Author Topic: loads for a 416 rigby (Read 3100 times)

POSSUM_56 · « **on:** August 13, 2005, 03:39:06 PM »

Ok, I just started reloading for my rigby and was gonna use the barnes 300's but a friend of mine said that if i had a big gun i had to use big bullets so i was wondering about some loads wth the 400 grainers and if possile could someone give me some starting loads and then max loads cause i wanna see what this thing can do any and all info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Possum

crow_feather · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2005, 04:39:48 PM »

POSSUM_56,

The nice part about a big rifle in the USA (for me) is the ability to use smaller bullets for the caliber and be able to shoot a good distance, then put in bigger bullets when it is necessary, such as when there is a bear in the area, or when your friend says, "Can I shoot it?"

C F

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2005, 04:43:37 PM »

Quote from: POSSUM_56

Ok, I just started reloading for my rigby and was gonna use the barnes 300's but a friend of mine said that if i had a big gun i had to use big bullets so i was wondering about some loads wth the 400 grainers and if possile could someone give me some starting loads and then max loads cause i wanna see what this thing can do any and all info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Possum

I would not listen to your friend to much. I also reload for the 416 Rigby and the 300 gr. Barnes X bullets are extremely accurate. If a 357 H&H is good enough with a 300 gr. bullet the 416 will do it better and faster with a 300 gr. bullet. But with that said, if you want to load a 400 gr. bullets, they will work with a little more knock down power. But have to shot them??? I am going on a Water Buffalo hunt at the end of this month and I am using my 416 Rigby with 300 gr. Barnes X bullets.

I have the Barnes Reloading Manual #3, let me know the powder you are going to use and I can shoot you over some load data for the Barnes bullets. They list loads for RL19,RL22,H4350,H4831,IMR4831 and IMR7828

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2005, 12:35:16 PM »

Forget what your friend is telling you. Light bullets are great for smaller game. I have been get my best results from my .416 Rigby with W760 using either the Barnes 400 gr. TSX or Banded Solid bullets(Barnes quit making the VLC in .416). My favorite load for the 400 gr. is 97.0 gr. of W760 for 2,662 fps. I just got my first order of Barnes 350 gr. TSX bullets and havent loaded any yet. The load I am planning on starting with is 98.0 gr. of W760 and work up from there. Lawdog

P.S. - You might also go to Accurate Reloading and their load page for the .416 Rigby at http://www.accuratereloading.com/416rigby.html. LD

crow_feather · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2005, 03:48:24 PM »

Lawdog,

If you squeezed the size of that case down to .513 diameter, you could start out with 67.0 grains of powder for a 400 grain .416 bullet.

C F

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2005, 05:39:53 PM »

Quote from: crow_feather

Lawdog,

If you squeezed the size of that case down to .513 diameter, you could start out with 67.0 grains of powder for a 400 grain .416 bullet.

C F

What??? :?

oso45-70 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2005, 06:27:54 PM »

Possum

I'm not sure but i think i used to load my rigby with H380 Been a while since i've had one, Seems like it was one of the better load for accuracy I also used AA powder and reloader 19 worked good also, Like i said its been a while since i loaded for the Rigby. Good luck........Joe.........

crow_feather · « **Reply #7 on:** August 16, 2005, 04:11:44 AM »

Lawdog,

.513 diameter is the size of the 416 rem mag case. (chuckle)

C F

Lawdog · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2005, 10:06:55 AM »

Quote from: crow_feather

Lawdog,

.513 diameter is the size of the 416 rem mag case. (chuckle)

C F

:-D :-D :-D

No offense but when I was deciding on a .416 I did a lot of checking on loads and reloading capabilities and based my choice on that. The .416 Rigby won hands down. I can load it down to .416 Rem. levels or up to almost the velocity of the mighty .416 Weatherby. I have one load that a friend and I did a lot of work on and it drives a 400 gr. Barnes XLC(no longer available and I only have 62 of them left) over 2,715 fps. No signs of excessive pressure, no problems with cases sticking or anything but I dont hand that load out. The .416 Rem. is OK but I believe if you weight everything the .416 Rigby will always beat the .416 Rem. every time. Lawdog

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 16, 2005, 11:56:01 AM »

I have to agree with you on that one Lawdog.

crow_feather · « **Reply #10 on:** August 16, 2005, 11:57:45 AM »

Except when it comes to efficiency. A 416 Rem Mag is far more efficient.

A 460 Weatherby makes both 416's look bad. I don't think I need more than the 416 Rem Mag or else I would have bought the 458 or 460 and loaded one of them down.

And if my rifle exploded, I wouldn't have to admit that I loaded it above what was recomended, the only way the antique Rigby can match or exceed a Rem Mag.

