Have just fallen into a #1 in 416 Rigby anyone have pet loads? Have just checked on component prices and am still reeling from sticker shock. Guess it will be fed 99% handloads as the price for ready rolled seems extreme, or am I the only one with this thought? Good shooting, Lynn

My first and only factory box of Hornady 458 Lott cartridges was 80.00. I became an instant reloader after that, and must confess it's something I really enjoy.

Are you an experienced reloader?

Yep, the Rigby is a handloaders round unless you have lots of $$$ and even then handloading allows you options unavaiable with factory rounds.

My general purpose 416 Rigby load is a 400gr Hornady over 100grs of RL-22. You can go up or down on charge weight depending on the recoil desired. Great for rock busting and heavy plinking. I don't download the Rigby as I have other rifles for that Pushing the Rigby up a notch is fun but be warned the recoil gets fairly heavy when getting into 416 WBY levels.

Barnes TSXs have shot very well in my rifle and are a good choice for bigger NA game. I have no experience on African game but the Rigby can speak for itself there!

Have fun with your new rifle and enjoy the new world of handloading!!

Edit for #1 mods...For sure get a new pad on your #1, the stock "pad" sucks. I really like Limbsaver pads on my RSM Rigby and Lott. You might want to polish the trigger and safety with emory cloth to reduce thumb and finger "issues" from recoil. My #1 Lott abused my thumb and trigger finger until I smoothed them out.

Have fun,

John

Lynn: Try the RCBS .416 350-grain cast bullet over 52 grains of XMP5744 for a very accurate, pleasant shooting load that runs right around 2,050 fps in the No. 1. It regularly gave me groups just over an inch out of the No. 1 I had. I used Norma brass.

what Bill said! I just picked up a copy of this mould, and am getting ready to fire up the pot this weekend.

Rich
DRSS

Lynn,
had the same rifle for awhile. for some reason I started with about 104 gr. of H4831 w/400 gr. hornady softs (norma brass), and a few around around 105.

My first reaction was very little muzzle climb, straight back and OUCH... that thin hard rubber pad is useless.

I stuck with the standard sights for the sake of budget, despite the fact the same sights are on my 10/22...

I like the heavy barrel, makes recoil tolerable, but firt thing to do is lose the pad and get a pachmayr, kick eez or limbsaver.

Can't say much for performance. Shot a whitetail in the neck w/it and it bled out quick, don't think the bullet expanded even at 60 yds.

W/a scope and 350 grainers its trajectory isn't unlike a 30-06.

Pushing it to weatherby levels just left me w/hard extration and more kick. I don't know if its the no.1's weak extration (compared to a bolt action)? or my reloading techniques, but it sure didn't drop open like the 104 gr. loads, which were my fav and most accurate.

Good luck. Cast bullets would be fun and economical for sure. In hindsight I would start w/those, but didn't have any on hand and just wanted to shoot it right away.

A friend bought a #1 in 416 Rigby (I've got a bolt action CZ) and we sorted it out pretty easily. First, as already mentioned, get another pad. He picked a Pachmayr Decelerator. He then went to New England Custom Gun's sight offers and replaced the factory sights with drop-in sights from NECG. We had no problem working up loads with the cast bullets (you have an advantage in that you can buy them already made and cheaply in the USA) as well as loads with the less expensive softs and solids (read Hornady). One thing he didn't do,(I was given one as a gift), was get the Lee Factory Crimp Die for the 416 Rigby. This will simplify greatly reloading this caliber and I recommend it.