@danielcurtis1434 Since standard length action ARs exist, I am thinking that the .416 Ruger might be a more practical choice. That way, you can use existing parts.
According to @KentuckyBallistics, this should be the 416 honey badger vs 416 rem mag. After seeing some videos of his of the 416 Rigby this should be a great video
I'd like to see the 416 Weatherby vs 416 Ruger and what the both of them would best be used for. Two totally different cartridges and both and both are used for very different applications and perform extremely well for what they were produced for. Should be a great video
Ron doesn't like weatherby's have never seen him with one they are probably too accurate for him I had a 338 378 on the same case as the 416 it was a long range track driving elk hammer
Weatherby stock design best suites shooters with sloping shoulders like Roy Snr had. Recoil always appears heavier with more muzzle rise with smaller framed shooters. I have owned and loaded for 3 x .416 Wby's and a model 70 in .416 Rem.
In the African heat the Rigby would be my choice... bigger case, lower pressures (small case and high pressure were the Achilles' heel of the 458 Winchester). A friend of mine that hunts in Africa had a CZ rifle in .416 Rigby and his loads pushed the 400 gr Barnes at about 2600fps. It kicked a lot, but was very accurate although not something you'd want to shoot 20 rounds prone with.. 🙂
I’ve hunted and guided with both. Cannot say that I’ve ever seen a buffalo, giraffe or eland notice the difference in being shot with either. I just found that with the .416RM rifle actions did get “sticky” to open when we hunted in very hot weather and chamber pressures increased due to hot ammo. This was not all the time, but enough to be aware of the fact. I found that 350gr handloads were great in open regions when hunting eland, roan or similar large game and you could not stalk to within 100m. It still shot flat enough and delivers all the energy necessary. I reloaded Woodleigh (410gr & 450gr), Hornady 400gr, Swift 400gr and Rhino 350gr. For propellant, RL22 and Somchem S385. On soft nose bullets only the largest eland, buffalo or giraffe would not have a complete pass through. One interesting benefit of either if these are that they are great choices when hunting very small antelope for trophy with solids. A solid bullet just punches through without destroying the cape and on something as small as a duiker or klipspringer it is an instant kill.
Fired a 416 Rigby in a Ruger No. 1 the other day. Hit my targets bang on but got slightly gonged in the eye with the scope. No harm done but a good reminder of the power. Awesome cartridge.
I bought a Rem.700 in 416 Rem. not long after they were introduced and loved shooting it.I never put a scope on it,but I would buy Remington ammo for it,both soft and solids.I would use it at the range as my wake up gun 😂. I was really impressed with how easy I could hit a 3/4" steel ram at 200 yards with it.Youre right about one thing though,it didn't hurt to shoot and was quite controllable but three shots in rapid succession would make you feel a little punch drunk.All in all though,I have made up my mind that when I get another to carry to Africa,I'm getting the Remington.I may buy a Rugby as well,just because it's so classic,but all things considered,I like the Remington version best.Great video,and yes,do one on the other two cartridges as well.
I know splitting hairs is fun sometimes but between the .416 Ruger, Remington and Rigby those hairs are so fine as to be virtually bald. 400 grains at 2400 feet per second gets the job done and done well on anything that walks. People like to talk about the .416 Weatherby because of the crazy velocity and energy numbers but for me if I'm going to take that level of recoil to produce those energy levels I want more bullet delivering the message. If we're only concerning ourselves with energy as many armchair jockeys do then energy transfer is the real issue and wider, heavier bullets that dump all their energy into the animal while still reaching the vitals are better than lighter and smaller diameter bullets that exit with energy to spare. The .416 Weatherby produces something like 80 to 85 foot pounds of felt recoil in a 10 pound rifle and you can get more energy transfer into target with less recoil with a .458 Lott or a .500 Nitro Express. And for the same recoil a .500 Jeffery would do better. And, heck, at that level it really doesn't get much worse in the feels department for roughly 12 more foot pounds to endure a step up to a .505 Gibbs or a .460 Weatherby. All of which will penetrate more than enough to cross country an elephant while delivering a bigger fist to the face.
Very nice review Ron. The 416s would be my choice as well. I had both the Rigby and Remington versions. They both have their pros and cons as you pointed out and, yes, the Rigby had a bit more recoil with the same bullet weights and the same velocities. They are more pleasant to shoot, if you can call it that, than the 458 Win Mag and especially the 458 Lott. And the 500 A-Square is on a whole ‘nother level, entirely. But, the 416s are my favorite of all the above!
Wonderful video, and for decades, my favourite rifle for the dangerous creatures has always been and always will be the 416 Rigby! By the way, that book has always been a favourite of mine! To me, the Rigby can cover every situation well given the options available for it, it is a true classic to me along with a 30-30, 300 H&H, 45 Colt, and all such classics! Thank you for making this video, some of us are just old school, and I do not think that I am the only one in this world with no interest in the 416 Rememington!
I have a .416 REM in a Ruger No1, it’s as much recoil as I can handle accurately. It’s an accurate rifle with 400gr Hornady and with hand loads I get 2780 fps using a 300gr Barnes. There are no Cape Buffalo in the UK as legal quarry but the rifle is fun to shoot.
I used to watch this guy that had a lever gun in 50 110 and with a 300gr bullet was very impressive. that combined with the advantage of multiple rounds seemed ideal for hunting pretty much anything big. seemed like a lot of fire power in a small package. I don't hunt so...what do I know, other than the fact that I like shooting absurdly powerful guns that I can't afford.
