This may be more appropriate for another forum, but I wanted some input from guys who might have hunted the dark continent with the 416 Rem. Does anyone have a good 400 grain load using RL15? Thanks.

Bwana,

It would seem that 78-81 gr of R-15 is the 400 gr. load. I think when I took the 416 I loaded 79 gr R-15. Of course start low and increase 1 gr at a time.

Mark

I'd read that RL-15 was THE powder to use for that cartridge but I stubbornly worked through a pile of others first. RL-15 was hands down the ticket, at least for my rifle.

I don't have my loading data with me but Mark's suggestion sounds about right.

Depends on the barrel of course... my 416 took 81 grains to hit its sweet spot at 2400 fps with its factory Winny barrel.

The new barrel takes 78 grains to again hit 2400.

It's a great powder for the 416 Remington, temperature stable and reliable.

Which bullets are you using?

I used 400 grain Barnes TSX and Reloder 15 as per Barnes manual. Velocity at 2375, 1 1/4" at 100 yards, put both of my buffalo down with one shot. Devastating on plainsgame also.

No pressure signs in the Selous or in South Louisiana.

80 Grains of RL-15 and a 400gr A-Frame worked for me --- buff did the buff "buck" -- took maybe 6 steps and lights out.
That load went through the Crony at slightly over 2400 fps out of my 22" barrel -- accuracy at 100 yds was right at 1"---- expended rounds did not indicate any pressure issues -- did trim the brass after 4 loadings but that is to be expected.
Good luck --- the Remmy 416 got r' done!
G

I'll be using the TSX. I have both a 375 H&H and a 458 Lott that I use the RL15 in. Because I have those two, I've not taken the 416 to Africa yet. I'd like to get a load worked up though, so I can take it. Thanks for all of your suggestions. I'll start somewhere in the range Mark suggests.

My favorite load is 82.0 gr Re 15 with 400gr Swift A-Frames and with 410Gr GS Custom 410 gr. solids.No pressure signs and very accurate.I killed 2 bull elephants with the solids in Zim 2 years ago with Myles McCallum.I've also tapped a couple of Nilgai with the Swifts.My rifle was built by Lex Webernick at Rifles, Inc.I hope you have a great hunt!Bwana Dogo

Some factory loads I pulled down a while back had 79grs of something that LOOKED very like RL15 to me. It was behind some 400gr Swift A-frames.
Steve

My load is 80 grains RL-15 with a Fed 215M primer. It chronos at 2430 fps and with North Fork softs and solids it served me well in the Selous. Good shooting.

I use 78 grains of RL 15 in a custom shop Remington 416 and it shoots both 400 gr swift A frames and 400 gr barnes solids to the same point of impact. Shoot 79 grains behind a 350 grain Hornady bullet for jack rabbits for practice. It is also very accurate.

80 grains with Barnes bullets gets me 2400+ in my Winchester. Usual precautions apply of course.