I'm guessing stock lingers longer on CT shelves because they're not allowed to advertise what they have online, limiting each store to the immediate in-store customer base around them.
.416 owners, the ultimate big game hunting cartridge?
- Thread starter Northern Shooter
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I'm guessing stock lingers longer on CT shelves because they're not allowed to advertise what they have online, limiting each store to the immediate in-store customer base around them.
Of the .416's the Ruger makes the most sense... but any .416 is a novelty to scratch an itch... you likely won't get two boxes of ammo through before it is up for resale. You would be wise to back off your bore diameter expectations to .375" and just buy a .375 Ruger... you will be far more likely to keep it and hunt with it... then if you develope a thirst for more than it offers, jump up at that time... the .375 Ruger will also hold its value better for a larger market. JM2C.
Funny you say that as I was considering a 375 Ruger rifle last year but decided to go with the 375H&h instead which I hunt with and am happy with.
It is currently my "big rifle" and the recoil, while substantial is not punishing. I can handle more and I have that itch.
It is currently my "big rifle" and the recoil, while substantial is not punishing. I can handle more and I have that itch.
If you reload the 416 taylor is a great cartridge for North America's biggest animals. Slightly behind the others but a simple barrel swap on most any 2.5" Magnum cartridge action
458 offers more bullet choices than 416. I agree since having the 375hh the next logical step would be a 458 but if you want a 416 go for it
458 offers more bullet choices than 416. I agree since having the 375hh the next logical step would be a 458 but if you want a 416 go for it
I've had the first 4 on your list and hunted them more than a little. Thoughts are as follows;
375; In Africa I would spend much of my time wondering why I'd want to use anything else.
416 Rigby; I spent quite a lot of time wondering exactly why I was soaking up double the recoil and burning nearly 100 grains of powder at a time for an on game performance with no noticeable difference over the 375. The few factory loads I shot were no big deal, but the potential of that big case to produce serious recoil is always there for the asking.
458 Win; Factory loads are quite mild to shoot, and a chronograph will tell you why. Published velocities are dreaming in technicolour. Loading them up close to the speed were they should be isn't a big deal, until the heavily compressed loads start pushing the bullets back out. The max books with the loads that produce the highest velocities inevitably could be translated to "All the XYZ powder you can get in the case." Recoil isn't all that bad; it really is the big shove people talk about. The good news for me; was compared to the 375 H&H the recoil might be doublish but on heavy, thick skinned game you could at least see why you were doing it. On light game you're going to wondering why again. It's like punching a balloon, nobody can hit one very hard even with a sledgehammer.
458 Lott; This is a big-bore that is easy to get along with in the reloading room, that bigger case gives enough room that powder compression isn't a problem and getting stiff 458 Win speeds is running at idle. You can go up from there of course and at the hottest loads you won't need to ask anyone if the gun went off.
I've had the first 4 on your list and hunted them more than a little. Thoughts are as follows;
458 Lott; ... and at the hottest loads you won't need to ask anyone if the gun went off.
This has to be the joke of the of week on CGN. Priceless ! May I quote you on this one ? "... if the gun went off."
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After reading Ardent's many lengthy accounts of his experience with "big bore" cartridges, it is plainly evident your CZ 550 chambered in 375 H&H is all the "big bore" you need in real world hunting applications. I have a long standing military shoulder injury that has resurfaced in my later years. Trust me, you don't really need .416 + recoil abuse.
Don was a dear friend of me and yes he was a great supporter and user of the 9.3x62, many that used the 9.3x62 know how good it is like the 9.3x74r that some of his friends used a lot too.
when i was in africa i can tell you that i ve seen the differences between a 375, 378 and 460 ... the 460 was a great caliber even in the mark V ... but as dodleg was saying and like the 458 lott you did not someone to tell you you shot the 460 wea especially with the brake on ...
i can tell aside of the 45/70 or 405 any caliber above .40 used for hunting our bison is showing on the impact. the same can be said with the 9.3s in 320 gr and 375 in 350 grains ...
I had Weatherby Vanguard re-barrelled to 416 Ruger, originally I intended to do a 416 Remington but the mag box doesn't need alteration for the Ruger. I have not killed anything with it yet. I also have a few other Vanguards that have been re-barrelled including a 375 Ruger. I wouldn't call them cheap but maybe affordable, unlikely I would get my money back on any if I decided to sell one. Recoil on the 416 is significantly more than the 375 but I don't mind it. I am not interested in anything bigger. I haven't reloaded yet but I will be.
I have shot a literal truck load of game with a 375 both in Canada and in Australia
From little to big. It just works.
