Optimal 416 Rigby Velocity?

[Uncompahgre]

What do you believe is the optimal velocity is for shooting solids in a 416 Rigby to avoid deflection and bullet deformation but maximize penetration? I don't want this to be discussion about bullet brand X being better than brand Y. That is why I'm not telling what brand of solid bullet I'm reloading in my 416 Rigby.

 

[stug]

2300 fps is the original 400gr Rigby velocity (from memory).

 

[cagkt3]

2300 fps is the original 400gr Rigby velocity (from memory).

Show off....

 

[Royal27]

@matt85 is a good source for this question. He's into all of that sectional velocity penetration stuff for big bores (just calling a 416 a big bore to annoy Matt ).

He will likely give you a good velocity range, to which you can find the most accurate load for your rifle.

 

[stug]

Show off....

Nah, just butt covering if I've got it wrong

 

[Ridgewalker]

FYI, Hornady loads the 400gr to 2,415fps. I have friends who say their handloads are 2,500+- (out of a Ruger) and "almost 2,700fps".
Seems like the bullet brand and type and purpose would determine the velocity. Not likely a Hornady DGX would hold together at their factory velocity, much less 2,700 fps. JMO...no personal experience, so I'm interested in learning too.

 

[PeteG]

2,300 to 2,400 fps is where most factory loads are and is perfect.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Good in-depth article on load development of the 416 Rigby on Realguns.com using a CZ550.

Part 1: http://www.realguns.com/archives/175.htm
Part 2: http://www.realguns.com/archives/179.htm

Another good source of information is Hendershots custom ammo:
https://hendershots.net/product/416-rigby-extreme-custom-ammo/

 

[IvW]

2200-2400 Fps(2300 fps has always been the sweetspot for larger cartridges) with bullets from 400-450gr. Monometal solids with a decent meplat design should give you the best penetration and damage on the way through.

 

[nztimb]

2300 fps is the original 400gr Rigby velocity (from memory).

And it is also the perfect velocity for the 400 gn bullet in the 404 Jeffery and very easily obtained for an easy handling hard hitting load.

 

[sestoppelman]

2300 fps is the original 400gr Rigby velocity (from memory).

Not to put too fine a point on it, the original loading was a 410 gr slug at 2370 for over 5K of energy., but of course like many of the older large rounds it was loaded in such a way as to keep pressures down for the tropics, whereas today it is often loaded to much higher velocities. A handload can drive a 400 gr bullet to nearly 2700 fps if desired. It wouldn't be for me I promise you!

 

[Dr Ray]

What do you believe is the optimal velocity is for shooting solids in a 416 Rigby to avoid deflection and bullet deformation but maximize penetration? I don't want this to be discussion about bullet brand X being better than brand Y. That is why I'm not telling what brand of solid bullet I'm reloading in my 416 Rigby.

For 400 gn bullets velocities range from low 2300s to the high 2500s.
Suggest a moderate load rather than a maximum because if you are in the extreme heat, you may find the fired case sticks in the chamber or is hard to extract.
Go for accuracy rather than top velocity.
I believe solids will be deflected just as much as others and if you are shooting through scrub at a buffalo, you may have the bullet key hole and then you'll have a very angry critter with a flesh wound.
Experiments here in Australia produced results that in many cases, high velocity bullets were deflected more than moderate velocity bullets.

 

[bassasdaindia]

2350 fps is my choice

 

[matt85]

@matt85 is a good source for this question. He's into all of that sectional velocity penetration stuff for big bores (just calling a 416 a big bore to annoy Matt ).

He will likely give you a good velocity range, to which you can find the most accurate load for your rifle.

i have no issue calling the .400"+ cartridges "big bore", times have changed and the old minimum of .458" is a bit outdated. now when people start calling the .375", .366", and even .358" bore rifles "big bore" it does tend to get on my nerves a little .

as for the OPs question, from what ive seen after spending way too much time researching it seems like most of the 40-42 caliber rifles will work just fine down to 2050fps assuming your using a 400gr bullet of proper construction. if you want an example you need look no further then the old classic 450/400 NE 3" which fires a .410" 400gr bullet at right around 2050fps.

now for the speed you "should" run your 416 Rigby at will greatly depend on the bullet being used. if you run a 400gr Woodleigh SP at 2700fps it will likely explode on impact and perform terribly. on the same note if you run a 400gr Barnes TSX at 2050fps it has a pretty high risk of not expanding. pick a bullet, pick a task, and choose a speed to match.

examples of what i would use for a 416 Rigby:
Buffalo: 400gr Swift A-frame at 2300fps+ OR a 400gr Woodleigh SP at 2150fps (be careful about running the Woodleigh too fast)
Lion: 350gr Swift A-frame at 2600fps+
Leopard: (same as lion)
Elephant: Swift 400gr Solid at 2050fps+ OR Woodleigh CPS at 2050fps+ (no max speed for either of these choices)
Hippo: (same as elephant)
Rhino: (same as elephant)
Plains game: 300gr Barnes TSX at 2700fps+

note: i use the .416" 300gr Barnes TSX at 2650fps in my 416 RM and LOVE IT, however i only use my 416 RM for plains game and hunting locally in North America.

-matt

 

[Buckdog]

I handload 416RM started with 400 gr at around 2425fps then pushed it up to 2500fps as the gun shoot solids and swift a frames to the same POI very well at 2500fps with only very little over pressure signs even in hot temps. and I stopped there because I can tell you the recoil is definetley more at 2500fps that 2400fps and don't want over pressure loads.
It has been "field tested" and buff, etc def don't like 400grs at 2500fps you can really hear the sucker hit flesh hard at 30- 50 yds even with ear plugs in!
so I would say 2400-2500 what gun likes best and shoots close to same POI with solids and softs. FYI having shot 416 rigbys and 416 RM rigby more big recoil push, 416RM quick and hard wack!

 

[norfolk shooter]

i have no issue calling the .400"+ cartridges "big bore", times have changed and the old minimum of .458" is a bit outdated. now when people start calling the .375", .366", and even .358" bore rifles "big bore" it does tend to get on my nerves a little .

as for the OPs question, from what ive seen after spending way too much time researching it seems like most of the 40-42 caliber rifles will work just fine down to 2050fps assuming your using a 400gr bullet of proper construction. if you want an example you need look no further then the old classic 450/400 NE 3" which fires a .410" 400gr bullet at right around 2050fps.

now for the speed you "should" run your 416 Rigby at will greatly depend on the bullet being used. if you run a 400gr Woodleigh SP at 2700fps it will likely explode on impact and perform terribly. on the same note if you run a 400gr Barnes TSX at 2050fps it has a pretty high risk of not expanding. pick a bullet, pick a task, and choose a speed to match.

examples of what i would use for a 416 Rigby:
Buffalo: 400gr Swift A-frame at 2300fps+ OR a 400gr Woodleigh SP at 2150fps (be careful about running the Woodleigh too fast)
Lion: 350gr Swift A-frame at 2600fps+
Leopard: (same as lion)
Elephant: Swift 400gr Solid at 2050fps+ OR Woodleigh CPS at 2050fps+ (no max speed for either of these choices)
Hippo: (same as elephant)
Rhino: (same as elephant)
Plains game: 300gr Barnes TSX at 2700fps+

note: i use the .416" 300gr Barnes TSX at 2650fps in my 416 RM and LOVE IT, however i only use my 416 RM for plains game and hunting locally in North America.

-matt

Sorry to drag up an old thread. Would you be looking at the same sort of speed to push the new hornady DGX as the Woodleigh SP for buff??