400gr North Fork Softs / .416 Rigby / H4831SC

After getting some nice results from my M70 today, I moved on to my first loads with 400gr NF softs in my .416 Rigby CZ. The scope on my rifle has a max of 4X power, so I pull the target into 50 yards. Even then the cross hairs cover most of the bullseye. Here's the load:

103gr of H4831SC
400gr NF Softpoints
Fed 215
Hornady Brass.

Bullets seated to the front groove and crimped. Sorry for the fuzzy picture, the target was flopping around a bit in the very windy conditions. 3 shots and one big hole.

IMG_0059.jpg

Very nice. North Forks are my favorite bonded bullet.

Originally Posted by Mike70560

Very nice. North Forks are my favorite bonded bullet.

Thanks Mike. I've read all kinds of good things about them. I just wish they would provide more load data. As you know they're quite expensive. I couldn't get anything close to acceptable when I tried them in my .375H&H, and got tired quickly of watching dollar bills go downrange. So I was pretty happy to find a good load the first time out.

Looks really good Phil.

That gun likes those bullets.

Now lets see you shoot some targets "off hand shots" at 20 yards.
Just looking out for your safety!

Happy practice.

Always encouraging when a gun we like wants to shoot the bullet we like right off the bat! If it groups double that at 100 yards it will still be a tight group. Good stuff!

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

Looks really good Phil.

That gun likes those bullets.

Now lets see you shoot some targets "off hand shots" at 20 yards.
Just looking out for your safety!

Happy practice.

And my shoulder too! I'm getting used to the recoil, but getting off the bench will be a good thing.

Originally Posted by sestoppelman

Always encouraging when a gun we like wants to shoot the bullet we like right off the bat! If it groups double that at 100 yards it will still be a tight group. Good stuff!

Especially if the bullet is a North Fork. Buggers are expensive! I don't mind spending that money as ammo no matter how expensive is still a small part of the safari cost. But load dev't can get to be awfully expensive if you get caught up in lots of different powders, primers and seating depth combinations.

I had also loaded up 104 and 105 grain loads. They grouped okay, certainly minute of beast worthy, but not like the lighter loads. I think I should be right in the 2500 fps range with the 26" barrel. Plenty for the range that rifle will be used at.

That is a bloody good result. I use 400 grain Hornady softs to get a rough idea of loads, but even those are exxie.

At the risk of coming across as boasting, I thought I'd post my results from shooting the 400gr NF softs again today. My first go around with these I started with 103gr of H4831SC but also shot 3 each at 104 and 105 grains. As the charge went up the grouping got wider. Today I went the other direction and shot 3 each at 101, 102 and again 103 grains. The 101 and 102 grain loads weren't bad, but that sweet spot still seems to be at 103 grains. Hopefully this comes across as intended, just trying to share info with my AH brethren. I know I've received lots of help and appreciate it so just trying to give a little back.

In order are the results at 50 yards from 101, 102 and 103 grains. BTW the little holes around the 101grain pic are from my son's .22.

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Looks like 103 grs may be the load. All are good though. One takes their "boasting" opportunities where one can find them. Boast away!