I have finished a bit of experimentation with these two Barnes bullets AR2209 (H4350), and Reloader 17 in my 416 Rigby. I thought people may be interested in the results. All loads are with Norma cases, and FED 215 primers, and I seat the bullets to the last groove and crimp.
Please read the caution at the bottom of this post before considering these loads for your rifle.

Originally I worked up a load with the 300gn X bullet, and I settled on 109gn AR2209, for 2920fps. When I ran out of them, the 300gn TSX has replaced the older X bullet, I simply swapped over, and contiuned with the same load. The point of impact was a little different, and the velocity about 20fps slower, so I just re-zeroed and didn't do any more. I had forgotten all that. That is why it is good to keep records.
So I started again at 108gn AR2209 with the 300gn TSX. I found maximum at 114gn, for 3028fps, best accuracy was under 0.5 MOA (wow) with that load. With Reloader 17 I found maximum at 112gn for 3050fps. Accuracy was around 1.2 MOA with that load. Best accuracy was 0.6 MOA at 110gn Reloader 17 for 2997fps.
With the 350gn TTSX, I found maximum with AR2209 at 110gn for 2800fps, but accuracy was only 2.0 MOA. This was a heavily compressed load. Best accuracy was at 108gn AR2209 (still compressed) for 2750fps and 0.8 MOA. With Relaoder 17 I found maximum at 108gn for 2845fps, but accuracy was only 1.4 MOA, the best load was 106gn Relaoder 17 for 2788fps and that gave 1.2 MOA. In fact all the 350gn TTSX loads are compressed due to the length of the 350gn TTSX bullet taking up a fair bit of powder space. The 300gn TSX seats to just above the bottom of the neck, so even though those loads are compressed, it is only a little compressed with the smaller bullet.
Sumarised best loads are:-

300gn TSX 114gn AR2209 3028fps 0.5 MOA

300gn TSX 110gn Reloader 17 2997fps 0.6 MOA

350gn TTSX 108gn AR2209 2750fps 0.8 MOA

350gn TTSX 106gn Reloader 17 2788fps 1.2 MOA

So after all of this I have decided to stay with the 300gn bullet and 114gn AR2209 (@ 3028 fps) for plains game. Despite the better BC of the 350gn TTSX, giving it much better long range capability, and terminal energy, I believe I will be better off with the 300gn TSX for the following reasons.

1.) I am almost certain to never shoot anything at 400 or 500 yards. I have only shot two game animals at around 400 yards many years ago, one was a clean kill and the other escaped wounded. It left me feeling pretty bad, so since then I have kept my game shooting to 300 yards or less. I think there are too many variables once you get past 300 yards.
2.) The 300gn TSX at 3028fps if zeroed at 220 yards (which is what I do), is under 2.2 inches from the direct line of sight, all the way out to 260 yards. That means anything within my normal hunting range will just require a dead on hold.
3.) for African plains game I doubt if there will be many shots over 200 yards anyway.
4.) The 300gn Barnes TSX is plenty of bullet for any plains game.
5.) It is more accurate than I need. (nice to have though)
6.) AR2209 is the cheapest powder I can get, about $10 per 500g cheaper than Reloader 17

Please note:- Do not just use the loads listed above. My rifle has a 0.25" jump to the lands with the bullets mentioned, and varying this factor alone can make a big difference in pressure. So while these are safe maximums in my rifle, you need to approach those loads from at least 10% lower charge weights.
Reload safely.

Good work.
Thanks for sharing.
I'll print that and stick it in the .416 Rigby file.
I used to use the 350-grain old X-bullet in my .416 Rigby.
A deer at 342 yards was my longest shot with that.
I too ought to stick to 300-yard hunting, unless I have a spotter along with me, calling the shots.

AR2209 = H4350-Extreme = BEST POSSIBLE POWDER for many, many applications
I wish I could get it that cheap on this side of the pond, but hazmat shipping to the other side of the globe, plus relabeling costs add up.
It is made in Oz, eh?

The 350 TSX is my load for the 416 Rigby. Works on Plains Game and Buffalo without the need to change anything.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
The 350 TSX is my load for the 416 Rigby. Works on Plains Game and Buffalo without the need to change anything.

That is one way to go, and should be quite effective.

