I have booked a trip to the Selous in September. I currently am planning to bring a Ruger No. 1 in .416 Remington Magnum for Cape Buffalo. I have been practicing and am very comfortable with the rifle.

First question: Does anybody have any experience with the Norma PH ammo. There is a 450 grain load that has me interested.

Second question: On Guntrader there is a Left Hand Dakota 416 Rigby (I have the privilege of being in my right mind ) with a "hairline crack in the wrist". Is this a common problem with a Dakota and does the crossbolt actually remedy the problem without replacing the stock.

Hi Mike
Doctari here on AR was instrumental in these heavy for caliber norma loads. PM him.

a cracked stock might as well say broken in two stock, as it will either have to be repaired by a big bore mechanic (not a job for a local "338 is a big gun" guy) or replaced.

imho, a single shot rifle is a stunt gun for a dgr.. .and while stunts usually go okay, when they go pear shaped, they really go pear shaped
jeffe

I have a pre-64 M70 in 416 Remington and have been using the 450 gr. Norma PH, both soft and solid getting ready for a Masai buffalo hunt in July. They are extremely accurate in my rifle, under an inch at 100 yds, and both bullet types shooting to virtually the same point. I would suspect the Woodleigh bullets, which I have used with great satisfaction on buffalo in the past, will perform well in this loading.

Hairline crack in the wrist on a 416 Rigby, accident waiting to happen at the wrong place and the wrong time. For me, new stock.

I have not used the Norma ammo, but I did the pre production testing of the 350 gr. .375 and .450 gr. .416 Bullets in Africa for Geoff as I had a small part in its prduction...

I can't think of a better bullet and I suspect my rifle shot them at about the same velocity as the Norma laods...

You will be pleased with them I assure you..but be sure and pack a few solids for your buffalo hunt..they still are best for that second going away shot...