There is a standard formula for dangerous game on velocity, bullet weight and SD. 50 300 grain is a very poor SD. However, some 50 Alaskan, or 50-110, rifles, and for that mater, lever actions, have been used in Africa both historically, or currently. (Well not 50 Alaskan). It is the middle colonial period of sport hunting, where other than Roosevelt, not too many people wrote about them. Off the shelf, the 45-90s offered by Winchester are pretty much ready to go for Dangerous game. That cartridge has the same capacity as the 458 Win, give or take, so somewhat similar results have been recorded over on the African Hunting board. Another good option is the Win 1895 in 9.3x62, which is a custom proposition, but not too expensive, and would be pretty magic (the show up now and then). You have a box mag to short out bullet shapes, and a cartridge with an amazing power to recoil track record in Africa. Another option is the 1886 in the 475, as offered by Turnbull.
I really want a 416 Rigby but i do love my 375 H&H up here in Alaska. 375 is also much more available then the 416s here too. Not to mention costs of the guns like you said. Great video and very informative sir!
They are hard to find though unless you get a weatherby rifle. I wanted one back in 2000 when I found out that They make one in the Sauer 202 rifle. I put down my money for an order back then and it was never delivered. It was a unicorn. I will now settle for a Weatherby in .375 Wby if I can find one in the model I like. I have a Sako 75 .300Wby that I absolutely love, perhaps I can go a Sako 85 route in .375 H&H and get it reamed to a Wby.
Awesome Video! I've owned both and I love the 416 Rigby! And with current powders you can load close to Weatherby specs. But now I have a 458 Lott and love it! Keep making the big bore videos! Not many people doing that anymore 😔😔
My only concern about using the 416 Remington Magnum in Africa is the high pressure readings. The heat of summer could cause pressure spikes that might lead to extraction difficulties.
@@russellehrgood9835 I'm only repeating the complaints of some African hunters who claimed the high operating pressure of modern big game rifles caused extraction issues on hot days. I presume this applied to repeated firing, not one-off shots.
@russellehrgood9835 that is incorrect. As powder temp increase its burn rate increases. As burn rate increase pressure increase. So if the air temp is higher or you have thermal heat absorbsation the gunpowder will be hotter thus increasing pressure. Which could potentially cause difficulties during case extraction.
Nothing wrong with the 416 rem mag, works fine in the heat. Hunting buff or dangerous game down here in the middle of summer isn't advisable anyways. The temperatures are high but manageable, the big issue is that summer is our rainy season, and in the middle of summer when it's hot like that, the bush is green and thick, you can often barely see more than 10 yards. Makes it even more dangerous, and a lot more difficult. I've stalked buff in the thick stuff where you can hear the herd all around you, can hear them moving around, eating, fighting etc, maybe 15 yards away. And I couldn't see a single damn one of them. Now you must try find the right bull, get a good shot opportunity, and try keep track of where the others are in that thick stuff.
Glad you liked at who makes rocked for these rounds! I have a Dakota Arms 300WM NRA Special that I've been trying to put glass on that hasn't ever been shot.
I think the .416 Weatherby is perhaps the firm's very best all-around cartridge for heavy game. I'd like to see an honest comparison (there are some silly ones out there) between the .416 Weatherby and the .416 Remington. I suspect that there is some difference in "best use" between the two cartridges. Keep up the good work!
Have 416 Rem in a 700 Rem 22" Beefed up the extracter claw, absolutely love it. Drops bluewildebeest "poor man's buffalo" in it's tracks every single time
Had the same done to mine, sako extractor. I reload and now use it for everything just for the hell of it, makes for excellent bear repellent while stalking in the elk woods. Besides the extractor upgrade, getting a Wyatts detachable box magazine has been the best money ive put into the rifle. 400 bucks for the 'drop-in' conversion floor plate and two 5rd mags.
The problem with the ruger shows up when handloading, in that the velocities you get with factory ammo is all you will ever get, and are quite difficult to replicate without severly copressed loads, and encountering pressure issues like flattened primers and sticky bolt. (Hornady's mystery blend) Where as the Rigby & 416rm can be safely handloaded to 2800fps/3000fps with 300-350gr bullets. You will never see the north side of 2700fps in a 416 ruger.
For 416’s, the Remington is the current most popular because of the availability and cost, much like a 30-06. The 416 Rigby, though, is the more “romantic” and historical. I guess it ultimately comes down to the depth of your pockets or if you’re just looking for something more utilitarian. If I were rich enough, I’d choose the Rigby. As it stands though, my M70 Safari rifle is a 375H&H because I’m comfortable with the recoil and figure I’ll have better luck with a well placed 300g bullet than a poorly placed 400g shot that missed the vitals.
Id take the 416 Remington magnum mainly for being able to find ammo for that caliber. It does perform well though too. What use is any gun if you can't find ammo for it.
I have been seriously thinking about getting myself something in 416 to mess around with. Anything chambered in the Rigby is pretty pricey, the Remington is hard to find something chambered in also. The 416 Ruger Hawkeye bolt action is pretty much available at a reasonable price and it delivers the same ballistics so that is what I am leaning toward. Ammo and components seem hard to come by.
* If I were looking for a large bore cartridge for hunting dangerous game in places like Africa, I'd look at getting a rifle chambered in 450 Watts. It's the same cartridge as the 458 Lott, but is a little longer, and more powerful. A rifle so chambered would shoot the 458Lott as well as the 458 Win. Mag. A person that doesn't reload would have the choice of 3 different power levels. Just my thoughts on this subject.
I’ve been using my .416 Rigby for over 20 years and really like it. But if I were going to buy a new.416, I’d get a .416 Ruger with the synthetic stock. Compared to other .416’s, it’s a real pleasure to shoot. I believe the stock really absorbed the recoil. Just get 2400 fps with a good strong 400 grain bullet and forget the silly numbers. They don’t mean a thing.
