Rocky Mountain Cartridge offers a reduced capacity 577-450 Martini case. I have been looking into having a custom 416 Rigby built, and the thought occured to me (I'm sure some one else has thought of this as well) that a reduced capacity 416 Rigby case would be nice for shooting reduced loades. I e-mailed Rocky Mountain Cartridge with the idea, and they said that they can probably produce the cases for about $50.00/20. This is not much more than Norma 416 Rigby brass. What do you guys think? Is anyone out their interested?

I'd buy some more out of curiosty than necessity. Might be good for my cast bullet loads and would also allow for faster powders in full power loads with the trouble of fillers.

Matt,
5744 powder, and a packing peanut, if you need it

jeffe

No packing peannut needed with 5744.

Hog Killer

Wink:

I agree with the slow cast bullet load idea. I would shoot this rifle only occasionaly with standar 416 Rigby loads. Probably just enough to stay on top of it. Reduced loads would be fun for practice shooting and dear/elk hunting in the timber. With the advent of inexpensive 416 Rigby rifles such as the CZ and Ruger, a lot of folks can now own a rifle chambered for the "Legendary" cartridge. However, after shooting it, many decide that they liked the "idea" of owning a 416 Rigby, but not the "reality" of it. I really do like shooting "big bores", but one can only take so much at one time. A reduced capacity case might get some people to get their gun out and shoot it, rather than them saying, "I got a 416 Rigby just in case I ever get to go to Africa."

Jeffe:

I have read a lot about loading various rounds with XMP-5744. Especially from Mike Venturino. I haven't read anything about the 416 Rigby with 5744. Can you refer me to some loading data? I'd like to use a 350 lead alloy bullet at about 1500 to 1800fps.

Thanks,
Matt

Just looked at Accuratearms reloading data with 350gr bullets and 5744. Velocities start at over 1900fps. Do you know of any slower loads (with descent accuracy of course)?

You might try IMR 4759. I have used it with great success in the 458 win with cast loads at very low velocities. They don't list any loads on their website for the 416 rigby (nearest case to the 416 I see at a glance is the 375 H&H that lists loads with 4759). Looks like they only list top loads for 4759 on the site which are about 500 fps low for the H&H. You can go lower, a lot lower, and still get good ignition and accuracy (at least with cast bullets)

They list 44.5 grains for the 458 win mag and 510 grain jacketed bullets, I use 25-27 grains with the lyman 520 grain cast bullet and it works just fine. No unburned powder, ignition is uniform, no fillers needed etc. The Speer #12 manual notes:

26 to 30 grains of SR 4759 gives 1262 to 1445 fps with our 400 grain soft in a ruger #1 24 inch bbl

So, I figured I would reduce the charge a little further for the heavier bullet. I had already been using 28- 30 grains for the Lee 450 grain cast bullet with great accuracy and mild recoil.

All that to tell you to just contact IMR tech support and I bet they could put you onto a load for your 416 that just might work at below 1900 fps.

help@imrpowder.com
IMR Phone 913-362-9455 Fax 913-362-1307

wolfrum1 (not affiliated with IMR)