saw one in a Ruger #1 today. Decent price, nice wood, and I collect #1's
In the back of my mind I've thought about getting a Rigby, but interesting ones are usually either spendy, or hard to find. I understand the Rem matches Rigby factory velocities, and with modern temp resistant powders, works fine in hot climates. I realize of course, a Rigby is basically a beltless .460 Weatherby, so I could go warmer on loads
So should I jump on the RM, or hold out for a Rigby?
If you can't kill it with a 416 Remington, lack of power is not the issue.
I've yet to shoot a #1 big bore buy my understanding is they are not the friendliest with significant levels of recoil. Hence I don't think you'd really want to throttle up the Rigby if you got one.
If/when I find the need to scratch the 416 itch, the Remington will get the vote. Enough case capacity to do the job and brass is straightforward and reasonably priced. I've played the odd ball brass game with the 350 Rigby and 500 Jeffrey. I've learned my lesson.
I have a Rigby, but the Remington is a much more practical round and offers same performance. Good choice!
A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”
Since money isn't a determinant, and since the Rigby name is also not a driver -- buy the #1 in sight. (CZ 550 is a cheaper way to go if you had to have a Rigby, even if you have to smooth them out some.)
Presumably 458 Lott isn't a moniker/handle selected by a friend who has not mastered recoil. So, you've gotten good advice. Two hundred a box for factory loads and 80 bucks for just brass is indeed a rough game.
I've had both, 416 Rem in a Win Model 70 classic stainless, sold it, and 416 Rigby in a CZ 550, which I still have. I found the 416 Rigby to be very easy to keep fed, the Rem only liked one powder and it became difficult to get here, and the Rigby is significantly faster without even trying. With just about any powder of the correct burn, 2550fps with 410gr SP Woodleigh's is acheivable.
I have killed two buff and a large, bull elephant with a Win M70 in .416 Rem Mag. The rifle/cartridge combo performed flawlessly. I used 400 gr Swift A-Frames for the buff and 400 gr Barnes solids for the elephant.
I couldn't believe how hard that bullet impacted the ellie at about 30 yards on a broadside shoulder shot. The ellie stumbled and almost went down from the impact.
Two quick follow shots at 20 yards, and the bull was already slowly toppling over like a giant tree.
I have never heard anyone who has used a .416 Rem Mag on large, dangerous game ever say anything bad about its performance.
I've had two Rigbys (an RSM and a CZ550) and one Remington (Mdl 70), and I much preferred loading for the Rigby. It swallowed a lot of different powders and shot the biggest bullets without much tweaking.
I had several instances of tight bolts and loose primers with the Remington while developing loads. It seemed to go from ok to pressure cooker real fast. Not so with the Rigby.
That said, I liked both and wouldn't feel under gunned, whichever one I chose.
Hunt with Class and Classics
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I have had zero issues accurately throwing 400 gr TSX's at 2400 fps (24" M70) in the Texas Hill Country summer with the 416 Rem. Yes, the case volumes are dramatically different but I do not buy into the old school lore having owned a Rigby as well.
I've had both, 416 Rem in a Win Model 70 classic stainless, sold it, and 416 Rigby in a CZ 550, which I still have. I found the 416 Rigby to be very easy to keep fed, the Rem only liked one powder and it became difficult to get here, and the Rigby is significantly faster without even trying. With just about any powder of the correct burn, 2550fps with 410gr SP Woodleigh's is acheivable.
Cheers.
I agree. In the past I have had both 416 Rem and 416 Wby. To get 2400 f/s in the 416 Wby amounts to a reduced load and in addition you can get 2400 with about any powder.
Anyone try the 350 TTSX in either .416? Seems like it would be a useful slug at longer ranges
The Brooks' did when first developing the TSX. Their conclusion was the 350 TSX was superior to the 400gr TSX on buffalo.
A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”
I can't see where 150 fps will make or break a hunt.
My point had nothing to do with the extra speed making or breaking a hunt, only that in the Rem, you HAVE to run very high pressures just to manage 2400fps in a 24" barrel. Not so in the Rigby, start loads will do this and it is a very forgiving cartridge on powder selection. My 416 Rem only liked RE15, it became almost impossible to obtain here for 3-4 years in the the early 2000's, and, guess what, ALL Alliant powders are unavailable again at present, with no import date, so looks like I won't be using any again when my own supply runs out. It's been 18 months since a shipment came in here in Australia. Once, a long time ago, we had IMR, Win, Hodgdon and our own ADI powder available here. Now we only have Norma, Win, Alliant (When imported) and ADI (Maker of Hodgdon extruded powders).
I'm in love with my Winch Safari Express .416RM This ammo is cheaper than Rigby and has the same balistic. The Winch is quite good, no frill, reliable and efficient scoped with Leupold VX3 1.5-5x24 for its eyerelief. In France we have the same ammo you have and 300grs @ 2887fps mono (GPA Sologne)
I can't see where 150 fps will make or break a hunt.
My point had nothing to do with the extra speed making or breaking a hunt, only that in the Rem, you HAVE to run very high pressures just to manage 2400fps in a 24" barrel. Not so in the Rigby, start loads will do this and it is a very forgiving cartridge on powder selection. My 416 Rem only liked RE15, it became almost impossible to obtain here for 3-4 years in the the early 2000's, and, guess what, ALL Alliant powders are unavailable again at present, with no import date, so looks like I won't be using any again when my own supply runs out. It's been 18 months since a shipment came in here in Australia. Once, a long time ago, we had IMR, Win, Hodgdon and our own ADI powder available here. Now we only have Norma, Win, Alliant (When imported) and ADI (Maker of Hodgdon extruded powders).
Cheers.
On the 416 Wby/Rigby Vs 416 Rem I came to the conclusion many years ago that if I want maximum 270 Win ballistics then I get a 270 Wby. If I want top 300 Win ballistics I get 300 Wby.
As you said powder flexibility is so great. Probably a bigger deal for us in Australia.
As to cost of brass a 416 Wby/Rigby loaded to 416 Rem (or 270 Wby loaded to max 270 Win ballistics etc. and etc.) the case life is just this side of forever and barrel life is also longer.
