I plan on buying the CZ 416 Rigby when they come out with the American stock. So I guess I could put the cart in front of the horse and start asking about the reloading components. My father was a tool and die maker that reinforced in me the pride of high quality close tolerance equipment. So the first question is where do I start with high quality equipment that will last multiple generations? As someone finds time, could you list the minimal components necessary to reload accurate 416 Rigby's and then the nice to have items also? For this endeavor I will stray from the Escort and concentrate on the Cadillac's. Best brass? Best press? I understand the Forster may be the best? Thanks for assisting me as I expand my horizon.

I would get yourself a Rock Chucker Master Kit it's great quality and has everything. I have a set of RCBS .416 Rigby Dies and they work really well. My bullet of choice is the woodleigh 410 gr soft nose it is a ripper and look sexy in that Big Rigby Case. The case brand I use is Norma.

I use standard Redding Full Length 2 die sets for my Rigby. You WILL want a Lee Factory Crimp die which is a special order item and will cost you $25.
I use BeLL brass. Hornady probably mkaes the cheapest entry level bullets for this caliber (400 grain SP and FMJ that will set you back about $30/50)
Foster and other competition dies offer no particular advantage over standard dies EXCEPT they are easier to adjust once you are set up based on the micrometer adjustments. But a set of dummy cartridges will make that just as easy and accurate. But they offer no particular "accuracy" advantages over standard dies.
You will want a BIG press...something like the new RCBS Rockchucker will work fine. I don't think my Co-ax will handle a .416 Rigby though I've never tried...usually just load em on my Rockchucker.
Buy LOTS of powder...at 100 grains per it doesn't take long to go through a can...

If you feel like dropping bunches of cash on tools, check out the Sinclair website. They make some quality equipment, but you'll pay for it. I'll buy some when I can and when I see a distinct advantage over the standard stuff. For what most people do (including myself), the standard equipment is plenty good.

do NOT get anything but the largest press the company offers... if you do, you will be FORVER clipping the tip of your (assumed) left hand in the mouth.

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/646599

256 bucks, the rcbs "supreme" kit, with a 4.5" press, hand primer, scale, reloading book, lube and lube pad, powder meassure, etc etc etc.

here's your dies
46 bucks

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/712354

beware the lyman.s i have to send mine in for polishing

get TWO of these, one for the primer and one for the press... it will relieve LOTS of frustration

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/611456

some brass, primers and bullets...

calipers..
digitals -- 29bucks

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/604242

jeffe

I have a RCBS Ammo master, desgined for the 50BMG, it easily handles the long sporting carts. The NEW RCBS Rockchucker is also good. Like some others have said, you want enough room in the press to seat bullets w/o pinching your fingers or removing the case to set the bullet. I like Redding dies, but RCBS are fine too. An elec. powder scale, large loading block, a set of calipers, case neck burring tool, primer pocket brush & you are ready to start. You will eventually want a case trimmer.

As the suggestions come in my shopping list grows. Thanks

Which brass to use?

How many reloads can I expect from the brass?

Model of electronic scale?

Case trimmer model ?

A big press is a good idea. The RCBS Ammo Master or the extended (tall) frame Rock Chucker are good. I actually use an old Rock Chucker ... just takes a little patience to align things going into the die.

RCBS dies are $42.50 at Weidener's. Make sure the expander ball is tight. I had to replace the rod and ball as it wasn't and it destroyed the threads on the ball.

Inside lube the neck of the cases, and make sure that you do not over crimp as that will crush the shoulder on the Rigby case.

Norma makes excellent brass for the Rigby. Size new brass and chamfer the mouths before you load them the first time.

I weigh every charge in the large rifles. One does not load so much for these rifles that this is objectionable. For charging cases, I have an old AMT powder dispenser that I set to drop a 1/2 grain short and then I trickle into the pan on a Lyman electonic scale. The scale is more than 10 years old. I do routinely check the scale against standards.

