416 WSM wildekat - Oz eksperiment

[tripodmvr]

Took a break from building 375WSMs and finished off another in the line-up of WSM Big Bore Wildcats 416 WSM,
Simply the 300 WSM necked up to 416cal, no other changes

I geared up to build one of these and then a mate of mine Geoff, offered me his unfinished project of a barrel and action with unfinished lamy stock, so I jumped at it.

Barrel was a take-off from a 416 Rigby that had been shortened, with the action being a WBY Vanguard in WSM.
The barrel was a truck axle and needed to be re profiled to suit the project and the stock had been altered to suit the barrel, so I set about chasing up another stock better suited.
Quick call to Brett of BDR Custom Stocks and he happened to have a Hogue over moulded synthetic stock available and it was perfect for the build. He fitted a 1 3/8” magnum pad from Kickeez and sent it to me.

Next was to re profile the barrel to suit the build, I wanted a light rifle around
6 ½ to 7 lbs bare that can throw 340grn 400grn and even 450grn. So set about drawing up the new profile.

After machining up a muzzle plug centre and threaded drive dog to suit the barrel thread it was into the lathe for some re profiling fun, few hours later it was done and ready for linishing to finish off.

All done and bedded, fitted up with a detachable magazine assy it come in at 6 ½ lbs with a 21 ½” barrel bare.

Next was some reloading, as always I’m keen to use head stamped brass so a quick call to Bertram Brass and 100 cases arrived few weeks later. Bloody cheap and easy to get, love buying Oz made products.

Made up a few dummy cartridges with Woodleigh 340grn PPs to check feeding etc and all good.

Loaded a few for range test fire with the same 340s and shot well

Good fun gun

[tripodmvr]

416 WSM_2.jpg