I would like some loads for my 416 rigby. I have 410 grain Woodleigh softs but my Barnes book only lists loads for their 400 grain softs. Going to use it for LD eland in Feb.

My Rigby liked 96gr of IMR4350 with those Woodleighs. I would start at around 91 or 92 though and work up. I used CCI250 and Fed 215 primers, Norma brass.

Jack O'Connors favourite load for the .416 Rigby was 105 grains of H 4831 with a 400 grain bullet. It was and still is one of the best powder/bullet combinations there is. Most rifles shoot very well with this load combination.

Here's accurate's answer:

http://www.accuratereloading.com/416rigby.html

You can use the 400 gr softpoint data, you won't be near max if you keep your velocities around 2400 fps.

John

Bear in mind that Woodleigh soft point bullets will flatten out like a penny left on the train tracks.

96 grains of H-4831 gets you 2,350 fps; easier on you, just as hard on the buff.

Thanks a bunch fellows. I'll start cranking some out. I have Norma brass and fed. 215 primers.

I've not used the Woodleighs - I've had too good an experience with 104 gr H4831 pushing a 400 gr TBBC. Has "drt"ed everthing I've shot with it.

In my gun:


410gr Woodleigh Solid
96.0grs H-4350
Norma Brass
Fed#215
Chronographed Velocity = 2470fps



410gr Woodleigh Solid
104grs H-4831sc
Norma Brass
Fed#215
Chronographed Velocity = 2467fps


In general, the solids use about 1-2 grains less powder charge than a soft point to reach the same velocity. I like both of these powders (H-4350 and H-4831sc) as they are extreme powders, which are not temp. sensitive.

In mine...

94grains of N160
400 grain Hornady
Fed 215 primer
Norma brass
Velocity 725 M/sec
Barrel. 26" Lothar Walter

90.2gr IMR 4350
Norma or Hornady brass
Fed 215M primers
400gr Swift A Frames 2400 fps
410gr old style Hornady solids 2375
Same POI out of my 24" Ruger RSM and 1/2" groups.
jorge

From the other thread going in the Reloading forum:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...2511043/m/8891000511



105 grains of H4831:

I tried that Buhmiller-O'Connor-Saeed powder charge with all bullets from 380-grain to 410-grain that I could get my hands on.
These were the first three shots with the 380-grain GSC FN.
Actual range was 115 yards. The bulldozer driver must have been drunk (2001).
When he sobered up he pushed the berm closer. That berm is at 100 yards now (2009):

Guys, for what it is worth, I think these Rigby loads are all to hot. Just because you can do something, doesn't make it a good idea. The Rigby made its' reputation with at Kynoch velocities. They are a 410 bullet at 2300 fps from a 26 inch barrel. In my 25 barreled gun, 96 grains of Reloder 22 was running at 2295 fps which was right in the Kynoch window and was very easy on the shoulder. Driving them a lot faster is just harder on the bullets and an unnecessary increase in recoil IMHO.

For what ever its worth I heartily agree w/ Dave on this one. 2250 to 2300fps is an ideal velocity IMO. Dr.C

x3

Interesting thread. I am currently planning a custom build .416 Rigby, but have not decided on the barrel length, jet. What would you advise?
Thanks,
Ron

Dave: Allow me to disagree. The Rigby's original specs were a 410gr bullet@ 2350 fps. I'm running 2400 or so. Further, the Rigby's huge case and modern rifles allow you to really jack it up without any issues. Hell, Weatherby gets it to 2700 without any issues. What I do wonder though is I'm getting 2400 with a 400gr Swift using only 90.2gr of IMR 4350, yet some here need over 100 to get to the same velocity. Mine's been verified by two different chronographs so what gives I wonder. jorge

jorge,

My Rigby took 92 gr of IMR4350 to get to 2400 fps with Hornady 400gr Interlocks. The Swifts may be a bit "harder" therefore providing a bit more velocity for the amount of powder burned. I think we are in the same ball park though.

The Hornadys in my rifle with the same load clocked 2325, lending validity to your assumption. I can get TSXs to go as fast as the Swifts and to the same POI. My barrel is 24". jorge