I have those powders. I've also heard that Big Game is good in the .375 H&H, which is another RL-15 popular round. Seems the old H&H uses similar burn rate powders recommended for the .416 Rem.
Hope those Swift and Nosler bullets hit pretty close to the same POI. I'm gonna have to do some good guessing, as shooting multiple combos with $6 bullets many not be that productive...
Probably work up loads with the Partition, shoot a few Swift solids just to check POI, then load ammo for Africa.
Dirtfarmer, it sounds like you have plenty of experience, so whatever you come up with should be good enough for your buddy. Those Nosler Partitions should do great.
I've played around with a bunch of bullets and powders out of my .416 Rem, both solids and softs. I ended up using the 400 gr. A-Frames for softs. My backup was the 350gr. TSX and I'm sure that would have worked just fine, but I prefer the bonded lead bullets and the A-Frames have an excellent reputation in Africa. I did mess around some with the 400 gr. TSX, but that bullet was a tad too long and the velocity, of course, was reduced. For solids, I preferred the old North Fork solid. Not sure if they are available now or not, but I'm sure the Swift solid you just purchased should do the trick.
As for powders, RL-15 was the best for both the 416 and 375, in my experience. I did use IMR-4064 some and that did OK as well.
By the way, my PH in Zim had the same philosophy, i.e. load a soft up the pipe and fill the mag with solids. Not really what I would have done, but he was the boss so I listened.
I will hook up with Bill at Swift next week just to see what he says.
Varget may be the most temp stable of those disucssed, H-4895, may be as good. Big Game is reportedly pretty temp stable for a ball powder, RL-15 probably the least..
Thinking about few loads with RL-15, BG, Varget and H-4895 with the NPT's and see how they do. I'm gonna try for 2,350 fps or so, not push the envelop. I'll shoot a few solids with the best NPT load and check POI.
R15 has long been my go to powder in the 416 Rem. Tried Varget but it wasn’t as accurate so have stayed with R15. Your bullet choices are fine but I’d personally use a 350 TSX. I’ve never hunted with a PH that didn’t love them.
I couldn't log in today DF, reason for the pic and text, great, you got a handle on it, always remember, if in need, bounce a rock off my doghouse, I can hook a Brutha up.
Sounds like you're set. The bullets you chose should be fine. I would be tempted to try the Woodleigh,s both Weldcore and the Hydrostatically stabilized bullet as it may be more disruptive than a conventional solid. The Weldcore is a good choice for herd situations as an on the shoulder shot will usually stop on the hide on the off side. You can order directly from them so should be available.
R-16 is showing promise in the 375 H&H for me, might work well in the 416. Top velocities and temperature stable. A little faster speeds than R-15 which was my previous go to.
Not a major issue but if you find accuracy a grain or so below max I would stay there. Always good to have a margin of error for hot weather shooting. Full length size each case for the same reason and cycle all of them through the action.
I would get some Hornadays or the ACP for load work up till you do the final load tuning.