Reloading .416 Rigby

[4fifty8]

• CZ 550 American Safari Magnum 25" 1:16.5 barrel / Leupold 4x28mm
• large case capacity low max pressure 52,000 psi (ANSI Z299.4) or 47,137 psi (CIP)
• not many powders suitable slow burn rate case volume runs out before normal pressure reached
• fast burn rate max pressure exceeded before factory mv reached
• Re19 good results with 300gr TSX@2735 fps mv & 340gr CEB V15@2560 fps mv
• Hornady 400gr RN@1925 fps mv reduced load using fast burn rate powder

 

[Big bore dinosaur]

Love all my 550 cz rifles.. great triggers.

 

[Buckmastr]

I used RL15 in mine, a Ruger RSM. It shot a bunch of game with woodliegh bullets in Zimbabwe. The 416’s are fun!

 

[65cutlass]

CZ550 416 Rigby 400 Nosler Partition loaded with 215 mag primer IMR 7828 100gr.= 2450 fps good terminal performance.

 

[Dmay]

458 : How are you doing for brass? I have some virgin which is surplus to me. Can't recall what it is but will check.

 

[mbogo3]

My buddies will cloverleaf with 400gr Partitions and IMR 4350.Moose bangflop .

 

[4fifty8]

416 Rigby large base diameter 0.589" vs 416 Ruger 0.532" bolt thrust higher by (0.589/0.532)^2 or about 20% higher. 416 Rigby max pressure about 20% lower compared to 416 Ruger.

 

[mbogo3]

Shame they never went ahead with the .416 Taylor

 

[4fifty8]

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[4fifty8]

Neck re-sized brass / Iron sights

• RCBS full length sizing die backed off 1-1/4 turns & de-prime pin adjusted down
• neck re-sizing only should extend brass life
• triple leaf rear sight 100 yd fixed 200 & 300 yd folding
• front metal bead on hooded barrel band
• receiver dovetailed/notched scope & Leupold CZ550 rings easily removed & re-attached with T15 key
• prefer to use iron sights for still-hunting in dark timber
• Hornady 400gr DGX@~2250 fps mv handload / 100 yd fixed leaf works fine at ~60m off hand

 

[Falconflyer]

Beautiful wood on the 550! I had one a few years ago in 375 H&H, I really liked the rifle but it certainly didn't have wood like yours.

I have a .416 Taylor on a custom Mauser these days.

 

[nowarningshot]

Being the parent case for 338 lapua, has anyone ever necked up?

I was surprised that considering the case volume and large projectile, most of the powders recommended are in 4350-4831 range. Would have thought super slow burners like R25, Retumbo, H1000.

 

[buckbrush]

The 416 Rigby case with a belt on it was used by Weatherby for their 378, 460, and finally the 416 Weatherby magnums. The 510 Wells is the 460 necked up to 510.

That is nice wood on your 550, 458.

 

[4fifty8]

Thanks gents rather pretty isn't it.

 

[Falconflyer]

Absolutely, thanks for the extra picture!

 

[4fifty8]

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[4fifty8]

350gr TSX reduced load

• Reloder7 55gr charge***NOT A RECOMMENDATION - SAFE IN MY RIFLE ONLY***
• poly-fil to keep powder against 9-1/2 M primer
• accuracy ok low pressure no delayed ignition
• Speer 350gr Mag-Tip bit slower ok accuracy
• chinook wind today 15 C nice late Fall weather

 

[4fifty8]

Magnum pistol powder: 2400

• today worked up 350gr / BR-2 primer / poly-fil to keep powder against primer
• ***NOT A RECOMMENDATION - SAFE IN MY RIFLE ONLY***
• objective to develop 350gr reduced load ~1800 fps mv
• start charge 35gr increased incrementally by ~20% all low pressure in my rifle ONLY
• some rounds delayed ignition maybe because cold - 5 C ambient temperature & std primer
• ok accuracy should re-try with magnum primers

 

[Bill Bracher]

I have Ruger in 416 Rigby. I load 400 Barns triple shock IMR 4895. I shot lots of animals in Africa with it. From Black Death to Impalas. Works great!

 

[4fifty8]

Cool! Haven't tried any .416 400gr bullets on game yet only 300gr & 350gr with good results.