The cartridge: Necked up 8x68 RWS brass to take a .411" or .416" diameter bullet. Depending on the body taper, final neck diameter and shoulder angle, I estimate a .022-.028" step per side at a angle of 22.5 to 30 degrees. The brass is first rate. Since the cartridge would only be used in long actions (OAL of 3.5-3.6") it would have a little more capacity than a 416 Taylor (but enough to make a fuss over) Having reread the previous threads on minimum headspace and having my own doubts, I put it to you gentlemen. The action can be reused for the same cartridge design with a smaller (9.3mm) bullet already planned. The barrel can be rechambered for a .416 based on a larger case. All I would be really out would be the cost of the reamer and dies plus the gunsmith time. $500 on the end of a $5000 3 year project. Let me hear it both for and against, because I need to get off the fence and get started for Africa in 2006.

DOC

Wouldn't the shoulder be very close to the 416 Remington magnum. After all the base diameter of the 8X68 is practically identical to the diameter of the 375 H&H. I think you would have a very nice beltless equivalent to the 416 Remington magnum, just a little shorter.

Axel

This shoulder business is vastly overplayed..It takes very little shoulder to headspace a caliber properly...the 40 Whelen always worked just fine until some gunwriter came up with some BS based on nothing at all.

DOC,
Make it a 45 degree per side Rigby shoulder angle and anything over 0.020" per side (shoulder radius minus neck radius) will work perfectly and irreproachably. Sounds like a great cartridge with that touch, just keep the neck as long as the caliber for completion of perfection.

Frankly, there are no experts on this so my opinion is as good as anyone's.

Frankly, I think the need for acute, slope shouldered angles on cartridges to make 'em feed slick is "overplayed."

Excuse the double tap, please.

[ 10-04-2002, 03:19: Message edited by: DaggaRon ]

Dagga,
I agree it is overplayed as to feeding, but it certainly isn't in regards to extraction with an overload and that is a plus for the 300 and 375 H&H for instance....Not to suggest that it's a must and nothing else will work, but it is a shall we say a "nice feature" at best.

Ray,
I can see the point of cartridge body taper making for ease of extraction, and so does the obtuse angle of shoulder. That is why the 416 Rigby is so perfect. It has it all over any other cartridge.

Dagga,
Horsefeathers, everyone knows the 404 Jefferys is the king of the hill and the Rigby is all blow and no smoke..

Ray,
Balderdash! The 416 Rigby has a much greater case body taper, twice as much as the 404 Jeffery, hence will feed slicker than the 404 Jeffery. It also has a shoulder that is fully 34% percent broader and has fully 5 times greater shoulder angle than the 404 Jeffery.

All of this contributes to overall slick feeding and extraction with the 416 Rigby, and absolutely positive head spacing.

And unlike the 404 Jeffery, the 416 Rigby is not afflicted with a rebated rim.

And the 416 Rigby case capacity is over 14% bigger than the 404 Jeffery. Better for lower pressure at the magic ballistics.

Say "Uncle" 'cause you are whupped.

I also hear that you sleep with Ross Seyfried's significant-other and he knows about it. That Ross is a pussyfooting sissy!

[ 10-11-2002, 04:24: Message edited by: DaggaRon ]

I guess Ray knows when he is whupped or he is out of range while visiting the Seyfried's, though he says he is gone to shoot a bison and an elk.

416 Rigby beats 404 Jeffery any ol' day. Anyone who says otherwise is just kissin' ol' spot.