The 350 gr Speer MagTip makes a dandy practice bullet ... price is reasonable. For the real deal on non-dangerous game I have been using 350 Barnes projectiles. I also use cast bullets from an NEI mold for practice. I drive them with XMR 5744.

Have been using Federal 215s and a lot of 4350 for jacketed bullets. Accuracy is excellent ... an inch or better at 100 yards.

The .416 is an enormously powerful round ... I really don't feel the need to hot rod this fella (even though some indicate that it can be loaded to 416 Weatherby speeds).

Do make sure your rifle is properly bedded and cross bolted. This caliber is known to be hard on stocks!

Shoot it from a standing position ... even if you have to make a stand to use. I grabbed a very large photographic tripod (for a 4x5 monorail view camera style large) and put a flat top on it. Is much easier on your shoulder. Always hold the forearm with your non-trigger hand. These guys will roll if you let them ... and I would imagine that getting creamed by the scope on one could REALLY hurt.

Have a great time with it.

METOO,

I have the Rigby on a CZ550 action. I do like the caliber and the rifle, too.

The RCBS Rock Chucker press is perfect for the Rigby. I have one and it works just fine. Another good choice is the big Redding press. Just make sure you buy the new Rock Chucker and not old stock, as the new one is about 3/4 inches or so taller and you will need that height for the Rigby.

Redding probably makes the finest Rigby dies, they are about twice as expensive as the other brands, even good ones such as the RCBS. The finish on Redding dies is the best I have found, other than Dillon but the Dillon die caliber list is pretty limited.

Do crimp, but use the Lee factory crimp die. It is far less likely to collaspe the shoulder on the Rigby case. I don't recommend using the crimp part of the seating die.

If you buy the RCBS starter kit, you will get everything you need at package price. Start looking there, if you are price sensitive.

I have found that Reloader 22 and H4831 are good choices for my rifle using the 400 g Hornady bullet. Do experiment with the Hornady round, as it is very inexpensive to buy and you can shoot a lot with it. Save the expensive stuff for animals, if you wish.

Stick to RN bullets and the same, standard, Rigby velocity, as most the sights are regulated for this.

RobertD

i bet if you give these guys an email....they will sell you a box of loaded rounds at a good price......someone stuck them with a box of rigby's.....www.shooterschoiceplus.com Dick

RobertD stated about everything I intended too.

I like the Redding dies and the LEE crimp die. The 400 gr Hornady's are great as well. Keep the practice rds at 2200-2300 fps and you will do fine. Hotrodding the Rigby to .416 Wby velocites makes NO sense to me.

A neat round,especially with cast bullets. Still a bit of a boomer but big fun. A big PUSH not a supersonic punch like a Wby or ultra mag.

FN in MT

All of the information is appreciated and motivating. I'll start ordering the equipment for an early Christmas present to myself. I'll just be waiting for the American Stocked CZ. The big push is a new angle to the felt recoil. Doesn't sound as brutal as a sharp jab. I guess the higher velocity rounds would be both a big push and a sharp jab. Is there any advantage to the Coax over the new Rock Chucker? There are more questions at the end of my order list. Please advise.

So far my list includes:

Redding dies
Lee crimp die
Norma Brass
Digital Caliper

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Kit which includes
Rock Chucker Supreme Press (Supreme press has 4" opening, which is 1/2" larger than Rock Chucker)
505 Scale
Speer Manual #13
Uniflow Powder Measure
Deburring Tool
Case Loading Block
Hand Priming Tool
Powder Funnel
Case Lube Kit
Hex Key Set

Is an electronic scale needed?
What brand of case trimmers?
Case tumbler?
Any gauges needed for accuracy?
Which books are the best for beginners and which ones to avoid.
I want to use cast bullets also so which book, which bullet, which mold, which lead?
Want to develop a low velocity highly accurate load for Big Bore competition. Any special information resources?
Any other suggestions for equipment is appreciated. Thanks

Forgot to mention that if any or all of the items in the kit are marginal, I would like to buy better quality pieces individually now. Thanks