Which .416 and why?

[BangFlop]

I am in the process of collecting the necessary resources and equipment for my first African hunting experience (1st of many I hope). After much thought, I believe for a dangerous game rifle, I will skip the 375 and go for a 416 (don't have the money for a double - will stick to bolt action). But which one? If anyone with experience would be gracious enough to comment on their preference and why that caliber over the others, I would greatly appreciate it.

Here are my current choices:
416 Ruger
416 Rem Mag
416 Rigby
404 Jeffery (not a 416 but on my short list)

Thanks!

 

[enysse]

I know a lot of people are going to suggest the 416 Rigby, just because it is so powerful. My vote is for the 416 Ruger. Years ago I was going to buy a 416 Rem., I still think the gun is awesome. But the 416 Ruger is very good gun too and probably a little more efficient with gun powder and the weight of the gun is less.

I am in the process of collecting the necessary resources and equipment for my first African hunting experience (1st of many I hope). After much thought, I believe for a dangerous game rifle, I will skip the 375 and go for a 416 (don't have the money for a double - will stick to bolt action). But which one? If anyone with experience would be gracious enough to comment on their preference and why that caliber over the others, I would greatly appreciate it.

Here are my current choices:
416 Ruger
416 Rem Mag
416 Rigby
404 Jeffery (not a 416 but on my short list)

Thanks!

 

[Calhoun]

...Any one of those calibers would be very fine for Africa. only ever shot the 416 Rem & I really liked it! I agree with enysse that the Ruger would probably be lighter & use less powder. The Rem will probably be the cheaper of the brass. I think it is a preference thing, and if you reload your own shells the price will be nominal which ever you choose.

 

[Shallom]

BangFlop... your gun wisdom will indeed have you hunting Africa many more times. Your choice of calibre may i say, is spot-on! For dangerous game, there is not much better than a .416 as it is the perfect balance between accuracy, penetration and knock-down.

The .416 variations are actually not that far apart. The ballistics are almost identical so don't worry too much about your choice. I have personally used a .416 Remington for many years now. Started out as a guiding gun, for eight years and have up-graded it to my shooting gun now. It is a Remington Model 700 with a bull-barrel and she works beautifully. I have never lost an animal with it. It is great value for money as i got it for less than $1,000 all those years back!

She does kick though!!! Everyone who has tried her, has her mark on the forehead (since attaching a scope on her). But i have come to enjoy her antics and have four scars from her on my forehead which i wear proudly. If you do get a .416 take the extra measures to cushion it and reinforce her for recoil. It makes a heavier gun, but much better to handle and more comfortable to shoot. The reason mine kicks so hard is that my wooden frame broke after someone drove over my gun and have installed a synthetic frame since - not a good solution. Am soon going back to a wooden frame.

Enjoy your .416 and your african hunting adventures. Cheers,

 

[derekwest]

Hi there BangFlop,

I shoot a CZ 550 in .416 Rigby. It's a pretty inexpensive gun, simple to maintain and I can get the ammo just about anywhere. I've taken a few bears with it and am looking forward to taking to Africa next summer.

 

[BangFlop]

Thanks for the replies so far - I do appreciate the input and observations from those that use a 416 on a regular basis to take game.

 

[browningbbr]

one more thing to consider - if your ammo does not show up with your bags and your gun, can you get the same caliber in the country you are hunting? Check with your PH or Outfitter. "New" calibers like the .416 Ruger may not be available, whereas the .416 Rigby is pretty common.

Just a thought...

 

[DUGABOY1]

Any of the choices you list will take care of business! That part of your question is answered by a simple "IT'S A MATTER OF PERSONAL CHOICE"

More improtantly is the RIFLE you get your choice in!

IMO, no bolt rifle used for dangerous game should ever have a PUSH FEED action! Leave the push feeds in Wal-mart, that's where they belong!

That said, if you are thinking of factory rifles, then the above sentence limits your choices to Ruger, CZ,Winchester which are the most available. Which also limits your choices to 416 Rigby, 416 Ruger, and 416 Rem Mag in a model 70. The 416 Rem Mag will be the easiest to find ammo for just about anyplace. The 404 Jeffery is a very good choice for the job, but ammo availability can be a problem if you ammo gets lost. Not only that you will have use a CZ 550, or find a used one or build one on a good CRF action.

