I’d stick a VX 3 2.5-8 on it; or if you can find one maybe a 1.75-6. I tried really hard to like lower power variables in the 1.5-4.5ish range but couldn’t warm up to them. Inevitably they got cranked to top power and left there. Might as well have a fixed 4.
I just picked up a .416 Rem Mag
- Thread starter mikeboehm
- Start date
That really depends on where and how you're hunting. I have seen places where one could use a higher powered scope. On NFLD a few years ago, most the hunting was done over longer distance on bogs. I hade a 2.5-8 which worked well enough but a 3.5-10 or so might have been a better choice.
I use 1.5-4.5, 1.5-5, 1.5-6, 2-7, 2.5-8s a lot. I usually carry them at around 3x which is fine for here. Usually, the only time they go to full magnification is range blasting. The 1.5-6x20 is a B&L Balvar which is a recent purchase and a very nice scope for these parts. It went on a 308.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
You'd have to be a special kind of masochist to decide that you wanted to hump a 416 around on a newfie moose hunt and bang away at them at 200 yards from the prone. So many better choices, though I'll admit, few as cool.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I mean, I'd take one, but that's because I'm dumb.I personally wouldn't want one for free. Way past the limits of what I call fun. Too expensive to feed and then there's the recoil .........
I'm more of a 222/223 guy now.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I suppose that leaves me as ... Current project is .416 barrel that screwed into a P14 receiver - I am part way through hand reaming it with 416 Rem Mag chamber reamer - bolt starts to drop with new Hornady brass, but does not yet move at all with GO gauge - so is likely really close - about where I usually get "rammy" and take it too far. There are 50 new Hornady brass here and 200 x 400 grain Woodleigh bullets - by the time those are done, I am sure I will be also.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
^ No doubt! I have in mind circa 13 pounds as finished weight - not much point to it unless going full power - you know, in case gravel trucks, or similar, need to be stopped in their tracks.
If I was a lefty, I'd be down to rimfire, fortunately the right side is still intact... lol.I personally wouldn't want one for free. Way past the limits of what I call fun. Too expensive to feed and then there's the recoil .........
I'm more of a 222/223 guy now.
I can remember a fella I used to see at the range practicing on the life sized black bear picture targets with a Rem700 in 416RM, was not long after it came out in the 80's. He started with a 300WM, then went to a 340wby, then to a 375H&H, then the 416. Bears were not in any particular danger with him shooting off hand at 100yds, and the 416 ate 3 Leupols 1-4x20's for him. Really good guy, but, way more gun than he could handle, and he couldn't comprehend why the bears weren't DRT with the previous guns, they always did a death run on him. He was just about as round as he was tall, wanted to make them easier to get out.
Yeah - that comment sure brings back memories of shooting one at the range.
I was out at the range with my AR-15 back in the day and there was a big guy out there with a 416 Rem sighting it in for hunting.
He had never shot an AR and I had never shot a heavy hunting rifle so we decided to trade. I gave him a couple of mags (5 rd) for a couple of shots of 416 obviously loaded to max.. Well the first shot launched the rifle and scope into the bridge of my glasses and drew blood running down the side of my nose. He smiled and asked if I wanted another one and since I was young (not too smart) and determined not to let that happen again I said yes and shot it again. Well the same thing happened though not quite as hard.
Obviously too much rifle for me. I since have a 375 mag that I hunt with occasionally and that's more than enough.
Keep bench shooting with heavy kickers in lighter weight rifles to a minimum ie. sight in the scope or develop your handload and that's it.
You're better off shooting from a hunting stance that you will actually use in the field anyway.
In Finland, the hunter shooting competency requirements are from mostly standing and kneeling positions. No benching.
You're better off shooting from a hunting stance that you will actually use in the field anyway.
In Finland, the hunter shooting competency requirements are from mostly standing and kneeling positions. No benching.
I am not a fan of the Browning ABolt or XBolt rifles, they've always struck me ladies rifles.
Small in my hands, tiny bolt handle, thin stocks etc...
Second point, which may matter only to me.
I never understand why people push a .416RM to max loads?
I've got a .416RM in a ZKK-602, which is obviously a far superior platform for the .416RM than the 'ladies rifle' Browning ABolt or XBolts.
My handload is a 400gr bullet, 78.5grs RL15, which avgs 2374fps through the Chrony.
I had no problem dropping a wolf at 200+ yds, offhand shot, or a bull moose at 250 yds, also offhand, center punched twice, and a 7' black bear at 28 paces.
Third point: recoil only matters on the bench. When I am shooting at big game I have no awareness of recoil or muzzle report.
Shooting the .416RM at big game as compared to a .30-06, I don't notice any difference, including how dead the critter ends up.
Small in my hands, tiny bolt handle, thin stocks etc...
Second point, which may matter only to me.
I never understand why people push a .416RM to max loads?
I've got a .416RM in a ZKK-602, which is obviously a far superior platform for the .416RM than the 'ladies rifle' Browning ABolt or XBolts.
My handload is a 400gr bullet, 78.5grs RL15, which avgs 2374fps through the Chrony.
I had no problem dropping a wolf at 200+ yds, offhand shot, or a bull moose at 250 yds, also offhand, center punched twice, and a 7' black bear at 28 paces.
Third point: recoil only matters on the bench. When I am shooting at big game I have no awareness of recoil or muzzle report.
Shooting the .416RM at big game as compared to a .30-06, I don't notice any difference, including how dead the critter ends up.
Very true for whatever caliber you choose to hunt with. I find myself shooting from a slung sitting position for most of my hunting because kneeling and standing are not quite as stable and prone is impossible with taller vegetation.
Sitting is a very good compromise.
It weighs 7lb 15oz