416’s I have shot a bit, but like stated above I don’t see much of a point.
458 stuff is great, and on game performance is a step above for sure, but no free lunches.
My 450 Rigby with top loads in 550gr wake you up.
But I have a pile of Campro 500gr to try out some plinking loads with.
Most people can shoot a 375 really well.
Not nearly as many with the big boys, thats why you see them for sale with less than a box of rounds threw them.
Personally for NA hunting a big 358 is hard to beat. Norma or sta and nothing including big bears stand a chance and you don’t feel under gunned.
I absolutely love my 358 Norma it will go to my kids when I die.
From little to big. It just works.
416’s I have shot a bit, but like stated above I don’t see much of a point.
458 stuff is great, and on game performance is a step above for sure, but no free lunches.
My 450 Rigby with top loads in 550gr wake you up.
But I have a pile of Campro 500gr to try out some plinking loads with.
Most people can shoot a 375 really well.
Not nearly as many with the big boys, thats why you see them for sale with less than a box of rounds threw them.
Personally for NA hunting a big 358 is hard to beat. Norma or sta and nothing including big bears stand a chance and you don’t feel under gunned.
I absolutely love my 358 Norma it will go to my kids when I die.
I have a ZKK-602 that was originally chambered in .375H&H, but was bored to .416 and chamber reamed to the .416RemMag. This was right after Remington commercialized the cartridge.
It had a 25" barrel, when I bought it.
I had David Henry shorten the barrel to 23'5", install a barrel-band for sling swivel, and glass bedded it in a McMillan stock.
I kept the funky factory set trigger and the weird 2 position safety.
I've taken 3 critters: wolf, black bear and bull moose with it.
Great rifle.
As far as .416 as an effective caliber and the effectiveness of the Remington cartridge, 2 thumbs up.
Extreme confidence vs anything that walks.
Since everybody is throwing other cartridges into the discussion, I also have 9.3x62 and it's absolutely a fabulous cartridge.
A Win M70 in .375H&H as well, fantastic rifle, great cartridge.
And the CZ-550 in .458Lott discussed early in the thread.
People worry way too much about recoil, cuz when I am shooting at game, there is never any awareness of recoil or sound.
Mathematics vs the sensation of real world on-game felt recoil don't co-relate.
Shoot a .30-06 vs a .458Lott at a big game animal, there's no difference (to me).
Off the bench, completely different story.
It had a 25" barrel, when I bought it.
I had David Henry shorten the barrel to 23'5", install a barrel-band for sling swivel, and glass bedded it in a McMillan stock.
I kept the funky factory set trigger and the weird 2 position safety.
I've taken 3 critters: wolf, black bear and bull moose with it.
Great rifle.
As far as .416 as an effective caliber and the effectiveness of the Remington cartridge, 2 thumbs up.
Extreme confidence vs anything that walks.
Since everybody is throwing other cartridges into the discussion, I also have 9.3x62 and it's absolutely a fabulous cartridge.
A Win M70 in .375H&H as well, fantastic rifle, great cartridge.
And the CZ-550 in .458Lott discussed early in the thread.
People worry way too much about recoil, cuz when I am shooting at game, there is never any awareness of recoil or sound.
Mathematics vs the sensation of real world on-game felt recoil don't co-relate.
Shoot a .30-06 vs a .458Lott at a big game animal, there's no difference (to me).
Off the bench, completely different story.
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338 Lapua for distance
45-70 for defence/ <150m hunt
458 win mag Dangerous cat/ whatever the above won’t drop
These are what I use…
416 rigby is a great all around caliber… just doesn’t fit my needs, as it’s a bulky/longer barrel rifle for Bush defence(my 45-70) and a little light for my liking of a dangerous cat rifle… however there are a ton of great uses.
As others have mentioned and Leeelmer pointed out, there are many who can’t/won’t shoot big bores. Im 5’9 160lbs and love my .458 win mag(other than cost) however my buddy who is 6’4 and almost 3bills and won’t touch it.
45-70 for defence/ <150m hunt
458 win mag Dangerous cat/ whatever the above won’t drop
These are what I use…
416 rigby is a great all around caliber… just doesn’t fit my needs, as it’s a bulky/longer barrel rifle for Bush defence(my 45-70) and a little light for my liking of a dangerous cat rifle… however there are a ton of great uses.
As others have mentioned and Leeelmer pointed out, there are many who can’t/won’t shoot big bores. Im 5’9 160lbs and love my .458 win mag(other than cost) however my buddy who is 6’4 and almost 3bills and won’t touch it.
