Does anyone have any experience reloading for the .350 Rigby? What are the ballistics one can expect w/ modern powders & bullets?

I suspect 35 whelen improved type results.

Its fame came with heavy bullets and short range and for that it was and is an excellent choice. I agree with Bluefish but perhaps the 350 handles heavy bullets best, that would be due to twist, throat that would handle heavier bullets..

quote:

Originally posted by Tommy45:
Does anyone have any experience reloading for the .350 Rigby? What are the ballistics one can expect w/ modern powders & bullets?

To which 350 Rigby are you referring? The 400/350 Rigby or the 350 Rigby Magnum?

The latter was a 225 gr. bullet @ 2,600 fps. Just about the same ballistics as a 35 Whelen, as noted by the above poster. I'm sure with today's powders, and that large case, that velocity could be improved.

Yes, I was referring to the .350 Rigby magnum. Thanks for the responses from everyone. I have a .416 Rigby and a .450 Rigby. I'm trying to decide if I want a third.

Given what you already have I would say go for it. But then I have have no trouble helping others spend their money.

Realistically it does have decent ballistics that can likely be improved on with a modern load and it fits quite well into your present rifles.

Based on my experience with the 35 whelen recently in Burkina, I would say it must be a great cartridge for leopard, plains game....Buffalo, elephant etc not so sure!

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Its fame came with heavy bullets and short range and for that it was and is an excellent choice.

The old .350 Remington Magnum once got you to the same place in a handier package. Loved those old Remy 600s.

The 350 Rigby mag has slightly more case capacity than the 358 Norma mag, in its factory loading it was probably fairly close to the Whelen AI. But, just like the 416 Rigby, it can be loaded to modern levels that will exceed the original by 200 fps in a quality gun. Even Woodleigh recommends using starting loads for the 358 Norma to work up with. That will beat the AI with no problem.

Thanks for the information from all who have responded. I was hoping to find people that would have some information on the cartridge. You have all been a great help.

Hopefully, tomorrow I can get to the range and test fire my "New" 350 Rigby. Many years ago, I bought a Vickers 318 that had been rebored from 318 EX to 35 Whelen. I rented a chambering reamer and recut the chamber and opened the bolt face to 350 R. Looking forward to shooting it and will post tomorrow on results if all my fingers and eyes remain unchanged !

quote:

Originally posted by Tommy45:
Yes, I was referring to the .350 Rigby magnum. Thanks for the responses from everyone. I have a .416 Rigby and a .450 Rigby. I'm trying to decide if I want a third.

Of course you do!

But why stop there?

Add a 4th: a 275 Rigby. You will then have a 40, 30 & 20 caliber Rigby battery.

THEN, you will be set...

Bill, (xausa) I bet has info on the 350. He has a beauty.

I had one borrowed some years ago, and the ammo that my friend used was with 300 gr. bullets, it was a hammer on wart hogs in the corn..

If I were to want a 35 caliber, it would be the 358 Norma or the .338 opened up to 35 caliber, but Im not much on wildcats..The 358 Norma is the most unsung hero of the gun world however IMO...but the .338 is just as good so I,ve gone that route, for convienence sake and a bit more Sectional density as opposed to cross section of the 35, so its about a toss..

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
Bill, (xausa) I bet has info on the 350. He has a beauty.

One of the Mods here, Paul H, has done a lot of work with the 350 Rigby.

Go to the top of this page and hit the FIND button. Then type in '350 Rigby' and you'll have at your disposal all of the discussions ever written here on AR on the subject.

Good luck on your new 350 Rigby!

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
..The 358 Norma is the most unsung hero of the gun world however IMO...

FWIW...CASE VOLUMES

350 RIGBY MAGNUM...~90-92 gr H2O
350 REM MAG...~70-72
35 WHELEN and iterations...~72-78
358 NORMA MAG...~88-90
358 SHOOTING TIMES ALASKA....~105
WSM ITERATIONS...~85
WEATHERBY ITERATIONS 100-140
RIGBY,RUM,LAPUA ITERATIONS...110-120

35 WIN...50
356/358 WIN...55-58

They will ALL bring home the rump roasts if bullet and case is matched to the game...not much can stand up to a 35 cal 200-250 gr bullet and go merrily on its way.

DON'T forget the KOOL factor of those that came before OR those iterations that came after.

Good Hunting



r those

quote:

Originally posted by husky:

Thank you Sweden for the 'Big Swede'!

I assume the 350 Rigby Magnum should have the same ballistic characteristics as the 358 Norma Magnum. The Rigby cartridge has longer neck, which is my opinion and advantages especially if you use heavier bullets. It would surely suit to your current battery but the problem is obtaining brass. More practical is here the 358 Norma (Norma) or 9.3x64 (RWS, Brenneke).

quote:

Originally posted by reddy375:
Based on my experience with the 35 whelen recently in Burkina, I would say it must be a great cartridge for leopard, plains game....Buffalo, elephant etc not so sure!

Hey reddy375-I have a .35 Whelen & want to go to Burkina. Please do tell how the Whelen worked for you there!