More videos on 416s, yes please !!! I would like to hear your thoughts on the 416 Ruger. One of my favorites is a custom build, FN Mauser action in 416 Taylor....458 Win necked down to 416...tho' actual Taylor cases are not quite as tappered as the 458 Win, they can be made from 458 Win. cases. Very mild, accurate and plenty of power for most anything if you do your part.
I just got back from Africa and took a big Cape with my 375 H&H with a Barnes bullet it went 13 yards fell over. I couldn’t of be happier also I shot it at 30 feet. Practice all summer at 150 yards.
11:20 this is basically how I found rons videos, I watched the "worlds rarest action" and then the clip of him getting off balance was in the suggested videos a few years ago.
Confused why you didn’t put the king of the 416’s which is the Weatherby 416 shooting a 400 grain bullet over 2700fps. I know it’s nowhere near the most popular but always show the baddest! Thanks Ron and I love your videos!
The Rigby is another old european cartridge that is handicapped in loading manuals due to fear of blowing up an antique. In a strong modern magnum action like the CZ 550 safari it's more than reasonable to load it to 60000 psi, and some people load it to almost Weatherby levels. I've never understood why more reloading manuals don't have multiple pressure sections for these old cartridges to reflect these realities like they do for the .45-70. Anyone who's ever run a quickload for these old cartridges at a modern action pressure can see this. Personally, I load mine with Tsx 350's at 2750 fps.
Actually, the rigby was loaded at lower pressure due to the powders available when it was created. At the high temperatures encountered while hunting in Africa, those powders would spike in pressure hampering extraction. To counter act this it was lo lower pressure. It has nothing to do with blowing up older rifles.
@gsnicholas8522 Then why isn't there a higher pressure rating for newer, modern powders? The same argument can be made for 7x57, 6.5x55, to a degree 8x57, though there is the bore issue with that one. We don't load cordite anymore, you'd think someone would have realized that somewhere over the last 80 years or so. The fact is you can turn the belt off of 416 weatherby brass and resize it to lose the radius shoulder for a Rigby, they're that close in size. Why the lasting massive difference in max pressure if it's only an issue of obsolete powders?
No question the 416s are great dangerous game rounds but most people can't shoot them well due to the sharp recoil. That's why the .375s are so popular - because they recoil less but are still legal. Two interesting alternatives which are making a comeback are the 404 Jeffrey and the 9.3 x 62. Although the 9.3 x 62 is below the .375 bore minimum, it is legal in most African countries due to its historic reputation. The 404 Jeffrey does everything the 416s can do but with less velocity, which is fine because dangerous game is not hunted at long ranges.
Nice video Ron. Remember the Remington was designed to duplicate the Rigby, which it does. A few fps here or there really doesn't matter. I've used the Remington, Rigby and Weatherby quite a bit and all do an excellent job. Personally I favor the Weatherby, but I like Weatherby rifles and cartridges. Can't go wrong with any of the 416s. Unfortunately Remington has once again done what Remington does best. Abandon a good cartridge and the customers.
Handloads are nominal as far powder and power goes-- but you do get more rounds from a pound with 416 Rem Mag loads. Nowadays that counts for something.
A lot of people don't know this but that big .416 was actually invented by a woman named Eleanor Rigby. The Beatles who were prolific big-game hunters actually wrote a song about her. They just really loved that cartridge because it hit so hard. Ringo was really the only one who could shoot it without flinching though. True story bro.
I hunted a buffalo this past weekend in Pongola, South Africa…the bush was very thick and my PH kept me from taking a shot on the first buffalo… his reason was the 375H&H bullet (300gr) wouldn’t go through thick brush and branches. That made me think twice about carrying enough stick. I took a head-shot on another buffalo and dropped it…but only because he stood behind a big thorn-bush and I didn’t believe the 375 would pass through and still hit were I aimed, maybe a 416 or larger would have been better in this case.
After a recent trip to South Africa a 338 Lapua Maybe just as advantageous for American hunters as the 416 Rigby. It was what was suggested by the PH Understanding the animals that we may be encountering. Without a doubt the 416 Rigby is a beautiful rifle but the modern side of it definitely holds potential
When I was looking at DG cartridges, it was a toss up between the 416 Rigby and the 404 Jeffery. I ended up with the 416 Rigby and haven't looked back!!!! 😁😁😁
Dear Ron, I have just bought a Ruger M-77 Hawkeye African in .416 Ruger. 23 inch barrel. I am just amazed at its performance, we are talking .458 Lott territory. Mass penetration. The Buffalo Bore 350 grain Lehigh solids are pushing 5500 lbs at the muzzle. I’d really love to hear your breakdown and opinion on the 416 Ruger.
One pound is 7000 grains, not 700. The problem with the .416 Rem is that Africa is hot. Heat increases pressure. On a high-pressure cartridge like the .416 Rem, this can lead to sticky extraction. In a push feed, this can lead to you being stomped into toe jam. To alleviate this, the .416 Rem is usually loaded a little underpowered so that when the ammo is exposed to 120-degree heat, it doesn't stick in the chamber and get you killed. Consequently, the .416 Rem doesn't usually get the advertised performance because it is downloaded to reduce pressure.
I know the .416 Ruger was developed to have the same performance as the .416 Rigby in a standard length action. Do they actually have the same performance?
Great topic, those are some real boomers. 416 Rigby is just too expensive both with the rifle and ammo. How about the 416 Ruger? I think it compares well and is less expensive with a shorter action
A meaningless comparison. I've had 2 rifles in 416 Remington, both in Sako Deluxe. Remington introduced the cartridge to give identical ballistics to the 416 Rigby in a regular belted magnum case. I spent a lot of time chronographing hand loads for these rifles - and with 24" barrels, they pretty much did just that. The Remington factory 400 grain Swift A-Frame rounds averaged about 2,485 fps. However, the most useful bullet was certainly the Barnes 350 grain TTSX with a ballistic coefficient of .444 that averaged well over 2700 fps.
