Rigby Mopani 450 Rigby Rifle

My 450 PH is a SSB with heavy 22” barrel . The 416 Big Game is also SSB with peep sights. It has the lighter 24” barrel. I can only think the lighter barrel makes the difference in felt recoil . It is really noticeable .
Oh really your SSB 416 has the 24"barrel? I've never seen that before. When was it made?
 
I got it in early 2022. At the time I ordered a PH with 24” barrel , SSB and a few extras including a peep sight and gold escutcheon with my initials . As you know extras are not available on PH models . I was quietly waiting for someone to contact me to say I would have to upgrade to a Big Game . Anyway the rifle turned up as I had ordered but with Big Game case hardening , upgraded timber , peep sight etc . No extra charge over a PH other than for the peep sight . A lot of extras . Dave Auger did tell me at the time that I had been very lucky .
 
My take on why the 450 Rigby is easier to shoot is that the escaping gases have a 458 hole to go through so it is more of a shove than thump. I have fired-many years ago- a 458 of some description, a wildcat I believe, with more power than a Lott and it kick was not as vicious as the 416 Rigby.

Mind you powders can/do play a part. I use 96 grains of AR2209 in my 416Rigby. When I tried a slower powder AR2213SC, 106 grains, it kicked like a mule. Even when I tried 98 grains of the AR2213SC it still kicked worse than the AR2209.
 
My take on why the 450 Rigby is easier to shoot is that the escaping gases have a 458 hole to go through so it is more of a shove than thump. I have fired-many years ago- a 458 of some description, a wildcat I believe, with more power than a Lott and it kick was not as vicious as the 416 Rigby.

Mind you powders can/do play a part. I use 96 grains of AR2209 in my 416Rigby. When I tried a slower powder AR2213SC, 106 grains, it kicked like a mule. Even when I tried 98 grains of the AR2213SC it still kicked worse than the AR2209.
I use both the 2209 ( mainly ) and 2213SC but can’t recall the effect when shooting . Suspect the 2209 was my preference because I seem to buy a lot of it .
 
What is symbolic or where did the "Gold Oval" come from, underneath the stock on well-built bolts?

Thank you.
 

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