What powder is best suited for the 416 rem with 350-400gn bullets? I have alot of h4350 and want to use some of that up in this round too. It seams that I'll run out of capacity before any pressure problems. Anyone using that powder and how much? Thanks for any help.

RL15 seems to be the go to powder for this caliber. If you do a search around here, I think you'll see it's used quite a bit for the 416 Remington.

Using Rel 15 under 350gr Swift A Frames.

H4350 is for the 416Rigby, where you could fill the case for a nice load (350 grain at 2800fps). So you definately want something faster for the much smaller capacity 416Rem.

First one I would try is RL15

I also have to recommend RL15 since I have had the best results with it. I am loading 81 grains RL15 with CCI 250 primers in Hornady brass using 400 gr Interlocks. These are relatively inexpensive bullets for fun shooting. This load averages 2440-2460 fps in a 24" barrel Winchester M70. This is not a compressed load but is near 100% capacity and is safe in my rifle. I also like RL15 because it leaves my barrels cleaner than some other powders and I load it in 3 other calibers.

Another excellent choice would be Varget. This is an etreme extruded powder that is not as temperature sensitive as RL15. If you are trying to hot rod the 416 Remington and will be shooting at varying temperatures and elevations then I would suggest the Varget for the extra cusion against high pressure loads. I have also noticed less bullet speed variations from Varget.

For top speeds and accuracy I choose RL15.
For lot consistancy and temperature insensitivity go with the Varget.

I'm looking to just practice with the h4350 powder. I know its not ideal but was curious if anyone has tried it. The book says you can get 2350ish with 85-88 grains. I'm then looking for a powder to use for hunting that is temp stable and will get me to the 2400 mark safe. Appreciate any help. Thanks.

Sid, I never had a problem with temp and Rel 15. I tried Varget but my perception was heavier recoil and muzzle blast. Your thoughts?

I have not had any problems with RL15 either but I have not tried to push the speeds up. I only mentioned the Varget because it may be a better choice when getting near 65k psi and will be shot at different times of the year.

I use RL15 about 80% of the time and love it. I have had RL15 in 308 Win loads excede safe pressures when shot in summer time that were fine in winter. Was dissapointing because it was my most accurate load with 165 TTSX.

I saw one insane recipe with 90.5 grains RL15 and 300 TSX at 2890 fps in 416 Rem. That is pushing it to far for me. I always like to see whats possible just don't plan on going there.

I think everyone uses RL-15. Go buy some.

I got a lot of dirt outside I'd like to use but RL-15 works a lot better.

I found that my rifle shoots 3/4" groups with Barnes 350gr TSX and Varget so I just stopped load development there. Seems to work just as well with 400gr bullets too.

When I had my rifle built, I looked at Hodgdon and Hornady's loading data, found Varget on my shelf and loaded some rounds. Took the rifle to the range for the first session and got good groups so easily that it was anti-climatic.

Have you chronoed yet? Curious as to what velocity you can safely achieve with a 400 gn bullet and varget. Thanks.

RPW,

Hodgdon's data calls for just over 2,400fps with a max load. My Chrony gave me numbers around 2,350 fps. I've yet to try using a more accurate chrono but I do know the fmj rounds will go thru a railroad tie at 20 yards.

In any event you can lift the bolt with one finger and the brass just falls out of the chamber even on the hottest day. I've got Remington brass that has fired six full tilt loads and doesn't show any signs of failure.

win760 - hornady starting loads

I have been using RL-15 in the .416 Rem for many years now with all bullet weights, but mostly with 400 gr. bullets..78 grs. is usually a very accurate load and one that I have used more than any other, and 82 grs. has always been a safe max in all my .416s over the years. I got with the load that shoots best and that I get about 2400 FPS with.

Is reloader 15 temp sensitive? Thanks.

I am sure it is however I have shot 80 gr behind 400 gr bullets at about 100F with no issue.

quote:

Originally posted by RPW:
Is reloader 15 temp sensitive? Thanks.

