I have the fingers on my right hand amputated to the first knuckle on three fingers, the pinky finger ok. I started shooting a .375 with no problems. I really wanted a 416 as a "do all rifle" for Africa so bought one from Ray A. a while back. Everything started off ok, but for some reason the more that I shoot it now, I am finding that under the greater recoil of the 416 that I am losing my grip on it. I think that my hand just isn't strong enough any more. My question is this; how many fps can I loose and still make the 416 an effective buffalo rifle? Will 150 fps make that much difference in recoil? Am I just kidding myself? Thanks for your help. Gary

If you are shooting 400-grainers at 2400 fps, then drop it by even more. Minus 250 fps.

Then you will have the ballistics of the classic 404 Jeffery and the 450/400 NE, same bullet weight and velocity, and averaging the diameter of those two super-duper, kill-all cartridges.

You will thus become a Doctari proselytizer by your example.
You'll make ol' Doctari happy to have another convert.
And you won't completely pancake those Woodleigh softs.

I agree with RIP.
Drop the velocity down to @2150fps. The recoil is a lot slower, not as snappy, much more plesant to shoot.

All the powwer and penetration you need.

I've had the same problem that you are talking about with my .450 Dakota. I find if I pull it hard into my shoulder and get a cheek weld that I don't have a problem but I don't have the finger issue that you have. Good luck.

Cheers,
Andy

I am sure there will be cries of anguish over this suggestion but why not consider a muzzle brake. The Vais system reduces recoil significantly and does not increase noise as much as some others. I have an arthritic condition in a shoulder and the muzzle brake lets me continue to shoot my big bores.

With 400 grainers I find 2250 to 2300 comfortable enough to shoot 20 in a range session out of my 416. I agree with Adrook, suck the rifle in hard on your shoulder and glue your face to the stock.

its beeen my experience that 100 fps makes a huge difference in felt recoil.

have you conisdered a remote trigger?

Thanks so far for the ideas. I will start working on some reloads over a cronograph. I thought about a brake, but the barrel is 20" and has a banded front sight. Don't know where I'd put it. I have not heard of a remote trigger? My stock is a 1953 factory high comb winchester. It fits me very well. I don't feel the recoil on my cheek at all. I will concentrate on how I pull the rifle into my shoulder.

I had the same problem when I moved up to a 470.
I had been haveing some numbness in both hands.
I thought that maybe I was just getting to be a old geeser at 54. I shot my 16 gage double and had the same problem. I had a 80% loss of nerve function in the right hand and 60 in the left. I waited too long and may not fully regain nerve fuction (Strength). Its been since april that they did the operation, and I can shoot the double with out it slideing in my hand, but I do not have the grip I had 5 years ago. Go see a hand DR.

JD

Gary, do you shoot right or left handed? Maybe a glove -- attached?

What bout porting?

Definitely look at just loading down to 2150. Use the fastest burning powder that you can with in pressure to get that velocity. Powder volume has a great influence on recoil.

for instance quick load shows that a 2150 fps load in a 20" 9 lb rifle with 3031 gives 48 ft lbs recoil

the same velocity with H4831 give lower pressures of coarse but recoils with 56 ft lbs.

Depending on the game you're going to hunt, there is one additional degree of flexibility that you might wish to use ... bullet weight.

350 gr Barnes TSXs work just fine on everything up through Cape Buffalo. Would not recommend them for El but for everything else they're fine and the recoil is reduced over 400s.

Wish you well with the challenge!

Thank you for all of your responses! I am right handed, and it is the strong one. On my left hand I am missing my index finger and my middle finger was sewn back on with not much movement. Bad accident. I grip the forearm of my rifle fine with my left, but as you can see, can't use it to shoot with. Els, I did not know that powder could make so much difference in recoil. I have never reloaded a large bore before. How does RL 15 fall into the greater/lesser recoil buisness? All faster burning powders produce less recoil? What is "quick load?" I have to tell you that I was feeling very discouraged (and a bit stupid!) after spending so much imagination, time and money on this project with the unexpected results. You all have been great with your ideas. Thanks so much! Gary

you'll want to use win760 if its a remmag.. just pick up the hornady book and start at the BOTTOM ..

Hi Gary
Quick load is a computer program for computing internal ballistics. It is a lot of fun for what if's.

reloader 15 shows 50 fl lbs recoil.

http://www.neconos.com/details3.htm

Gary try adding a 3/8" under the recoil pad.
A little more LOP may help. It did in my case before I had the surgery.

Do not use too soft of a recoil pad, that way the shoulder will take the hit sooner and may help you hang on. My 470 was sliding in my hand so bad I grew a bump on my middle finger where the trigger guard was hitting. Is the rifle sliding in your hand are is it coming out of your hand ? You may be able to relieve the wrist of the rifle stock to allow a better grip

You said you were OK when you first started shooting it. That worries me that something else may be going on. Any nerve blocked at the wrist ,elbow or shoulder can make a big difference in grip strength in normal hands.
Have you noticed any numbness or loss of what you consider normal function of your hands

JD