I have a Harris - McMillian .416 Rigby that loves the following load.....

.400 gr. Barnes TSX, 102.5 gr. RL22, It is under 1 MOA.

I need to work up some solids with the hope they print to the same POI.

Would you.....

1) Use Barnes solids at .400 gr expecting them to duplicate the TSX?

2) Should I expect the powder load to be different and if so how do I go about this?

A) Try for same FPS as the TSX load working powder up slowly?

All input appreciated.

Cheers
Jim

1) Yes, within reason
2)Yes, use same powder, see #3
3) Presuming you have a chrono, start low like you did for the TSX work up a bit, testing fps, pressure and POI and do the best you can.

I would say if it's close to the TSX at 100 yds I wouldn't fuss with it too much. See what it does at 50 compared to the TSX POI and I think you'll have a combo that will work. You can still get the FN Solids from Barnes as they are not on the ATF list so that's what I'd do.

Just get them here:

http://barnesbullets.myshopify...bnd-sld-fb-flat-nose

With my .416 Rigby I noticed that it was about 2 grains less powder to match velocity for the Barnes flat nosed solids with the TSX load.

In the end I used the H4350 load instead of the RL 22, but they both behaved the same.

Also, I did note that the solids printed to a different POA, but since it was within 1" at 100 yards, I figured that was good enough for a round intended for WTSHTF as I was not hunting elephants at that time.

Ineresting, thanks for your personal experience. When I looked in the Barnes reloading manual they had the range of the TSX for RL-22 at 95 - 103 gr. with FPS of 2267 - 2462. I get right around 2400 out of my 102.5 of RL - 22 and the gun likes it.

The manual shows the solids at 98.5 - 106.5 gr. and FPS of 2338 - 2540.

Essentially making it sound like you need more not less powder for the solids.

I think I'll stick with your suggestion and go a couple grains lighter than the 102.5 and work up to match FPS and see how that works out.

Anyone else with personal experience at this caliber.

Your on the right track. Use the same powder and just adjust the charge weight. It should not be off by much.
In my RSM 416, i used the same combo of TSX and banded solids. It was only 1.5 grains different to get same POI.
I used 102 gr of H-4831sc

In my 378 Weatherby loads and 30/06 loads, Barnes Banded Solids hit essentially the same place at 100 yards as the same load with TSX bullets.

What I had to do was stick with 4831, but due to having to seat solids deeply (ogive thing) the solid load is IMR 4831 and the soft uses H4831. You just have to "find" what works.

2 cents

In 375 H&H did the three grains more of RL15 in this case with the 300 gr solids vs 300 tsx and it worked great. So, I too find the three grains MORE for the solid vs regular bullet was the way to go.

Frostbit-
Your load is nearly identical to mine. 102gr RL-22 or IMR7828SSC under a 400gr TSX yielded great accuracy and about 2400fps. When I worked up a load for Barnes (flatnose) banded solids, I got the same velocity and POI with 100gr of either powder. I couldn't get RL-22 for a while a couple of years back, and when I noticed the manuals gave identical loads for either powder, I switched to the IMR. These powders have been interchangeable for me for the 416 Rigby.

Interesting discussion, to be sure.

I worked with a Merkel double rifle last year chambered in .416 Rigby and had much the same results.

The rifle was regulated in Germany at 50 yards with Federal factory ammo loaded with the 400 TSX. Once I got up to 2400 fps the gun shot great at 50 yards, printing just above the point of aim and with the groups from the two barrels overlapping each other.

The load I wound up using was 99 grains of RL 22. This gave essentially 2400 fps.

Next up was to try to get the 400 grain Banded Solid to shoot to the same place. The TSX bullet is solid copper while the Banded Solid is solid brass. According to Barnes data, you can use a little more powder with the Banded Solid.

I found that by using 100 grains of RL 22 behind the 400 grain Banded Solid I could get 2400 fps and the POI was virtually identical to that of the 400 grain TSX.

My .416 Rigby takes shoots the 400 grain TSX and 400 grain Banded solid into the same group with the same charge. I'm useing 96 grains of RL22 for 2300 fps. My bolt got sticky at 98 grains.

With the .375s I typically have to back off the solids charges 2 grains to get them to shoot together.

Curious. I am working up loads for a new Winchester Safari Express in 375. My TSX load is 72gr RL15 under a 300 grainer for about 2595 fps. I started the BBS loads at 70, thinking I'd get about the same velocity and POI, and they were more tan 100fps slower, and 4 inches lower at 200 yards. I will have to use a larger charge under these solids, instead of reducing a couple of grains like I do in the 416.

Marty, how compressed is your TSX load vs the solid load? What is the POI difference at 100 yards?

I'll be doing what you are doing but with the BBW #13s.

I haven't shot at 100 yards, so can't answer that. Since I have a 200 yard range, it's what I tend to shoot my scoped rifles at.
I don't recall either being particularly compressed, but my recollection is that the cases were pretty full.