Powders and primers for the .416 Rigby

[Nicholas Barcomb]

Just curious as to what everyone is using to load their Rigby's with? I have VV N560 and have enough to do what I need to with them, but don't know if I may be able to get anymore for future loads. I was also looking at H4831SC for the part of it being an extreme powder and won't be affected too much by the heat or cold. Since the case capacity using these powders is ranging around the 100 + gr category, I was also looking at using magnum primers (either Federal 215s or CCI 250s). Anyone have anything different than this or any experience? Thank you.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Sorry, I only have our local powders' info available for my .416Rigby. I believe that you can find a chart that will give you comparisons between South African powders and US powders. Let me know if you need me to pass on the info.
I use the 400gr Barnes Banded solids.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

The CZ I had in .416Rigby LOVED H4831SC. I used Hornady brass and Fed 215's. I don't remember the exact load, but it was north of 100gr, somewhere around 105gr with 400gr A-Frames, TSX's, North Forks. It worked in all of those bullets with fantastic accuracy. Whatever you do, work up from well below and slowly to these levels.

But......that was a hard kicking round. Had I kept that rifle, I'd have likely backed it down provided accuracy did not drop off.

 

[Nicholas Barcomb]

KMG, if you are running SomChem, I could run them against what I can use for burn rates, thanks. Phoenix Phil, that looks pretty close to what I am thinking of so far, thanks.

 

[MS Hitman]

Another vote for the Federal 215M primers. I have several 8 lb jugs of surplus powder which calls for about 108 grains per load. I use 83.5 grains with a 200 grain bullet in my 300 Win Mag and it is an excellent load in that rifle.

 

[Nicholas Barcomb]

Been a while since posting on this. I have settled on VVN165 and CCI 250 magnum primers. Still deciding on bullets though. Also, will finally be putting the Ruger #1H in .405 Winchester up so I can get that CZ 550.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

You might find these articles interesting on reloading the 416 Rigby: Joe D'Alessandro at Realguns.com has a witty writing style and a passion for hand load development. Usually tests several powder and bullet combinations.

The .416 Rigby CZ 550 American Safari Magnum Part I
http://www.realguns.com/archives/175.htm

The .416 Rigby CZ 550 American Safari Magnum Part II
http://www.realguns.com/archives/179.htm

 

[larry4831]

CCI 250's are a good hot cap. Used them in a .378 weatherby with 112 grains powder and a hornady 300 grain bullet, never had a problem.

 

[norfolk shooter]

What could happen if you use a standard large rifle primer??

 

[larry4831]

What could happen if you use a standard large rifle primer??

Hang fires

 

[larry4831]

You could also get a squib load that would drive the bullet down the barrel and stick it .

 

[norfolk shooter]

I've been using regular large rifle primers in my 375 H&H with no problems but I suppose the 416 rigby is a bigger case capacity

 

[larry4831]

The 416 Rigby is a huge case. I would always use a magnum primer for that round.

 

[norfolk shooter]

Wilco chap!

 

[GuttormG]

The 416 rigby is the only case where I have seen and felt any difference between "normal" and magnum primers.

 

[larry4831]

I guess Squib loads could result when using heavy amounts of ball powder and A primer that is not hot enough.

 

[norfolk shooter]

@Nicholas Barcomb How have you been getting on with the n165??

 

[Nicholas Barcomb]

@Nicholas Barcomb How have you been getting on with the n165??

Not very well yet. Having issues with the QD scope mount. Need to send the action and barrel out to get cerakoted first and then to find a range that I can shoot the .416 R on. The current range that I am a member of will only allow .300 Winchester Magnum as the largest caliber, even on the zero range.