Today I chrono'd some Federal Premium Safari .416 Rigby ammo loaded with 410gr Woodleigh solids, nickel plated cases and lacquer sealed primers. Out of my Heym Safari Express bolt action rifle with it's 24" barrel I got an average of 2297fps which equates to 4804.65 ft/lbs. A little lower than I was expecting but my barrel is not particularly long.



I'd like to see an honest 2400 to 2450fps out of my handloads, but until dies arrive at the end of the month I'm stuck with the Federal stuff at �5 ($8.75) a pop.



Although my new Heym kicks it is much tamer than I expected and I would not hesitate to recommend this calibre/rifle combination to anyone concerned about recoil.

Spie ----- I have a couple of loads worked up that shoot well in my rifle. I will check my charts and let you know the speeds. One is 104 grains of H-4831SC and the other is 98 grains of RL-22, the later being slightly more accurate. Both are with Fed 215M primers. I will check back later. Good shooting.

I use both of these powders in my Ruger RSM. Both give 1 MOA at 2430-2455fps. with 100gr. loads in my rifle. My buddy's gun is slightly more accurate with the RL22, mine with the H4831 SC.
Geronimo

Thats typical of factory ammo in todays world of litagation....

However, thats plenty of velocity to lay low everything on the African continent with aplomb along with less recoil, so I wouldn't even be concerned in the least...Just enjoy your hunt.

Spie

Is there no shop that has Norma ammo? They make 416 Rigby ammo loaded with barnes solids and Swift A-frames. Norma is often stout loaded

A few pictures of your gun would be nice. Who has Heym in UK?


Cheers
/ JOHAN

Spie ----- The speeds of the loads follow. With 370 grain North Fork bullets 104 grains of H4831SC and Fed 215M primer averages 2535 fps. Same powder and primer and 400 grain Swift A-Frame bullet averaged 2465 fps. ----- 98 grains RL-22 Fed 215 M primer and 370 grain North Fork bullet 2525 fps. Same powder and primer and 400 grain Hornady bullet 2460 fps. This is my experiance so far, hope it helps. Good luck and good shooting.

Spie,

What bullets and powders do you have available to you? Next question, what bullet and powder would you like to use?

ASS_CLOWN

phurley, thanks for the data



At present I only have solids available due to pathetic UK firearms laws concerning expanding bullets and "good reason".



I can get Hornady 400gr FMJ #41677, Speer 400gr Africa Grand Slam Solids and Barnes 400gr Solids #41660.



Powder wise I have RL22 IMR4831 and IMR7828, but can get most Alliant, IMR, Hodgdon, Winchester and Vihtavouri powders. I have plenty of Federal 215M primers.



I'm not looking for .416 Weatherby performance, although I'm sure the Heym would take the pressure. Just an honest 2450fps will do me.

Spie ----- I follow you with Pierre Van Tonder in the Selous, perhaps we shall meet. I am taking my .416 Rem and a .358 STA. The reason I am not taking my Rigby is because it is a Ruger # l. Originaly my son was going on the trip, he was going to shoot the Model 70 .416 Rem and I was going to shoot the Rigby. He had to cancel because of a baby being due that very week, therefore given the choice, I opted for the additional shots in the magazine in case "Murphy" decided to visit. Good luck and good shooting.

Alas,
The only solid on your list that I have experience with is the Speer Grand Slam tungsten solid. Albiet at Weatherby ballistics +.

I can give you some Woodleigh solid data I have.

Federal brass (Norma)
Federal 215 Primer
410 grain Woodleigh
98 grains of IMR4350
muzzle velocity - 2498 fps (avg)
group @ 100 yards - 1.5" to 1.75"

Also
96.5 grains of IMR4350
muzzle velocity - 2461 fps (avg)
group at 100 yards - 1.5" - 2"

Also
102 grains of Rel 19
muzzle velocity - 2479 fps
group at 100 yards - 1.5" to 1.75" sometimes much better.

Softpoints from Woodleigh and Hornady ran to almost the exact same velocites. My rifle is a consistent 1.5" rifle so these loads performed about as well as could be expected from this rifle. However, every rifle is different so your mileage may very.

The Speer tungsten solids I shot only with heavy loads i.e. 104+ grains of IMR4350. Velocities were 2670+ fps. The Speer bullet is an AWESOME steel plate penetrator.

Hope this was useful.

ASS_CLOWN

I've also had great luck with IMR 4350 and 400gr Swift A Frames and the old style Hornady solids. with 90.2gr of 4350 I get 2375 fps out of my 24" Ruger. jorge

I load mine with 104 or 105 gr of H 4831 sc and 400 gr SAF bullets. In my CZ I get about 2540 and accuracy better than I can hold. I have also used Barnes X 400, and GSC FN 370(?) with the same basic load and all shot very well. Good hunting. "D"