FYI,

been playing around with light practice load (might also use for CA pig hunting) for the rigby. Here is some data.

Using XMP5477 powder (no filler) and Hawk bullets to minimize the recoil.

Load: 54g, 300g Hawk, 215M, OAL=3.505"



The velocity SD is about 2x higher than you might get with opt. load density. I get about 1 to 1.75" spread at 60yds and est. the velocity spread is eq. to +-2g powder, which implies that the grouping probably moves of the sweet spot (although i think the shooter is worst than this )

I developed this using Quickload which est. 2199 fsp vs measured average of 2191 fsp.

regards,

steve

Thank you!
You might also consider the 350 grain RCBS Gas Checked lead bullet as sold by Western Bullet Company in Missoula, MT. It seems to get along with XMP 5744, and might be the berries for hog hunting. The Accurate manual lists loads. Those bullets are way cheap!
JCN

Steve: Yep, I enjoyed shooting that RCBS gas-checked slug over about 52 grains XMP5744 in Norma brass. Gave me right at 2000 fps and about an inch at 100 yards out of a Ruger No. 1.

www.buffaloarms.com makes a mandrel die like the Lyman M die that is set up correctly for the Rigby. It goes from .415" up to .419". One pass and your FNGC bullets will go in the case much easier. I seat to the crimping groove, them use a Lee factory crimp die. No more lead bullet lube leaking out on a hot day. Makes a big leaky hole through anything in NA. The bullets are available at $9.00 per bag of 50 from http://missoula.bigsky.net/western/

I was disappointed with the velocity spread. Even though these were thrown loads, i hoped for tighter distribution. Any info on your results would be appreciated.

Hard to estimate, but i figure the velocity spread might add .5" deviation to the grouping (i am just getting back into big bores and am probably adding more than that).

I saw the RCBS load but choose the Hawks as more flexible as higher cost and this is warmup for developing the same in 505 Gibbs.

Anyhow, thanks for the dialogue.

steve

There is not a lot of the XMP 5744 sloshing around in a big case. Bound to be some variation. What I love about the concept is I get to hunt deer and elk (and ground squirrels)with my .375 H&H and .416 Rem Mag. My guess is that consistency will be better in cases of more modest capacity (375 H&H, 416 Rem Mag, 458 Win Mag, 458 Lott) than in the fat boys (416 Rigby, 460 Wby, 505 Gibbs, etc.).
What I really enjoy, and believe to be the value in this concept, is the ability to go out and bust 50 caps from field shooting positions without getting a sore shoulder, headache, or a flinch.
Big fat bullets have a lot of inertia, and tend to cluster pretty well so long as the barrel hang time doesn't vary hugely.
Have fun,
JCN