I find myself in complete agreement with Mr. Atkinson and Mr. Will this go around.

Reloder-15 is THE powder for 350 and 400 grain bullets. It is relatively temperature insensitive, as powders in the middle range tend to be(especially when they are loaded in military ammunition. (M118LR)).

Varget is a touch bulkier. I have used that and dropped my 400 grain bullet velocity to 2,350 fps. That is an awesome combination.

Reloder-15 is basically floor sweepings from when Bofors/Nexplo runs a lot of Norma N-203B. The price has come down drastically on N-203B in the last four months. Give it a try. I mean, you are only spending your children's inheritance by going to Africa, right?

Slower burning powders do tend to give more of a shove than a smack with a baseball bat to your shoulder. Because of volume issues, you may have to settle for a slightly lower muzzle velocity, but, as I alluded to above, there is no crime in that.

There is a new powder called AR-COMP that has recently hit the market. It may be a product improved and cleaner burning version of RL-15.

Do not forget to drop your powder load at least two grains (or more) when you are loading a monometal soft or solid. Then work up. Use a chronograph to tell you what the pressures are.

So, start with RL-15/N-203B, Varget and/or H-4350. This cartridge was not designed for hotrodding. It was designed by Mr. George Hoffman to give original 416 Rigby ballistics from readily available brass. Why mess with success?

I'm not planning to load it hot, just looking for 2400fps with a 400 gn bullet without problems. Thanks.

Reloader 15 is claimed temp sensitive, but to tell you the truth I wonder if that old tale holds water. I'm not sure the problem is the powder number,make, or the weather.

I have shot most powders in extreme cold and extreme heat and let them cook on the truck hood, left them in the deep freeze, and I have never had one incident, nor have I been able to create one with the powders I use..My thoughts are too much powder in the case is the culprit, not the weather or brand of powder..

Keep in mind some mild loads can be over max in some rifles, depending on the chamber specs etc. etc. I think some folks tend to brain storm problems or exhale their expertise and come up with some duzzies, and this might be one of them.

I have never had any problems getting safe pressure with the .416s at 2400 plus FPS, that is the standards by which the caliber operates.

All the .416 Rem. that I have owned maxed out at 82 grs. of RL-15, most of them shot best at 78 or 79 grs. and got a reaistic 2400 FPS., even my present .416 Rem custom with a 20 inch tube gets 2418 FPS average with 79 grs. of RL-15 and my 26 inch guns got considerably more but I loaded all of the long tubes with 78 grs.

I loaded the 416 Ruger with the same 78 and 79 grs and got over 2400, so never went passed that it appeared that I could have??? but why? I think I found the sweet spot with about 76 grs. of RL-15, but not sure on that.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience Ray. It is much appreciated.

Here's a heads up RPW. LG Outdoors has 416 Remington brass available atm. I have had trouble finding it so you might want to get some while you can.

Ray is right about stopping at 82 grains of RL15. It is plenty fast enough before you get to that load. I would suggest you get it in 5 lb batches because you will like it in more than just 416 Remington. I use it in 223 Remington, 308 Winchester and 376 Steyr. It gives me optimal speeds in the shorter barrels without compressed loads.

I'm sorry if I led anyone to think RL15 was unstable because it is my favorite powder. The only load it has ever given me trouble in was 308 Winchester above 80 degrees. It was more my fault than the powder because I was trying to duplicate Hornady Superformance speeds. The chaarge was fine in the winter but started to flatten primers in the summer. I dropped the charge .5 grains and it was safe again. Unfortunately that .5 grain made a considerable difference with that bullet and weight in accuracy. While I lament the loss of a pet load I would much rather err on the side of caution than attain a tighter group that in the real world will not make a hill of beans under any hunting condition. I love really small groups and save them to show off but nothing is worth the risk of shooting overpressure loads.

Thanks for the heads up. I ordered 300 from sinclair just the other day. They had it and it should be here today. Thanks again.

quote:

LG Outdoors

Out of stock right now.


3031 powder