I searched the forum and did not find much but I am wondering if anyone else out there has done a custom build around a .416 Barrett. While the round is OK out of a Barrett platform, I am thinking of ordering a BAT Machine 50 BMG action and using a 32-36" barrel to see if this round can be dialed in to an effective platform. While the eventual weight would relegate the final product to basically a bench/range rifle, would like to hear if others have tried and succeeded/failed at this type of build.
.416 Build
- Thread starter Hairball
- Start date
One of the main problems with this cartridge is a lack of quality bullets. The route most ELR shooters have been taking is to go with a .375CT. It's pretty much king of the hill ballistically, there are lots of good bullet options and you don't have to build it on such a huge platform. Ask around in the Beyond 1000 section and see what other's experiences with .416B are and what they shoot these days.
Personally, if I was going to step up to the size and weight that goes along with the 50BMG size cartridge, I would just go 50. Now the fact that you are in CA screws up everything. If you truly want ELR, I would suggest the 375/408 Cheytac. The 416 Barrett was just an afterthought to address California's 50 ban. It's not the most accurate or efficient in it's class. Plus you are beholden to Barrett for brass I believe and they take forever for anything. I own an Armalite AR50 in 50BMG and I wouldn't want that size in a 416. If I really get a hair up my ass to build something that will out shoot my 338LM, it will be a 375 Cheytac on a Stiller TAC408 action.
I have forming dies to make my own brass from 50 bmg and at least 500 bullets for the 416 with all of the reloading stuff to go with it so that is why I am trying to stay with the 416. I think the round has potential; however, it is limited in the current model 99 that I have. I shoot .338 lap with my AX so this build is more of an exercise into seeing what kind of accuracy might be attained with a proper setup. The bat action alone weighs 10 pounds so the final rifle will most likely come in around 45-50 pounds as the barrel I am looking at is another 29 pounds. I thought about just going with 408 as I have a set of CH4D dies and about 20 brass but it would cost more to get up to the level of what I currently have for the 416. Maybe more of a novelty than anything else but if I could get it dialed down it may make a good range rifle for ELR......
