Seems like I remember some time back that one manufacturer was making some .416 Rigby brass with the head's web to .338 Lapua standards in order to allow higher pressures. Does anyone remember who this custom brass maker was??? THANKS in advance!

I've used both Norma and Hornady brass in 416Rigby without any pressure problems. Our loads are fully modern, that is, they push a 350grain bullet at 2825fps for 6200ftlbs of muzzle energy.

On the other hand, due to a practice of handloading in the US and doing most of the shooting in Africa, we have normally only used brass two times, without significant growth or extraction problems. The brass appears to be up to a normal standard, which means that it should be good for 65000psi. I asked Quality Cartridge about their brass and they verified that it was certified for 65000psi+. So I wouldn't be overly concerned up to about 65000psi in the 416Rigby in a modern bolt action rifle.

I am using Norma brass - 4 reloads so far in about 40 cases - mostly modern loads of 2500+ fps for 400 gr & 2800+ fps for 350 gr bullets.

No trimming required and easy case extraction & chambering.

quote:

Originally posted by woodsracer:
Seems like I remember some time back that one manufacturer was making some .416 Rigby brass with the head's web to .338 Lapua standards in order to allow higher pressures. Does anyone remember who this custom brass maker was??? THANKS in advance!

You might check with Captech International regarding their Jamison headstamp brass: http://www.captechintl.com/
They do manufacture their 505 Gibbs brass to 408 CheyTech quality specifications.

I'm not sure about 416 Rigby brass being manufactured to 338 Lapua Magnum specifications primarily due to slight differences between rim thickness and groove specifications. Plus when they have .338 LM cylindrical brass available it's only about 2.75" long. But anything is possible...

Edit Added: I just thought, Captech manufacturers .338 Excalibur which is based off full-length .416 Rigby brass properly drawn to 65000 psi PMax. So maybe their .416 Rigby and .450 Rigby brass is manufactured with the same head construction. If not, perhaps they'd offer .338 Excalibur cylindrical brass from their production run (has headstamp).

I do not know the answer to your question, but I have run my Norma 416 Rigby brass to 416 Weatherby velocities once, saw no difference in expansion or primer pockets, that brass is still going strong.
I didn't persue those loads because the bullets were practically inside out in my bullet boxes, I stick with just over 2500fps with 410gr Woodleighs.

Cheers.

quote:

I didn't persue those loads because the bullets were practically inside out in my bullet boxes, I stick with just over 2500fps with 410gr Woodleighs.

2500fps is a good margin call.
If a person goes over 2500fps they should consider using a monolithic like Barnes, CEB, or GSC. The all-metal bullets guarantee reliability and penetration beyond the lead-cores.

Why even bother?

Normal Rigby brass is strong enough without any problems at all.

Yep,
Any maker producing both .416 Rigby and .338 Lapua Magnum brass is using the same head construction for both,
Norma, Hornady, and Captech for example.

I have sectioned Norma-made .416 Rigby and Norma-made .338 Lapua Magnum brass. I saw no difference.
If I can find the pics I will post.

Here is one pic easy to find: Lapua-made .338 Lapua Magnum brass for civilian use versus some once-fired military surplus brass.

Here is a sectioned Lapua milsurp versus a Lapua civilian case:




The milsurps are harder, not annealed like the civilian brass.
Only difference there, unless it is also a brass alloy thing.
You must carefully anneal any once-fired milsurp to re-use it.
That is why the military just tosses it by the hogshead I guess.

Thanks to all those who replied. I do tend to run my Rigby a bit on the HOT side, LOL, but RIP's post helps put my mind to ease, and to Saeed (I feel honored for a response from YOU Sir, GREAT WEBSITE!), I am using Norma's brass, so thanks for easing my concerns.

Cheers!