I was wondering how much interest there is in this cartridge. I may not be correct, but thought it was based on the 375 H&H. Ballistics seem similar to the Rigby or Remington but with the advantage of smaller case dimensions and more action availability or less modifying needed (compared to the Rigby). Any opinions or first-hand experience with this cartridge?

quote:

I was wondering how much interest there is in this cartridge.

You're the first person to mention that cartridge in almost a year. Personally I think the .416 Rem Mag killed it dead.

The remington legitimated this design, but didn't provide any ackwonledgement of George's design.

For all practical hunting purposes, there's zero difference between the 2.. and from a gunsmith's perspective, the remington has a different shoulder ANGLE

Kind of like the 7.62x51 and the 308... sure, you can fit them into each other, but they are NOT the same EXACT round

jeffe

I'd agree that the 416 rem killed it. I believe it can chamber 416 rem mag ammo, so if you really want one, no reason not to build one, well, other than the headstamp issue.

It's a pity that Remington didn't come out with the Hoffman as their factory offering.

Is the 404 Jeffery longer and have a larger case diameter than the 375 H&H but smaller than the Rigby? Ballistically the 416 Hoff, 416 Rem, 404 Jeff and the 416 Rigby all seem to be pretty close. Alot more room with the Rigby but all can throw a 400 grain bullet at 2400.

I don't have a Rigby so can't say this is trye, but what I have heard is that all comparisons on it are based on factory velocities and that the Rigby has the potential to take up another step above the hoffman/remington and the Jeffery. but that is just what I have heard.

Red

My personal rule is to never select a cartridge based upon an available or easy-to-'smith action. I always select the cartridge first, then plan the rest of the rifle around it.

The .416 Rem. Mag. is a far more practical selection from every standpoint of consideration that any of these alternative cartridges...........

AD

Prewar 70,
The 416 Rigby is a larger case than the 404 by a good deal...the 404 is larger in circumfrance than a 375 or 416 Rem but a tad shorter..

The 416 Rigby should be on a big action, like an Enfield, or Granite mountiain, Mauser Mod. 20 magnum....However the English built them on std. 98 actions but thats like 5 lbs. or manure in a 3 lb. bag perhaps, but they all seemed to work just fine...welcome to the world of guns and therory...

The 404 can be built on a std length magnum action...as can the 375 and 416...

the 416 Rem is the most practical of the big bores IMO, and its suitable for any game on earth...I like it, but I have 2 404s and a 10.75x68, so I must like the .423 bore, I will probaby end up peddling two of them, one does not need two of any thing except nuts...

Clarification:

.404 Jeffery case max = 2.875"
.375 H&H case max = 2.850"

Due to the deep seating of the 400 grainers in that long neck (.624" of neck length) of the .404 Jeffery, the listed max COL of the loaded cartridge is shorter in the .404 Jeffery:

.404 Jeffery COL = 3.530"
.375 H&H COL = 3.600"

Ray is right as usual, but for practical purposes, 0.070" difference in COL max, they both take the same H&H length magazine.

And while we are at it, let us recognize the .416 Barnes Supreme, that was knocking around the world in 1949. It is a necked up and blown out .375 H&H that was the forerunner of George Hoffman's .416 Hoffman.

What George did was revitalize the .416 Caliber and bring it back from the grave, with his .416 Hoffman. Mr. Chatfield-Taylor helped too. And now we have the .416 Remington and an abundance of rifles, bullets, and brass for the .416 Whatevers today.

Thank George Hoffman for that.

In general what ever .416 you choose I think there a wonderful caliber !!