn 700 is an option). The rifle's immediate use will be for shooting pigs at the ranch while becoming familiar with a big-bore. Thanks in advance for your help

What's your ball-park budget for this project?

Were it me, I'd go with a Mauser 98 action. Just my preference (and bias), as I am partial to CRF regardless of cartridge or hunting application. As you're looking at a full length belted case, I'd also recommend a true magnum Mauser action; not a standard one that has been altered to fit the 375 H&H-based cartridges. Unfortunately, this usually translates to more expensive.

thinking $1500-2000 sans optics, obviously more if i go with a good piece of wood eventually

IMHO the 700 action is a sacrilege to what a proper big bore rifle should be.

For the money, your best bet would be to get a CZ 550 in .375 H&H or .416 Rigby, and have it sent to AHR for a couple of upgrades, all in all you will have about $1500 in the gun and it will be a fine DG rifle.

If its a Mauser, I'd prefer something 'classy' as your resale value (should you ever decide to sell) is maintained. So ... 9.3x62, 9.3x64 or 404Jeffery are my first choices ... these are classically 'Mauser' chamberings, as is the harder to locate but shorter 10.75x68.

Rem700's build into excellent lightweight 375H&H's (but you may as well buy an SPS or XCR), and is an easy rebarrel to 416Rem ... but a tarted up M700 leaves me a bit cold ... a stainless/synthetic open sighted workman rifle though is okay. For me personally, the ergonomics of a Rem700 suit an accurate medium bore better than a large bore. I had built a 470Capstick on a Rem700 ... it pounded me silly whilst grating my knuckle with the bolt ... but a lightweight 375H&H was a pleasure to carry and use.
Cheers...
Con

Thanks and keep the advice coming. I'm seriously on the fence with this one...utilitarian ss/syn or classy wood/blue. I do have to say if I decided to go rem 700, the easy route would be XCR/McMillan...Done! However, Con has me thinking about a Mauser in a "classy" cartridge as well.

Since Africa isnt in the plans just yogi, I would go for the mauser in 9.3x62 or x64.

Cant beat it.

In my thinking, I would go with x62, cheap and easy conversion. That would leave me $$ for metal work, stockwork, optics etc. that way I could build it the way I want it and not dump a big chunk of my budget just for chambering, etc.

I love my 9.3x62. I picked up a magnum bbled action (mark X action) in 300 winmag cuz of the magnum thinking I would go with a norma or something like that. I may still do it but I like how the 300wimpy shoots.

good wood/blue is the way to go. I'm still looking for the right stock for mine.

There you go ... I'd go 9.3x64 as you'd have a 375H&H equivalent in a classier short package. Kind of a 375Ruger from way back.
Cheers...
Con

9.3X64 brass can be hard to obtain. Getting a Mauser to reliably feed large rounds can be done but it's not cheap and your budget isn't much. I would either go the 700 or M70 route.

I'm all honesty if I had $2000 to spend on a "big bore rifle" I would start looking at used guns and forget about building. Most big bore rifles on the used market have been shot VERY little and I think you would get a lot more gun for your money.

Have you looked at the big bore Ruger #1's, CZ550's, Winchester M70's or the Ruger Safari rifles? I bet most of these you'll find used have no more than a box or two of bullets shot through them.

Sorry to veer of the subject so much but in this case I thought it was worth mentioning.

Terry

Is anybody shooting a 416 Ruger yet. I'm kinda thinking a SS 700 in said caliber would make a fine bruin stomper.

I would opt for a Mauser and go with the 416 Rem or Ruger, either one is an excellent choice for the 98 action..The 404 case is simply too large for a 98 Mauser even though its been done many times I have not seen one that was 110% functional..

You can expect to drop $2000 into the metal work alone if you go first class and you won't save much by going cheaper..

I would definatly go with a control feed action on any DGR.

A least expensive but smart way to go for a 416 or 375 is to have a pre 64 Win converted to one and you can get that done easily for the price range your talking, pick up a rough 06, send it to Dennis Olson for rebarrel and tweeking, shoot it as is for awhile..then stock it later after you heal up and hair over from the initial cost.:)

Good luck, you picked two great calibers for the stuff that eats people..

PS.
You DO NOT need a full magnum action for a 416 Rem, Ruger or 375 H&H or 375 Ruger..only the 404, 505, 500 Jefferys, 416 Rigby and a couple of other bit cases require full size magnum actions. For what you want a std. size 98 Mauser or Win. M-70 is more than adequate.

I used a 98 action for my 404 and it is 110% reliable no mater how energetically I work the action. Mind you my GS knew what he was doing. Having said that the new Ruger case is a good one and a 416 would be a sound choice.

Von Gruff

If it's not going to Africa, what's the diff? Why is a 300 or 338Mag push feed OK here in NA for all around hunting, but a 375 need to be CRF?



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As I stated, it is just my opinion, I am a bit nostalgic when it comes to rifles, especially the "express rifles" of the early 20th century, and I feel it is in a way paying homage to that time and place by having a rifle with close to the same set of features, and chambered in the same classic cartridges.

For me, I would not have a big bore built on anything other than a CRF, whether it be a Mauser 98, CZ 550, or Model 70.

Not saying that he 700 won't give satisfactory performance, I am simply stating that I enjoy owning and shooting classic style big bore rifles, and that includes the total package, right down to the claw extractor.

.... and that's good reason enough!


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Built my 416Rem on a classic stainless Winchester. It started life as a 300Wby. This one gives you CRF and SS in one pkg. This may be hard to find. You can only build 375H&H or 416Rem on the 300wby, 300RUM or 375H&H Winchester SS action without a LOT of work. Winchester built a 416Rem in blue also, but no SS. These actions are long enough to put 375/416 in. Also build my 358Norma out of a classic stainless. Take a look at the specs on the Norma, it should be a good bear whacker. I'm planing on taking my 358 to AK in a couple of years.

For the first big bore, I'd go with the CZ 550 in .375 H&H to AHR as mentioned previously. It's painless, reasonably priced and easy to sell, if you ultimately feel that you've made a mistake.