Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only super heavy bullets for 416's

Just wondering if anyone has tried shooting a 450 or 500 grainer out of their 416. Seems like it would make sense with expanding bullets or controlled expansion... would do lots of damage. You could probably still push them 2000-2200 fps. I read on another board some guy shot 500 grain solids out of this 416 ruger... which is what i'm currently saving up my money to buy.. and he said he go it over 2000 fps.

Just get a .458!

It's a waste of time. I go the other way. I prefer lighter and faster and a stronger bullet. To wit, a 350gr TXS@ 2600.

They will penetrate chain maille.
See here

I hear ya... well not all of us have that kind of money to piss away on safari rifles!!

Thanks for input. I'd like to try doing that also when I get my rifle. Also some people try 300 grains.

I think 300s too light. I use 400gr@ 2400, but the inventors of the TSX, Randy and Connie Brooks always said the 350 TSX at 2600 or so seemed to kill buffalo better than the 400gr23-2400. Speed baby!

I use 450 Woodleighs in my 404s (0.423") for practice because I have gotten them at a god price. However I see no advantage in using them for hunting as the standard 400 grain bullets (as in the 416s) provide the best balance of SD and velocity. If there is perceived need for more power a 458 seems a better solution.

makes sense the 350 grain .416 bullet still has a section density of .288

Here's some sectional density calculations I made for the .416

300 grain bullet: .248
350 grain bullet: .288
400 grain bullet: .330
450 grain bullet: .371
500 grain bullet: .413

Compare to .458 loads

400 grain bullet: .272
450 grain bullet: .306
500 grain bullet: .339
550 grain bullet: .378
600 grain bullet: .411

Thanks

Is there any particular disadvantage to using a heavier bullet? Other than obvious reduced speed?

You can afford a 416, but not a 458? Aren't 458 bullets less expensive than 416 bullets?

Ruger alaskan in 416 costs about 800 bucks. Stainless steel and synthetic

IF you can find me a stainless steel/synthetic .458 or .458 lott for 800 bucks you let me know... or for that matter under 1000

Sectional Densities don't carry much weight with expanding bullets. I have gotten more penetration with 400 grain X bullets than I have with 550gn or 600gn cup and core bullets because construction is all important, not SD, which only has merit when comparing solids (FMJ's) when construction is equal.

John

The conventional 450 grain bullets are about the same OAL as the monolithic 400s, so not much of a COAL problem. In the 375 H&H-length (or longer) cartridges heavier bullets shouldn't reduce powder space enough to cause a problem.

But when dealing with the 416 Ruger or a standard-length ('06) wildcat reduced powder space and heavier bullets can present a problem of disproportionate velocity loss or pressure increases with the longer bullet. I can't comment on penetration from experience as I've only shot game with 400s, but would conjecture that the 450s penetrate well.

BINGO. That is why I love the TSXs so much. You can go down in weight, jack up the velocity and increase penetration all in one shot!

I have always been puzzled about the advantages of .416 bullets heavier than 400 grains. Harry Selby PH'd for several decades with his .416 Rigby with never a problem on any sort of dangerous game, in fact he bragged about it's performance. And he never used any bullet heavier than 410's, back before we had all of today's wonder bullets.

My own experience with the .416's is pretty pitiful in comparison, but I have never felt the need for more penetration than one of the newer 350-400 grain bullets provides, whether soft or solid, on either Cape or water buffalo.

John: I think it's the leftover mentality of older PHs that are used to cup and core bullets like the old lousy Kynochs so they want a heavier slower bullet to help with penetration

Thanks Mule Deer. Your right. I was just curious thats all.

Polska, re-read Jorge's post please! Now I have done a lot of testing with my .416-Rem. in a model 70 and had several conversations with the PH who started it all George Hoffman before he passed away.

You really don't need anything heavier in bullet weight. The 400 grain bullet will travel from one end of an elephant to the other with the proper bullet.

I have shot a lot of game animals in the past 12 years with my .416 model 70 and those lighter really do a great job on game animals like Eland etc. I used a 300, 325 and 350 grain bullet on lots of plains game, moose and large black bear.

There's a short section in Boddington's Safari Rifles II on his experience with heavier-than-standard bullets in the mediums (375-404). It's a short but pretty good explanation of why he went back to the standard weights. Based on CB's experience shooting African game with mediums, might be worth the read.