Agreed, 416rem matches the rigby in every way, while using 20gr less powder. You should try the cutting edge bullets 325gr. maximus. On a full (compressed) charge of H4895, i get 2800-2825fps, 24" barrel. I've gotten two passthrough shots on feral cattle hunts, one of which was the follow-up shot through the pelvis to anchor it outside the swamp they were living in.
The first 416 I ever shot was the Rigby. A few weeks later I was able to get my hands on one of the very first Rem 700's in 416 Rem. It was from the custom shop. I shot a LOT of rounds through it. It is no trick to reach 2500 with RL-15 and 400 gr bullets in the Rem Mag. I bought a CRF m-70 Safari Express in 416 Rem right after they started chambering for that round and back when the rifles still had a nice finish on them, and after a few years I had it custom built into a 404 Jeffery, which was something I had wanted to own for years. It will do anything the Rem Mag will with less pressure because it is a slightly wider bore and has slightly more actual powder capacity than 416 Rem brass. I love this rifle and it is just as accurate as my first 416 rem was, and that thing was a tack driver at 1oo yards. It would shoot 5 into 1 1/4" regularly with top end loads.
Comparing the Rigby and the Remington .416’s, to quote Paul Harrell “well within the variation of one round to the next, and not enough difference to make a difference.” (Just a note to Ron, I would love a video of you interviewing Paul Harrell. I’d love to hear you guys comparing notes!). I don’t know how it would translate to performance on game in hunting situations, but Scott over at Kentucky Ballistics has gotten some phenomenal penetration from the .416 using 400 grain solids on many of his “fun” targets.
Hey Ron I look forward to all your new podcast, very informative, thank you for the time you put into them. Would you do one on the Weatherby 338/378. I'd love to hear what you think of it.
I'd take the Rigby. Like the 30/ 06 it's been copied but never equaled. Theres a reason a John Rigby rifle is worth 10 times what a 416 weatherby or remington magnum is. History and just PROVEN PERFORMANCE. IT JUST WORKS, Why reinvent the wheel. It turns just fine.
From what I saw on Kentucky Ballistics that 416 Rigby out penetrates nearly everything.
.416 honey badger!!
Because it just doesn’t care.
Amen 🙏
Level 4 body armor with solid brass 400 grain!!! Someone should make an AR considering they have .338 Lapua!!!
@danielcurtis1434 Since standard length action ARs exist, I am thinking that the .416 Ruger might be a more practical choice. That way, you can use existing parts.
Would love to see more dangerous game cartridges on the channel!
How about the Oddities. Like the .22 Earsplitzenloudenboomer?
I had a friend with a 404 Jeffrey, he loaded it down to practice with. Hell of a cartridge.
According to @KentuckyBallistics, this should be the 416 honey badger vs 416 rem mag. After seeing some videos of his of the 416 Rigby this should be a great video
Should have added in the 416 weatherby magnum. Great video Ron!
I would like to see more dangerous game cartridge reviews/overviews!
I have a 416 rigby, I'm shooting a 400 grain barnes tsx @ 2508 fps and it shoots well under MOA. Fantastic round!
That sounds terrifying
Enjoy every round of that rifle! At every opportunity too!
I'd like to see the 416 Weatherby vs 416 Ruger and what the both of them would best be used for. Two totally different cartridges and both and both are used for very different applications and perform extremely well for what they were produced for. Should be a great video
416 wby exceeds all other 416 by 300fps.
Ron doesn't like weatherby's have never seen him with one they are probably too accurate for him I had a 338 378 on the same case as the 416 it was a long range track driving elk hammer
Weatherby stock design best suites shooters with sloping shoulders like Roy Snr had. Recoil always appears heavier with more muzzle rise with smaller framed shooters.
I have owned and loaded for 3 x .416 Wby's and a model 70 in .416 Rem.
Yes. Let's dive into the other 416's
If you want factory ammo, Remington, if you want to handload your ammo Rigby, and if you want even more power, Weatherby and Barrett.
In the African heat the Rigby would be my choice... bigger case, lower pressures (small case and high pressure were the Achilles' heel of the 458 Winchester). A friend of mine that hunts in Africa had a CZ rifle in .416 Rigby and his loads pushed the 400 gr Barnes at about 2600fps. It kicked a lot, but was very accurate although not something you'd want to shoot 20 rounds prone with.. 🙂
I've tested loads for my .416 Rem in 40°C, and no problems. I shoot a 400gr @ 2365fps.
I’ve hunted and guided with both. Cannot say that I’ve ever seen a buffalo, giraffe or eland notice the difference in being shot with either.
I just found that with the .416RM rifle actions did get “sticky” to open when we hunted in very hot weather and chamber pressures increased due to hot ammo. This was not all the time, but enough to be aware of the fact.
I found that 350gr handloads were great in open regions when hunting eland, roan or similar large game and you could not stalk to within 100m. It still shot flat enough and delivers all the energy necessary. I reloaded Woodleigh (410gr & 450gr), Hornady 400gr, Swift 400gr and Rhino 350gr. For propellant, RL22 and Somchem S385.
On soft nose bullets only the largest eland, buffalo or giraffe would not have a complete pass through.
One interesting benefit of either if these are that they are great choices when hunting very small antelope for trophy with solids. A solid bullet just punches through without destroying the cape and on something as small as a duiker or klipspringer it is an instant kill.
Fired a 416 Rigby in a Ruger No. 1 the other day. Hit my targets bang on but got slightly gonged in the eye with the scope. No harm done but a good reminder of the power. Awesome cartridge.
