Hello All,
I am an unrepentant fan of short action bolt actions rifles for their quick easy handling and
portability due to their light weight, compact size, and short bolt throws. I have recently been
searching for a capable big game cartridge that would fit in one of the Mini-Mausers. I had all but
resigned to chambering one for one of the handgun silhouette cartridges as a woods companion
rifle and staying with my 600 as the shortest that could handle a true game cartridge. The catalysts
that provided the inspiration to take the next step and design the .416 The Americas Stalker, or
.416 TAS, were the .416 Beartooth of Mr. Stanton and Mr. Gates and the Brockman .50
Beowulf.
First I want all to know that I am an absolute beginner at cartridge design with limited applicable
background, thus "Wildcats 101 and Ballistics 201" advice and information are both needed and
welcome. I am posting a similar message on several forums to gain information and opinions. A
first time designer is also, I hope, allowed the indulgence of using his initials in his cartridge's
name: TAS for Todd Anthony Servaes. The Americas Stalker was also chosen because it is very
descriptive of what I believe the round can do. Because with a good stalk, which is aided by the
handling qualities and portability of the rifles ( with some pressure cautions the 336ER and 94BB
levers can also be chambered for it ) for which it was designed, the .416 TAS should prove very
adequate to excellent for taking any game in the Americas.
The .416 TAS is based on the .240 Weatherby case cut to 1.850" and necked for .416 bullets.
This case length is the longest that allows a cartridge overall length with the Beartooth 375 grain
bullet that can fit the magazines of some of the Mini-Mausers without modification. The .240
Weatherby was chosen because of its' belt for head spacing this straight rimless case and because
its' .473" head diameter is the largest any of these mini actions can handle well and without
modification. A scaled drawing is attached. In short the .416 TAS can be thought of as a ninety
percent scale .450 Marlin, since it is by measure or by weight essentially 9/10 the size and should
provide 9/10 the performance, but will easily allow a twelve ounce lighter rifle with only eighty-five
percent of the recoil
Thanks for the inspiration,
Todd, aka Fireplug
I am an unrepentant fan of short action bolt actions rifles for their quick easy handling and
portability due to their light weight, compact size, and short bolt throws. I have recently been
searching for a capable big game cartridge that would fit in one of the Mini-Mausers. I had all but
resigned to chambering one for one of the handgun silhouette cartridges as a woods companion
rifle and staying with my 600 as the shortest that could handle a true game cartridge. The catalysts
that provided the inspiration to take the next step and design the .416 The Americas Stalker, or
.416 TAS, were the .416 Beartooth of Mr. Stanton and Mr. Gates and the Brockman .50
Beowulf.
First I want all to know that I am an absolute beginner at cartridge design with limited applicable
background, thus "Wildcats 101 and Ballistics 201" advice and information are both needed and
welcome. I am posting a similar message on several forums to gain information and opinions. A
first time designer is also, I hope, allowed the indulgence of using his initials in his cartridge's
name: TAS for Todd Anthony Servaes. The Americas Stalker was also chosen because it is very
descriptive of what I believe the round can do. Because with a good stalk, which is aided by the
handling qualities and portability of the rifles ( with some pressure cautions the 336ER and 94BB
levers can also be chambered for it ) for which it was designed, the .416 TAS should prove very
adequate to excellent for taking any game in the Americas.
The .416 TAS is based on the .240 Weatherby case cut to 1.850" and necked for .416 bullets.
This case length is the longest that allows a cartridge overall length with the Beartooth 375 grain
bullet that can fit the magazines of some of the Mini-Mausers without modification. The .240
Weatherby was chosen because of its' belt for head spacing this straight rimless case and because
its' .473" head diameter is the largest any of these mini actions can handle well and without
modification. A scaled drawing is attached. In short the .416 TAS can be thought of as a ninety
percent scale .450 Marlin, since it is by measure or by weight essentially 9/10 the size and should
provide 9/10 the performance, but will easily allow a twelve ounce lighter rifle with only eighty-five
percent of the recoil
Thanks for the inspiration,
Todd, aka Fireplug