Has anyone ever experienced the pressure spikes, sticking bolts, etc that are mentioned on page 109 in the African Hunters guide to NYATI...?

That is old and incorrect information.

The writer has since acknowledged that the statement is in error. It was based upon an Appie (canidate) at the Zim PH Trials who was using some very old ammunition that had been kept under less than ideal conditions. To my knowledge there has never been a legitimately documented case of over pressure in a .416Rem. I've carried mine in African temps of 120 degrees and there are many Texans who carry theirs in similar temps, without any problems.

This is a myth that pops up every so often. You cannot kill this kinda fud on the internet.

NOTE: Please provide the complete and correct title, authors name and publication date of where you found this statement. Thanks

No I have not, I have used my .416 on three African hunts and have at least a thousand rounds through it. I used a chronograph when developing my loads and used Varget powder.I shot a 410gr. Woodleigh solid at 2350fps. and Barnes 350gr.T.S.X. at 2625fps.

OK, I found the book you refer to and you have the title wrong. No author is credited. It is a compilation of articles written for the old magazine Zimbabwe Hunter which morphed into the African Hunter. A Mag-Set publications book entitled "Guide to NYATI - The Art of Hunting the African Buffalo". It was published in 2003, although the specific article this statement is taken from appeared in the magazine long before this book was put together. Otherwise this is a good book on Buff and I have a first edition in my collection.

Another book of note is "NYATI - A Guide to Hunting Zimbabwe's Most Dangerous Big Game, The Southern Buffalo" by Kevin "Doctari" Robinson and originally published in 1996, second edition 1998 and also published by Mag-Set Publications.

Perhaps GANYANA would like to comment?

NO!

No,

BigB

I had one but it was my fault - I am pretty sure it was a handload that was too hot. FWIW, the venerated claw extractor simply popped over the stuck case. This was at a range when I was testing loads.

I will say this: ball powders are heat sensitive. I now load Varget in my .416; it is very temperature stable.

I have never had an issue in Africa. But then, I live in an area that is quite a bit hotter in the summer than most of Africa.

I have used my .416 in southern Africa a few times. I used N540 powder in handloads and never had a problem.

The story comes from a few isolated incidents from many years ago when the cartridge was new and loads weren't what they were supposed to be.

My next trip will be with Hornady factory ammunition. They use very stable powders in these loads that are almost unaffected by temperature changes.

MV

No, I have never taken my model 70 416 Rem to Africa, but have put hundreds of rounds down the pipe in the Arizona desert in summer with no problems. Next time I go to Africa I intend to take it as one of the rifles of my two rifle battery.

I used my 416 Rem on my first trip to Africa, killed two buff and some PG with it, not a single problem. The rifle was a No 1.

After reading the forums I cannot believe I survived the hunt with the dreaded 416 in a single shot.

I chronographed some Remington factory ammo once that was probably early to mid 90 vintage. It was well in excess of 2400 (around 2450 FPS if memory serves me correct). Maybe some of the early factory ammo gave the 416 rem a bad reputation?

One African "expert" previously expounded on problems with .416 Rem. cartridges, bullets being shoved out of the case by internal forces, excess pressure, etc. American Rifleman subsequently did an article a few years ago and got no pressure spikes from a broad range of temperatures.

quote:

Perhaps GANYANA would like to comment?

Perhaps Ganyana is the source of such baloney.

If you load 416 RM to 416 Rigby velocities of 2300 to 2350 there is less recoil, no risk of pressure issues, and all the punch you need. You could even load down to the nitro express double rifle velocities of 2150-2200 fps. It is the way to go unless you like to brag to your friends about 50-100 fps.

No problems thus far. I reload with Reloader 15 with Barnes 350gr TSX. I have had them to 2655 fps, but it was a bit too much of a good thing (too much recoil) and now shoot them at 2550fps. The one buff shot fell promptly on his nose at the shot. I am not concerned about pressure spikes at all. Have also taken 400 gr solids up to 2500fps with Reloader 15 and have since throttled that back to a more reasonable (on my shoulder) 2380fps. Again no concern about pressure spikes.

The 416 RM case is a very large case. It has plenty of capacity to get you to the required buff killing velocites with lots of room to spare. If you fill the case with a faster burning powder trying to eke out that extra velocity, guess what, you may experience pressure spikes.

Bob, I have a slightly different issue to raise about Remington. To address your question, I use my Remington 700 in .416 routinely on all game in southern Africa without incident. It seems to be an ideal cartridge.

I might mention that I did catch a documentary yesterday (I think it was CNBC) about safety issues with the Remington 700. Most noteworthy is a long history of unintentionally fired rounds. Apparently this happens due to faulty safety and usually occurs when the weapon is taken off of safety. This is now getting more press than it used to, adding to the list of problems that Remington 700 users have experienced with uncontrolled round feed. For that reason I have come to the conclusion that I don't think I could enthusiastically recommend my Remington 700 to a person going after dangerous game. Remington has made a great cartridge but I think they dropped the ball because their gun could have been a lot better than it is.

