.416 MRE ? Mystery .416

[roklok]

I just picked up a custom Remington 1917 I bought on Gbroker, listed as a .416 Rem Mag. I had my doubts, as it was marked strangely for a .416 RM. Turns out I was right, it is not a 416 Rem Mag. It is stamped "416 MRE." Anybody ever hear of such a wildcat ? It is chambered for a belted case, and is indeed a .416 bore, but neither 416 RM or 416 Taylor will chamber. The Taylor nearly chambers, but bolt is still maybe .05 to .1" from closing. It is also marked on the barrel HW Creighton, which I believe is well known gunsmith Harry Creighton who passed away in 1985, before the 416 Remington was introduced. The magazine is also too short for the 416 Rem, the 416 Taylor does fit magazine and feed fine. I intend to chamber cast it just to verify that a 416 Remington reamer will clean up the chamber and then re-chamber it to the Remington (first choice) or Rigby.

 

[roklok]

Well, I think I found it.

just added another 416 to MY battery- 416 VAN HORN

I just added another 416 caliber to the battery - a 416 Van Horn Well, I just bought the 416 Van Horn custom rifle built by Walter Abe. 416 is my favorite caliber. It just so happens that I have a custom wildcat rifle chambered in 416 MRE from 1972 (Mid Range Express) ... that's the sam...

doublegunshop.com

.416 Mid Range Express. Hmmm, got some thinking to do. Based on a 460 Weatherby case, a Remington or even Rigby reamer aint gonna clean that one up.

 

[Tintin]

Interesting. A new one on me.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[buckstix]

The 416 MRE is a great caliber. Same ballistics as the 416 Rigby in a compact shell. I once owned the rifle. Easy to make brass from 460 WBY. I might still have dies if needed. Or, run in a standard 416 Wby Mag reamer if the mag box is large enough.

 

[skydiver386]

The 1914 and 1917's usually have quite a large mag box, and replacing it would allow nearly any 416 you want. That raises the question, with those actions being some of the longest out there, why would the original builder use it and not something more compact for a short cartridge?

 

[buckstix]

The 1914 and 1917's usually have quite a large mag box, and replacing it would allow nearly any 416 you want. That raises the question, with those actions being some of the longest out there, why would the original builder use it and not something more compact for a short cartridge?

Those actions were really cheap in the 70's. Surplus rifles sold for $9.95.

 

[roklok]

The 416 MRE is a great caliber. Same ballistics as the 416 Rigby in a compact shell. I once owned the rifle. Easy to make brass from 460 WBY. I might still have dies if needed. Or, run in a standard 416 Wby Mag reamer if the mag box is large enough.

If you do have the dies I would probably be very interested in them, depending on which direction I go. I was hoping you would chime in, that is your post on doublegunshop.com I linked to isn't it ?

 

[roklok]

The 1914 and 1917's usually have quite a large mag box, and replacing it would allow nearly any 416 you want. That raises the question, with those actions being some of the longest out there, why would the original builder use it and not something more compact for a short cartridge?

The 1917 and P14 mag boxes are not large, at least in length. The 1917 is 30-06 length, and P14 is designed for the 303 which is shorter yet (though wider). While it is true the actions are large and can handle some of the biggest cartridges out there, it requires custom mag boxes and receiver modifications. The H&H length cartridges, 416 Rigby, big Weatherbys all require custom mag boxes and receiver mods. With that being said, it is not difficult for a skilled gunsmith to do, and I agree with the capabilities of the action the 416 MRE is a curious choice.

I am currently in the final stages of building a .375 H&H on a Remington 30 Express action, and I had to use a custom mag box and lengthen the magazine opening in receiver.

 

[buckstix]

Yes .... that was my post ... this is from the original builder of your (posted before I bought it) I will look for the dies.

".... Back in the 60's, when P14 Enfield actions were available and quite reasonable in price, I had rifles built in .375, .416, .500 .505 and .577 caliber, all but the last based on a .460 Weatherby case shortened to 2.500". They were all built on P14 Enfield actions.

They achieved respectively .375 H&H, .416 Rigby, .500 Jeffrey. .505 Gibbs and .577 Nitro Express levels of performance.

The actions were modified by removing the rear sight "ears", straightening the trigger guard and shortening the magazine and converting to cock on opening with a Dayton Traister kit. They all functioned perfectly and continue to do so today.

 

[roklok]

I guess my choices come down to this; Keep rifle as configured and obtain dies, punch out chamber to 416 Weatherby, or rebarrel.

 

[buckstix]

PM SENT

 

[roklok]

So are the 416 MRE and 416 VanHorn one and the same ? Or are they similar concept but different dimensions ?

 

[baxterb]

Was the 416 MRE invented by xausa? Bill made the SREs (short range express) so kind of fits with the nomenclature.

 

[baxterb]

I found an old comment that before he had even heard of the 416 Taylor, xausa necked up the 300 Win Mag to 416. I bet that is exactly what you have. And to further this, I know Creighton did metalwork on some of his rifles.

 

[roklok]

Buckstix cleared this up. He was a previous owner of this rifle. It is based on the 460 Weatherby case shortened and necked to .416". Apparently a one off. It makes sense because a standard belted mag case does not fit the bolt face either, it is a sloppy fit.

 

[baxterb]

Buckstix cleared this up. He was a previous owner of this rifle. It is based on the 460 Weatherby case shortened and necked to .416". Apparently a one off. It makes sense because a standard belted mag case does not fit the bolt face either, it is a sloppy fit.

Ah gotcha - I took the above re: the Taylor that it fit all but length. Well, at least you know now!