Gents,

I was asked a question last week that I didn't have an answer for.

The question was: Can a 416 caliber bullet be loaded in a case designed for the 423 caliber case and shot with some degree of accuracy?
He believes the .007 difference should not be a problem.
Will there be gas blow-by of the smaller slug.
What would be the worst case problem in doing this.

Thanks,

Roger QSL

It'll go bang.....and little more. The bullet will not likely engage the rifling and will present keyholing and serious inaccuracy. I suspect it may actually be a powerful shot.....but if you can't hit them.....what good is it.

I've fired .270s out of a .30-06.....it's the same thing.....It goes bang.....but the target keeps running!!!

I find that after full-length sizing my .404 brass (actually .375 Ultra Mags, reformed) in the .404 die, an additional trip into the .416 Rigby die will reduce the neck diameter for just about 0.5 inch. This should be adequate to retain the .416 bullets for test-firing in the .404, and I will fill the magazine to see if bullets set back from firing three or four rounds in succession.

I plan to load to "normal" English .404 ballistics, or 400 at around 2150 fps for this test.

I agree about the Blaser....eeeeewwww!