Shumba had it exactly right. H 4831 SC. Rock chucker works OK. It is a bit of a long cartridge for the rock chucker but it works. Mine takes any 400 gr bullet I have tried and 104 gr of the above powder and they are all within a moa if I do my part. Mine gives a bit more pressure and velocity than most. 104 gr load gives about 2540 fps with the Swift A-Frames. Norma brass. Fed 215 GM primers. That is about it. Once you buy the reloading dies,press, and brass,the Rigby is not much more expensive than any other DGR to feed. That brass is a bite but sure not as bad as the preloaded stuff. I am playing with plains game loads. I am loading 108 gr of the same powder behind of 325 gr North Forks at 2950 fps. That should be juice enough for a plains game hunt next year. Have a good time with the Rigby. It is a great old round. Don't let the recoil put you off. You will get used to it. When I first started shooting mine I thought, " I am going to hate this gun". She kicked like a muther. While shooting from the bench use a Wussy pad and an excercise wrist weight bag from wal mart on your shoulder. It will take a bit of sting out of it. Over a bit of time it doesn't amount to much. In fact when yhou are hunting the big uglies the heavy weight of the gun is a very reassuring thing. Good hunting. D

Try 90.2gr of IMR 4350 with 400gr Swifts and Hornady solids. Shoots MOA in my Ruger @ 2350 fps out of a 24" barrel, solids and softs within 1"jorge

Agree with D Hunter. Had the same experience with identical loads. Shot MOA or less. Get some shooting sticks and practice shooting in the standing position and free hand ; also rapid fire ( You never know when you will need a rapid follow up shot ). You will get used to shooting it though, just get a sissy pad no matter what anyone says. It makes it bearable to learn how to shoot without "flinching".
Most of all enjoy it!

Here is what I use in my 416 Rigby (same rifle as yours).

Rifle: 416 Rigby Dakota 76 with 24" barrel

400 grain Barnes XLC (blue coated)
96.0 grs H4350
Velocity = 2447fps; SD=4
Remarks: shoots <1/2 MOA @ 100yards

410 grain Woodleigh Solid
96.0 grs H4350
Velocity = 2427fps; SD=7
Remarks: shoots <1 MOA @ 100 yards

In my rifle the 400 grain X-bullet shoots 1-1/2" above the 410 grain Woodleigh Solid. My scope and iron sights are zeroed for the 410 grain Woodleigh Solid load, which puts the 400 Barnes X load +1-1/2" at 100 yards. I will use this combination in Tanzania this year.

Thanks to all for your respective feedback. Good advice. Hugh

I am awaiting the results from some loads developed from a friend of mine using a 400 grain Swift A-frame and a Barnes solid. Groups were approximately 2 inches @ 100 yards. They were both running about 2450fps, point of impact was identical. I used Reloader 25 for the Swift A-frame and RL-19 for the Barnes solid. I'll have to check the grain weights for the powder though. Reloader 25 is extremely slow burning, but is has been just the ticket for the 416 Rigby and my 338 ultra mag. Velocities have been very consistant and accuracey has been consistantly very good. Both loads came directly out of the Swift manual and the Barnes manual. My friend should be back from Tanzania by early next week, I'm looking foreward to hearing the stories. Next year, we are going to Namibia for my first time and his second. In fact we'll be finishing up this time next year on our hunt.

Mine liked 100 grains RL22 with most any 400 grain bullet and F215M primers...usually shot about 1.5" @ 100 yards and chrono'ed avg of 2423 fps.