Maybe this is more appropriate for the reloading room, but I'll ask you folks since I'm sure someone will know. I have just bought a M70 in .416 Rem. I would like to play with some handloads in both solids and softs for it. Does anyone have a good load worked up? I would appreciate some information on it.

Here is a load I used for Cape buffalo.
400 grain Barnes XLC
75.0 grains of RL 15
Remington 9 1/2 primer

I used once fired and resized Federal cases.

I have one recovered bullet from the buffalo. It did what it is supposed to do.

Thanks. I'm a real Barnes fan, so I would like to use them for the softs. Did you load any solids?

Bwanna ----- I also shoot a Model 70 Safari Express in .416 Rem. My loads were with IMR-4064 and RL-15 powders and Fed 215M primers. My bullets were Swift A-Frame and Hornady round nose of 400 grains and North Fork 370 grain softs and flat nosed solids. My accuracy load is 80 grains of RL-15 and 370 grain North Forks softs and solids. The chrony an average of 2440 fps and are extremely accurate. They also worked perfectly on the Cape Buffalo in the Selous. Good luck and good shooting.

My 416 Remington Barnes X and solid handloads have accounted for 5 cape buffalo. I also use 78grs of Re 15 with Fed 215 primers and Remington cases. The load works wonderfully in my rifle and the "X" and solids shoot within two inches of each other at 100yds. We only recovered one bullet, an "X" bullet that I shot into a bull facing us at 50yds. The rest, "X" and solids were all pass throughs. I highly recommend Barnes for the 416 and buffalo but be very careful in the herds because of the propensity of these bullets to completely penetrate. I have seen the North Forks and Partions used as well and they are excellent but the North Forks in particular tend to stop on the off side in the hide...highly desirerable in herded buffalo.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwanna:
Thanks. I'm a real Barnes fan, so I would like to use them for the softs. Did you load any solids?

No, I did not. I purchased three boxes of Federal ammunition when I bought the rifle. One box was solids and the other two were trophy bonded bear claw. If my memory is correct, I paid about $87.50/box. Shortly thereafter I ordered a set of reloading dies from RCBS, and a box of the Barnes XLC 400 grain bullets. When I left Africa the first time, I left the box of solids with my PH, who by coincidence, also shoots a Winchester model 70 safari express. , I have no doubt the Barnes X bullet would be satisfactory for any game I would care to shoot with the rifle, and see no need for solids. I still have nearly a box of the Federal factory loads in TB bullets. I also purchased some brass for the caliber. While the recoil is a bit on the severe side, I actually enjoy shooting it. Handloading makes that affordable.
By the way, my rifle is the same model as yours. Congratulations on a good choice of weapon. Now you need to go kill something with it.

I have had very good results using 350 gr Swift A Frame on Buffalo.

I use 85 gr Rel 15, Federal Cases, and 215 Primers. Average velocity is 2611 fps.

Hi Bwanna:

My recipe for my 416 Rem Mag after trying many many different powders and bullets is...

77.5 grains of IMR-4064, CCI 250 LRM primers, Winchester Brass. Shoots Swift Aframs 400 grain to MOA and Barnes Solids to SUB MOA, best part is same POI for both bullets, same load...

This recipe shoots approximately 2500 FPS in my custom 416 Rem Mag. Took a 46 in Cape Buff in 2002 in the Selous, and needed every bit of the 416's power to do the job. Next time for Buff I am using my custom 458 Lott on these Black Freight Trains.... LOL

Regards... Jim P.