Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa 416 Rigby vs 375 H&H

M70G, yup, you are right, it is based on a 404J, not a 416 Rigby. Thanks.

Yeah, I have only run into 2-3 PH's that would be considered really knowledgeable about rifles, handloading, etc., on these forums. Part of the problem is that they just don't have the access to components we do here, and if they do, everything is incredibly expensive. Plus they are normally limited in the number of rifles they can own, so are limited in judging various cartridges and rifles to what clients bring.

Then again, many of them are very practical hunters, who do know a lot about what works among the cartridges and components they can get. I suspect this is the big reason many rounds we would consider way too slow are still popular over there: They work with ordinary bullets.

I started research on this article already. The first step was to find out the pressure specs on the .416 Remington Magnum, since it has been stated earlier in this thread that the SAAMI pressure limit was about the same as for many other rounds frequently used in Africa, such as the Weatherby Magnums, 7mm Remington Magnum, .30-06, .300 H&H, .300 Winchester, .338 Winchester Magnum, .375 H&H and .458 Winchester Magnum.

The truth of this depends on how you define "about." Here are the SAAMI maximum average psi ratings for most of the rounds listed above:

7mm Remington Magnum--61,000
.30-06-- 60,000
.300 Win. Magnum------64,000
.338 Win. Magnum------64,000
.375 H&H--------------62,000
.416 Rem. Magnum------65,000
.458 Win. Magnum------62,000

The Weatherby rounds that have been accepted by SAAMI generally have a 65,000 psi rating, but some of the commercial ammo for them is slightly hotter. I could find no psi ratings for the .300 H&H, though it is rated at about 62,000 by CIP (the European ammo governing body), and the American factory standard ballistics of a 180-grain bullet at 2880 fps are well below its potential. Most American .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition is also loaded somewhat below maximum, the reason the standard muzzle velocity for 180-grain bullets is 2960 fps.

So the .416 Remington Magnum has the highest pressure rating of any of the rounds listed, except the Weatherbys, some of which have also exhibited signs of high pressure at high temperatures.

I have also heard that factory .416 Remington ammo has ben reduced somewhat in ballistics since its introduction. I will find out about this in due course as well, as I have some original (1988) 400-grain Swift A-Frame ammo coming, thanks to the generosity of a Campfire member. I'll buy some new stuff and see how it compares.

Wow, I go away for a few days and this has morphed into a very interesting science project. About the only thing I can add is regarding Weatherby factory ammo. On TWO separate occassions, I've had pressure problems with them. One with 180gr Barnes Xs (not TSXs) right before I went to Africa with popped primers and sticky bolts and the other with 7mm and the 139gr Hornadys at 3500 fps! Also, can one of you learned gentlemen confirm or deny that spherical (ball powder is more succeptible than extruded when it comes to hotter temps? Reason being, my best 375 H&H load is with H-414 and 300gr Swift A Frame handloads @ 22560 fps. No problems on two different Safaris in Africa where temps were around 110 at mid-day. Maybe as the ammo get older it cakes? jorge

Heck, Jorge, 22560 fps is too hot for a 30-gr Swift A

How's it going?

Gdv

oops, that IS fast! LOL!. IT's going ok I guess. Just here enjoying my "Twilight Tour" in Pensacola and scheming my next safari after I retire jorge

Congrat's sir on your imminent retirement and while I'm at it, thank very much for your service to our country.

Sorry I can't answer your reloading question but might add I'm "enjoying" (might exhilarating be a better word here?) working the Lott out .

Gdv

yup, 30 years 1 Dec...Appreciate the thanks...from ALL of us! jorge

Yes, thanks and congrats!

In answer to your question, yes, traditional ball powders do tend to be somewhat more temperature-sensitive than many other powders. That said, the Ramshot line of ball powders is much less so, and in some instances as good as such things get right now.

Thanks, (twice ). I guess what I need to do with my 375 loads is just wait until I have a hunt set up and load fresh ammo then, even though I keep all my loaded and reloading stuff in a de-humidified space. I also use H-414 in my 06 and 180gr bullets with great success. jorge

jorge, congrats. May you have more time to hunt!

Jorege, Congratulations and thank you for your service. Thanks can never be expressed enough to our service men and women. Me thinks we'll have to drink a toast in Dallas next month. Looking forward to it.

David Walker

Thanks, David, looking forward to seeing you in Dallas. We're staying at the Hilton Anatole. jorge

Serious gun porn.

BMT

That is some serious gun porn..who put if up for you....win action?

Jorge, L. David Keith and I are staying at the Comfort Inn with the Judge's group of rooms, but we'll definitely meet at Papadeaux's on Friday and at the party on Saturday.

BMT, I must agree.

David

As we get closer to the event gents, I'll PM you guys my cell #. We've been invited (my wife & I) as guests of the Dallas Club at their dinner Sat night but we'll be there Friday. Hawk1, yes a the ripe old age of 53, I'll be able to hunt more, but now I'll have to go out and get a real job to supplement my retirement in order to pay for my hunts! jorge

Thank you, Tightloop. The rifle was built by Duane Wiebe on a Vektor Mauser action.

Jorge,

Congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for your service.

Was it you with whom I was having a conversation about great steakhouses? I understand that you will be traveling to Dallas for the DSC. If you have the opportunity, check out Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse on Spring Valley Road. It is fantastic. It is about a 15 minute cab ride from the Anatole.

Also, Truluck's has very good steaks and great stone crabs, if that is your flavor. That bar isn't bad, either.

CAS: Yes we did discuss steak houses and I'll keep taht one in mind! But fellows my retirement is NEXT December. I still have time maybe for one more "hurrah" in the sand jorge