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Brevex #18 joins the collection - Belgium 416-460 Wby Mag

I've been fortunate to add another Custom Brevex Rifle to my collection. This one is also in my favorite 416 caliber, albeit a Wildcat in its day. The caliber is a 460 Weatherby Mag necked down to 416 caliber, aka 416-460 Wby Mag. Based on the History of Brevex rifles, this was likely an original Belgium 416 Rigby caliber from the late 1950's. Back then, 416 Rigby cartridges and brass were not readily available here in the U.S. So, it was easy to re-chamber this rifle to its current wildcat caliber and order custom RCBS reloading and forming dies. These custom dies came with the rifle and the cost marked on them is $21 and $18 per set. Very reasonable back then. About 35 years later, in 1989, Weatherby introduced their 416 Weatherby Magnum cartridge as a standard Big Bore chambering. The only difference between this 416-460 wildcat, compared to the current 416 Wby Mag cartridge, is this wildcat has sharp shoulder / neck geometry, whereas the current Weatherby cartridge has the typical radius shoulder / neck geometry. Because the Belt determines headspace, current ammo can be safety fired in the rifle. I added a 1-3/4 to 5 scope, and will followup with a range report as soon as temperatures become more tolerable.

This rifle's listing did not readily identify it as a Brevex, but pictures of the distinctive markings on the bottom of the action, identified it as such. BTW, if you have a Brevex rifle you care to sell, please PM me. I'd like to get to 20 by the end of the year. Mag cartridge,

http://www.buckstixwildcat.com/buckpics/416-460-000.jpg




http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/brevex18.jpg

I wonder if that "Swanson" was a high end dealer and gunsmith of Swanson Custom Firearms at 10th and Broadway in Denver, Colorado (of the 60s and 70s). Right next to Jonas Brothers Taxidermy where you brought your African trophies to mount.

Yes, Swanson is likely the one that re-chambered it to it's current wildcat caliber.

Nice vintage gun. I suspect that Swanson did the metal and the owner or someone he knew did the wood from a purchased turned blank. The lack of checkering, the inexactness of the lines around the action, the soft edges and the fit around the tang area particularly seems to point in that direction. The wood is too low around the sides of the tang and too high behind leading to the cocking piece slot being re-inlet after the finish. The tang fit may be the reason for the small crack behind the tang. I would be sure to check and address that before shooting the gun.

I believe the barrel is original since its Factory stamped "Made in Belgium" .... and Swanson only did the re-chambering to 416-460. Headspace to Factory 416 Rigby is still "spot-on" - with only a belt clearance added for 460 brass. All the bottom metal is also original Brevex. The stock is fully bedded and tight.

We are having a warm spell here in Wisconsin so I took the rifle to the range today. My load was very conservative, and very fun to shoot. And, as the target shows - excellent accuracy. Note: The first group was low, so the scope was adjusted for the second group. I have also shown the difference between this wildcat 416-460 Weatherby, compared to the factory 416 Weatherby Mag. It appears the only difference is the neck / shoulder angles.

and as always, your comments are welcome.

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/416-460COMPARE.jpg



http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/416-460TARG-SM.jpg

Buckstix
In reference to the foam, are you using floral foam/mousse to hold the powder in position?
The plug would need to be <.416” dia. x 1” eh?
I use floral foam to cap off my single shot cases to retain the powder when breach seating bullets.

I also use floral foam in 32-40 and 38-55 cases when I shooting my single shot schuetzen rifles and breach seating bullets. But for reduced loads in big bore cartridges I use backing rod foam. For this load I used a 1" long piece of 1/2" dia backing rod foam.