I have hunted buff four times with the 416 Rem. In addition it has been shot quite a lot in mid Georgia with pretty high temps.

I have a 404J, a 375 H&H, and a 416 Rem., and except for the historical(hysterical) significance the 416 is my favorite for buffalo. If elephant is on the menu 458 Lott is my choice.

There have been no problems with the 416 rem. with whatever is cheapest, (for practice) or with Superior ammo with 400 gr. triple shoks. (for hunting)

In a word --- NO ---No problems what so ever with the Rem 416 after a whole bunch of rounds --- current powder of choice has been RL 15 --- 400's at 2400 fps all day long.

As to the issues with the Rem 700 safety -- not an expert but from haveing shot thousands and thousands of rounds through the Rem 700 rifles --- my thought as to the safety issue is most likely a result of human tinkering --- thus the safety is all good if the trigger is adjusted by "qualified" hands.
G

Absolutely NO problems. I have used my Rifles, Inc. 416 Rem extensively in our HOT S. Texas summers on Nilgai and hogs. It has also accounted for my elephant, hippo, and brown bear. I, too, use Re 15 almost exclusively with North Forks, Barnes X, Swifts, and GS Customs. All shoot well in the 2400-2550 fps with 400 grainers.

quote:

Originally posted by Woodmnctry:
In a word --- NO ---No problems what so ever with the Rem 416 after a whole bunch of rounds --- current powder of choice has been RL 15 --- 400's at 2400 fps all day long.

As to the issues with the Rem 700 safety -- not an expert but from haveing shot thousands and thousands of rounds through the Rem 700 rifles --- my thought as to the safety issue is most likely a result of human tinkering --- thus the safety is all good if the trigger is adjusted by "qualified" hands.
G

Totally agree. If you adjust a Rem 700 so that it doesn't have enough sear engagement, it will fire when you take the safety off if you have your finger touching the trigger. Solution? Get a different trigger or don't adjust it so lightly!

I have used my 416 Rem Mauser M03 on several African trip, I never have any problem with rifle and bagged elephant and six buffalo .

No pressure issues with either factory ammunition or my handloads.

Win model 70, 400 grain A-Frame and Hornady Solids handloaded to a chrony'd 2405fps, and no pressure problems, 90degree plus heat in the Selous Reserve. I've left the rifle and ammo in the 100 deg summer sun for hours, and using IMR4064 I've never had a split case or bulged primer. Love the cartridge.

I have a sako .416 rem mag. It really has alot of kick. very accurate. It just smacks you.

It pounds me more than the .458 win mag.

I do not know if it has to do with the design by Sako...never shot another .416 brand to compare.


anyone have similar experience with Sako?


dale

Mine weighs 12.5 lbs all dressed and ready to go, and kicks less than my 375. Stock design makes all the difference.

No professional hunters I know have relayed any stories of the 416 Rem malfunctioning in the manner listed by the OP. Many I know hunt during the hottest months in Africa.

A high percentage of the clients they have bring 416 Rems.

I think the rumor was started by someone that has another type of 416, that wanted his choice to sound superior or more knowledgeable than those that chose the 416 Rem.

The 416 Rem is a fine dangerous game cartridge, without issues.

I don't understand why a .416 Rem would be any more pressure prone than a .375H&H or a .458 Lott or even a modern loaded .404 as they all operate at similar pressure?

Or for that a matter a .416 Wthby which pushes the pressure issue to a new level.

I think the problem was more rooted in the piss poor extractor on the M700 than anything else.

quote:

Originally posted by daleW:
I have a sako .416 rem mag. It really has alot of kick. very accurate. It just smacks you.

It pounds me more than the .458 win mag.

I do not know if it has to do with the design by Sako...never shot another .416 brand to compare.


anyone have similar experience with Sako?


dale

I have the same feelings about my M70. It is "less pleasant" to shoot than my 470.

The only problem I had with my 416 remington 700 was that, due to loading 3 down one up wich made the bullets finally dilatate the lower chamber and consequently the rifle jammed when reloading. Changed the lower part works fine again
12 eles between daddy and me, 7 bufalos,1 grysbok, 2impalas 5 deer 9 hogs,etc and keeps well and up

A friend to many on this site (Geo. Hoffman) did lots of the development work for the 416 Rem Mag and he never told me of any problem. Had their been one he would never let me order my Dakota in such caliber.
George was with me when I shot a Barnes X 350 with Reloader 15 and had no problems but my buffalo did...one shot and he was expired!
It was plenty warm in TZ that day.
It was plenty warm in Ft. Worth when I was sighting the rifle in.

quote:

Originally posted by Harry:
A friend to many on this site (Geo. Hoffman) did lots of the development work for the 416 Rem Mag

Development work, Harry?!

He invented it and Remington stole it and pasted their name on it. But you already knew that.

George probably invented the most successful dangerous-game wildcat/factory round ever.

RIP Mr. Hoffman!