.416R on rack or wait for .458WM?

dak47

dak47

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Summerwood/Bridge City TX & Okanagan BC
Little bit torn, my favourite enabler has the rifle I want in .416 Rigby or I wait the 6-8 weeks for a .458 WM. It will never see a scope as a close cover rig when packing moose in the Kooteney's and the wife truly wants to try her hand at it also.....

Little concerned about .416 brass and projectile choices and frontal area but nostalgic appeal and the extra velocity zip keeps me from dismissing it. In the end I'm thinking the .458 is more versatile? I do have a 1885 45-70 that I can load stoutly but the single shot bugs me with bears. What are the thoughts out there? My last dumbazz question, on this med / big bore stuff anyways ;)

Yes, I realize none of the above is needed for a bear situation but I need to justify the purchase somehow in my head....

Dirk
 
I recently had the opportunity to sight in a 416 Rem Mag. Not wanting to shoot up expensive ammo I loaded up a bunch of cast (350 - RCBS).

Bottom line, it shoots cast like a champ, first load was good enough to be a keeper.

The Rigby works at a lower pressure, but the case is huge in comparison. The neck is long enough to accommodate cast, and there is a fair bit of data out there. Not putting on a scope is a good move, even with cast recoil is enough that you have to be prepared, a varmint rifle hold will push the scope into your face. I'm not a fan of the big ones, had a 458 Win Mag, will not own another, but the 416 cal interests me.

Comes to personal preference, as both have enough power for the job. A Marlin lever in 45-70 is probably a better fit for the task, but lacks the romance of a 416 Rigby. The 458 WM is not a good choice IMHO.

My biggest cal is a 700 Classic in 350 Rem Mag, Williams peep on the back, loaded with 200 gr RN or FTX. A case full of Varget gets it going at around 2800 fps. I carry a 35 Rem when in black bear country, and feel pretty safe.
 
Buy the 416 Rigby it's a better cartridge in my opinion, ammo is not that hard to find. I have both but much prefer the Rigby
 
Flatter trajectory (not really an advantage if a ballistic reticle is used but you aren't scoping it anyhow). More energy at any range with the 416, and high retained downrange energies (but downrange isn't a consideration in close cover).

Broader range of bullet weights for the 458. What rifles are being considered for each?

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1577773-big-bore-choice
 
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The 416 Rigby is everything that the 458WM can never be. Faster, flatter, more powerful, better sectional density, better penetration.

I have both and the Rigby is more rifle all around than the 458. I would rather use it no matter what game I was facing, including elephant.

The 458 will likely be lighter weight, but that's all it has going for it.
 
460 Weatherby Magnum, go big or go home,lol.
Man, I am glad I dont have your problems deciding on which pea shooter to choose cause my CC would be maxed and then the Line of credit would have to be utilized to score more airmiles...
Pictures when you get it home...

Rob
 
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Well then, that made it easy! I knew I wasn't letting go of the Rigby thought for a reason.... The price of factory ammunition made me suck in my breath a bit compared to .458 WM but I handload so that should help things on the cost end.

Plus the 550 is on the rack already! Will post the ugly beastie on the 5th, have to pay for the habit somehow ;)
Thanks to all in tipping me over the fence!

Dirk
 
BigUglyMan said:
Holy ####hooks that price! Glad I got my RSM for the price I did! Still, there isn't another rifle in that class for that price these days.
Click to expand...

rsm is an unknown beauty but the lack of reversed handle was a no for me ...

zastava are not for sure an rsm but not that bad ... at least for me.

we all know a 458 in the stable, do not know for the 416s ...
 
I put a Nikon Monarch 3 1-4 on my Rigby. Really nice glass, true 1x, lots of eye relief.

But if you are set on no optics, only short range. Well I will go against the tide and say 458. Velocity is closer to a GC cast, way better brass availability, molds, and projectile choices. Play with cast. Load up some snorter loads in a Partition or Weldcore. Hope you never have to shoot them.
 
I got my .416 Rigby as a step up from the .375; trouble is I've never been convinced that it killed one bit better. Did some
buffalo hunting and shot a couple elephants with it but the only gain I'll swear to was in recoil. That it delivered.

Somewhat later I started down the .458 trail. Never looked back. Never had to wonder whether I was getting kicked for
nothing either. :)
 
An advantage the 416 has over the 458 is the availability of a high ballistic coefficient bullet - the 340gr CEB MTH V15 (0.78 b.c.). The standard 416 1:14 twist rate will stabilize it. :cool:

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1585281-416-Ruger-amp-340gr-Cutting-Edge-Bullets

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416 Ruger

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340gr V15 / 350gr TTSX / 350gr Mag Tip / 50gr 223 :p
 
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