Dakota 76 in .416 Rigby. To cut—or cull?

[RR 314]

24” barrel was magna-ported during the build process at Dakota. Cutting, recrowning, and setting site back would leave 22 1/4”. Balance in currently a tad front of action so balance would likely not be off. I have plenty other .416s, but this one is nice with quarter rib etc. Rigby offer(ed) 22” in the .416 and quick research indicates it should not be an issue. In short, would you cut/crown or move it on down the line?

 

[YancyW]

I would not, but I also would not worry at about having a .416 Rigby in a 22" barrel. That is plenty of barrel in my opinion.

 

[pilar]

Cut it , imo the wood on that rifle is the main reason, and having a 22 inch barrel is not going to make it function badly.

 

[RR 314]

Matt Roberts had one at 21” on consignment that sat around for a long time and it was a beautiful 76.

 

[Green Chile]

It does not need porting. I have the same model and it would drive me nuts (and others) if I had that much blast. Cut it back a bit and get in the field. The Dakota Safari in 416 Rigby is my favorite DG rifle and I have owned many.

 

[Scott CWO]

Never. It’s a Dakota. It’s not a CZ or something to mess around with. I have both. Why do you want to cut down the barrel anyway? The 2” longer is not bothersome and a rifle should be forward weighted anyway. A 24” barrel is not unwieldy, especially in Africa.

 

[RR 314]

Never. It’s a Dakota. It’s not a CZ or something to mess around with. I have both. Why do you want to cut down the barrel anyway? The 2” longer is not bothersome and a rifle should be forward weighted anyway. A 24” barrel is not unwieldy, especially in Africa.

Only reason to cut is to have it born again sans porting. It is very nice as is, but not a fan of the magna-port (and I know my PH is not). . I would prefer to keep it 24, but unless I keep the porting, that is not an option obviously (unless I fire up the welder or really see if JB weld is as strong as advertised.).

 

[pilar]

Never. It’s a Dakota. It’s not a CZ or something to mess around with. I have both. Why do you want to cut down the barrel anyway? The 2” longer is not bothersome and a rifle should be forward weighted anyway. A 24” barrel is not unwieldy, especially in Africa.

Yeah I hear you, I had some flat brimmed gen Z telling me to thread my pre 64 M70’s
For a suppressor
But I am just a poor old rancher and I would still rather cut and crown that Dakota then
Pass it off or keep it ported , especially if it’s a favorite to hunt with and be a phoenix rifle

 

[ftrovato]

I would not cut considering how many times you're going to pull the trigger.

 

[RR 314]

I would not cut considering how many times you're going to pull the trigger.

Well, if I don’t cut it I will never pull the trigger (at least in Africa). . That is the reason for the question. Leaning towards moving it on down the line. Not even sure it would ever make the cut for Africa (even if recrowned) the more I ponder it.

 

[ftrovato]

Well, if I don’t cut it I will never pull the trigger (at least in Africa). . That is the reason for the question. Leaning towards moving it on down the line. Not even sure it would ever make the cut for Africa (even if recrowned) the more I ponder it.

why won't you hunt with it? Your PH is usually going to be standing very close behind you when you're firing (most likely with his ears plugged).

 

[cmk]

Personally I would;
A) cut off the magna port, re-crown, get a barrel band front sight soldered on. This probably means re-blueing (re-bluing?) as well.

B) Take a good long look at the fore end and be prepared to shorten it an inch or two to make it look proportional.

Unfortunately, the perspective in the first picture is a bit off, so it's hard to say if it is 'needed' or not.

Other than that, a great looking rifle chambered for a very capable cartridge!

 

[BJH65]

Mag- Na- Porting is not noticeably louder than a non Mag-Na-Ported rifle nor is the muzzle blast as severe as traditional muzzle brakes. Nor is it as effective at reducing recoil as much as traditional muzzle brakes but is very effective in controlling muzzle rise, a nice attribute if repeat shots are needed. If your PH doesn’t like them he may not know the difference like many an AH that simply categorize Mag-Na-Porting with louder traditional muzzle brakes.

I’m taking my Mag-Na-Ported 458 Lott on an elephant and buffalo hunt in two months. My PH is not concerned because there’s no discernible difference from a non Mag-Na-Ported rifle. If you just don’t like the ports, then cut away.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I had a very fine and well put together stud colt out of the Fell pony once. I had the same dilemma; cut or cull. Then he made the decision easier for me on his own when he started screaming and raising hell and had the whole farm pissed off. A great pony, loved to work. It would have been a shame to not use him as a stud. He had it all. So I sold him.

I see you rig pretty much the same way, if it going to make a lot of noise the way it is now send it down the road to someone who loves noise and let them deal with the neighbors (PH).

 

[wvfred]

I'm not sure what the cost would be but it could be sent to Park west and rebarreled and put the quarter rib and front sight back on the new barrel. Also if you had any interest in another caliber it would make a really nice 450 Rigby.

 

[BeeMaa]

It depends. How in love are you with the figure in the timber stock?

Love it...cut it and take it hunting.
Like it...cull it and let someone else ask themselves the same question.

Personally, I love me some fiddleback so I'd be cutting and booking a safari.

 

[deewayne2003]

Is it possible to have it cut back enough for the barrel band front sight to cover the ports?

NECG Masterpiece Banded Ramp R-100, Front Sights | New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd.

Either way I would do away with the porting.

 

[RR 314]

I'm not sure what the cost would be but it could be sent to Park west and rebarreled and put the quarter rib and front sight back on the new barrel. Also if you had any interest in another caliber it would make a really nice 450 Rigby.

Man, I have a much nicer .450 Rigby. I know—first world problems.

 

[RR 314]

Is it possible to have it cut back enough for the barrel band front sight to cover the ports?

NECG Masterpiece Banded Ramp R-100, Front Sights | New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd.

Either way I would do away with the porting.

That is a good idea. I really don’t care for the front sight style as it is. Will run this by my ‘smith. Not sure if pressure would be an issue if gas has nowhere to go.

 

[RR 314]

It depends. How in love are you with the figure in the timber stock?

Love it...cut it and take it hunting.
Like it...cull it and let someone else ask themselves the same question.

Personally, I love me some fiddleback so I'd be cutting and booking a safari.

I really like the stock. That is why I broke down and purchased it. I just need to pay more attention to detail. .