To follow up on the K gun post. Can I get some feedback from those with experience with the 500/416. How does it compare to the 450/400?

Thanks all.

Will be reading this post with interest, the 500/416 seems like a very competent round for a double.

I have no knowledge of the 450/400. I consider the 500/416 to be comparable to the 416 Rigby. That is, a double rifle version of the Rigby that gives pretty much identical ballistics (400 grain bullet at 2400 fps).
Peter.

Wish the 500/416 would have taken off in the market more over the years, reloading supplies limited but I believe it to be one of the best all around DR calibers out there. I have owned DR's of both calibers and the recoil of the 500/416 is manageable but substantially more, and it should be, the energy and velocity is much more. If the reloading components were more available and prices being equal I'd pick the 500/416 caliber.

Any 500/416 DR is much more dangerous than any K gun.

A combination of the 500/426 in a Krieghoff is, well, suicidal. Or at least downright uncomfortable!

I am not sure I understand Will's comments.

I have a .500/.416 K-gun and I think it is a fantastic round. It is substantially more gun than a .450/.400 but it does indeed generate more recoil. I have not had a problem with components. I shoot plain old Hornady .416 round nose bullets at the range. Anything else would get a 410 grain Woodleigh RN SN since that is what the gun was regulated with. The powder of choice is H1000. There is BeLL brass floating around and Jamison makes brass. Buy 100 rounds and you'll be set for life. I don't think brass will ever be a problem since the .500/.416 is simply a necked down .470.

When you buy "off the rack" from Merkel, Krieghoff, Chapuis, etc. the guns tend to weight 10.5 pounds or so. That is too light for a .500 NE and too heavy for a .375 but it is just perfect for a .500/.416.

With respect to recoil, if you can shoot a .416 Rigby, you can shoot a .500/.416.

IMHO, the best bolt rifle cartridge for dangerous game is, was, and always will be the .416 Rigby. Krieghoff really did something here. They produced a double rifle with indentical ballistics. My hat is off to them. I think they made the perfect modern double rifle cartridge. Just my two cents.

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I am not sure I understand Will's comments.

Well then...that makes it just about universal!!!!!

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Originally posted by Biebs:

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I am not sure I understand Will's comments.

Well then...that makes it just about universal!!!!!

No one understand Will.

I owned a 500/416 K gun and was very happy with it in most respects. Couple of my friends have subsiquently bought spare .500/416 barrels for their K Guns. I must say that to me personally I prefered the balance of the .500NE or .375- the 500/416 was just a tad muzzel heavy. not significant and different rifles fit folk differently and the added weight up front should help with recoil.

Norma has corrected their ammo and offer 410grn Woodleigh Softs and Solds in Nickel plated cases and offer brass cases for reloaders. Don't buy the older Norma ammo with the 450grn woodleighs and expect perfect regulation. They are not bad, but nowhere near as good as the next run with the correct bullets at the correct velocity.

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IMHO, the best bolt rifle cartridge for dangerous game is, was, and always will be the .416 Rigby. Krieghoff really did something here. They produced a double rifle with indentical ballistics

Will's grandpa John Taylor wondered why they never brought out the 416 No2 (Essentially the 416 Rigby for a double) way back when. HE says it would be just abotu 'ideal'. I think it makes a lot of sense.

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Originally posted by Mike Brooks:

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Originally posted by Biebs:

quote:

I am not sure I understand Will's comments.

Well then...that makes it just about universal!!!!!

+1

I loved mine but had to sell it to pay for the mounts from my hunt. Really easy to shoot and the safety/cocking is not a factor. I wish I had it back. I still have some new Bell brass if anyone needs some. A spare forend also.