What velocity do you have with your 416Rigby with 410grn bullets for big game?
2300fps, 2400fps 2500fps or more?

I have used both a 416 Weatherby and a 416 Rigby - with 400 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claws and Barnes Super Solids on several elephants, buffalo and two lions.

All the loads were about 2500 fps, and they left nothing to be desired.

ozhunter, in case it is of interest, Paul Reed and I measured Norma factory loads over our chronos and posted it recently:

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=531108927#531108927

I suspect that the .416 Rigby made it's reputation on 2300 fps velocities, but with a darn good solid for the period it was introduced. In other words, the quality of the bullet had a lot more to do with its success than its muzzle velocity.

The 410 gr bullet is made by Woodleigh and is usually loaded at 2400 fps in the 416 Rigby.I shoot them in my 416 rem mag allthe time.I pulled a bunch from 416 Weatherby loads I bought that were loaded to 2700 fps.I think they will hold up good to what ever speed you push them up to 2700 fps.I think the 416 Rigby in modern guns can be pushed to higher than 2400 fps with the 410 gr bullet.

OZ, I used the load data that I got from the Alliant website. They said 96 grains of Reloder 22 would drive a 400 grain Hornady out of a 24 inch barrel at 2355 fps. In my CZ with a 25 inch barrel, that load was only running 2295 fps. I have added one half grain of powder to get it running around 2300 fps which I think is about perfect in the .416 Rigby. I just don't see any need to add a whole bunch of extra velocity. When I take it hunting, I will switch to a 410 Woodleigh.

Dave

I have killed a bunch of stuff in Africa with the.416 Rigby. My usual load is 100 gr. H 4831 behind a 400 gr. (you fill in the blank). In my rifle this generates 2435 fps. The ONLY thing you will gain from increasing the velocity is increased recoil IMHO.

Geronimo

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
What velocity do you have with your 416Rigby with 410grn bullets for big game?
2300fps, 2400fps 2500fps or more?

Factory specification (410 grains at 2370 fps)brech pressure about 40.000 CUP (Like the original old cordite charge) in order to avoid sticky extraction due to hight pressures on a very hot Africa day, and the right point of impact with iron sight, this is the sense of use the 416 Rigby load, otherwise use a 416 Weatherby (Belted , fatter and Kicker !!! puajjj!!!!).

Thanks guys,
We had a 416RIGBY CZ shooting Woodleighs at 2530fps on the weekend and did not feel this velocity and recoil was required so we will try two and three grains less and aim for between 2300fps and 2400fps which seems a popular speed for this cartridge .
Just a side note, we had no sign of pressure at 2530fps MV.

You can make the 416 Rigby sizzle, it is nothing more than a 416 Wby without a belt..but I would not load it beyond 2400 FPS, that is a mild proven success load, anything above that is just blast and recoil added, proud flesh so to speak! and a recipe for bullet failure.

Adam,
Shot the .416 Rigby quite abit in Africa and have used the 410 grain Woodleighs, both Weldcores and solids. I agree with 2400fps as an optimal velocity... I split the difference and get about 2360 out of my gun. Never had any animals complain!

Cheers guys.