I'm new here, it was a friend of mine who gave me the tip about this site to check with you, if anyone of you have experience with 450 Rigby and/or 450 Dakota in hunting situations?
I would really like to hear about these calibers, because I'm thinking of turning a 416 Rigby into one of them.

The 470 can probably reach a higher velocity with a 500 grainer. But I only stated that the 450 Rigby will easily do 2500 with a 500 grainer within safe pressure levels. But what's the point? It will be a real hammer at 2350.

/Johan

Johan,
the "classic" load for 416 is 400 at 2400.. and there are NO barnes loads under 2500 in their reloading book.

the 450 rigby is a higher pressure round, invented in the 80s. iirc (and will check quickload when i get home) the 450 rigby has a LOWER case capacity than the 460 weatherby...and the 460 webby is loaded to higher pressure than *I* like....

the 470 mbogo has a much larger capacity than the 416, as the shoulder is moved far forward, less taper, and a larger mouth. I've shot it at 2500 with a 500... and the primers look great!!

so, I doubt that the 450 rigby as is can be loaded to the same velocity as a 470 (in fact, that's true... at the same pressure a larger bore will through the same weigth bullet faster, in the same case)

jeffe

Thanks for the info.

I was questioning the need in "hunting" situations for anything more than 2150 to 2300 fps from a 500 grain 458 cal bullet. I do believe you are correct as to the advantages of lower pressure and I do not discount that feature at all...

I have very limited experience with "big bore" calibers/rifles, etc..until recently most of my knowledge was based upon what I have picked up here from others posters and reading about African hunting and the performance (cartridges) required on large African game. From all that a gathered a 458 caliber or 470, 500 grain bullet (of good and proper construction), at 2150+ mv was more than adequate for DG at the ranges which shots should be taken.

I bought a 458 Lott and loaded it to a nominal 2250 fps (recently been testing it at 2300 fps) I have not seen any outward indication of pressure at those velocities...but I do not really know if it is excessive or not?? I did kill two Cape Buffalo with the 2250 fps load and the performance was fantasic!

All that said, I was interested why others consider the need for anything more than 2300 fps for hunting?? or is it more about shooting and than hunting??

I do like what I have read about the 450 Rigby and it may be something that I will purchase...but like you...I am not really interested in 2500 fps...

Hi Gents,
Just for information sake the 450 Rigby and 460 Weatherby cases are pretty much identical other than the belt. In hunting situations there is a benefit of having a velocity of 2300 compared to 2150, as long as the rifle remains shootable for the hunter and it is penetration. Trajectory is another benefit once you push the velocity a little higher to 2500 fps but the rifle still has to remain shootable for the hunter. The magic number is 2400 fps according to some and I designed the 470 Mbogo to have an impact velocity of 2400 fps at Dangerous Game shooting distances. Another advantage to velocity is he's running off at say 150 yards now your 2150 fps has dropped down into the unreliable penetration velocity range. One advantage of the larger 450 Dakota case over the 458 Lott is you have the option of shooting a bullet like the Barnes XLC which is long for caliber and eats up case capacity. The BC of a bullet like this can be huge when it comes to trajectory.
Take care,
Dave

Dave,
After seeing Chris put 3 in an eland at 170+ yards with your rifle, I am SOLD on it...

Gents, of the 3 rounds, two were complete passthroughs of FEET of eland..

we recovered a barnes SHANK... yes, no petals... after it DESTROYED the femur AT THE HIP JOINT and came to rest, on the off shoulder hide, at leat 3.5 FEET (that's 40 inches) from a 170+ yard shot...

fantastic round, excellent markmanship, hell of a bullet!!

jeffe