Very accurate load but only pushing 2140 at the muzzle. Is that fast enough for cape buf under 100 yards? I’m concerned

A very mild load for sure.

But like many it is all about shot placement.

More then speed.

Considering that most reloading sites say that you should be able to get 2,600 fps with a 350 grain bullet, that's an anemic load. Your load is 300 fps slower than most minimum load velocities. My 375 H&H will get 2,300 fps with a 350 grain bullet.

At 100 yards, I'd give up an inch of group size to get better velocities.

IDK -- it's above the barnes expansion velocity, but below what i'd like to see for that combo -- i bet it's a MILD recoil--

speaking of barnes, as they were once owned by remington, does anyone know who is now the owner?

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
speaking of barnes, as they were once owned by remington, does anyone know who is now the owner?

From one source:
Sierra Bullets and Barnes Bullets, now owned by Bullseye Acquisitions, LLC, an affiliate of JDH Capital Company, the owner of Savage Arms and Pure Archery, has appointed Jim Bruno as CEO, effective July 8. Clarus Corporation, the parent of Black Diamond, previously owned the two ammunition brands. JDH Capital Company acquired the brands in December 2023.

quote:

i bet it's a MILD recoil

When I was working up loads for my 416T.

I had some loads in that range very nice shooting.

For under two hundred yards a very handy load.

Well, given that the well thought of 450-400 is in the same ballpark albeit with a 400 grain bullet, I am sure it will work. Lots of DG rifles have a MV around that.

The thing is that monometal bullets tend to work better with more velocity. Your bullet might be a bit less expanding because of this.

Of course, your longer range trajectories will look poor comparatively, but for DG hunting that's not an issue anyhow, as no PH will have you shooting at game much over 100 yards.

Hunting is much more about placement than it is about power. Yes, a faster velocity and heavier bullet give more impact energy and penetration, but after a certain point that is meaningless. If this load allow you to hit where you are supposed to, your PH will be a happy man.

My daughter’s preferred bullet in her 416 Rem is the 300 gr TSX. She has used it on most Alaskan game from distant Dall sheep to up close and personal, charging brown bears. As well as Cape buffalo in Zimbabwe.

I think I'm getting over 2400 fps with 400 grain bullets out of my .416 Rem. They work great and I wouldn't mess with that either with lower weight bullets or lower velocity.

quote:

My daughter’s preferred bullet in her 416 Rem is the 300 gr TSX

I sold some 325gr TSX to an Alaskan he swore by them for big critters

Homogeneous bullets like the various versions of the Barnes X or those from other manufacturers do offer different/better? performance than lead based bullets.

With a lighter weight homogeneous bullet You can get the same expansion and penetration in game as a lead based bullet with the additional benefits of flatter trajectory and “shock” due to their additional velocity.

This guy is loading them to a lower velocity.

While I think it will work, it isn’t the same as a higher velocity lighter bullet monometal load.

I do think he will get adequate penetration, and it will work, but it won’t be as dramatic as the same bullet going 2700 FPS.

I used 450 gr Woodleigh's PP 7 RN at 2250 FPS on buffalo, in my 416 Rem., testing for Geogh and loved them. They fed better than TSX,s in my gun.

Loved the Woodleeighs.

My son shoots the 350gr TSX out of his 416 Rem Mag (M70 Safari Express), at 2500fps with 79.5gr of Varget. This is a very mild lower-pressure load that hits hard. He had a complete pass-through on his Buffalo in 2022. Speed aids performance and penetration with the TSX, so I'd go with at least 2500fps with the 350gr bullets.

I'm old school and don't like the TSX for dangerous game. Definitely wouldn't reduce weight or velocity. But then I wasn't a fan of synthetic stocks or variable scopes when they came out and now all my working rifles have synthetic stocks and variable scopes

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
I think I'm getting over 2400 fps with 400 grain bullets out of my .416 Rem. They work great and I wouldn't mess with that either with lower weight bullets or lower velocity.

Agreed. I get about the same from my 416 Hoffman, though I’ve pushed it as high as 2,510 with 81 grains of Reloader 15. I like it better with 79.0 grains and I’m getting about 2,400 as I recall. I prefer Bearclaws and it’s a great buffalo killing load.