How About a 416 WSM??

c-fbmi

c-fbmi

BANNED
BANNED
BANNED
Rating - 98.6%
72   1   0
Location
Whitehorse and Boswell
I have been pondering a short case, short action, 416 for years now. I was initially going to do it on a 350 RM case but ended up doing a 375-350 instead and it turned in amazing ballistics and is still kicking around the Yukon killing moose and bears every year, last I heard.
But what I really wanted was a 416, so with the advent of the WSM line of cases and Marshal making relatively inexpensive bullets for it (and a continuous and reliable supply) I'm thinking maybe I should add it to the list of unfinished projects I have and pick up a donor action for it. As someone on another thread mentioned, there seems to be a glut of WSMs on the EE for sale, so one would have a very good choice of actions available.
I doubt this cartridge would garner much interest, and fits into a niche already being filled by the 350 RM...........but when you think about it, there just aren't many short action BA thumpers out there, other than the 350 RM. This niche seems to be dominated by the lever guns in 45-70, so I think a BA is needed.............
Ballistic expectations of this cartridge/rifle combo would be 2300 fps with a 350 gn bullet from a 20" barrel............possibly more.
The 350 gn Matrix is a very nice looking semi spritzer bullet which would perform ridiculously well at these velocities and for just slightly over a buck a bullet, no downside there.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
When the WSM's came out gunnutz necked the case up and down of course. IIRC the .416WSM's were getting velocities pretty much as you speculate- about 2300 for a 350gr bullet. 338, 375, 416 and 458 WSM's were some of the "popular" conversions, although I do recall reading about a .50WSM too.

Redding lists the 416 WSM dies in their custom line, too.
 
Last edited:
The .35 WSM would be an easy conversion from a .350RM, though a .375 WSM would give you a wider bullet selection. The .416 WSM has been done as the .416 Alaskan Express by Artic Gun Works. Then there's the B&M line of wildcats. All these have floated back and forth in my brain too, they would make dandy hammers with 18"-20" barrels.
 
c-fmbi - The B&M series will probably interest you. In the .416 version an 18" barrel will apparently get you to +2400fps with 350gr bullets. Heck, at 38" overall for the rifle - which weighs in at 6.5lbs - it might even get your attention when sending a bullet down-range. ;)

http://www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com/416-B-M.html

The B&M rifle series was conceived in 2005 by William V. Bruton (The B) and Michael McCourry (The M). Billy originally wanted a .500 caliber cartridge on par with the 500 S&W, only in a short handy rifle. Some quick research brings us the 50 B&M Super Short to fit this criteria. Michael having just come off a safari in Tanzania where an encounter with a hippo at extreme close range with a Winchester M70 458 Lott gave him some ideas about a rifle that handled better than the traditional big bore bolt gun that weighs 10 pounds or better with a standard 24 inch barrel. From this concept the B&M Series of rifles and cartridges became reality.
It has taken a little time, but now we are able to offer you the B&M Rifles and Cartridges. I try to keep dies on hand from both RCBS and Hornady, brass and custom bullets are available along with all load data, for the various B&M cartridges. If you are a handloader you are ready to start shooting immediately upon receiving your rifle.
Click to expand...
 
I've been thinking about this one for awhile, couple of years ago I made a dummy round up for this and a 416 RUM. I keep them on my bench and once in awhile get the urge to have one built.
 
746_500_csupload_36769013.jpg
 
I've often thought about a short bolt action in 40 or 416 just for bear hunting in the thick stuff. And I don't have a 40 cal yet and a VC 450/400 double is out of my price range.
I'm interested to see what you come up with
 
cut down 338 lapua mag cases to the length you want and then neck down to the diameter you want.........it seams to be working for my 510 whisper, can't see why you couldn't go down a few more calibers and pick up case capacity and speed. Custom dies will be in order, but is the gain worth the cost over the WSM family??
 
If you get real bored this winter I'll rent you my 510 whisper reamer and the go/no go gauges...................
 
I thought about and made up a dummy round of the .44 WSM - thought it would have been fun. A standard pistol bullet at heavy velocities, and a heavy 400 grain custom cast at real decent velocities. I also thought of necking one up to .43, like .43 Mauser or Spanish - figured I'd call it the short, fat, Mexican. (I hope I don't get kicked for that)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom