Heym Express Rifle Which Calibre?

[Aussie_Hunter]

As most of you probably already know I am a big Rigby fan boy and I have recently been looking at putting another Rigby in my safe. However the price point of the Heym Martini Express rifle, the good things I hear about it especially on this forum and the fact they make these rifles to order with cartridge specific actions & cartridge specific magazine boxes has got me looking away from Rigby for my next big game rifle.

The lead time on the Heym is a bit if a turn off, having said that I'm in no hurry for the rifle and apparently good things come to those who wait? I already know some specifics I'll be asking for- 14" LOP and grade 7 wood upgrade but I really am stuck on calibre. As most of you already know the Heym is offered in 375H&H, 416 Rigby, 404 Jeffery, 458 Lott and 450 Rigby. I already own rifles chambered in 375H&H, 458 Lott and 450 Rigby so I am leaning towards 416 Rigby but I love both the 458 Lott and 450 Rigby calibres. Also the 458 Lott I have now all though still in good working order has had a hard life to say the least so I'm think of retiring that rifle and possibly making this Heym it's replacement and yeah before anyone asks I'm more than happy to make this Heym a working rifle, I put all my rifles to work in the field.

I always hear so much talk on here when it comes to the 404 Jeffery and have seen many of these rifles online chambered in this calibre but I just feel the 416 Rigby is a better option, more bullet and brass choices in the 416 calibre, definitely much more readily available atleast where I am in the world anyway.

So at the moment for me it's a battle between the 416 Rigby and 458 Lott calibres but which calibre would you choose in this rifle and why? I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts. My rifle will be scoped with a low power 1-4 scope and will be used for buffalo, scrub bulls and banteng.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

As most of you probably already know I am a big Rigby fan boy and I have recently been looking at putting another Rigby in my safe. However the price point of the Heym Martini Express rifle, the good things I hear about it especially on this forum and the fact they make these rifles to order with cartridge specific actions & cartridge specific magazine boxes has got me looking away from Rigby for my next big game rifle.

The lead time on the Heym is a bit if a turn off, having said that I'm in no hurry for the rifle and apparently good things come to those who wait? I already know some specifics I'll be asking for- 14" LOP and grade 7 wood upgrade but I really am stuck on calibre. As most of you already know the Heym is offered in 375H&H, 416 Rigby, 404 Jeffery, 458 Lott and 450 Rigby. I already own rifles chambered in 375H&H, 458 Lott and 450 Rigby so I am leaning towards 416 Rigby but I love both the 458 Lott and 450 Rigby calibres. Also the 458 Lott I have now all though still in good working order has had a hard life to say the least so I'm think of retiring that rifle and possibly making this Heym it's replacement and yeah before anyone asks I'm more than happy to make this Heym a working rifle, I put all my rifles to work in the field.

I always hear so much talk on here when it comes to the 404 Jeffery and have seen many of these rifles online chambered in this calibre but I just feel the 416 Rigby is a better option, more bullet and brass choices in the 416 calibre, definitely much more readily available atleast where I am in the world anyway.

So at the moment for me it's a battle between the 416 Rigby and 458 Lott calibres but which calibre would you choose in this rifle and why? I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts. My rifle will be scoped with a low power 1-4 scope and will be used for buffalo, scrub bulls and banteng.

I voted for the 416 Rigby. I think it’s the best choice both in terms of ammo/component availability and the performance gap in your battery. Your reasoning is sound

As far as retiring your Lott goes, I’d use that thing until it’s no longer reliably accurate and then rebarrel it!

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I voted for the 416 Rigby. I think it’s the best choice both in terms of ammo/component availability and the performance gap in your battery. Your reasoning is sound

As far as retiring your Lott goes, I’d use that thing until it’s no longer reliably accurate and then rebarrel it!

That 458 works like a dog I love it!

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I voted for the 416 Rigby. I think it’s the best choice both in terms of ammo/component availability and the performance gap in your battery. Your reasoning is sound

As far as retiring your Lott goes, I’d use that thing until it’s no longer reliably accurate and then rebarrel it!

I found out something recently that I found incredibly interesting. It’s on the topic of the 416 Rigby vs the 404 Jeffery.

On a podcast Kevin Robertson spoke about a time when he had a chance to fire 10(?) vintage 416 Rigby Kynoch loads over a chronograph. They averaged something around 2150 fps! The same velocity that made the 404’s reputation! Who knows if that was the norm? I suspect it may have been and the higher velocity of 2400 fps for both cartridges is a modern construct and possibly completely unnecessary? That would also mean that the 416 is the “better” cartridge (on paper), however minuscule the difference. It just doesn’t have the exclusivity factor

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I found out something recently that I found incredibly interesting. It’s on the topic of the 416 Rigby vs the 404 Jeffery.

On a podcast Kevin Robertson spoke about a time when he had a chance to fire 10(?) vintage 416 Rigby Kynoch loads over a chronograph. They averaged something around 2150 fps! The same velocity that made the 404’s reputation! Who knows if that was the norm? I suspect it may have been and the higher velocity of 2400 fps for both cartridges is a modern construct and possibly completely unnecessary? That would also mean that the 416 is the “better” cartridge (on paper), however minuscule the difference. It just doesn’t have the exclusivity factor

I find both calibres very interesting, there is so much history behind both. Both are very capable big game/dangerous game cartridges, obviously both can do anything you need when it comes to hunting big game and at the end of the day comparing the 2 is splitting hairs but hey that's part of the fun yeah?

 

[uplander01]

If you’re a hand loader, hunt a lot, and shoot a lot the 416 diameter is going to have a lot more available options and flexibility for bullets, brass, data etc. sounds like you have the 458 diameter covered with the 450 rigby.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I stick to .375, .416, and .458 mostly due to availability of components.
I shoot these calibers at least 500 times a year!
I am in the USA where the availability of bullets and brass may be more than Down Under.

In the military, young inexperienced officers argue over tactics while seasoned, senior officers discuss logistics.

 

[zephyr]

will this Rifle be Scoped or Iron sights

 

[Longrifle]

I had the same debate with myself when looking for my first DGR and it came down to availability. JJ Perodeau sold me a Dakota 76 in .416 Rigby and that was that. If I was doing a custom rifle, I would pick .404 Jeffery.

 

[Luvthunt]

I too have a 375,416 and 458 Lott. As a sport I favor the 416 Rigby and if I was a PH I would want at least a 45 caliber.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

How come you didn’t list my favorite offering- The .505 Gibbs ?

 

[AZDAVE]

I would get the 404 it has a better and longer history than the 416. If it wasn't for the writings of Robert Ruark the 416 would have faded into obscurity. The 404 did all the heavy lifting before WW1and up until kynoh quit producing ammo. the 416 has much better availability of ammo and components. I am in the sorting through the safe to kinda cull the herd so to speak and have a 404 and a highly upgraded 416 CZ, one will be going and one staying. I will be keeping my 404.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The Heym isn't a large rifle, I handled one in 375 H&H and it balanced perfectly. I would stick with that.

 

[Piet Brood]

The Heym isn't a large rifle, I handled one in 375 H&H and it balanced perfectly. I would stick with that.

Yes. I’ve also only handled them in 375 H&H and they are not bulky. I’ve always wondered how the bigger calibers feel. I would love to handle one in 505!

 

[John Telford]

One of a handful of Heym actioned 505’s. This one is built on the ultra magnum action.

 

[John Telford]

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

will this Rifle be Scoped or Iron sights

Scoped

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

How come you didn’t list my favorite offering- The .505 Gibbs ?

The 450 Rigby is big enough for me

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

The Heym isn't a large rifle, I handled one in 375 H&H and it balanced perfectly. I would stick with that.

Really? From what I have read the 416 weighs in at around 9.3/4lbs, definitely not a light weight

 

[Frederik]

As the only one voted for the Lott so far here are the pros.
With 450gr bullets you can download it to hit at 2200fps more than enough for anything.
Pile more in the magazine than the 450 Rigby and 416 Rigby with their fat cases.
Brass lasts much longer with straight walls and cheaper.

So to replace your working lott rifle with this would be my choice.
Sure you can stick to 500gr bullets but if ever you want it to be a client rifle the 450gr would be more controlable for the average hunter. But still pack a serious punch.