I was in a gunshop today and looked at a Ruger RSM in 416 Rigby that was getting a scope mounted on it which brings me to ask will a Leupold Vari X III 1.5-5 fit on it without using offset rings?
And while I got your attention whats recoil like with these Rugers in 416? Thanks

[ 12-02-2003, 04:10: Message edited by: rws2 ]

That 1.5-5X Leupold VX-III will fit with no extension rings and absolutely no problems with standard rings. It is a best-of-best scope for that rifle. Mine wore one to Botswana.

Recoil is not bad at all. I am not going to do the recoil calculation for you, but even a senile person like me shoots a .416 Rigby Ruger RSM like a 6mm PPC.

The newer ones weigh about 9.5 lbs bare/empty. Load it, scope it, and sling it and you will be over 11 pounds. It will be gentle.

I'd hardly say gentle ..... I have one that is scoped, and it is still a handful.

Based on an 11 lb rifle the 416 Rigby will have somewhere between 48 and 58 ft lbs of recoil. To put it in perspective a 8 lbs 30-06 will have around 18 ft lbs of recoil. The Rigby's recoil pulse is slower so you feel more of a push than the -06. A much bigger push... 6mm PPC it ain't... And shooting it off the bench isn't a good idea... With proper form offhand its quite manageable. Get into any position more rigid than offhand and you are setting yourself up for a beating.

Thanks Everyone!!!

As far as recoil, you definitely know it isn't a .30-06 when you pull the trigger. I use a benchmaster rest which has a leather strap the butt sits against and it really calms the recoil down for sighting in. It seems twice as bad as a .375 H&H to me, anyone who says that is a push isn't feeling what I feel, the .416 comes back fast. I'd recommend trying the rest to make it comfortable for sighting in.

I'll say it's more than a 375, which the 375 is about twice a 30-06.... but it's not horrible... just takes alot of getting used to.

jeffe

I guess extensive shooting of 500 A2 rifles weighing 10.5 to 12.5 pounds (open sighted and no brake vs. scoped and braked) has served some benefit for my recoil tolerance. 43 shots with a T.rex didn't harm me either, but I don't need to repeat that!

Whimps!!!

I've shot mine pretty much 99% of the time off the bench and don't find it to be that bad. Just need to remind hourself to make sure you have a good handle on it.

I find the recoil of a, 416 Rigby in a 77 Safari Ruger, merely a maidens caress, even with iron sights only...It's a big heavy rifle, points well and solid for off hand shooting...

My Mauser weighs 9.5 lbs complete with scope in a 416 Rem and its not anywhere near abusive, I see little difference in the 416 and 375s....

I do see and feel the difference when one steps up to the 458 Lott and up...now that can get pretty vicious...

Recoil is subjective to the individual and how much he shoots, at least up to a point.

I have the same rifle with the same scope. You may find you have to slide the scope quite far back in the rings. This puts the objective lens right in the ring. If you over tighten the ring it can crack the objective lens. I know because I did it. Leuopold fixed my screw up for free and payed for the return postage.

I have shot a 416 Rigby a number of times, and to me anyway, it kicks considerably harder than any of the 30 calibers.

Scott

I have the same rifle. A caress it isn't. A good friend of mine puts it this way, "When you squeeze the trigger, you know something big just happened".

It won't kill you, but it does come back at you more than your run-of-the-mill deer rifle.

The .416 is a decent step up from the .375 H&H recoil wise anyway you cut it, ghiven a rifle of same weight etc. But the .416 can be shot just takes practice.

if anyone has shot a 338 rum or 338 lapua, or a 30-378 without a muzzlebrake, you won't be surpised by the recoil of a 416. It is all subjective. Really, you shouldn't spend too much time on the bench with these hard kickers. You should be practicing other methods of shooting. And a 416 rigby will get your attention, but it isn't bad offhand or kneeling, but off the bench it is no fun. neither is a 338 rum, or a 340 wby... I know they are much smaller, but my point is if you do the calculations, the recoil numbers aren't much off, and if you can handle a 338 rum, you can handle a 416 rigby. I shot the living heck out of a 270 win the other day and I was shooting it like it was a 223... there is no recoil... jump up to a 416 anything and you will realize that it is a whole different class of shooting, but it won't hurt you. I like a rifle that lets me know I'm sending out power.

RWS2

Like GeorgeInNePa said the first time you fire a .416 you can tell you have fired something with some real power.
And you will bloody well know it wasn't a 375!

The 416's are SHOOTABLE but YOU must be DETERMINED to master the thing!

416's and larger are not for casual shooters.

Plinkers and rock busters maybe!

Jamie

I have not shot my 416 Rem Mag yet as it is being customised but I got to fire a friend`s 458 Win mag a couple of weekends ago (500 grain factory Winchester loads) and fired 15 rounds over the bench without any drama. In fact it was all a bit of a let down! I take it this will be similar to my 416 and if so it does not worry me.

My plan when I get my 416 is to develope a load and then shoot 60 to 100 rounds or however many it takes ( not on the same day ) from different field positions until I am completely used to the recoil and familiar with the rifle.