24 March 2004, 17:11
Bren Mk1Re: .416 Rigby reduced cast bullet loads
Go down to the Cast Bullet Board here at AR, and search on "416 Rigby". Select at least a year's span back in time, and there is quite a bit of info on such loads.
My own experience in this caliber uses only the RCBS 416-350 mould, which casts at 365 grains+/- with my particular 'brand' of used wheelweights. I have shot thousands of these bullets with great satisfaction.
I have NO trouble with leading, and accuracy is fine. I've driven this bullet to as much as 2700 fps, and as slow as 1200 fps....there is a BIG difference in how those two extremes feel on the butt end!!!!!
5744 is indeed a good powder, but in spite of all the claims seen here and there, in my rifle it works better WITH a dacron filler. 4198 is another good 'un, also with dacron. That is a BIG case.....
Regards from BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)
24 March 2004, 18:29
Martin@Hin350 gr #2 alloy plain base /30gr XMP5744/215 Fed/5 shots @100Y 1" no filler,est.Vel 1200ft/sec
400 gr gas check hardened bullet 40gr XMP 5744/215fed/1 1/2"@ 100y V 1550ft/sec no filler
Same bullet 50 gr XMP5744/5 shot 2"@100y Vel 1850 ft/sec
Martin