Thought I'd throw this one out to see what your thoughts are: I'm planning a hunt for Cape Buffalo. Which would you prefer-the 416 Rigby or the 458 Winchester? It will be used only for Buffalo-no other game.

I would prefer neither however it is incumbent on you to use the one you shoot the best as both are buffalo "capable".



If you insist they are equal then flip a coin.

Odie,

Please share with us what you would prefer for this hunt.

I'd take either. There's a post somewhere here about a .458 450gr X-bullet at 2200fps. That should be very similar to the standard 400gr at 2400fps for the Rigby.

Both are buffalo capable cartridges as stated by GF - when I go to Africa (haven't yet ), I will take the classic African big game caliber, the 416 Rigby - KMule

Mike

I'd take the 416 Rigby, just a personal choice.

416 rigby = Hardkore...

They're both good calibres for Buff, but I guess my personal choice would be the .416 Rigby...... but what's equally important (at least) is your choice of bullet design. I'd recommend a slow penetrating bullet such as the Barnes X or Woodleigh PSP.

......where are you hunting?

I would opt for the .416 Rigby as it just has so much class

hi
what about 404 jeffery? isn't enough good for big fives?
regards
danny

mikeh416Rigby

which to pick?? Easy chooseing between a short fat red pressured 458 and a low pressure round like the 416? Any day, the 416 Rigby. The 416 is a fantastic round and if you want more ummphh load it a bit hotter.

A 404 would be my second choice. It will fit in a standard mauser action with some minor modications

/ JOHAN

Buffalo Only? .458

The .416 Rigby is a more effective buffalo cartridge than is the .375, due to it's greater frontal area (+.041" diameter) and +100 grains of bullet. The properly loaded .458 Winchester is a more effective buffalo cartridge than is the .416, due to its greater frontal area (+.042" diameter) and +100 grains of bullet.

Mike,

Do you really need another gun? Shoot your .416, it will do all you need. Of course, I've never hunted Buf, just my opinion.

Have you decided where for Buffalo?

I've had the 458 for about 12 years, and it's just been collecting dust. I'm probably going to go with the Rigby just for nostalgia, and that it'll do the job if I do my part. It's loads will be the Woodleighs.

I haven't tied down where I'll hunt yet-so much going on at work and here at home. I'll talk to some guys up at the Harrisburg show next month. Are you going to Harrisburg?

Mike,
Let's frame the question..
a 458 win, with +.30 SD bullets, is wheezing to get 2100 fps

a 416 rigby, with +.30 SD bullets, doesn't even have it's shoes on to get there.

Both with a 450 grain bullet? Again, you just can't beat case capacity, and the rigby wins on pressure, veloticy, energy and the all important SD

the rigby, at 50k PSI, just about 45K cup, breaks 2400 FPS with the woodleigh 450 25" barrel (60kpsi it's right on 2500 fps with a 450)

the 458 win mag, loading to 60kpsi, 52kcup, BARELY breaks 2200, with a 25" barrel, loaded to 50kpsi, it's 2140s.

If YOU reloading, there is NO comaparision between a winnie and a rigby, the rigby clobbers it, for SD, power, range, shootablity, and flexibility.


Now, if this had been between the 458lott/ackley/watts or 450 dakota/rigby 460 weatherby loaded down, it would be a different story.

Face it, the 458 is a GREAT round, in and of itself, but it should have been a 2.85" shell... rechamber your 458 to a lott and get 2250/450gr at 50k, and 2360 at 60k... still sucking hind tit on a rigby, but that's actually a fight, rather than a demontration

Winner? 416 rigby!!!

(getting a cheap shot in on ray and rusty)
think of a 404 jeffery as a lower powered 416 taylor...

jeffe

IF you are going to shoot buffalo only....458 for me. With today's powders and premium bullets the 458 is a better round than it ever was. Load it up with 500gr bullets and it will tip those buffalo over in short order.

Jeffe - Buffalo Only. You know better.

Nick,
yeah, i know better, that's the elmer keith in me... but I would take my 500 jeffe for buff... and my 376 for plains,, with a pair of 300 grains in the bottom of the mag!!

jeffe

Yes, I'm going to Harrisburg. As it get's closer, we can set up a meeting time. Did you get my reply to your email?

George-I got your email. Thanks. I'll get those pics out to you tomorrow or Tuesday via snail mail. That way I won't take up any space on your harddrive. Thanks.

How about both? With the Nickudu loads for your 458, you can't go wrong. Take both and flip a coin to see which is the primary and which is the back-up.

Hi,

I would also recommend the .416 Rigby - I also used my .416 last year on two buff in Tansania with very good success.

Based on his experience the PH said that the .416 is one of the calibers which truely impressed him - especially on buffalo.

Best regards

Erik

AT the DSC show this last weekend Larry at the Superior Ammunition booth said he could get a .458 450 grain bullet pretty near 2300 fps with the new powders. He did say however he could not do this with an X bullet because they are slightly longer and took up more case space.

I don't see what would be wrong with a .458 450 grain Woodleigh or Northfork bullet at approx. 2300 fps or an X bullet at 2200 fps for buff.