I see you flinched on one

They take all the darn fun out of reloading and working up an accurate load.

I have only loaded and fired 4 so far and here they are


I started with 100 grains of H4831sc in my Ruger M77 .416 Rigby. They shot this group at a few fps over 2,400. They also shoot to the same point as my 400 grain softs.

Now there is no reason to try any other load. I'm just gonna have to use this load for my August 2004 buffalo hunt in Zim.

BTW, they would have all been touching if it were not for operator error. This target is at 100 yards and I was using a Leupold VariX III 1.5-5x 20mm scope with Heavy Duplex. I'm sure with a higher power scope and a Fine Duplex reticle, I could have done even better. However, there is no reason to go above a 1.5-5x on a DG rifle.

Now all I have left to do before my hunt is to practice shooting from field positions and drop about 10 lbs. around my gut.

3 cheers for Bridger Solids!!!!!!!

Tim

My mistake. That is actually a five shot group. The chronograph results are:

2,416 fps
2,418 fps
2,406 fps
2,413 fps
2,410 fps

Norma brass
CCI large rifle magnum primer
3.490" oal
100 grain H4831sc

I had to load them deep to get them to chamber in my rifle (Ruger M77). I loaded up the magazine and they all fed perfectly.

Tim

Looks like you are all set for the hunt. That's terrific accuracy for a DG rifle/load combo and a low-powered scope...

Wow, a Rigby case, COL <3.5" doing 2400 with a 400g solid.
Can you say "Mauser conversion?"

416-338 Lapua Improved perhaps....
(this case should hold more powder than the Rigby )

Shumba: what softs do you use and have you ever used any other powders besides H-4831? I'm getting 2350with IMR-4350 out of my Ruger (an old one with a 24" barrel) with Swift A Frames and old fashioned Hornady solids. jorge

I have only tried three softpoint bullets. Nosler Partition, Barnes X, and Hornady softs, all in 400 grains. I have been able to get MOA or less with all of these softs by using anywhere between 100 and 105 grains of H4831sc. Depending on the bullet and powder charge, velocity ranges from 2,390 to 2,470. Also, I think the barrel on my Ruger is a bit shorter.

I also tried IMR 7828 once because I had some left over. I tried it with the Hornady softs and was able to get MOA with a bit more velocity than the H4831sc.

Tim

There is good news for you. Bridger is out of business. So your problems are over.

Scott