Were the Ruger RSM and CZ 550 Safari rifles the two most significant contributors to the 416 Rigby's recent popularity?

[Ontario Hunter]

I own a 404J it is a Mauser Type A using SSB magnum action . It is without any shadow of a doubt the most unpleasant rifle I have ever shot . Closely followed by a
Mannlicher Schoenaeur 9.5x57 . That 404 of mine is just awful to shoot . But it certainly comes with a lot of history .

What's the weight of your 404? I can't imagine shooting a gun pushing 400 gr bullets that weighs less than eight pounds but they are being made. It's all about lightweight guns these days. Guys who spend three nights a week in the gym getting into condition for Africa can't carry a ten pound rifle. Go figure.

 

[PCC600]

What's the weight of your 404? I can't imagine shooting a gun pushing 400 gr bullets that weighs less than eight pounds but they are being made. It's all about lightweight guns these days. Guys who spend three nights a week in the gym getting into condition for Africa can't carry a ten pound rifle. Go figure.

My 404J was built in early 1920s . It is light at 8.5 lbs . The stock also has a very narrow butt with horn base . No recoil pad. No cheek piece . I have a 450/400 double - same size bullet and speed with metal butt. Weighs 10lbs and is a joy to shoot . I agree 10-10.5 lbs is correct weight for the 404-425 bolt actions .

 

[CoElkHunter]

Yes. The Ruger RSM and CZ 550 in AFFORDABLE rifles for at least the mainstream aspiring DG hunters in this country, brought the .416 Rigby back from obscurity. Already, the available used rifles in those two brands are reaching the unaffordability index for many. I'm guessing in ten to twenty years from now, the .416 Rigby will again be sliding into obscurity without a new, affordable rifle offering forthcoming.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Yes. The Ruger RSM and CZ 550 in AFFORDABLE rifles for at least the mainstream aspiring DG hunters in this country, brought the .416 Rigby back from obscurity. Already, the available used rifles in those two brands are reaching the unaffordability index for many. I'm guessing in ten to twenty years from now, the .416 Rigby will again be sliding into obscurity without a new, affordable rifle offering forthcoming.

Tell me about it. I just bought a CZ550 for close to 5 grand, but it came with some goodies.

 

[RR 314]

Tell me about it. I just bought a CZ550 for close to 5 grand, but it came with some goodies.

Yikes! Man, I would have sold you a bare AHR .416 Rigbt (new) for not much more that that. Hope there were a lot of goodies.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Yikes! Man, I would have sold you a bare AHR .416 Rigbt (new) for not much more that that. Hope there were a lot of goodies.

I should clarify that's almost 5k in Canadian pesos, so I paid about the equivalent of $3500 USD for comparison.

Rifle came with a Leupold VX6 1-6x (about $2000 value here), a Bell and Carlson Stock ($340) and some Warne detachable rings (Guessing about $100).

 

[RR 314]

I should clarify that's almost 5k in Canadian pesos, so I paid about the equivalent of $3500 USD for comparison.

Rifle came with a Leupold VX6 1-6x (about $2000 value here), a Bell and Carlson Stock ($340) and some Warne detachable rings (Guessing about $100).

You’ve done well!

 

[Neil Molendyk]

I should clarify that's almost 5k in Canadian pesos, so I paid about the equivalent of $3500 USD for comparison.

Rifle came with a Leupold VX6 1-6x (about $2000 value here), a Bell and Carlson Stock ($340) and some Warne detachable rings (Guessing about $100).

So now, Northern Shooter, continue the journey and take your new love to Africa and enjoy her.

 

[Riflecrank]

Here is some fun .416 trivia for anyone who might have missed this:

The .416 Rigby was improved greatly, IMHO, by simply changing the shoulder angle to 20 degrees instead of the rakish 45 degrees. Breech to shoulder distance unchanged.
The tiny bit of case capacity increase generated by that change was not needed,
and the tiny bit of neck shortening caused by it was no problemo.
Handloading was eased, no shoulder collapse or bulge.
Did not hurt slickness of feeding should machine gun use be a possibility.
Same shoulder angle as the .338 Lapua Magnum.

 

[Riflecrank]

Gotta admit, the .416 Ruger of 1991 looks to have a 30-degree shoulder
(like the .416 Ruger of 2009) instead of my preferred 20 degrees on wildcats.
30 degrees is certainly an improvement over the 45-degree shoulder of the original .416 Rigby.