416 Rigby Results!

[338RemUltraMag]

I got finished up at the range a while ago and have decided to share my results. This was the first time out with the boolit, it is a custom design 450 gr pill from mountain molds. The load was 100 gr of H-1000 the 450 gr pill (or pole) sized to .417 gas checked with one of my .015 aluminum checks and lubed with Car Red.

I had some minimal wash at the muzzle after 10 rounds. The group was shot off a bench at 100 yds with express style open sights. Today is a winner because I was not sure if the boolit would stabilize. Anyway on to the pics!

Please offer any subjective feedback, I am looking to shoot this out to 400 yds and any advice, tips, or knowledge given will be taken in to deep consideration.

http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj609/joshaaronelli/gun%20and%20game%20pics/20130611_140235.jpg

http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj609/joshaaronelli/gun%20and%20game%20pics/20130611_154312.jpg

http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj609/joshaaronelli/gun%20and%20game%20pics/20130611_162918.jpg

[JeffinNZ]

Von Gruff shoots a .416 Rigby. I have had the pleasure of a soft load from it. Shooting that is. Not receiving.....

[Von Gruff]

Von Gruff shoots a .416 Rigby. I have had the pleasure of a soft load from it. Shooting that is. Not receiving.....

Correction Jeff. Mine is 404 Jeffery and a 350gn bullet over 87gn H4350 for 2415fps may not be in the same ball park as 338RUM's 450gn bullet over 100gn H-1000. Both would make you notice the procedings though.

338Rum, I take it that you will look at a scope to get to 400yds and that may even make the 100yd groups more meaningfull.

[JeffinNZ]

Oh yeah. You'd think that a Jeff would remember the Jeffery bit ah? Duh oh.

[Tazman1602]

WWHC416TD?
(What would Hardcast 416 Taylor Do?)

Art

[Bigslug]

Yeah. . .I gotta get a mold for my .416. Barnes X's are stupid expensive, and shooting them with a full 100 grains of 4831 is slightly more of a ride than I want to take on a regular basis.

[BruceB]

My .416 Rigby is a Ruger #1, given to me at Christmas 1995, by my wife and daughter.

It has never fired a factory load, but over the years has delivered close to 2000 rounds.... which includes a couple hundred jacketed loads with the balance being RCBS 416-350s. The cast bullet actually weighs 365 grains in my WW alloy, and the performance is superb. The .417"-diameter sizing die BARELY cleans-up the mould parting line, so I sorta wish that the bullet would cast just a wee skosh fatter. Still, it shoots so well that there's really not much need for any changes. I certainly see no need for more bullet weight this side of Africa, based on my results so far.

Most of my .416 shooting uses loads which deliver around 2000 fps or so. This is plenty to let the shooter know that he has some performance in his hands, and also gives a useful trajectory to over 200 yards. The rifle is usually zeroed at 200, and since this is my self-imposed limit for maximum range on game animals I can just forget about any problems with range when hunting.

The rifle will give me minute-of-angle groups for TEN rounds at 100 yards, speed still at 2050fps at the muzzle. What more could one ask? I even did a successful test with PURE LEAD bullets at the same speed. No visible leading occurred, and the accuracy was just a wee bit 'looser' than with the WW alloy.... about 1.25" for ten rounds at 100yards. How would THAT be for a good game load?

I've fired the RCBS bullet in WW alloy at over 2600 fps, no leading and fairly decent grouping too.... but the RECOIL is bloody awful. Fortunately, I have no conceivable need for such loads (except for the pushy know-it-alls at the range who say "Oh, the Rigby...nothing to it, cream-puff, mouse-toot cartridge etc etc." Very few want to fire the SECOND round...)

I like both the rifle and the cartridge. They make a very flexible and useful cast-bullet outfit.

[338RemUltraMag]

I am going to tweak the alloy a bit more and bump the size up to .418 to see if I can get the minute amount of leading to go away.

[Hardcast416taylor]

WWHC416TD?
(What would Hardcast 416 Taylor Do?)

Art

.416 Taylor:

Winchester neck formed brass
CCI-250 Mag. Primer
51 Gr. IMR-3031 powder
365 gr. WQ 50/50 alloy "modified RCBS .416 350 gr. boolet
Sized .417"
Blended lube of C/Red & BAC lube

Target results at 100 yds. 3 shot 3/4" C-C group 2 shots in same hole

Rifle customized Win. Model 70 with Leupold 1 1/2 x 4 1/2 scope with German #4 post reticule

Shooters remarks:
"A real GRIN to shoot"!
Robert