I won't mention accuracy. I'll leave that for another day.

C F

oso45-70 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 16, 2005, 05:24:17 PM »

Crow_feather

I'll Answer that one for you. I have never shot a 416 Rigby that was as accurate as the 416 Rem that i have now. If I do my part I can get three in a one inch group. The very best i could do with the Rigbys was close to two and a half inches.

......Joe..........

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2005, 03:05:03 AM »

Quote from: oso45-70

Crow_feather

I'll Answer that one for you. I have never shot a 416 Rigby that was as accurate as the 416 Rem that i have now. If I do my part I can get three in a one inch group. The very best i could do with the Rigbys was close to two and a half inches. ......Joe..........

Just because you personally could not get a 416 Rigby to shoot accurately as your 416 Remington does not make all 416 Rigby's inaccurate. Your statement does not hold water with me. :roll:

Lawdog · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2005, 11:11:01 AM »

Quote from: Redhawk1

Quote from: oso45-70
Crow_feather

I'll Answer that one for you. I have never shot a 416 Rigby that was as accurate as the 416 Rem that i have now. If I do my part I can get three in a one inch group. The very best i could do with the Rigbys was close to two and a half inches. ......Joe..........

Just because you personally could not get a 416 Rigby to shoot accurately as your 416 Remington does not make all 416 Rigby's inaccurate. Your statement does not hold water with me. :roll:

Boy "Redhawk1" have you got that right. My .416 consistently shoots MOA or better and I shoot nothing but 5 shot groups. 3 shot groups are used for sighting in only.

crow_feather,

Quote

Except when it comes to efficiency. A 416 Rem Mag is far more efficient.

Just how do you figure that? Shorter case? Because thats all it has going for it. Lawdog

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2005, 12:00:34 PM »

Please don't get me wrong, the 416 Remington is a fine round, but it is not better or more efficient than the 416 Rigby.

crow_feather · « **Reply #15 on:** August 17, 2005, 02:26:06 PM »

The case of the Rigby was made for cordite. It is larger than it needs to be for modern powder. The Rem Mag gets the same speed with less powder, thus is more efficient.

It cost more to fill the Rigby and the cost of loaded ammunition is more than the Mag.

I have found the Rem Mag more accurate, thus I will stay with practicality. If I wanted something that was old and sentimental, I would throw a rock.

C F

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 17, 2005, 05:38:32 PM »

Quote from: crow_feather

The case of the Rigby was made for cordite. It is larger than it needs to be for modern powder. The Rem Mag gets the same speed with less powder, thus is more efficient.

It cost more to fill the Rigby and the cost of loaded ammunition is more than the Mag.

I have found the Rem Mag more accurate, thus I will stay with practicality. If I wanted something that was old and sentimental, I would throw a rock.

C F

Not amused.

I guess you would have no need for a 45-70, 30-06 either. Them old as dirt rounds.
You would be more accurate with a rock over the 416 Rem.

:-D

oso45-70 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 17, 2005, 07:00:04 PM »

Redhawk1

I don't want you to get the idea that it was only one 416 Rigby that i was working with it was a fair amount of them, some mine and some for people that was going to Africa Like Col. Rl Harrison & Gov. Tom Bolack and some i can't think of rite now. Some were Double rifles and some bolt Actions. If i didn't know what i was talking about I would keep my mouth shut. These people had me to tune up their rifles at least once a year for a number of years. In that period i shot the 416 Rigby untold amount of times. That was the most popular cal. with these old boys.......Joe........

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 18, 2005, 02:37:12 AM »

Quote from: oso45-70

Redhawk1

I don't want you to get the idea that it was only one 416 Rigby that i was working with it was a fair amount of them, some mine and some for people that was going to Africa Like Col. Rl Harrison & Gov. Tom Bolack and some i can't think of rite now. Some were Double rifles and some bolt Actions. If i didn't know what i was talking about I would keep my mouth shut. These people had me to tune up their rifles at least once a year for a number of years. In that period i shot the 416 Rigby untold amount of times. That was the most popular cal. with these old boys.......Joe........

No problem, but I know what my 416 Rigby will do and it is better than your posted results.

Maybe you just flinched a lot when shooting the 416 Rigby. Ha Ha JOKE :-D

oso45-70 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 18, 2005, 03:11:33 AM »

Redhawk1

If you will go back to where Lawdog went to Accurate arms post and see what they had to say about the Rigby accuracy you will see that the very best load was getting 0.98# and most were from one somthing to two somthing. It may be that the newer powders are getting better accuracy but the 416 rigby was never known to be a tack driver. The thing that it did have was a very large case so cordite powder could be used to beat the heat problem in Africa. On a cool morning you could have a light load and in the heat of the day you had a heavy load. In the early 50s they started using modern powder to beat this problem. Its a shame we all have to live so far apart or we could get togather and do some shooting. I think there would a lot learned for all. And one more thing. NO I DON"T FLINCH

.......Joe........

