.416 RIGBY vs. .416 weatherby ?
- Thread starter hesher66
- Start date
Wby version has a belt and radiused shoulders. Ribgy does not, plus it has the cooler "African elephant hunter" vibe down pat. Both are fun to shoot, both are ballistic twins. - dan
The CZ in 416 Rigby makes for a great gun IMO. The Rigby will do it all in style with less pressure and lots of history behind that cartridge as well. I am a Wby fan but the 416 wby doesn't really add anything. It also has a belt which some people don't like. I also don't know if you've ever fired something in the 416 range but if you haven't you're in for a surprise.
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
The 416 Rigby can be loaded up to nearly the same velocity as the Weatherby as the case capacity is almost as big as the Weatherby.
My guess is that after firing the normal Rigby loading of a 400g at 2400fps you will not be loading it up any higher.
My guess is that after firing the normal Rigby loading of a 400g at 2400fps you will not be loading it up any higher.
westcoaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central BC
They are both great cartridges.
FWIW I find I get more life out of beltless cartridges like the 3006, the 6.5x55and of course the 416 Rigby. On the Rigby I'm past 15 cycles on the original brass I bought for it.
I took 350gr bullets to 2800 in the Rigby. The Weatherby may be a touch faster. The low pressure downloaded rounds in the Rigby can also just as easily be done in the weatherby. Much the same. Some dislike the 40 degree shoulder on the Rigby. They say it's easy to crush a neck seating a bullet. I haven't had any issue.
Just a simple carpenter who builds racecars. I have 6 children most of which are showing an interest in sooting and hunting. So here I am racing to get up to speed and stock the family gun cabinet. I have shot a number of rifles ( 7mm, 300win mag., 308, 30-06,35 whelen) and grew up with pop's 45-70 lever. I just don't possess the technical knowledge or the experience, thats why I'm here.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Another downside to the WBY is the cost of brass and ammo and the fact that you pay more money for a Weatherby rifle than you would for one of the many inthe Rigby. Add to that the absolute lack of "cool" with the WBY and the overabundance of "cool" with the Rigby and the choice is clear.
I think most here (and myself incl.) would suggest a 375Magnum if you are looking for something heavier. There are many advantages over the 416 for joe-average shooter here in Canada. You can go for the 416 later.
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There is a good deal of knowledge here and a good bunch of fellows willing to answer questions.
My personal experience doesn't go to the 416s. I've owned several 375s over the yrs and have never been seriously inclined to shoot anything bigger. The 375s are fun to shoot and big enough for anything in Canada. I'm not sure a 416 would be that much fun and flexible.
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I agree with Supercub that a .375 is a great option, I am a fairly recent convert to the .375 H&H and I love it. However, I am not going to try and talk you out of a .416, since that is what you said you want. Personally between the two .416 cartridges you are considering, I would go with the Rigby. Since the ballistics are similar I would say the deciding factors are availability and cost of rifles, ammo, and loading components. The .416 Rigby will likely work out cheaper in the end. Also I have never seen a CZ 550 in .416 Weatherby, so since you are set on the CZ550 the Weatherbu would likely have to be a custom build, wheras the Rigby is a common factory chambering in this rifle.
They are the same case. All Wby did to make the 378/416/460 is put a belt on the Rigby 416 case and modify the shoulder angle. As Dan said, they are ballistic twins.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
The Rigby is quite nice to shoot with factory equivalent loads. Once you crank the speed up to Wby levels, the fun can come to an abrupt end if you are not used to heavier recoil.
If you like WBY rifles get one. Otherwise they're so close it makes no diff. My light bullet Rigby load shot 350s at 2850. Believe me when I say it's all you need. As versatile as a 375, ya I think so. Too much recoil for the average guy, ya I think so. If you're not used to big guns you got some practice ahead.
The 416 Rigby is a fantastic rifle. I have one in a CZ 550 with a 1-4 scope on it and it is wonderful. I also have 375 HH's to use.
I have to admit that the 375 is a better all-round cartridge.
When you get up to the 416 I feel you are entering into the world of speciality rifles. It is not an absolute, but just like having a 458 Lott or 450 Ackley (they are wonderful and can be used for your everyday rifle - but would you?) you are starting to use a rifle that is just getting to be too much for everyday hunting. Be clear that I am not saying it is too much if you want to go that route, as learning to shoot a bigger bore well for everything is a great way to go also.
Buy one - you will not regret it
I have to admit that the 375 is a better all-round cartridge.
When you get up to the 416 I feel you are entering into the world of speciality rifles. It is not an absolute, but just like having a 458 Lott or 450 Ackley (they are wonderful and can be used for your everyday rifle - but would you?) you are starting to use a rifle that is just getting to be too much for everyday hunting. Be clear that I am not saying it is too much if you want to go that route, as learning to shoot a bigger bore well for everything is a great way to go also.
Buy one - you will not regret it
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I don't know if the .375 is a better all around cartridge. Versatility comes from handloading, and handloading can give you a .416/400 cast bullet over 18 grs of Unique for 1200 fps as a great small game load. It can drive controlled expansion 350 gr soft points to 2850 fps which provides a flat trajectory suitable for longish shots on big game. And loaded with a 400 gr solid at 2400 it is suitable for the biggest and most dangerous game in the world at bad breath range. That seems pretty versatile to me. Now the .375 is pretty versatile too. It doesn't kick as hard, and is cheaper to shoot, but I don't think you can call it more versatile than a .416, although it might be a better choice for some.