I bought a Rem.700 in 416 Rem. not long after they were introduced and loved shooting it.I never put a scope on it,but I would buy Remington ammo for it,both soft and solids.I would use it at the range as my wake up gun 😂. I was really impressed with how easy I could hit a 3/4" steel ram at 200 yards with it.Youre right about one thing though,it didn't hurt to shoot and was quite controllable but three shots in rapid succession would make you feel a little punch drunk.All in all though,I have made up my mind that when I get another to carry to Africa,I'm getting the Remington.I may buy a Rugby as well,just because it's so classic,but all things considered,I like the Remington version best.Great video,and yes,do one on the other two cartridges as well.
The 416 Rigby is a beast.😮
I would like to see a video showing the performance comparisons of the 375 Ruger/weatherby/Remington Ultramag.378 Weatherby.
I know splitting hairs is fun sometimes but between the .416 Ruger, Remington and Rigby those hairs are so fine as to be virtually bald. 400 grains at 2400 feet per second gets the job done and done well on anything that walks. People like to talk about the .416 Weatherby because of the crazy velocity and energy numbers but for me if I'm going to take that level of recoil to produce those energy levels I want more bullet delivering the message. If we're only concerning ourselves with energy as many armchair jockeys do then energy transfer is the real issue and wider, heavier bullets that dump all their energy into the animal while still reaching the vitals are better than lighter and smaller diameter bullets that exit with energy to spare. The .416 Weatherby produces something like 80 to 85 foot pounds of felt recoil in a 10 pound rifle and you can get more energy transfer into target with less recoil with a .458 Lott or a .500 Nitro Express. And for the same recoil a .500 Jeffery would do better. And, heck, at that level it really doesn't get much worse in the feels department for roughly 12 more foot pounds to endure a step up to a .505 Gibbs or a .460 Weatherby. All of which will penetrate more than enough to cross country an elephant while delivering a bigger fist to the face.
.416 Rigby. Not just the nostalgia, but pure historic class. I miss my CZ Safari 416 Rigby rifle !!!
👍👍👍💪💪💪👌👌👌
And in long throated CZ you can easily hand load 400 gr bullets to 2550 fps...!!!
I have a Ruger #1 Tropical .416 Rigby. Lovely rifle. Regrettably all I’ve managed to bag so far have been hogs in Central California.
Yes yes I am a patron member and have been asking for 416 ruger and 375 ruger content!!!! Thanks
Would like to see comparison of the Ruger 416 and the Remington 416. Also, the Ruger 375 and other 375s
Very nice review Ron. The 416s would be my choice as well. I had both the Rigby and Remington versions. They both have their pros and cons as you pointed out and, yes, the Rigby had a bit more recoil with the same bullet weights and the same velocities. They are more pleasant to shoot, if you can call it that, than the 458 Win Mag and especially the 458 Lott. And the 500 A-Square is on a whole ‘nother level, entirely. But, the 416s are my favorite of all the above!
I have a 416 rem and have shot a 470 NE and a 500 a square. 500 a square is not even enjoyable to me. Love my 416
The 416 Weatherby has the case capacity of the Rigby with the higher pressure rating of the Remington. It's good for about 200-250 FPS more velocity.
Great episode Ron. I’m a huge 416 guy. Been using the 416 rem and 416 Taylor improved last several years for deer. It’s great for practice.
Wonderful video, and for decades, my favourite rifle for the dangerous creatures has always been and always will be the 416 Rigby! By the way, that book has always been a favourite of mine! To me, the Rigby can cover every situation well given the options available for it, it is a true classic to me along with a 30-30, 300 H&H, 45 Colt, and all such classics! Thank you for making this video, some of us are just old school, and I do not think that I am the only one in this world with no interest in the 416 Rememington!
I have a .416 REM in a Ruger No1, it’s as much recoil as I can handle accurately. It’s an accurate rifle with 400gr Hornady and with hand loads I get 2780 fps using a 300gr Barnes. There are no Cape Buffalo in the UK as legal quarry but the rifle is fun to shoot.
I used to watch this guy that had a lever gun in 50 110 and with a 300gr bullet was very impressive. that combined with the advantage of multiple rounds seemed ideal for hunting pretty much anything big. seemed like a lot of fire power in a small package. I don't hunt so...what do I know, other than the fact that I like shooting absurdly powerful guns that I can't afford.
There is a standard formula for dangerous game on velocity, bullet weight and SD. 50 300 grain is a very poor SD. However, some 50 Alaskan, or 50-110, rifles, and for that mater, lever actions, have been used in Africa both historically, or currently. (Well not 50 Alaskan). It is the middle colonial period of sport hunting, where other than Roosevelt, not too many people wrote about them.
Off the shelf, the 45-90s offered by Winchester are pretty much ready to go for Dangerous game. That cartridge has the same capacity as the 458 Win, give or take, so somewhat similar results have been recorded over on the African Hunting board.
Another good option is the Win 1895 in 9.3x62, which is a custom proposition, but not too expensive, and would be pretty magic (the show up now and then). You have a box mag to short out bullet shapes, and a cartridge with an amazing power to recoil track record in Africa.
Another option is the 1886 in the 475, as offered by Turnbull.
I have a custom .416 Remington and love that rifle it shoots surprisingly flat out to 200 yards. I think it hits as hard or hard than my .458 Lott.
I really want a 416 Rigby but i do love my 375 H&H up here in Alaska. 375 is also much more available then the 416s here too. Not to mention costs of the guns like you said. Great video and very informative sir!
Get a .375 wby mag, an improved 375H&H by 100-200 fps and the wby can shoot both cartridges. Just like the 300wby being capable of shooting a 300H&H.
@@samthai818 oh that be cool to have!
