new double

Debating 450/400 vs 416 Rigby double for my next trip- any opinions re preference

Many things to consider. I jumped off into the double world with a .470 NE, mainly for a 2012 elephant hunt. I chose .470 because it's probably the most popular big bore caliber (easier to find ammo), and it produces over 5,000 ft-lbs of energy with a 500 grain bullet. The latest update to this saga is that I shot it for the first time last weekend. It thumps your shoulder pretty good and I developed a nasty little flinch very quickly. Its going to take some serious practice on my part to get over this flinch now. I shot it off and on over the course of 2 days for a total of 55 rounds. It was much more tolerable by the end, mainly because I knew what to expect and I started letting my body roll with recoil. I must say, however, that my initial thoughts were "I wish I had went with a 450/400".

Depends on what you intend to hunt. The 450/400 will be more pleasant to shoot, but the .416 Rigby will have more energy (and recoil). I would still go down the .470 path for me if I had it to do over (because of my intended target), but if I did not plan to hunt elephant and still wanted a double, I'd go for the 450/400.

Safarihunter and Shakey.
I friend of mine, came first time to Africa with me, last year in November. He asked the same question as so many of us has done several times.... What caliber... Now, this is my recommendations... HH 375 is more then enough for all games on earth. We, the hunter, dont really need "stoppers", we need quick and good kill at first shot. The important thing is, of cause, were you hit animal, but also what you use for ammunition. The most important for choosing rifle and caliber is that you like what you use, that you really look forward to shoot another shot, that you know that were I aim, there is were I will find entrance of bullet ! HH375 good enough for everything. Anything "bigger" just for fun, if you can handle it.
BTW, my good friend Anders, bought him self a Blaser with some different barrels, incl a double HH375 !
Stay safe and God bless.
Michael

Out of the two calibers you mentioned I would choose the 450-400. It has enough power to kill anything on earth and recoil is minimal. I like the 416 Rigby in a bolt gun; however my opinion is a double rifle round should be flanged. It is my preference as I feel the doubles that shoot flanged rounds are more dependable.

If you want to shoot a 400 grain bullet faster than 2150 FPS (450-400 velocity) you could look at the 500/.416 as it mirrors original 416 Rigby velocity and is a flanged round.

The 375 Flanged, 450 NE, 470 NE are all fine rounds with tolerable (not terrible) recoil.

This is a link to the 500/.416 information.

KRIEGHOFF INTERNATIONAL INC. - Krieghoff Hunting and Sporting Guns

I would pick the 450-400 for a double rifle and a 416 Rigby for a bolt action gun. I have shot the 416 Rigby and that is all you would ever need for power.

I agree though a 375 Flanged or a 375 H&H would also be a great choice!

There is a wondeful article in the Safari Time May/June 2011 issue on 40 cal and bigger double rifles! Written by Craid Boddington.

The problem with a 500/416 is it a Krieghoff design rifle....cartridges hard to come by...other than that it sounds awesome!

I like the 450/400 too great shooting doubles. I like the 500/416 too. I shot my buddies blaser 500/416 a good bit and it was one of the most accurate doubles I've ever pulled the trigger on.

Ed