For the handloader the any .416 is a fine choice because of the availability of bullets made by many bullet makers, Even though I'm not personally a .416 fan, and of the choices you list my personal favorite is the 404 Jeff, chambered in CZ 505, or a good Mauser CRF action, with a converted Mod 70 type safety, and a Timmny trigger. Quality Express iron sights, and a Trijicon 1.4-4X24 scope, in quality quick detach rings and bases, with a stock shaped so the irons can be used.

.......................just one man's opinion, other mad do as it suits ! :2c:

 

[Skyline]

Hmmmm...........I posted on this last night, but it is not here. I must have messed something up posting it.

I'd say the topic has been pretty much covered. They will all do the job. It is personal preference and all of these 416's have their pros and cons with action lengths, case capacity, and realistic velocities, etc. The Rigby is definitely the one that gives you more room to play with in the velocity department if you are a handloader.

Like Dugaboy, my choice of the cartridges you listed would be the old .404.

 

[TerryR]

I am quite happy with my Cz 404 jeffery. The only downside is that factory ammo is not readily available. If you are willing to roll your own it is a great choice.

 

[BangFlop]

I think the .404 Jeffery is really my first choice - I do have a soft spot for things that are the stuff of legend - just don't know if my resources will allow me to purchase a rifle configured for it.

One additional question, if I may - which of the 416s or 404 has the most ready supply of ammunition in South Africa and adjoining countries? :hmmmer:

 

[DUGABOY1]

I think the .404 Jeffery is really my first choice - I do have a soft spot for things that are the stuff of legend - just don't know if my resources will allow me to purchase a rifle configured for it.

One additional question, if I may - which of the 416s or 404 has the most ready supply of ammunition in South Africa and adjoining countries? :hmmmer:

Bang, In Africa anyplace it would likely be the 416 Rem Mag, but I wouldn't buy a Rem mod 700 just to get a 416 Mem Mag rifle! The CZ 550 comes factory chambered for the 404 Jef, and that might be available in Africa as well, because there are a lot of old 404 Jef rifles there. In any case the CZ rifle would be my choice for a factory rifle, and my choice would be the 404 Jef. If you are traveling with another person who is shooting another chambering, then split each of your ammo, and so that if yours or his doesn't make it, you both still have ammo for the hunt!

 

[Frederik]

I'm gonna go off the topic a bit why not go for a 458 win or Lott since you are skipping the 375 you might as well go one bigger and since it will be used for DG a 450gr bullet travelling at 2300fps gives quite a wallop and a bigger hole.

All the 416's I have fired was worse on recoil than the lott and winmag. Just my opinion.

 

[BangFlop]

I have nothing against the .458 Win or Lott. I am just partial to the 416s or 404 Jeff - nostalgia I guess.

 

[buckcurtin]

buckcurtin

Bought a Montana Rifle Company 404 Jeffries this year. Being left handed limited my selection. Pleased with my choice. Did notice bit more recoil than my 375H&H.

 

[TerryR]

The 404J does recoil more then the 375H&H, however it, at traditional loading of 400gr @2150, recoils a little less than the 416's. I found the difference to be small but noticable. I was shooting a CZ in 404J at traditional loading, a Ruger in 416Rigby, Fed Factory loads, and a Blaser in 416 Rem, Rem factory loads. For what it's worth, Rigby was a little gentler than the Rem. In all cases, the difference in recoil was not so great so as to be a deal breaker.

 

[BangFlop]

Thanks TerryR and Dugaboy1 and buckcurtin and .....

 

[oscar1975]

In my opinion the 416 Rigby, it is well proven in the game, because it is a cartridge with a strong performance by its low pressures and large pod because it is a classic.

Oscar.

 

[enysse]

I did a little research and found CZ makes all the 416's you were looking at plus the 404 Jeffery. I also noticed they offered the .416 Taylor. Someone on here must have experience with that caliber. I must admit...I really like the CZ's. When they first came to the States at Gander Mountain and Scheel's....I was really impressed with the quality for the dollar and the fact they had a set trigger. A lot of my friends are buying their guns for deer hunting and varmint hunting. They are a great buy for the dollar. I bought a CZ 550 375 H&H and I'm very happy with the gun!

 

[BangFlop]

The .416 Taylor I believe is a .458 Win Mag necked down to .416 - I have been keeping the option open of getting a tired 458 win and rebarreling to 416 Taylor - just not sure how available ammo would be in Africa - must plan the logistics better if I go with a caliber that is not so common. Thanks