Which 40 cal Dangerous Game Caliber

[lwaters]

I have a 375 Ruger Alaskan. When I buff hunting I used the PH 416 Ruger Alaskan. Myself I could tell no difference in recoil between the two rifles. Now I been bitten by the 40 caliber bug. I know a lot here like the 404 Jeffery but it seem rather bothersome to build when you can get the same thing from a 416 ruger or rem. mag. and you can also get the 416 rigby from Montana rifle and CZ although the cases are quit pricey for the reloader that I am. They all shoot the 400 gr bullet at around 2300-2400 fps. and I see no big advantage one has over the other. The Ruger and Rem. Mag. seem to be the cheapest way to go and also the cheapest to reload and I do like the Ruger African and the Model 70. I also may be better off sticking with what I already have.

 

[CAustin]

I have the Ruger Guide Gun in 416 Ruger! It's a 400 gr bullet that can do a lot of damage. You reload so you can top that cartridge with your favorite bullet and hunt anything that walks. You're fellow reloaders may have some better ideas but I have very much enjoyed my 416.
If you have a place we can shoot down around Manhattan I would be happy to bring mine down on a trip to Junction City and we can go shoot it!

 

[lwaters]

Yea we can shot outside

 

[lwaters]

Have a bullet trap in back yard

 

[Buckdog]

I waters I think you have answered your own question. They all will run the same 400gr bullet when the day is done if you are a handloader I think it is cheaper and easier to get brass for the 416rem. I have a 416 rem it is rather easy to reload and I run 400gr swift a frames and barnes solids both at 2500fps with no issues of stuck cases etc. So I say pick the gun you like mod 70 and ruger both fine and will cost less than a custom 404 or a rigby. 400 gr bullets at 2500fps hit DG plenty hard. As all will tell you the rem and ruger will be running at higher press than the rigby and the rigby will eat alot more powder to get the same velocity. Have fun post whatever you choose. As regards recoil I have shot 416, ruger, rem and rigby all let you know you pulled the trigger!

 

[tarbe]

There you go, getting practical!

Gun loonies love to split hairs and argue over a difference in sectional density of .o15.

You are in the real world...don't let any of us tell you that you aren't!


Tim

 

[tarbe]

At the end of the day, your bullet choice will be a lot more important than which case you choose to hold everything together.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

The Ruger and Remington are both relatively high-pressure, parallel-sided cases. The reason the 404 and Rigby are the size they are is so that they can be lower pressure. It may not matter to you at all, or it may be the difference between a smooth extraction and a stuck case while a buffalo is trying to kill you.

The tone of my answer clearly indicates my preference.

 

[tarbe]

The Ruger and Remington are both relatively high-pressure, parallel-sided cases. The reason the 404 and Rigby are the size they are is so that they can be lower pressure. It may not matter to you at all, or it may be the difference between a smooth extraction and a stuck case while a buffalo is trying to kill you.

The tone of my answer clearly indicates my preference.

Nothing at all untrue about what you wrote, sir.

Especially in the case of yesteryear, when powder selection was limited.

Today, you can load .416 Rem with a 400gr DGX to 2,300fps with H4350 at a max average chamber pressure of 41,400 CUP per Hodgdon (85gr per their data).

If anyone gets sticking brass at 41,400 CUP, there is a problem with their rifle.

 

[lwaters]

I checked midway for brass. The jeffries and rigby was 37.99 for 20 cases. The 416 rem. was 51.49 for 50 and the 416 ruger was 44.99 for 50. The rem and Kruger use less powder for same velocity. Another thing is you can use 375 Kruger cases in 416 Kruger. Just one pass through full length die. Also know one has to load the rem or ruger to max.

 

[tarbe]

I like the Rigby and Jeffery for nostalgia. And they just plain work.

But not everyone is into nostalgia!

The others work just fine when loaded right.

 

[lwaters]

Kruger

 

[Gert Odendaal]

IWaters, it will not matter at all what .40 caliber rifle you choose to build/purchase. The only thing that matters is how proficient you shoot this .40 caliber, how capable you are to deliver a perfect first shot and shot placement when you engage dangerous game. That is all that matters...nothing else matter when you pay a lot of money to make your dreams come true , walking on the tracks of buffalo or elephant, a one in a life time trophy.
Keep in mind...you will always have a back -up rifle in a larger bore caliber like a .500 NE or .500 Jeffery from the PH guiding you. But it will make your PH feel more at ease if he saw you shooting your .40 caliber rifle with great accuracy and confidence over and over without flinching ....

 

[Shawn.54]

You have to love auto spell.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Nothing at all untrue about what you wrote, sir.

Especially in the case of yesteryear, when powder selection was limited.

Today, you can load .416 Rem with a 400gr DGX to 2,300fps with H4350 at a max average chamber pressure of 41,400 CUP per Hodgdon (85gr per their data).

If anyone gets sticking brass at 41,400 CUP, there is a problem with their rifle.

That is true.

I still feel more comfortable with some taper to the case.

But, you are right, progress happens and powder has improved so the case volumes of 100 years ago are no longer needed. Much like bullets- we can go lighter with modern bullets and get good results.

 

[tarbe]

That is true.

I still feel more comfortable with some taper to the case.

But, you are right, progress happens and powder has improved so the case volumes of 100 years ago are no longer needed. Much like bullets- we can go lighter with modern bullets and get good results.

Yup.

But I still like the Rigby and Jeffery!

Makes me think of the legends of old when I hear those names.

They do cost more to feed though, that's for sure.

 

[lwaters]

I know when I was younger I loaded everything to the max and than some. I am sure this could be the problem with stuck cases even today. I have some old books showing the rigby loaded to 2600. That may even stick a case.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Yup.

But I still like the Rigby and Jeffery!

Makes me think of the legends of old when I hear those names.

They do cost more to feed though, that's for sure.

I just put in more hours to feed the Rigby, and gave up taking my girlfriend to dinner on Saturday night. And that opened up more time for the reloading bench on Saturday night. Don't ever let a couple bucks stand in the way of owning a classic cartridge. If you are a hawk on Gunbroker, brass is to be had at good prices.

 

[crs]

Interesting that no one mentioned the 450/400 ?
Or the .405 WCF 400 grain loads.
Maybe I misread the original post.

 

[PeteG]

The 416rigby gets my vote, with the 404J coming second.