416 Ruger loads

[GSTONE]

I have used a Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan topped with a Trijicon 1X4 scope for the last two years in South Africa with the Hornady Dangerous Game DGX 400 grain loading. I used this load successfully for Lion and for Cape Buffalo.

I would like to find out if anyone has loaded this cartridge with 300 or 350 grain Barnes TSX bullets? I am planning on returning to Africa next year, and would like to have a lighter bullet weight for Bushbuck and other Plains Game. I took a sable this year at slightly over 200 yards with the 400 grain DGX bullet, and feel the rifle has potential as a good Plains game rifle...but would prefer a somewhat lighter bullet. The DGX shot right through the Sable. My intention is to hunt Elephant with the DGS 400 grain solid, and to have a better expanding bullet configuration for the Plains Game.

I have searched the internet, but information on lighter bullet loadings are rare. I would like to work a load up so only one rifle would meet my needs.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[richteb]

I have used a Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan topped with a Trijicon 1X4 scope for the last two years in South Africa with the Hornady Dangerous Game DGX 400 grain loading. I used this load successfully for Lion and for Cape Buffalo.

I would like to find out if anyone has loaded this cartridge with 300 or 350 grain Barnes TSX bullets? I am planning on returning to Africa next year, and would like to have a lighter bullet weight for Bushbuck and other Plains Game. I took a sable this year at slightly over 200 yards with the 400 grain DGX bullet, and feel the rifle has potential as a good Plains game rifle...but would prefer a somewhat lighter bullet. The DGX shot right through the Sable. My intention is to hunt Elephant with the DGS 400 grain solid, and to have a better expanding bullet configuration for the Plains Game.

I have searched the internet, but information on lighter bullet loadings are rare. I would like to work a load up so only one rifle would meet my needs.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Gstone,
I have just loaded some 340gn woodleighs at about 2550 fps in mine. I found this load extemely accurate as far target groups are concerend. Still trying to take a Sambar deer with this load to see how it goes.

 

[GSTONE]

richteb

Thanks for the info. I really enjoy the rifle and caliber, but it blows through Plains Game. I consistently get 1 1/2" groups with DGX and DGS loads at 100 yards, so I think it will do nicely on Plains Game with a faster expanding bullet. I want to get down to one rifle for Africa, and this certainly appears to be a good candidate.

 

[lwaters]

I own this same rifle in 375 ruger. If I had it in 416 and wanted to use it on plains game. I would load the barnes 350 grain tipped tsx bullet. I think it would work on anything up to cape buffalo. It has a ballistic Coafficient of .444.

 

[GSTONE]

Thanks for the recommendation. I am going down to get a box right away. Sportsman Warehouse has a box, and I bought a pound of Varget powder after reading the thread on Reloader 15. I have a Leopard and Bush Buck on next year's hunt list, and that sounds like it would be perfect for both.

 

[GSTONE]

Latest update on my .416 Ruger: now using 350 grain TSX bullets with 80 grains Varget and 215 federal primers. This load shows no signs of high pressure, and puts bullets in EXACTLY the same place at 50 and 100 yards as Hornady DGX and DGS 400 grain bullets. I plan to try it on Leopard and Bushbuck this year in Zimbabwe.

This load works great for my rifle, but make sure you work up to it if you want to have a 350 grain bullet option. I started with 78 grains and worked up 1/2 grain at a time. Best group for my rifle was with 80 grains.

Only downside is copper fouling...but it cleaned right up with "Wipe Out."

Will report how it works when I get back from my hunt... hopefully with a nice Elephant also.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Latest update on my .416 Ruger: now using 350 grain TSX bullets with 80 grains Varget and 215 federal primers. This load shows no signs of high pressure, and puts bullets in EXACTLY the same place at 50 and 100 yards as Hornady DGX and DGS 400 grain bullets. I plan to try it on Leopard and Bushbuck this year in Zimbabwe.

This load works great for my rifle, but make sure you work up to it if you want to have a 350 grain bullet option. I started with 78 grains and worked up 1/2 grain at a time. Best group for my rifle was with 80 grains.

Only downside is copper fouling...but it cleaned right up with "Wipe Out."

Will report how it works when I get back from my hunt... hopefully with a nice Elephant also.

Looking forward to that report. Are you going to Threeways for the ele by chance?

 

[GSTONE]

Phoenix Phil: Yes I am...for both Elephant and Leopard. My wife and I are really looking forward to the hunt!

 

[Buff-Buster]

Latest update on my .416 Ruger: now using 350 grain TSX bullets with 80 grains Varget and 215 federal primers. This load shows no signs of high pressure, and puts bullets in EXACTLY the same place at 50 and 100 yards as Hornady DGX and DGS 400 grain bullets. I plan to try it on Leopard and Bushbuck this year in Zimbabwe.

This load works great for my rifle, but make sure you work up to it if you want to have a 350 grain bullet option. I started with 78 grains and worked up 1/2 grain at a time. Best group for my rifle was with 80 grains.

Only downside is copper fouling...but it cleaned right up with "Wipe Out."

Will report how it works when I get back from my hunt... hopefully with a nice Elephant also.

GSTONE - When is your trip with Threeways? I was planning on talking to them at our show in January about an identical trip for 2015. Looking forward to your report!

 

[GSTONE]

Buff-Buster: We are scheduled to hunt from September 17th through October 1st. I have hunted during September the last two years in South Africa and found the weather conditions were very good. Hopefully Zim will be the same.

 

[Buff-Buster]

Buff-Buster: We are scheduled to hunt from September 17th through October 1st. I have hunted during September the last two years in South Africa and found the weather conditions were very good. Hopefully Zim will be the same.

Thanks....looking forward to hearing the details of your trip! You might as well throw in a buffalo on your trip..Tollie has some pretty good ones!

 

[GSTONE]

Could happen... the first year I went for Male lion plus 5 plains game...came home with male lion plus TEN plains game! Africa is VERY addictive!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Could happen... the first year I went for Male lion plus 5 plains game...came home with male lion plus TEN plains game! Africa is VERY addictive!

I've met Quinn a couple of times at DSC, thinking about doing a buff hunt there. So even if you don't hunt buffalo, I'd like to hear about what you see. Best of luck on your hunt!

 

[GSTONE]

Thanks. I will write my report after I get back. I am really looking forward to hunting with Threeways and seeing new country.

 

[Bobpuckett]

Gstone sounds like you and the little lady have a great trip planned looking forward to reading about it. Hope you can recover some of those TSX I would like to see how they preformed out of your 416 Ruger. Best of luck on your hunt.

 

[GSTONE]

Bobpuckett: Thanks for the well wishes. I'll try my best to recover the bullets. Last year I shot a sable with a dgx...passed right through him. Hoping the TSX work well! Will be using the .416 to get bait for the leopard also.

Like the last two years, there WILL be pictures!

 

[GSTONE]

Back from my hunt. I will write my report shortly, but the 350 Barnes TSX load I worked up was EXCELLENT. Dropped a zebra in it's tracks...same with an impala at 125 yards...and a one shot instant kill on a leopard. The bullet shoots in the same place as the 400 grain DGS at 50 and 100 yards. A great load!

 

[Bobpuckett]

Looking forward to that report with lots of pics I hope.

 

[Punyi]

Gstone,
I have just loaded some 340gn woodleighs at about 2550 fps in mine. I found this load extemely accurate as far target groups are concerend. Still trying to take a Sambar deer with this load to see how it goes.

Greetings mate,
Be interested in hearing any updates on taking a Sambar with this projectile/load? What load are you using?? cheers, Chris