I decided to use the 450gn Woodleigh RNSN (and solid if required) for buff. I worked up a load to 2400fps (95.0gn AR2209), the supposed optimum velocity for DG. Changing over is no problem, I have two scopes with smithson QD mounts, and they only take a few seconds to swap.

And in answer to RIP, yes AR2209 is made in Australia, along with all the other Hodgdon extreme powders, Varget (AR2208), H4831SC (AR2213SC), H1000 (AR2217), and I think a few others aswell. I generally use those in preference to others due to cost and because they are generally good powders for accuracy. I do use Reloader 22 for 250gn bullets in the 338 Win Mag, and Reloader 17 for the 160gn Barnes TSX in 338 Win Mag, but generally for the rest I use ADI powders. I imagine the Alliant powders will be a bit cheaper in the USA similarly due to the same shipping cost. Here AR2209 is $35 for 500g (1.1lb), and Reloader powders are about $45 per lb.

Thank you for this. I would choose the 300 TSX loads, too, at 1/2 MOA @3000 fps.

On the 350TTSX, I would assume that the bullet is good, mono-metals usually are, and it's merely a matter of finding the right harmonics.

However, that being said, the beneficial harmonics may not be around 2800-2850fps. That velocity range may be a "scatter node" with the particular powder, bullet, and rifle combo. Since you mention that the loads are highly compressed and running out of space with the 1.6" 350TTSX, you might want to try something a little faster, say Hodgdon Varget (=AR2208?).

Or perhaps Hodgdon Leverevolution? Does that exist in Oz?

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:
Thank you for this. I would choose the 300 TSX loads, too, at 1/2 MOA @3000 fps.

On the 350TTSX, I would assume that the bullet is good, mono-metals usually are, and it's merely a matter of finding the right harmonics.

However, that being said, the beneficial harmonics may not be around 2800-2850fps. That velocity range may be a "scatter node" with the particular powder, bullet, and rifle combo. Since you mention that the loads are highly compressed and running out of space with the 1.6" 350TTSX, you might want to try something a little faster, say Hodgdon Varget (=AR2208?).

Or perhaps Hodgdon Leverevolution? Does that exist in Oz?

Yes my thoughts exactly. I often find that best accuracy comes at a load that is either just a full case, or slightly compressed. So AR2209 and Reloader 17 were very simialr (both in accuracy and velocity) with the 300gn Barnes TSX, but both heavily compressed with the longer 350gn bullet. So I thought Varget, may be worth trying. (not sure if lever revolution is availble here). I have some AR2208 (Varget) in the cupboard, and I still have 50 of the 350gn TTSX bullets left. The only problem is I can't find any recommended starting loads, so I may just have to work one out by extrapolation from similar calibres and bullet weights, unless someone here can help.

I would take a published load for 4350 and drop 20%. A chronograph will let you know where you are, and you can probably build in 2 grain increments at the start.

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:
I would take a published load for 4350 and drop 20%. A chronograph will let you know where you are, and you can probably build in 2 grain increments at the start.

Thanks for the suggestion 416Tanzan, I was thinking along those lines. I have done it before and got acceptable starting loads simply by looking at how far apart (in % terms) loads for proposed powders are in similar calibre/weight combinations, then drop a little more for safety. As long as I don't go below about 70% full, then I am happy to start with an extrapolated load, and go from there once I get velocity.

338User,

There are a number of powders out there with high load density, which you might try, to avoid excessive powder compression.

Excessive powder compression can affect OAL and compromise accuracy, and sometimes it can cause erratic powder burn and velocities. In big bore cases excessive compression can actually cause the case to expand such that it won't fit into your chamber.

Consider the following high load density powders:

PwrPro-2000-MR
Ramshot Hunter
N204
Superformance

I've used all these powders, yand ou can get a lot of these powders in the 416 Rigby case.

For example, I'm using 98 grs of PP-2000-MR behind a 330 GSB-HV bullet in a 416 RUM (120 grs. H20 case capacity) with a 26" barrel and getting 3007 fps without pressure signs. No compression at all, and accuracy is spectacular with these bullets.

I'm getting 2825 fps with 350 gr. TTSX bullets using 103 grs of Superformance, and I have case capacity and PSI to spare, although this is close to MAX.

Regards, AIU

Thanks for your suggestion AIU. I can get N204 over here. I am currently testing AR2208 (Varget), it looks reasonably promising. (2671 fps with 93.0gn, and still a way to go before pressue reaches a peak). I will post the results when I am finished.