At what velocity can the 400 grain bullet be pushed without having to worry about sticky extraction?

Way more than the standard load of 2400 fps. You can load it almost to 416 Weatherby velocities. Question is ... "Do you REALLY want to do that?"

Certainly not needed for Buf. A moderate load of 350 gr Barnes Xs or TSXs at 2700 fps is good medicine for that kind of creature. Only recovered bullet was a follow-up shot on the ground. Went in the right haunch, smashed the femur, and went through the gut. Came to rest in the lungs after traversing 5 feet of buffalo. Weight retention was 77%. Good enough.

Every rifle is a little different. Like how long is a piece of string? You might just have to go out a increase your loading until something like this happens, Then you will know. Too many variables.

3x10^8 m/s, or is that the speed of light? I forget which.

The C-6/C-7 intervertebral disc usually blows out at 50 fps shy of the max load. Keep increasing the velocity until the pain and numbness going down your arm into your hand doesn't go away after a day or two. Then you are right at safe maximum for the rifle without sticky extraction.

LD

Plus or minus 2700 fps.

By 'sticky extraction', were you referring to the brass coming out of the chamber, or your butt coming out of your pants?

I think both occur at about the same chamber pressure........

quote:

Originally posted by Tanoose:
At what velocity can the 400 grain bullet be pushed without having to worry about sticky extraction?

For one thing you're defeating the usefullness of most bullets made. The higher velocity will give inadequite penetration. 2400fps with 400 grns has killed everything asked for.

I've loaded them to 2700 and they extracted fine at 100 degrees. There is a very noticeable difference in recoil between a 2500 fps load and a 2700 fps load. My hunting loads are at 2530 fps.

quote:

Originally posted by jstevens:
I've loaded them to 2700 and they extracted fine at 100 degrees. There is a very noticeable difference in recoil between a 2500 fps load and a 2700 fps load. My hunting loads are at 2530 fps.

What powder do you use for the 2530 vel?

Well i wasn't talking about going up to 2700 but i wanted to go to 2500-2550 .

Would you gentlemen recommend the 416 Rigby for elephant and if so what bullet, velocity and bullet weight.

Thanks.

Steve

If you are talking Barnes bullets, their #2 manual shows either their XFB or Solid, both 400gr, with 104gr of either H4831 or RL-22 in that 2550fps velocity area you desire.

Rich

.366
I use H4831 104 grains to get 2530 fps and 105 with the 370 NF is my standard load. 106 grains of RL22 will go right under 2700 fps with a 400 Nosler and really comes back as well. the H4831 load with the 370 NF is a good varmint load, I shot 5 groups in a row that the largest was .7, smallest .253 in my Ruger.

quote:

Originally posted by jstevens:
.366
I use H4831 104 grains to get 2530 fps and 105 with the 370 NF is my standard load. 106 grains of RL22 will go right under 2700 fps with a 400 Nosler and really comes back as well. the H4831 load with the 370 NF is a good varmint load, I shot 5 groups in a row that the largest was .7, smallest .253 in my Ruger.

Thank you sir!