What are the best powders to start with in the Rigby? I have never loaded for this round and was just wondering. Looks like there might be one in my future. Also would it be better to use a magnum primer like maybe the Federal 215M?

105 grains of H4831sc topped by any 400 grain bullet. Accurate and a MV of just over 2,400 fps in most guns.

Yes, use a magnum primer. I have only used Norma brass. This load has delivered MOA and less with multiple hunting bullets in my Ruger M77.

Good luck.

Tim

I know you may find this odd, or funny, or something...but I guess I'm the only guy in North America still loading mine with the orginal powder....Cordite. Still have about two pounds left. As much as I don't shoot the .416, that's probably a lifetime supply at my age. Still works fine, though.

Was originally taken by Ron Storvold of Edmonton, Alberta, in 1970 from Kynoch .416 ammo which developed season-cracked necks. A bit of a PITA to stick the last few strands into each case individually, by hand, but shoots great. 65 grs. by weight does the trick.

AC

105 gr of H 4831 is a max load and I suggest you start at 98 gr. If you're looking for different powders, you won't find it in the Rigby. H 4831 seems to be the optimal powder for a 400 gr bullet. I believe Ross Seyfried listed RE 15 and 4350 for 350 gr bullets.

Correction on the RE 15 powder for 350 gr bullet. RE 15 is not listed for that bullet.

My two best loads with a Fed 215M primer are 104 grains of H-4831 and 98 grains of RL-22. Good luck and good shooting.

I've had great luck with 400gr bulltets( Hornadys, Swift A Frames) using IMR 4350 90.2 grains, Fed 215 primers and Norma brass. It practically duplicates original loadings and my solids and softs shoot to the same POI. jorge

With 350 and 400 grain pills my rifle likes Reloder 19 best followed very closely by IMR4350. Loads are over 100 grains and are slightly to moderately compressed. Velocities are closer to those advertised for the 416 Weatherby magnum though.

IMHO, 4831, Rel 22, Rel 25, IMR7828, etc are too slow for this cartridge if one desires optimum performance.

Scott

I haven't tried RL19 yet, although I have some, but H4831SC 104 grains with a Nosler 400 partition will damn near shoot a cloverleaf at 100 yards in my Ruger RSM. 106 grains of RL22 will go 2700, but doesn't shoot as well in mine. By the way, it takes me a long time to do load development for the .416 for some reason. I think if H4831SC doesn't shoot well, it would be unusual. Kind of like a .375 with RL15 or 4064, seems like they'll all do well with these.

I have a question for you that might seem silly. I haven't used Hodgdon 4831 in a long time. And the 4831sc has come on the market since then. Can you use the H4831 data for the H4831sc? Most of my manuals list data for the H4831 but I don't see much of anything for H4831sc. Thank you.

Yes you can use H4831 data with the H4831SC. Hodgdon says that and I have found it to be true.

Scott

I am using Reloader 22. I seem to have a bit better results with that then H4831. Operative words are: "seem to have a bit better" - It isn't a big difference in my gun.

RobertD

js, according to the manufacturer, you can use the short cut for the old stuff grain for grain.

Yes, you can use the same basic data for H4831-SC as with H-4831. But don't forget, if you are running maximum loads in your rifle you should work up to that level again every time you change "lots" of powder.

That certainly would apply when moving from regular cut to short cut. After all they are NOT the same exact powder.

AC

Has anyone tried RL25 in either any of the .416's?
Stay well,
Paul