I tested some 416 Rigby loads this weekend over the chronograph. My main intention was to develop a reduced load for practice using fast powder and a filler behind a cast bullet. But I also tested some bullets I intend to use on Cape Buffalo when time and money permits: 400 grs Swift A-Frame and 410 grs Woodleigh FMJ.

The Swift A-Frame loads with Norma MRP powder gave roughly 2250 fps, while the Woodleigh FMJ bullets came out slightly faster at 2320 fps. Accuracy seems to be OK, and I could not see a real difference in point of aim.

My question is: do I need to push the Swift A-Frame bullets faster than 2250 fps? With the Rigby case I’m sure it’s straightforward to get into the 2400 fps range, but what do I gain from doing this? I’m not really concerned about bullet drop since the hunting I’m doing at home is usually at short range (max 150 metres) and I guess that’s also the case for most of buffalo hunting. I’m thinking more of any terminal ballistics effects, whether the Swift A-Frame bullet is effective at these velocities?

If any of you have experience with Swift A-Frame bullets in 416 (whether the Rigby, Remington, Ruger, Weatherby, etc), and preferred velocity range, that would be appreciated.

I have never chronographed a Swift A frame, nor have I ever shot an animal with one in which I doubted it performance. I shoot 400 gr A Frames in my .416

I wouldn't worry about it.

The various .41 to .43 caliber guns made their reputation at 2100-2300 feet per second. You could shoot that 400 at 2600 if you were willing to stand behind that much gun but why bother?

The magic number in 40 caliber is 400 grs. at 2400 FPS IMO..I have shot buffalo with Rem Factory 400 gr. Swift bullets that chronographed about 2250 FPS, and at 2000 in the 450-400 and 2100 in the 404, all of which I heated to 2400 FPS with the excetion of the 450-400 double I shot at 2125 FPS..

I would recommend 2400 FPS with softs and solids, in the Rigby based on that, it just "seemed to me" they hit the bulls harder and the bulls reaction was more to the hit, they got sick quicker..But Im sure either would work for you, You don't kill buff by shock, two big holes and lots of blood work better.

The old timers made their bones with 2000 FPS, Im not an old timer by their standards, just by todays standards, but all you get with 2100 FPS is great penetration, at 2400 you numb'em and still get more than enough penetration..Thats about the size of it...take your pick and have fun.

Thanks for sharing experience guys. What I’m making out of this is that you don’t expect the A-Frame bullet in 416 to be very dependent on velocity beyond 2250 fps for effectiveness at “normal” shooting distance, although I see the point you make Ray on impact shock. I will of course try out higher velocity loads with the Swift A-Frame bullet. Important to me is that point of impact is close to the 410 grs Woodleigh FMJ, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue based on loads I have tested so far.

Shooting comfort is of course also something to take into account, perhaps the underlying reason why I brought this up. I have experience with 9.3 mm and 375 H&H, but 416 Rigby is definitely a step up in recoil. Not at all unbearable, but something I need to get used to.

The Swifts always expand and penetrate on buffalo..Ive recovered or been sent quit a few from clients buffalo..Its a great bullet..as are the Woodleighs..I really like the 450 gr. Woodleigh on buffalo..

Recoil, its always a mistake to try and fix the recoil on a big bore, much better to go to a lighter caliber..Why by a 458 and make it shoot like a 416, makes no since to me..

Rather than the Woodleigh Solids, try the 400 grn Woodleigh Hydrostatics. That's what I shot my Buff with. Unlike a round nose these do not deviate even when hitting solid bone on an angle. I use the same powder load for the Woodleigh 410 soft nose and Hydros. Both throw to the same point of impact. Hydros clock 2550 and the soft nose 2450 fps. 98grains of AR2209 (H4250)Drop the load by 6 grains will drop you back a bit but still over 2000fps.

I believe the standard loading for the 404 Jeffery was a 400g bullet at 2150 fps and it has a sterling reputation on buffalo and elephant. So if your'e getting a 400g bullet 2250 fps from your 416 it should be fine.

That standard load in a 404 Jefferys is about 150 or so years old..Today most factory 404 run 2300 to 2350..Its very easy to get 2400 FPS or more with the 416 Rifby or 404 J with a good modern 404 Jeffery or 416 Rigby or Remington..Both have about the same powder capacity, plus keep in mind the 416 Rigby case is basically a 416 Wby with the rim cut off, go figure. Its no great trick to get 2600 and 2700 FPS in both and more in the 416 Rigby..Ive been playing with both for more years than I can count and observing what others have done. I see no reason however to shoot my 40s at over 2400 FPS and you don't gain much other than more recoil..

Ive found it takes more velocity to expand a Barnes X, Woodleigh, Swift, GS Custom or North Fork and A-Frames to their full potential. The old standard worked well with big soft nose bullets with lots of lead exposed, and you still get enough expansion at lower velocity and in some cases more penetration, depending on the bullet..Over expansion stops penetration, so their is a happy medium..

IMO shooting a 404 or 416 at the fabled 2100 to 2200 kills about like a 375 H&H, and that's not a bad thing, just seems like a waste of caliber.

Historically, the 404 received a lot of complaints from the old boys of the day, and Kynoch etc. all bumped the velocity up to 2300 FPS based on those complaints, and then the 404 made its rep..Thats the rest of the story. Just my two bits, and to each his own.

I would caution getting that swift going TO fast! It wasn't really made to be a 2500fps+ bullet. Keep the velocities tame and you'l get much better penetration. Any lead nose bullet going to fast is no longer "controlled" exspansion, it becomes a parachute.
I put a 400gr swift into the face of a charging 8' black bear at a distance of roughly 1-2 feet one day on the Alaska peninsula. It exited his neck and reenterrd his shoulder. The damage was impressive....and quick. I was shooting a 416 R.E.M. With safari grade ammo at the time. I have since switched all my 416 bullets over to TSX due to bullet damage in my magazine from recoil. But my last 416 was 6.25lbs and the current 416 ruger is 5lb 11oz, little quicker on the recoil but much more manageable to shoot than my first 9lb 416.

Good advice from both Ray and Fourtyonesix as always

I have witnessed Cape Buffalo shot with the .416 Wby at horrendous velocity from clients handloads, never seen a Swift A-Frame come apart and all that we have recovered were typically bulged behind the expansion, they all do the same thing every time as far as I can tell, at least on big stuff...

That said I like the Nosler 400 gr. in a .416 ever since Nosler moved the partition forward more. That sure made the 400 gr. Nosler a Buff bullet for sure, it expands big and blows a bit hole out the other side as a rule. Ive recovered a few of them and they are impressive, and typically Nosler. Its an awesome bullet, but so is the Woodleigh 450 gr. bullet at about 2300 FPS or the Cup Points from North Fork ( maybe my all time favorite buffalo bullet ) a solid that expands a bit and the best of both worlds. GS customs are great bullets for buff, and the Barnes bullets, although I don't care for them on deer size animals, are awesome on buffalo, Eland and most larger species..Lots of great bullets to choose from today.