My big bore itch has got the best of me again and I am looking at a ruger guide gun in 416 ruger, a number of years ago I wrote the 375 and 416 Rogers off as just another fad round that would die off. With no easily attainable parent case to form from if commercial ammo goes away I was worried about brass avaliblily. Now that it is 2019 what is census on the ruger big bores? Think this round will stick around? The other gun that caught my interest was the sako brown bear in 416 Rigby which isn't that common anymore either but doesn't seem like it is likely to fad away.
416 ruger
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nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have a 416 rigby, much more powerful cartridge. Could download it i suppose to Ruger levels. Two disadvantages are brass cost and the need of a full length magnum action. Heavier rifle as a result, would not want it to be lighter.
The 375 Ruger has been an unparalleled success, the most successful 375 cartridge introduced in over 100 years. It's not going anywhere, brass is widely available and will continue to be so. Obviously 416 cartridges are less popular, but the 416 Ruger has also been successful, and you should have no problem keeping supplied with brass.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I really doubt a 416 ruger would keep up to a Rigby. Everything being equal with developed hand loads. Doubt any game animal in NA would notice the difference. The 416 ruger might be or might not have more available and cheaper brass. Could form it from 375 ruger, while i suppose one could form Rigby from its child the 338 lapua.
Just for ghits and shiggles i looked it up.
Ruger 100gr water...pressure 67k
Rigby 129gr water....pressure 49k
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I have the Rigby, Rem Mag and Ruger in 416. The Rigby is your ticket if you want serious power from the longest action. But the Ruger is the easiest way to throw big lead without excess. The Rem Mag is great but you won't find as much cheap brass as you would the Ruger. When your up this far in the magnum food chain, I find your not chasing speed or sub moa accuracy like you would for your gopher gun. But it's not hard to get these big bores to shoot an inch or so. Load development seems less fun as well.
Dont want this to turn into a x vs y arguement I'm well aware of the ballistic shortcomings of the ruger vs other 416s. This will be packed so a best gun while fishing and probably never fired for that purpose. The rest of the time I will use it on moose elk and buffalo which I feel it is overkill for anyways in true honesty 90 percent of use will be targets coyotes and gophers at the ranch because why not.
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At one time it did appear that the .416 Rigby would indeed disappear, then after an article published by Ross Seyfried appeared in Guns and Ammo it enjoyed a resurgence despite high component cost. When I had mine we could still purchase brass from the US, and 50 pieces of Norma .416 Rigby brass from the Old Western Scrounger cost $180 USD. The fact that the cost of the brass I bought nearly equaled the cost of the rifle, when looking for a replacement after a fire took my Rigby chambered #1, I chose the .375 Ultra over the .378 Weatherby. Ultramag brass then was $40/50, a significant saving, even though Remington brass isn't on par with Norma or Kynoch.
If brass issues scare you theres always the 416 taylor. It may be at the back as far as powder charges but brass is literally everywhere if youre willing to put the effort into forming. The taylor still pushes a 400 gr bullet close to or just over 2300fps. Any 2.5" belted mag case can work. Ill neck down 458wm when i get mine built
The 416 topic comes up every so often. I've had a little bit of shooting time on a 416 Rem Mag. I couldn't find a quick source for brass and had an itch to shoot the beast. 375 H&H worked fine with the cast bullets I bought. IMO cast is the way to enjoy this one. The rifle was a Cooper, pretty rifle, but the owner should have had open sights fitted.
Left is a factory round, center is a handload in 416 brass and the one on the right is a cast bullet handloaded in fireformed 375 H&H brass.
I don't remember the step by step process, but it does appear as if I annealed the brass in one of the steps. This is OK for cast, but the case does come out a wee bit short.
The 416 Rigby, Ruger or Remington all do the same thing, each is good. The Rigby burns more powder, but it operates at a lower pressure making it ideal for hot climates. The Rem has a belt, always a plus in a dangerous game rifle, the Ruger runs in a standard long action (3.34"). Pick one, or if you're flush, get a 400 H&H custom double rifle built.