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 18, 2005, 06:49:39 AM »

I knew I would get you with the comment. :-D
But you are right, I wish some of us could get together and shoot. I think it would be a learning experience and a lot of fun.

Lawdog · « **Reply #21 on:** August 18, 2005, 10:53:27 AM »

Quote from: crow_feather

The case of the Rigby was made for cordite. It is larger than it needs to be for modern powder. The Rem Mag gets the same speed with less powder, thus is more efficient.

The .416 Rem. gets near the velocity of the .416 Rigby but at the expense of over half again the pressure. Over 65,000 psi. for the .416 Re. and just under 42,000 psi. for the .416 Rigby.

Quote

It cost more to fill the Rigby and the cost of loaded ammunition is more than the Mag.

Not that much when you reload.

Quote

I have found the Rem Mag more accurate, thus I will stay with practicality. If I wanted something that was old and sentimental, I would throw a rock.

C F

That's your opinion. When I was trying out different .416 rifles the M700 Rem. I tried in .416 Rem. wouldn't shoot groups under 2" and the Ruger M77 .416 Rigby I shot easily grouped 1 1/2". The .416 Remington comes out as a poor attempt at copying the .416 Rigby. Even Remington has given up on the .416 Remington. No longer chambers any standard rifles for it. Lawdog

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 18, 2005, 11:14:31 AM »

Where's the love... :wink:

Ramrod · « **Reply #23 on:** August 18, 2005, 01:11:34 PM »

Quote from: crow_feather

I have found the Rem Mag more accurate, thus I will stay with practicality. If I wanted something that was old and sentimental, I would throw a rock.
C F

Awe, C'mon Crow! How can a guy who shoots muzzleloaders :shock: say something like that???

crow_feather · « **Reply #24 on:** August 18, 2005, 03:53:13 PM »

Lawdog,

Maybe you flinched when you shot that mag. I get 3/4 inch 3 shot groups from 100 yards with my Winchester.

But for me, the fire is dying down and tommorow morning comes early. If we want to be up chasing those water buffalo in the morning, we best get some sleep. I am sure that this conversation will come up again among us friends at another campfire. It is always fun to discuss calibers among like minded people. Good night

Lawdog · « **Reply #25 on:** August 19, 2005, 09:21:31 AM »

Quote from: crow_feather

Lawdog,

Maybe you flinched when you shot that mag.

Nope. I fired a box of shells thru that POS M700. It was sent back to the factory right afterwards. It wouldn't chamber the next cartridge in the magazine after being shot.

Quote

I get 3/4 inch 3 shot groups from 100 yards with my Winchester.

What about 5 shot groups. Three shot groups are for sighting in ones rifle. Lawdog

TopGun · « **Reply #26 on:** August 19, 2005, 03:57:17 PM »

Guys,

all I know is my custom Encore 16 1/2" Rigby, New 350 Speer magtip or very loooong Barnes TSX and what seems like cupfulls of H4831sc is a thumper and by far my most favorite Encore barrel! :grin: No pressure, ferce recoil (to say teh leat) and a slug that can't be stopped! The shorty will shoot all day into 1 1/2" at 100 and thats with a 2x Leupold. :eek: Both bullets are extremely accurate, both expand very well in wet sand and news paper, and the Speer is much cheaper to shoot; niether is really cheap to shoot though! :shock: We'll see how a big old fat cow Elk holds up to it this year! :wink:

crow_feather · « **Reply #27 on:** August 20, 2005, 11:45:42 AM »

Quote

Quote:
I get 3/4 inch 3 shot groups from 100 yards with my Winchester.

What about 5 shot groups. Three shot groups are for sighting in ones rifle. Lawdog

Why waste two bullets, they just go through the holes made by the first three!

ps Thanks for the opening line...............................

oso45-70 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 20, 2005, 06:55:16 PM »

crow_feather

Do you get the idea that some are trying to stuff our boots. I think its all in fun ( maybe ) If not some has a bad problem...........Joe..........

crow_feather · « **Reply #29 on:** August 21, 2005, 06:12:37 AM »

Well, I do enjoy a good conversation about the merits of good calibers. I would even converse about the Rigby .........................if it wasn't so old and outdated. Ruger needed to throw something back at Remington for putting out the Rem Mag, but couldn't find anything better than the Rigby. Now there are wounded deer all over the U S with 416 Rigby holes in them and a bunch of hunters wishing that they had listened to those rifle guru's that hummed out the words.................Pick the Rem Mag........Pick the Rem Mag.............................