I got a 416 Rigby a few months ago and have been trying to scrounge up components to start loading for it.

The rifle is a Montana DGR, 4" magazine, so I should have no limits on COL except my chamber.

The only Magnum primers I have are Winchester WLRMs.

Powders on hand are:

IMR 4064
R15
H380
W760
IMR 4350
IMR 4831
IMR 7828
R25

I'm thinking the 4350 and 4831 will be the best bets with the 300 Raptor?

I found a published load for 4350 and 300 TSX with 101 gr as max load. This is within the historical Rigby pressure specs, so certainly very conservative in this rifle. Also found 102 gr as max for 4831 and 300 TSX.

Any real world input for loading the 300 Raptor and the powders listed?

The goal is an all-around Buffalo and plains game load...would like 2700-2800 fps.

While I have no data for you, you can always give Durvin Wick a call at Cutting Edge Bullets and they are good to give the information you are looking for quickly.
(814)345-6690

Good luck on your new 416 Rigby. You can check my thread on my CZ 550 in the same caliber which I got last year. http://forums.accuratereloadin...801038581#1801038581

Your loads look mild. But there is nothing wrong with that.

I tried some loads that gave me 2550 fps with 400 gr bullets & 2850 fprs with 350 gr bullets. I have now pulled back 4 grains of powder for 2400 fps with 400 gr & 2650 fps with 350 gr.

I have used Woodleigh 410 gr & 340 gr bullet. Remington & Speer 350 gr. Barnes TSX 350 gr & Banded solid 400 gr. CEB 350 gr solid & 325 gr Raptor.

I found the recoil with H4831 SC (AR 2213 SC) a bit stiff and I got poor control & groups. If found H 4350 (AR 2209) more manageable. VV N160 is also a good powder but I have not chronographed the loads.

Please post some photos of your rifle.

Nakihunter, thanks, I did read your thread last night. Lots of good info but I'm not sure I can make direct conversions from your loads to the powders I mentioned. Until our powder availability improves, the powders I listed are all I have to work with.

I agree the listed loads are mild, as all published 416 Rigby loads are.

I wouldn't worry about mild loads--lets not forget that the Rigby mades its reputation with 410 gr bullets @2300 fps--

the following are probably your best powders for the Rigby among those you listed as available:

quote:

W760
IMR 4350
IMR 4831

If you get it, R17 is great. I use 101.5 grain R17 with 350 TTSX for 2825fps.

And you can safely go well beyond published specs.

As a rule of thumb, calculate the muzzle energy and plan on keeping things under 6300 ftlbs. Never go over published 416Weatherby loads.

Between 5000 and 6300ftlbs you are probably going to find at least two accuracy nodes from which to choose, different nodes for different bullets.

Let us know the results.

The 300 ESP Raptor is a bullet that can go far beyond what one would think of a 300 gr .416 bullet, absolutely good enough for most all applications, including buffalo, as I have used it on several buffalo with good effect, and exits...... Getting 2700-2800 fps should be rather simple with that case capacity.

In recent tests with 416 Remington I was approaching 2600, and in the 416 B&M I run it at 2550 to 2600.

You must remember this bullet takes up lots of internal space, seating deep to use the Talon Tip, but whatever velocity you might loose from case capacity is made up down range with the talon tip, so well worth the Talon tip with the increased impact velocity......

I only have one 416 Rigby, incredibly accurate and easy shooting Ruger #1, and I don't have it set up to do any serious test work in the Rigby.

Last year I did do some sample tests with the 225 Raptor and was able to run it at 3200 fps with both RL 15 and IMR 8208.

Do not treat the 300 ESP Raptor as you might other bullets... Example, if this was not an ESP, just a flat base Raptor like the 325/370/225, then I would tell you to take loads from your barnes manual and apply those loads, with normal cautions..... But, the 300 ESP Raptor is not a normal flat base. Two things equal pressure(in this instance), weight #1, and seating depth #2. Since the ESPs are seated deep, you cannot take data from a 300 Barnes TSX and work with that. I would suggest looking more at the 350 TSX and starting 10% lower than the top end loads to get a starting point.

Pagosa has a good point, give Durvin a call, Trapper nickname... and he may also have some good data on this and a good starting point for you...

300 ESP Raptor is a good bullet, absolutely can turn it around to its solid end and get same POI with the solid, little less velocity because it will not be seated as deep, and you have increased case capacity by having the HP down in the case as well.

I am leaving this coming week or I would lend a hand and get some data for you, I simply do not have the time right now. But I can help after I return in July if you need some.........

Michael

Michael and Tanzania, thank you.

I read the last 150 pages of the TBP thread over the last 6 weeks or so. I started it back in 2009 before my first buffalo hunt but got busy with other things and didn't follow it beyond the first test work with the CEBs. That is an absolute manifesto of bullet performance...we cannot thank you enough.

With my magazine I don't think I'll have to seat very deep, even with the talon tip? Or should I go ahead and seat to the recommended projection even though I have plenty of magazine space? Bullets should be here next week so I can make a dummy and find out how long the chamber and throat will allow COL.

Tex....

Seat to magazine requirements... With Tips installed.......But keep in mind neck tension requirements as well, which also might determine depth..... Yes, magazine, neck tension/crimp requirements, and of course they must chamber, which will be the ultimate determination of seating depth.....

Keep us posted on what you come up with.... If you have not come up with a good solution by the time I return in July we can get busy with it then..... I can shoot from my side as well...

Just FYI.... I normally put the tip in after the bullet is seated in most cartridges....

M

Finally got everything I needed and loaded some ammo. Below are the specs:

IMR 4350
Win Mag primers
Hornady brass
300 gr CEB ESP Raptor (these said Jurassic Raptor on the bow, btw, so I guess we have a new name for some of the Raptors)
Started at 98 gr and worked up to 105

One interesting thing was with the BBW #13 nose profile, I could only seat out to 3.35" in my chamber. I backed off to 3.32" and that worked perfect to crimp below the top band when shooting the Hollow Point. However, when I flip it around to shoot the Solid, I will have to seat the solid with the top band well below the case mouth (will have approx .435" bullet protrusion from case.) Will that be a problem?

Even with the Raptor tips I still have well over a 1/4" of space left in the magazine...why they would make a 4" magazine and then throat the chamber so short I don't know...

Anyways, I headed to the range and shot the ammo I had loaded. All charges had slightly flattened primers but extraction was smooth as silk and no other signs of pressure, and the primers looked exactly the same for every load from 98 up to 105 grains, so I'm thinking the Winchester primers are a little soft?

I shot 2 rounds of the 98 gr load and then adjusted the scope down, and shot the remainder into the same POI. 102 grains and above seemed to give the best accuracy so I'll start there and do more deliberate testing to find the sweet spot.

Trademark Texan, please let me know what velocities you get with your powder and the 300 CRB as I have a Rigby also would like to get the 300 CEB and see how it works, thanks Kev

Unfortunately I don't have a Chronograph, so all I can do is guess? I'm guessing that 105 gr load is getting 2900 fps.

That would be great 2900 fps with a 300 grain sounds great for elk.

Or for anything else that walks the Earth .