The last time I used my .416 I was chasing tuskless and buffalo with CMS at Dande in 2010. I probably shot it 50-75 times getting ready to go and actually shooting at stuff. A month or so after I got back my left retina detached and I spent two months no knowing whether I would ever see from that eye again. The cause and effect is kind of anecdotal but finally my vision in that eye came back but I have been a little recoil averse ever since. I have a genetic pre-disposition to detached retinas and was not surprised when it happened. However, I am a little reluctant to start shooting full tilt loads (2400+fps with 400 grain bullets) in my good old Model 70 .416 again. I am thinking that something akin to a 450-400 load might not generate as much recoil and be more or less safe to shoot. Anybody got any recipes for something in the 2000-2100 fps range?

Get yourself some Trail Boss powder. Do an internet search for the standard Trail Boss formula...can't remember it off-hand....and enjoy.

Also, I switched down to 300 grain bullets and that helped also.

Recoil is directly affected by the bullet weight. Check out the 225 grain .416" Raptors at Cutting Edge Bullets. You can load your rifle at 338 levels for anything in NA.

The 300 grain TSX's might be another option.

i've taken a bunch of hawgs and corn thieves with 350gr mag tips at about 1800 in my 416 ar ... just get some 5744... trailboss will be too slow, but 400gr cast bullet will make it a pop gun on your end

The 225 gr CEB is real nice-

I also shoot a lot of 335 gr cast fngc with both trail boss and 5744-light fun and good through hogs and deer

Mine is a 416 B&M so can't give specific loads , but you sure have the right idea.

SR4759 and 4457 will do what you want and reduce recoil all out of proportion to the reduction in velocity. Remember that reduced velocity with these powders isn't the same as low pressure so work up like anything else.

If my retinas had separated I'd give some serious thought to quitting, but that's just me.

I believe Dogleg's listing of 4457 should be Accurate's 5744. It was indeed developed specifically for light loads in large cases, and works very well indeed for that application. Load densities of less than 50% still do not need any fillers for accurate shooting.

Yeah, I went all dyslexic for a second.