They are hard to find though unless you get a weatherby rifle. I wanted one back in 2000 when I found out that They make one in the Sauer 202 rifle. I put down my money for an order back then and it was never delivered. It was a unicorn. I will now settle for a Weatherby in .375 Wby if I can find one in the model I like. I have a Sako 75 .300Wby that I absolutely love, perhaps I can go a Sako 85 route in .375 H&H and get it reamed to a Wby.
@@samthai818 ohh ok I gotcha! Dang that's a bummer
Awesome Video! I've owned both and I love the 416 Rigby! And with current powders you can load close to Weatherby specs. But now I have a 458 Lott and love it! Keep making the big bore videos! Not many people doing that anymore 😔😔
My only concern about using the 416 Remington Magnum in Africa is the high pressure readings. The heat of summer could cause pressure spikes that might lead to extraction difficulties.
Firing the cartridge causes pressure not the air temperature.
@@russellehrgood9835 I'm only repeating the complaints of some African hunters who claimed the high operating pressure of modern big game rifles caused extraction issues on hot days. I presume this applied to repeated firing, not one-off shots.
@russellehrgood9835 that is incorrect. As powder temp increase its burn rate increases. As burn rate increase pressure increase. So if the air temp is higher or you have thermal heat absorbsation the gunpowder will be hotter thus increasing pressure. Which could potentially cause difficulties during case extraction.
The powder companies have created lots of modern powders that don't significantly change characteristics due to ambient temperature.
Nothing wrong with the 416 rem mag, works fine in the heat. Hunting buff or dangerous game down here in the middle of summer isn't advisable anyways. The temperatures are high but manageable, the big issue is that summer is our rainy season, and in the middle of summer when it's hot like that, the bush is green and thick, you can often barely see more than 10 yards. Makes it even more dangerous, and a lot more difficult. I've stalked buff in the thick stuff where you can hear the herd all around you, can hear them moving around, eating, fighting etc, maybe 15 yards away. And I couldn't see a single damn one of them. Now you must try find the right bull, get a good shot opportunity, and try keep track of where the others are in that thick stuff.
I enjoy my 416 Ruger, ammo is available and the rifles are fairly priced. The velocity is right at 2400fps with a 20” barrel.
I’d like to see another video where you cover the .416 Ruger more. I really enjoy your videos, thanks!
That is just crazy powerful.
My Rigby is in a M1917 Enfield, as rem model 30. With a Bevan King barrel. About 11lbs, you wouldn't want it lighter.
Great Video, now time to make a video comparing the 500 Jeffery with the 505 Gibbs
458 Lott and 450-400 nitro express, I’d like a 416 for sure Rigby for sure
Glad you liked at who makes rocked for these rounds! I have a Dakota Arms 300WM NRA Special that I've been trying to put glass on that hasn't ever been shot.
Great vdo you really operated that bolt so correctly on first gun. No so much on second rifle.
Shooting those big calibers regularly is a good way to acquire a detached retina.
I think the .416 Weatherby is perhaps the firm's very best all-around cartridge for heavy game. I'd like to see an honest comparison (there are some silly ones out there) between the .416 Weatherby and the .416 Remington. I suspect that there is some difference in "best use" between the two cartridges. Keep up the good work!
Have 416 Rem in a 700 Rem 22"
Beefed up the extracter claw, absolutely love it.
Drops bluewildebeest "poor man's buffalo" in it's tracks every single time
Had the same done to mine, sako extractor. I reload and now use it for everything just for the hell of it, makes for excellent bear repellent while stalking in the elk woods.
Besides the extractor upgrade, getting a Wyatts detachable box magazine has been the best money ive put into the rifle. 400 bucks for the 'drop-in' conversion floor plate and two 5rd mags.
The .416 Ruger (.375 Ruger parent casing) should have been thrown in. Ballistics are right in with these two, yet it runs 62,000 psi.
The problem with the ruger shows up when handloading, in that the velocities you get with factory ammo is all you will ever get, and are quite difficult to replicate without severly copressed loads, and encountering pressure issues like flattened primers and sticky bolt. (Hornady's mystery blend)
Where as the Rigby & 416rm can be safely handloaded to 2800fps/3000fps with 300-350gr bullets.
You will never see the north side of 2700fps in a 416 ruger.
@@Bartimusblue27 So long as you have personal experience with that, I can accept what you're saying.
Great information Ron, Thank you!
For 416’s, the Remington is the current most popular because of the availability and cost, much like a 30-06.
The 416 Rigby, though, is the more “romantic” and historical. I guess it ultimately comes down to the depth of your pockets or if you’re just looking for something more utilitarian. If I were rich enough, I’d choose the Rigby. As it stands though, my M70 Safari rifle is a 375H&H because I’m comfortable with the recoil and figure I’ll have better luck with a well placed 300g bullet than a poorly placed 400g shot that missed the vitals.
Id take the 416 Remington magnum mainly for being able to find ammo for that caliber. It does perform well though too. What use is any gun if you can't find ammo for it.
Yes please compare 375ruger and 416 ruger. 375ruger recoil with 26in bbl and 300wby with 26in bbl feel the same in recoil to me.
Did a custom .416 Rigby build on the website and once I got to £37,000 ($46,000), I figured it'd be good enough, when I win the lotto !
Very good video. Well done.
The 416 rigby almost looks like the modernized version with no belt and wider, the main thing holding it back is the pressure level
Those pressure limits of the preWWI era cartridges seem to be modest to match the manufacturing techniques of the time.
I have been seriously thinking about getting myself something in 416 to mess around with. Anything chambered in the Rigby is pretty pricey, the Remington is hard to find something chambered in also. The 416 Ruger Hawkeye bolt action is pretty much available at a reasonable price and it delivers the same ballistics so that is what I am leaning toward. Ammo and components seem hard to come by.
