I have a lot of wads plus R-15 so wondered if anyone has a load worked up for the 416 Rigby?

I'm looking for the recipe myself. Once I get the cordite load I will go from there.

Are you looking for a light load or full power?

John

quote:

Originally posted by Big Bore Boar Hunter:
Are you looking for a light load or full power?

John

Both

For me the issue is one of exactly duplicating original Rigby ballistics while keeping the recoil low and the accuracy very good. My clients will want dead elephant and buffalo, not misses because of a flinch from firing a rifle that has unecessarily elevated recoil.

If a person is hand loading for themselves; they can do what ever makes their little hearts flutter. I intend to sell the best ammunition made anywhere in the world for a fair price (which is a lot higher than I would like it to be - rising metal costs).

My own traditional loading for the 416 Rigby is 96 -98 grains of H 4831. If I can get down into the eighty or so grain load with RL-15 or Varget and a consistent filler, well great all around.

If my customer wants a 400 grain bullet at 2,500 fps or 2,600 fps, then I will sell him that in a 416 Weatherby cartridge, or let someone else stuff the 416 Rigby more than it was intended to hold.

LD

I have used 85 grains of Varget and also 4064 in 416 Wby, 270 grainers in 378 and 500 grainers in 460, no fillers required.

378s do around 2600, 460s right on 2000 and the 416 with 400s 2200-2300.

Change the powder to H4895 and you can add about 100 f/s. Pressures are very low and accuracy superb.

I have never tried Re15

When doing reduced loads it is better if you can reload where you shoot. Reduced loads can shoot to the accuracy potential of the rifle but accuracy can be poor with not so good loads.

For example I had a 378 that would sit on an inch all day with 270 grain Hornadys and 85 grains of Varget. Also shot perfect with 225 and 300 grain Hornadys, But using and Australian powder that is very similar to the Australian powder sold as H4895, the accuracy was 3" plus.

In other words the accuracy difference between the good and poor reduced loads can be much greater then when using normal loads.

You will also find blast to be softer that the small case at full pressure. For example, the 378 with 85 grains of Varget and 270 grainers at 2600 plus has verys soft blast as compared to a 375 H&H with normal full loads.

RE15 is not the powder of choice for full power loads. I like RL22, for most everything. RL 22 will fill the case and be slightly compressed at
rigby velocities. The slower burning powders will spread the recoil over a longer period of time, which makes it more tolerable for most people. The faster powders will make it feel like its hitting harder. Not a big fan of fillers or dramatically reduced loads.

My work in routine has been to bring a large rifle, and a 22 rifle. Fire one round through the large rifle, then at least 10 rds through the 22 to make sure there is no flinch. Do this a few times. Then fire two rounds through the large rifle, then back to at least 10 rds through the .22. Repeat as necessary. Then three rds, etc. This has been very effective and saves beau coup money. Your mileage may vary.

John

quote:

Originally posted by lawndart:
For me the issue is one of exactly duplicating original Rigby ballistics while keeping the recoil low and the accuracy very good. My clients will want dead elephant and buffalo, not misses because of a flinch from firing a rifle that has unecessarily elevated recoil.

If a person is hand loading for themselves; they can do what ever makes their little hearts flutter. I intend to sell the best ammunition made anywhere in the world for a fair price (which is a lot higher than I would like it to be - rising metal costs).

My own traditional loading for the 416 Rigby is 96 -98 grains of H 4831. If I can get down into the eighty or so grain load with RL-15 or Varget and a consistent filler, well great all around.

If my customer wants a 400 grain bullet at 2,500 fps or 2,600 fps, then I will sell him that in a 416 Weatherby cartridge, or let someone else stuff the 416 Rigby more than it was intended to hold.

LD

+1 Lawndart, for me, that load worked out to be 96 grains of Reloder 22 which was running right at 2300 fps in my rifle. There is just no sense driving them much faster. It is just an unnecessary increase in recoil and, since I would use a 410 Woodleigh for hunting, they work better if you slow them down a bit. Just my two cents.