I'm building a .416 Taylor. I'm looking for input from those of you who have them; both pro and con. I'm using a 1909 Argentine Mauser and a Adams & Bennett barrel. What did you use and what are your results.
Thanx,
Dick C. (gatguy) :)

gatguy,
Nice choice. I had a 416 Taylor built on a K98 Mauser, with Adams & Bennett barrel, on a Boyd's JRS laminated stock, Timney Sportsmen's trigger. Had a PCE or Gentry (can't remember) 3-position safety installed. Also went all-out on the open sights with New England fixed V with 2-leaf rear sight, and hooded barrel band front sight, and barrel banded front swivel mount.

The gunsmith - who does a lot of bench shooting - shot a 3-shot group with it right from the start that would be covered by a nickel. I haven't done that well with it, but under an inch is normal for this rifle. I'm very happy with it. I think Adams & Bennett is a real sleeper supplier for quality barrels at great prices.

Thanks Shawn, sounds like except for the stock (I'm using English Walnut) we've got the same gun! OBTW, as soon as I get enough posts I'm going to advertise for a few rounds to use for fitting, etc., if you have a couple or 3 extra I'll buy or borrow them for few days. Let me know before I post. check my profile for e-mail address.
Yours, and good shooting,
Dick C. (gatguy)

Thanks Shawn, sounds like except for the stock (I'm using English Walnut) we've got the same gun! OBTW, as soon as I get enough posts I'm going to advertise for a few rounds to use for fitting, etc., if you have a couple or 3 extra I'll buy or borrow them for few days. Let me know before I post. check my profile for e-mail address.
Yours, and good shooting,
Dick C. (gatguy)

Dick,
In the interest of advancing the addictive pastime of wildcatting for the fine 416 Taylor, I'd be happy to send you some dead rounds (I did see your post in the Trading Post as well). Do you just need some bullet-seated dead rounds, or some empty brass too? I'm going to be cheap here, and send you some formed 338 Win Mag, or 458 Win Mag cases, shot to my chamber....I'm not going to give up the proper head-stamped A-Square brass.:p

PM me, and let me know what you need, and where to send it. I can send the dead rounds with a 350 gr semi-spitzer, or a 400 gr roundnose, or two of each if desired.

Dick,
I got your PM, and I'll send the dead rounds off to you. Here's a couple pics of the 416 Taylor.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z210/shwncrea/100_0117.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z210/shwncrea/100_0118.jpg

I have one and lover it. Built on a Mark-X with a A&B barrel topped with a VariX-III 1.75X6 heavy duples. Shoots 1" groups with 400gr Nosler partitions. I post a pic later. reflex264

I have two: One is a S&W action with a Douglas blank that shoots one and a half hole groups.

The other is a Encore break open 16.5" McGowen barrel that also shoots into one and a half hole groups.. I shoot 350gr bullets in both with the rifle liking 3031 and the pistol liking the same load and a heavy charge of Varget.

Very pretty brown on brown laminate stock.

Neal

I have one and lover it. Built on a Mark-X with a A&B barrel topped with a VariX-III 1.75X6 heavy duples. Shoots 1" groups with 400gr Nosler partitions. I post a pic later. reflex264

I could be dumb reflex, but your link didn't take me to anything but the photobucket login page. I'd like to see your Mark X though!

338CE, the Boyds' laminate JRS is a good stock for this rifle. Has some heft to it and is very durable, and I won't cringe to much (not for my stock anyway) when a beastie runs over me!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/reflex264/SUNP0038.jpg

Farther along than this but I haven't done a recent picture. Its heading out to get the stock spider webbed next week. I will have to fix the link to my hunting pics. reflex264

Thanks to all replies & pics, I too think this is a good choice. The .404 Barnes-Johnson Express is almost the same, but dies, reamer, etc. is expensive. Shawn, I finally see your rifle; looks just like what I'm building sans the scope and stock, just got a nice English walnut blank from Cecil Fredi in Las Vegas, will start that soon. Have to rent a reamer first and then get some dies & components....like to test fire the 'iron' before continuing although receiver ring Rockwells C33. Will also go ahead and make a 'drop-box' too, wasn't going to as they are a lot of work but changed my mind.
Thanks again all,
Dick C.

If the receiver ring rockwells that high you should be okay. Usually I've seen 1909's as low as 11 and had to be heat treated. If not, a bulge will occur over time behind the locking lugs.
Sounds like a nice project.
1909's make for a handsome big game gun.

Yep, 11 is a bit low but not dangerous for a while. I've built many Argentines and early Yugoslavs that had wide hardness swings from 8 or 9 up to 40 and that was as issued military surplus rifles. I've built .458s on these actions that were C18 to C25 that are still in use after 25 years and customers report no problems, headspace still good and no hard extraction, etc. But I do feel anything under 20 should be reheat-treated. And even after 50 years as a gunsmith, I do urge folks to proceed on the side of caution and rely on a good gunsmiths inspection before building some of these 'steamers'.

Dick,
How's your 416 Taylor project coming along? We'd sure like to see some pics of it!

Hi Shawn, was going okay, made a couple changes though. Stayed with the Argentine box. I fitted the barrel, finished chambering, opened the bolt face and modified the extractor, opened the rails to feed your rounds....feeds, extracts & ejects both of your 350 & 400 rounds (dead rounds), so all is well. Stock not to good; sent the blank to Shulin in Colo. and his work was great...only problem is a big knot hole in the butt right behind cheekpiece and it goes clear thru; loose and rattling! I can pour glass in it to fill the thing in but will just get another stick of wood and go again. Not my first rodeo! Will send along pics soon.
Dick C. (gatguy)