I have a Merkel 141a in 416 rigby

So far this year I have taken an elephant and lion

I now have 08 mnoths before I am out again.

I would like to

shoot a reduce load for practice

Any suggestions about load data

Are there any specific heads that a double cannot shoot I heard that some head will rip the barrels apart

Any opinion will be much appreciated

london

factory regulation on fereral safari premium 400 grain solid and shoots 1 inch apart at 50 paces unfortunately 30 dollars a pop

try a cast bullet with 5744 powder, something like a 400 gr cast w/ about 35-40 gr of 5744

Do not use any filler with 5744!

For a reduced load, I use 112 grains of AA8700 or equivalent salvage military ball powder with the RCBS 350-grain flatnose cast gascheck at Brinell 21 and at .417" diameter. It is extremely accurate, and relatively mild, giving 2100 FPS @ 10' from the muzzle.

This is a case full of slow powder, no need or space for a filler, so I foresee no problems with ringed chambers, etc. However, I don't know how it would shoot in a double regulated for a different load.

Cut your load 8-10% and try some 350-300grain hard cast bullets.

Thank you will try

Very tempted to try shooting plains game with 350 grain bonded head in a 416 and put a swing off mount on

HAS ANYBODY TRIED IT?

Londonhunter

I would prefer claw mounts on a rifle of the recoil level of your 416.
I scoped my 450/400 and it works great.

On my last Safari in Zim I took a cape buff and bull elephant with the iron sights and baboon, warthog, and zebra, and lion with the scope on the 400.

For a light practice load try any 300 to 400gr bullet over IMR 4198.
You MUST use a filler with this load. In a 416 Rigby 12 to 15 grains sould be about right. Just be sure the dacron is compressed between the powder and the bullet.
In my 450/400 I use 44 grains of IMR 4198 with a 325 cast bullet 12 grains of dacron.

In my 450 No2 I use 52gr with a 300jackted bullet, and 50gr with a 400 cast bullet, with 15 grains of dacron.


I would start with 45 grains of IMR 4198 in your 416. Do not forget the filler.
I would estimate velocity @1700 to 1900fps depending on the weight of the bullet.

The Dacron filler is simply polyester fill used for pillows and stuffed animals, avialable at most sewing/fabric stores.

Thank you for the info

I recognised you sign on name from Blaserpro.com forum I am also londonhunter there

Going to Namibia in August with my match 308 R93 and shooting my third Big five Leopard with my Merkel Double 416 double

Good luck on you hunt.

I put a S&B 1-4 with the Flash dot reticle on my 450/400 3 1/4" double with claw mounts. I really like it.

I also use a scoped 9,3x74R double.
I would put a scope on any double .40 cal and under.
Really increases their versatility and hit ability.

I will be shooting boar this coming January

It should please my germany host if I bring a 416 rigby double with a claw mount.....

Might just do that for fun only if I can reload cheaply

keep in touch I also have a 9.3 x 74r double from Perrugini with Fabbri engraiving but just too precious for a german January forest