I've handloaded for many years, but I'm new to this Big Bore business. I've never had the need to crimp 338 loads or even 30/30 loads used in tubular magazines. I'm in the process of acquiring a 416 Remington and am wondering if crimping will be necessary. If so, how much? RCBS recommends adjusting the seating die to touch the case mouth and then turning it down another 1/8 turn. Is this Ok or is more needed? Also, as an aside, what is conventional practice for bullet selection for Cape Buffalo- soft poins or solids?

I usually turn the expander ball down .002 to .004 then use a powder that fills the case and then use an ever so light crimp...this has worked for me for years with 100% success.

As to softs and solids you can stir up a hornets nest there...The fact is it doesn't make a lot of difference one way or the other, they both work...

My choice is to just use the Northfork "Cup Points" for everything big, except elephants were I always opt for a flat nose solid from Bridger or Northfork..Personally I think the cup point would work fine on elephants, but have not tried it so can't say for sure..

I shoot a .416 Rem and am with Ray on the crimping issue. As for the soft/solid issue, I am personally a big fan of exit wounds on all game but just remember that (if you choose the solid route) you need to be willing to pass up some shots if necessary.

Best,

JohnTheGreek

sheepman

You'll drive yourself nuts with that RCBS 1/8 turn stuff. I've tried it many times and it can work but a Lee crimp die is much simplier and you do not run the risk of crumpling your case plus you have a factory type crimp which is more effective than the roll crimp you get from the RCBS die.

With the three 416 Remingtons I owned I found a crimp was necessary particularly with the monometal solids. Only positive way to know about the crimp you need is to put some loaded rounds in the magazine and fire a few rounds. If the bullets have not been pounded back into the case you are in great shape.

Good luck!

Mark

Where can I find/order a Lee Crimp Die (I need one for a 416 Rigby).

You don't really need a crimp die if using RCBS dies. Just unscrew the seating screw all the way and just nudge the round up until you fell it crimp, gingerly. Done.

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
You don't really need a crimp die if using RCBS dies. Just unscrew the seating screw all the way and just nudge the round up until you fell it crimp, gingerly. Done.

Been using this system for years, works great.

I'm using Redding dies for my 416 Rigby - do I use the same method?

MHC

Lee doesn't make one in .416 Rigby, but if you send them like $30 and a dummy case with bullet seated, they'll make you one. I just had them make one for me, but haven't received it yet. I use them in .30-30, .375, etc and like them. You may have to pull up their website and call the phone no.

I am a big fan of the lee factory crimp die. They only cost a few bucks and do a good job. I also had them make me up one in 416 Rigby and it works great just like the ones for "stock" calibers.