.416 rigby loads

Hotwheels81

Hotwheels81

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Soooo... Got the barrel of my dreams for my encore! (Yay!!)

But as can be expected the recoil is rather... Err... Pronounced?!?!

So far I have managed to put 4 rounds thru the rifle over 2 range visits, I could probably go as many as 5 in an outing but trying to ease myself into this big boomer gently.

Is Anybody loading sub 400gr projectiles around 1600-2000fps? Recipes would be appreciated...

Also some loading data for the 450gr woodleigh FMJ could come in handy.
 
Encore is WAY too light for a Rigby. I loaded 350 grain X bullets for a PG hunt to RSA but that was in a M77 RSM which has a bit more heft. The problem you'll have is the enormous case capacity and how you'll fill it without donkey-punching yourself with every pull of the trigger. I'll double check when I'm back by the bookshelf.
 
Get some SR4759 or A5744. Both are tailor made for reduced loads, and have such a low bulk density that they will fill the big cases with light grain charges. I can't remember my 4759 load off the top of my head but it got 2100 fps or a bit more with a 350 gr bullet. The recoil is a total joke, but I still wouldn't want to get shot with it.

I personally don't see the sense in single shot .416s, since anything that needs to get shot that hard is almost certainly going to got shot more than once. If its just to experience shooting a bigger gun, why cheat yourself out of the whole experience?;)
 
If you want to test your metal (pun intended) my go to load in the #1 was 102 grs of 4350 (H or IMR) under a 350 gr Barnes X or Speer Mag-Tip, this was before the TSXs, and according to my Chrony, that produced something on the high side of 2800, perhaps 2850. That was it, 2850 with 102 grs and when I dropped back to 100 grs so I could get 70 rounds out of a pound of powder, it was still 2800. It was fun to see how large a hollow point the Xs would have each time I opened a new box; Barnes seemed to be experimenting with different nose styles in the late '90s. Finally I switched to Mag-Tips for plinking and practice (the Xs were getting expensive) but kept the Xs with the large hollow point for bear work. Donkey punched, that's what you'll get alright.

By the way, if I had it to do again, I would get another Rigby, but in a bolt gun. The #1 was a handsome rifle, but as a daily carry gun, it proved to be a failed experiment.
 
I personally don't see the sense in single shot .416s, since anything that needs to get shot that hard is almost certainly going to got shot more than once. If its just to experience shooting a bigger gun, why cheat yourself out of the whole experience?
Click to expand...

My experience thus far with game either split hoof or claw bearing is a second shot is seldom presented after the first when your watching it's rump sprint off or it's teeth start biting you... If it's big and nasty chances are I will be shooting it from feet away not yards, if I so choose to fill my freezer with this rifle it will no doubt only require 1 shot as did the paltry small bore 7-08 and 45/70 barrels I have grown to love... If Africa where ever to come into the picture I would grab a sako 85 in .375 and take the rigby only as a backup for plains game...

looking back in the day when real African hunters were stuffing patched 4 bore lead balls down a smooth bore... Yes I do feel I am cheating myself out of the whole experience... But some day I will know the thrill of a shoulder fired punt gun as well. :)



Thank you gentlemen for the information thus far, I have on hand 450gr woodleigh FMJ's and 400gr swift Aframes
My slower powders in the cabinet are IRM 3031, H4350, H1000 and 3 fresh cans of IMR trail boss however it would seem a waste to lob an Aframe at 1200fps so that I will reserve till it can find some cast boolits... I also have copious amounts of IMR 4895 and H4895 which appears to have some published data for the cartridge.
 
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