Montana Arms
I have a 458 LOTT from them. They also make it in 416
Really good comparison Ron very interesting to see these rounds so similar but different good video once again
* If I were looking for a large bore cartridge for hunting dangerous game in places like Africa, I'd look at getting a rifle chambered in 450 Watts. It's the same cartridge as the 458 Lott, but is a little longer, and more powerful. A rifle so chambered would shoot the 458Lott as well as the 458 Win. Mag. A person that doesn't reload would have the choice of 3 different power levels. Just my thoughts on this subject.
I’ve been using my .416 Rigby for over 20 years and really like it. But if I were going to buy a new.416, I’d get a .416 Ruger with the synthetic stock. Compared to other .416’s, it’s a real pleasure to shoot. I believe the stock really absorbed the recoil. Just get 2400 fps with a good strong 400 grain bullet and forget the silly numbers. They don’t mean a thing.
More videos on 416s, yes please !!!
I would like to hear your thoughts on the 416 Ruger.
One of my favorites is a custom build, FN Mauser action in 416 Taylor....458 Win necked down to 416...tho' actual Taylor cases are not quite as tappered as the 458 Win, they can be made from 458 Win. cases. Very mild, accurate and plenty of power for most anything if you do your part.
Video on both the 416 and 375 Ruger would be awesome.
I just got back from Africa and took a big Cape with my 375 H&H with a Barnes bullet it went 13 yards fell over. I couldn’t of be happier also I shot it at 30 feet. Practice all summer at 150 yards.
11:20 this is basically how I found rons videos, I watched the "worlds rarest action" and then the clip of him getting off balance was in the suggested videos a few years ago.
I use a 416 Taylor, and I've never been disappointed!
I have a Kimber Caprivi 416 Remington
Confused why you didn’t put the king of the 416’s which is the Weatherby 416 shooting a 400 grain bullet over 2700fps. I know it’s nowhere near the most popular but always show the baddest! Thanks Ron and I love your videos!
Great video. Can you do one on the heavier .30-06 cartridges? The 220 grain solid for example. What would that be used for? Thanks
The .416 Ruger uses a shorter action, which to some, is an advantage.
True, but the Rigby operates on low pressure for easy extraction every time. Can also be loaded to up to nearly 6000 ft/lbs.
.375 Ruger casing necked up. Yessiree.
Yes, a very good point, thanks!@@stanpotter7764
The Rigby is another old european cartridge that is handicapped in loading manuals due to fear of blowing up an antique. In a strong modern magnum action like the CZ 550 safari it's more than reasonable to load it to 60000 psi, and some people load it to almost Weatherby levels. I've never understood why more reloading manuals don't have multiple pressure sections for these old cartridges to reflect these realities like they do for the .45-70. Anyone who's ever run a quickload for these old cartridges at a modern action pressure can see this.
Personally, I load mine with Tsx 350's at 2750 fps.
Actually, the rigby was loaded at lower pressure due to the powders available when it was created. At the high temperatures encountered while hunting in Africa, those powders would spike in pressure hampering extraction. To counter act this it was lo lower pressure. It has nothing to do with blowing up older rifles.
@gsnicholas8522 Then why isn't there a higher pressure rating for newer, modern powders? The same argument can be made for 7x57, 6.5x55, to a degree 8x57, though there is the bore issue with that one. We don't load cordite anymore, you'd think someone would have realized that somewhere over the last 80 years or so.
The fact is you can turn the belt off of 416 weatherby brass and resize it to lose the radius shoulder for a Rigby, they're that close in size. Why the lasting massive difference in max pressure if it's only an issue of obsolete powders?
@@greyhammar probably because that's how they are registered with saami and cip.
No question the 416s are great dangerous game rounds but most people can't shoot them well due to the sharp recoil. That's why the .375s are so popular - because they recoil less but are still legal. Two interesting alternatives which are making a comeback are the 404 Jeffrey and the 9.3 x 62. Although the 9.3 x 62 is below the .375 bore minimum, it is legal in most African countries due to its historic reputation. The 404 Jeffrey does everything the 416s can do but with less velocity, which is fine because dangerous game is not hunted at long ranges.
Even though I've never shot it, .416 Rigby might be my favorite caliber. What an absolutely terrifying round to be on the receiving end of.
My CZ550 Safari Magnum in 416 Rigby holds 4 in the mag, my REM 700 KS in 416RM held 3 in the mag…I kept the Rigby!
I had a buddy from Alaska whose brother scored a 416 rigby on a song of a deal. Definitely more than enough for brownbbear defense. Sheesh.
That rigby round is nuts! The round is beefy and long. It has a ton of power with a lot of mass moving. This round penetrates.
If you're going to visit the 416 Ruger and 416 Weatherby then thrown in the 416 CheyTac or 416 Barrett
Nice video Ron. Remember the Remington was designed to duplicate the Rigby, which it does. A few fps here or there really doesn't matter. I've used the Remington, Rigby and Weatherby quite a bit and all do an excellent job. Personally I favor the Weatherby, but I like Weatherby rifles and cartridges. Can't go wrong with any of the 416s. Unfortunately Remington has once again done what Remington does best. Abandon a good cartridge and the customers.
Handloads are nominal as far powder and power goes-- but you do get more rounds from a pound with 416 Rem Mag loads. Nowadays that counts for something.
Definitely counts these days!
I have a Kimber Caprivi in 416 Remington magnum. Beautiful and accurate, but sadly, it's not made in this caliber anymore..
A lot of people don't know this but that big .416 was actually invented by a woman named Eleanor Rigby. The Beatles who were prolific big-game hunters actually wrote a song about her. They just really loved that cartridge because it hit so hard. Ringo was really the only one who could shoot it without flinching though. True story bro.
