Guys,

I want to build some basic starting loads for the 416 Rigby. Want them to be representative but very safe because they'll not be fired in a rifle I own yet.

A very, very nice person provided me with an old Barnes manual ... unfortunately it doesn't show IMR 4350 just H4350 listed at 94.0 to 102.0 grains.

Given the loading range of the large Rigby case, how about a middle of the range 98.0 gr load with IMR 4350 as being a good representative recoil load ... but well into the low end for the cartridge if fired in a CZ 550 Magnum?

Thanks for the pointers!

HI,

I sent out my 416 rigby cz550 for some or alot of custom work. I think the 350 X will be a great bullet to use with the 416 Rigby, I think from the data I have seen you should have no problem with getting to around 2750 fps.I know I will get the 350 to around this when my gun comes in. my barrel will be 25 inchs. Thanks,Kev

I have a load worked up in my No. 1 for the 350 X. Using IMR 4350. With 102.5 gr. I get 2743 fps with Norma brass, Fed 215M primers, seated .050" off the lands. I cannot verify where I got the loading data, but my notes show 96.5 gr. as start and max load as 104.0 gr. 104.0 gr. gave me 2766 fps and groups ranged from a low of .5 to a high of 1.2" for 5 at 100. The 102.5 gr. load gave the best combination of accuracy and velocity with groups turning in at .750"/5@100.

The second edition Barnes manual doesn't list IMR 4350 either. The range for H4350 is 97.0 to 102.0 however. The third edition is out, but I don't have access to it.

This is what the third edition of Metallic Cartridge Reloading has to say about the 350 gr bullet:

"The 350 grain Barnes X adds a new dimension to the Rigby. This superior bullet can shoot flat enough for longer shots and still deliver huge doses of energy, while providing superior penetration and wound generating expansion. IMR4831, IMR7828 and H4831 are good choices in the Rigby."

I have observed the 350 gr. Barnes X work wonders on Buffalo at 2500 FPS from the 416 Rem. Bob Meier and Tony Estandia used Barnes X in Bobs 416 Rem. and I think they used the 400 Barnes X and they worked extremely well...

If I were to use a monolithic in a 416, I would use a 400 gr. at about 2400 FPS or a 350 gr. at about 2500 FPS to keep from blowing the petals off.

HI,

This is a interesting topic as I have look at this a great deal myself. I know and I think many here will agree with me that the 416 Rigby is under loaded and that it can be load to a much higher fps than factory rounds are. I have seen in the Barns manual a 400X loaded to around 2634fps with its top load.With that in mind if the 400 X with a 3 inch high at 100 yards is only 13 inchs or so low at 350 yards,It is not to far from the 350 grain X.I would also say that I understand what MR. Atkinson is saying about the fps,I just like the fact with the 416 rigby if I want to load it up a little I can and it will still be okay with the pressure.I may not have too do this but it is nice to know I can if need be. Thanks,Kev