416 Rigby vs. 416 Rem. Mag
 

Currently, the largest rifle I have is a 375HH and I am looking to "finish out" the top end of my rack with either a 416 Rigby (Legend) or 416 Rem. Mag (popular). I've checked all the ballistics and reloading data for Nosler, Swift, Hornady, and Barns so I've worked the stat's and they are NOT the deciding factor. What's missing is first hand information. Availability of ammo, brass, future "economic" life of the cartridge, availability of rifles, reliability, reloading versus case size are all considerations.

I'd appreciate any advice in weighing the trade-offs between these two calibers.

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

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RE: 416 Rigby vs. 416 Rem. Mag
 

Ruger 77 mk 11 Magnum in 416 Rigby would be my choice. Why, because I like the rifle and the caliber, as you say, is legendary. gg.

"When I was born I was so surprised I couldn't talk for a year and a half"

RE: 416 Rigby vs. 416 Rem. Mag
 

The .375 H&H will do it all.....

I hear you on the .416....and I'd pick the rigby.....just because I like tradition.

RE: 416 Rigby vs. 416 Rem. Mag
 

Because of the Rigby being such a legend I think you will be able to find brass or loaded ammo for some time to come.
The Remington may not last that long. IMO
I would opt for the legend to go with your other legend, the .375 H&H.

RE: 416 Rigby vs. 416 Rem. Mag
 

Not being impressed by Legend, I would go with the Remington. I have had both of those calibers. Both in Number One Ruger single shots. For a big gun now I would take the same rifle in 45-70. Handloaded it is right on the heels of the 458 win mag. I am looking at a used one now at a local gun store. It has a big Leupold target scope mounted on it. I think the guy was into black powder silhoutte shooting.

RE: 416 Rigby vs. 416 Rem. Mag
 

416 Rigby. Good luck with your choice.

RE: 416 Rigby vs. 416 Rem. Mag
 

It will cost a lot less to own and operate the Remington version. However, when loaded to the same levels, (400 grain bullet @ around 2400 FPS), the Rigby operates at a lo lower pressures and temp., so might be a better round for real hot climates> Plus, it can be loaded up toward the level of the .416 Weatherby, if desired.

Keep yore powder dry!!

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RE: 416 Rigby vs. 416 Rem. Mag
 

The 416 Reminton is not a pleasant round to shoot. I'd opt for the Rigby if you have your heart set on a 416. Like stated it's ammo is more pricey ,but I've found it a nicer round to shoot. My choices over both would be the 404 Jeff. or the 458 Win Mag. The Jeff is another Dark Continent Legend and the 458 was much maligned when originally introduced because of poor qaulity bullets when it came on the scene ,but is a great round and widely used today.

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RE: 416 Rigby vs. 416 Rem. Mag
 

Eldeguello and the Boys at the "Shootin' Shop" - Thanks!

I'm one step closer!

JUST PLAIN LOOKS:
Went to the local gun shop and looked at 416 ammo and held one each in my hands: 416 Rigby, 416 Rem. Mag, and 416 Weatherby. The 416 Rem. Mag is slender and girlish compared to the other two! Comparing the Weatherby and the Rigby it was easy to see where Roy Weatherby got his inspiration: took the Rigby case, put a belt on it, gave the shoulder that famous "double curl" Weatherby shoulder and voila - 416 Weatherby mag!

TIE-BREAKER:
In my eyes, the obvious short-coming of the 416 Rem. Mag is lack of case capacity, the converted 8mm Rem. Mag case has just enough room to duplicate the OLD 416 Rigby performance.

NEW ANGLE: Barnes Bullets - "The Next Generation"
Eldeguello got me thinking about this one! I checked the stats for Barnes XLC coated bullets (versus "plain" copper XFB's). These coated XLC bullets reduce friction and pressure which in turn(unfortunately) reduces velocity. BUT then when you add more powder (to 106.5gr) to bring the pressure level back up to original, then you end up with MORE velocity than original which nearly duplicates the non-coated performance of the 416 Weatherby!

I quickly checked the performance of the Barnes XLC coated bullet for the 416 Rem. Mag at the same bullet weight - NO such hike in performance - NOT EVEN A LITTLE! Appears the 416 Rem. Mag runs out of powder capacity at about 80gr of powder - knew that big case on the Rigby ought to be good for something! (A point not lost on Roy Weatherby).

NOW:
I think I've found my "poor man's" 416 Weatherby - the 416 Rigby! Now it's just a matter of solving the "Bavarian Comb" issue on the Lux stock on the CZ 550 Magnum - maybe just buy the barrel and action from CZ and take it to McMillian or American Hunting Rifles for a synthetic or walnut stock respectively.

SIDENOTE: The Shootin' Shop had a long row of cartridges standing on somewhat dusty and narrow shelf. I spotted the three 416 cartridges and asked to see them. I looked at each carefully. When I read the 416 Rigby case head it read "John Rigby 416" - for an instant I was standing on the plains of Africa.

Looks like it will be the "Legend" for me, thank you for all your help!

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 01/15/2003 08:45:05

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