People warned that she would shoot her face off with such a round, unfortunately history proved them correct.
John Rigby and company developed the 416 Rigby, your Beatles story is false, she was a fictional character.
@@jerrymartin5100 Why you want to be disrespecting Eleanor Rigby, after what she has done for the big game hunters?
10 years ago this round kicked your butt!
I hunted a buffalo this past weekend in Pongola, South Africa…the bush was very thick and my PH kept me from taking a shot on the first buffalo… his reason was the 375H&H bullet (300gr) wouldn’t go through thick brush and branches. That made me think twice about carrying enough stick. I took a head-shot on another buffalo and dropped it…but only because he stood behind a big thorn-bush and I didn’t believe the 375 would pass through and still hit were I aimed, maybe a 416 or larger would have been better in this case.
After a recent trip to South Africa a 338 Lapua Maybe just as advantageous for American hunters as the 416 Rigby. It was what was suggested by the PH Understanding the animals that we may be encountering. Without a doubt the 416 Rigby is a beautiful rifle but the modern side of it definitely holds potential
When I was looking at DG cartridges, it was a toss up between the 416 Rigby and the 404 Jeffery. I ended up with the 416 Rigby and haven't looked back!!!! 😁😁😁
Krieghoff also offers the 416 in their Classic side by side double rifles. FWIW.
I would like to see the uther two 416's covered
Dear Ron,
I have just bought a Ruger M-77 Hawkeye African in .416 Ruger. 23 inch barrel. I am just amazed at its performance, we are talking .458 Lott territory. Mass penetration. The Buffalo Bore 350 grain Lehigh solids are pushing 5500 lbs at the muzzle. I’d really love to hear your breakdown and opinion on the 416 Ruger.
I would like to see how the .416 Ruger compares. I have a .375 HH and am not sure if I will every buy anything bigger....but who knows.
You should do voice overs for hunting games please 🤙🏽🤙🏽.
What about 416 ruger
Ralph Martini builds amazing rifles. They shoot just as good as they look too.
Would love to see the 416 weatherby vs 416 Ruger
I've been trying to get a 416 but none available,closet thing I've found i can order is the christasen 375
One pound is 7000 grains, not 700.
The problem with the .416 Rem is that Africa is hot. Heat increases pressure. On a high-pressure cartridge like the .416 Rem, this can lead to sticky extraction. In a push feed, this can lead to you being stomped into toe jam. To alleviate this, the .416 Rem is usually loaded a little underpowered so that when the ammo is exposed to 120-degree heat, it doesn't stick in the chamber and get you killed. Consequently, the .416 Rem doesn't usually get the advertised performance because it is downloaded to reduce pressure.
I know the .416 Ruger was developed to have the same performance as the .416 Rigby in a standard length action. Do they actually have the same performance?
Want to see the Ruger and Weatherby 416 too.
Great topic, those are some real boomers. 416 Rigby is just too expensive both with the rifle and ammo. How about the 416 Ruger? I think it compares well and is less expensive with a shorter action
I'm curious how the recoil numbers on these compare to the .416 Barrett
A meaningless comparison. I've had 2 rifles in 416 Remington, both in Sako Deluxe. Remington introduced the cartridge to give identical ballistics to the 416 Rigby in a regular belted magnum case. I spent a lot of time chronographing hand loads for these rifles - and with 24" barrels, they pretty much did just that. The Remington factory 400 grain Swift A-Frame rounds averaged about 2,485 fps. However, the most useful bullet was certainly the Barnes 350 grain TTSX with a ballistic coefficient of .444 that averaged well over 2700 fps.
Agreed, 416rem matches the rigby in every way, while using 20gr less powder.
You should try the cutting edge bullets 325gr. maximus. On a full (compressed) charge of H4895, i get 2800-2825fps, 24" barrel. I've gotten two passthrough shots on feral cattle hunts, one of which was the follow-up shot through the pelvis to anchor it outside the swamp they were living in.
The first 416 I ever shot was the Rigby. A few weeks later I was able to get my hands on one of the very first Rem 700's in 416 Rem. It was from the custom shop. I shot a LOT of rounds through it. It is no trick to reach 2500 with RL-15 and 400 gr bullets in the Rem Mag. I bought a CRF m-70 Safari Express in 416 Rem right after they started chambering for that round and back when the rifles still had a nice finish on them, and after a few years I had it custom built into a 404 Jeffery, which was something I had wanted to own for years. It will do anything the Rem Mag will with less pressure because it is a slightly wider bore and has slightly more actual powder capacity than 416 Rem brass. I love this rifle and it is just as accurate as my first 416 rem was, and that thing was a tack driver at 1oo yards. It would shoot 5 into 1 1/4" regularly with top end loads.
Comparing the Rigby and the Remington .416’s, to quote Paul Harrell “well within the variation of one round to the next, and not enough difference to make a difference.” (Just a note to Ron, I would love a video of you interviewing Paul Harrell. I’d love to hear you guys comparing notes!).
I don’t know how it would translate to performance on game in hunting situations, but Scott over at Kentucky Ballistics has gotten some phenomenal penetration from the .416 using 400 grain solids on many of his “fun” targets.
Holy smoke that things got some violent recoil !!!!!
Hey Ron I look forward to all your new podcast, very informative, thank you for the time you put into them. Would you do one on the Weatherby 338/378. I'd love to hear what you think of it.
And why not the 416 Ruger
I'd take the Rigby. Like the 30/ 06 it's been copied but never equaled. Theres a reason a John Rigby rifle is worth 10 times what a 416 weatherby or remington magnum is. History and just PROVEN PERFORMANCE. IT JUST WORKS, Why reinvent the wheel. It turns just fine.