416 rigby

[gunchamp]

Looking for some hot loads beyond the 2400fps factory loads for the 416 rigby. Which powder, primers, and cases. I'm looking for 400gn bullet loads. I'm told you can reach 2600fps with not much trouble. None of my manuals give me any info above the factory loads. Thanks for any info.

[Big Z]

http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/416RigbyWeb.pdf

This is the fastest data I found. Careful careful..

[Pete D.]

. I'm told you can reach 2600fps with not much trouble

You were told wrong. At least as far as 400 grain bullets are concerned. In one of the recent Lyman manuals (45 or 46, IIRC) there was data for a load that supposedly produced 2600 fps.
That data is no longer in the Lyman manual.
Why do you suppose that is?
A-Square's manual, "Any Shot You Want", has load data for R-22 as does the Hodgdon site. A-Square found that "pressures exceeded allowable limits" with R-22 when the velocity with the 400 grain Dead Tough bullet got to 2467fps.
I wonder what the pressures are at 2600 fps?
And....tweaking a cartridge that already gives you 5000 ft-lbs of energy seems like gilding the lily.
Pete

[gunchamp]

What pressure? The factory loads are in the 35000-40000 range. Thats sp they are safe in all firearms because thic cartrigde has been around so long. If thats the limit then thats fine. I was just thinking of some hotter loads knowing that the strong ruger #1 can take the pressure. I know there is no need to and I wont if its not safe. Thanks

[Frank in the Laurel]

WHY???...there's enough power at those levels to kill anything on the planet, one shot/end of story.....not only would it be hard on the cases, action, case life but your shoulder won't be happy either..that is one powerful weapon, I shot the 416 RM and actually busted out laughing at just how much power these big boys have..it was an experience...

[Pete D.]

GunC: The Ruger #1 Tropical chambered for the .416 Rigby is a great shooter. I had one follow me home years ago - had no real use for it but wanted an "African" gun just to have.
Pressures - yes, factory loads tend to be in that 35-40K psi range. The maximum allowable pressure is higher at something near 48K - I get that info from reading The A-Square reloading manual.
The people doing their load development used three powders: IMR 4831, Hodgdon 4831 and RL- 22.
Both the IMR and the RL powders produced pressures in excess of 48K psi with velocities at 2481 and 2467 respectively. (400 grain bullet). As I said before, I wonder what pressures would be at 2600 fps. The Ruger action is very strong but that is a very large case with a lot of bearing surface.
Pete

PS - just ran some numbers. 400 grain at 2600 fps = 6000 ft.lbs ME

[salukipv1]

I was gonna ask the same thing, WHY?

If you want a flatter shooting rifle get a .375H&H, if you want more power get a .458 Lott.

I believe it was Asquare who believed the ideal bullet velocity was 2400fps, for max penetration. In fact I believe his ammo is loaded to get close to this speed.

So no reason for a 400gr bullet @ 2400fps to go faster IMO.

Get yourself a .416Wby if you really want a fast .416...but again see no reason to go faster, either go bigger for power, ie .458, or goto a .375 if you want faster/flatter.

[gunchamp]

Funny thing is I have a 375 ruger and a 458 lott. I'm just trying to learn the limits of the 416 rigby. I've toyed with big bores for a while but not this cartrigde. I have yet to load a round for this gun which is why I'm asking questions. Which brass is best to handload? I was looking at hornady because it has done well in my 458 lott and 300 wby. I was also looking at norma brass. Thanks guys

[Ridge Runner]

ya wanna run high pressures, on average norma will handle that better.
RR

[gunchamp]

thanks for all the input so far