450 Rigby vs 460 Weatherby

The Tsavo is a perfect example.

A wonderful rifle built to a high quality and priced very reasonable. I actually think it's a fantastic bargain and can't see how they are producing such a nice rifle at such a low price.

The only remotely negative comment I could ever think of is that it's a bit on the light side for my taste.

The CZ550's are a big bulky brute in comparison, but felt recoil is noticeably less.
 
If you load the .450 Rigby up correctly you can get velocities about 100-200 FPS slower than the .460 Weatherby. I've launched a 500-grain bullet at 2500 FPS with mine, that said, I never load my .450 Rigby up to that level. I shoot 500 grain TSX's at 2300-2350 and they do plenty of killing at that level.
 
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IvW said:
Chamber pressure: 450 Rigby max 58 000 psi, 460 Weatherby 65 000 psi.

Recoil: The recoil is so severe on the 460 that it comes factory fitted with a muzzle brake.

Headspace: 460 headspaces on the belt and the 450 on the shoulder.

Barrel twist: 460, 1:16 so firing heavier caliber bullets or the standard 500 gr at lower velocity may cause stabilisation issues. The 450 Rigby can shoot 550 gr bullets at modest velocity without this issue due to a tighter barrel twist.

Bullet performance: @ 2700 fps many standard bullets cannot hold up to the 460's velocity, increasing the chances of wounding.

Penetration: The same 500 gr solid from 450 Rigby @2300 fps will out penetrate the same bullet from a 460 @ 2700 fps.

Action: 460 Weatherby, only available from Weatherby, uses a push feed action, a no no on a DG rifle.

Accuracy: Due to the huge amount of recoil, most people just cannot shoot the 460 accurately enough. It will slowly beat you until you give up.

Extraction: Due to the tight tolerances of the chambers on the 460, as well as high operating pressures, extraction of spent cases are an issue.

I could continue but overall the 450 Rigby makes a lot more sense as a DG cartridge than what a 460 Weatherby does.

The biggest significant difference would be that the 450 Rigby is a good choice for African DG and the 460 Weatherby is a rather poor choice.
Click to expand...
I was unaware that the .460 Wby could shoot a 500-grain bullet at 2700, I was thinking 2600. I'll have to edit my comment.
 
Beck said:
If you load the .450 Rigby up correctly you can get velocities about 100-200 FPS slower than the .460 Weatherby. I've launched a 500-grain bullet at 2500 FPS with mine, that said, I never load my .450 Rigby up to that level. I shoot 500 grain TSX's at 2300-2350 and they do plenty of killing at that level.
Click to expand...
The 450 Rigby ammo that Jarrett Rifles loaded for me is 500gr Barnes X and 500gr Aframes at 2520fps.

My own loads are the same bullets at 2350-2400. That difference in velocity makes an increase in recoil far more than the numbers would lead you to believe.
 
Beck said:
I love my .450 Rigby, but I also love my .458 Lott. In my opinion the major advantage of the Lott is the ability to shoot .458 win mag ammo in a pinch. I still prefer my .450 Rigby, but I can see the virtue of the Lott.
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And factory ammo availability.

Factory 458 Winn is sometimes scarce, but 458 Lott can be found with a little effort.

Ammo for the 450 Rigby will make a scrounger out of you.
 
skydiver386 said:
And factory ammo availability.

Factory 458 Winn is sometimes scarce, but 458 Lott can be found with a little effort.

Ammo for the 450 Rigby will make a scrounger out of you.
Click to expand...
There are a couple of sites that have the 450 Rigby ammo currently available:

grizzlycartridge.com

450 RIGBY 450gr TSX - Grizzly Cartridge, LLC

Caliber: 450 RIGBY Bullet Wt: 450gr Bullet Type: Triple Shock X Velocity: 2450 fps Rounds: 5 M.E.: 5997 ft. lbs. Made in the USA: Yes Recommended for: Safari Hunting – ...
grizzlycartridge.com grizzlycartridge.com

hendershots.net

450 Rigby - Hendershot’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

450 Rigby Extreme Custom Ammo
hendershots.net hendershots.net
 
RIGBY said:
There are a couple of sites that have the 450 Rigby ammo currently available:

grizzlycartridge.com

450 RIGBY 450gr TSX - Grizzly Cartridge, LLC

Caliber: 450 RIGBY Bullet Wt: 450gr Bullet Type: Triple Shock X Velocity: 2450 fps Rounds: 5 M.E.: 5997 ft. lbs. Made in the USA: Yes Recommended for: Safari Hunting – ...
grizzlycartridge.com grizzlycartridge.com

hendershots.net

450 Rigby - Hendershot’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

450 Rigby Extreme Custom Ammo
hendershots.net hendershots.net
Click to expand...
Midway USA usually has Grizzly at a slightly better price than the company website.

Two years ago at SCI, Tina said "Hey, isn't that Larry Potterfield?". I said yes it is, go over there and ask him why everything I want is always out if stock! :ROFLMAO:
 
There are two types of perceived recoil in relation to what a rifle weighs. If a person is working up a load or at the range practicing then talking about rifle weight to mitigate perceived recoil is one thing. If on the other hand a person is walking several miles a day actually on safari rifle weight is another matter in that I have never felt my rifle recoil or heard my rifle report while engaged with game. My heavy caliber rifles have neither a muzzle brake nor Mag-Na-Port. If the heavy caliber rifle is scoped the important element is ensuring critical eye relief.
 
skydiver386 said:
And factory ammo availability.

Factory 458 Winn is sometimes scarce, but 458 Lott can be found with a little effort.

Ammo for the 450 Rigby will make a scrounger out of you.
Click to expand...
I perceive .458 Win Mag ammo as being the easiest to find, at least on African soil, which is when I'd need it. Airline loses your ammo type of scenario
 
Grizly ammo. is priced per 5 cartridges. never used them and sure why they charge premium over other hand load providers. They know they are catering to a very niche market and therefore price is through the roof.
 
To be clear, Mag-na-porting reduces muzzle jump, not recoil. It's very useful for a quicker follow up shot, especially when paired with a Rhodesian sling. Again, the primary purpose is a quicker follow up due to the reduced muzzle rise, not a reduction in perceived recoil, which I agree is completely unnoticeable when hunting.
 
Beck said:
I was unaware that the .460 Wby could shoot a 500-grain bullet at 2700, I was thinking 2600. I'll have to edit my comment.
Click to expand...
You may want to.....even at 2600 it is over the max required.....
 
If a Hunter of heavy, dangerous game can’t get the job done with a .458 Lott, he had better stay home and watch TV.
 
analog_peninsula said:
To be clear, Mag-na-porting reduces muzzle jump, not recoil. It's very useful for a quicker follow up shot, especially when paired with a Rhodesian sling. Again, the primary purpose is a quicker follow up due to the reduced muzzle rise, not a reduction in perceived recoil, which I agree is completely unnoticeable when hunting.
Click to expand...
Intended FYI Only copied direct from the Mag-Na-Port website advising 15% reduction in recoil from by cutting ports in barrel.

Mag-na-porting Rifles​

​
Competitive riflemen and hunters know the importance of being able to squeeze off a fast, accurate second shot. Now Mag-na-port offers shooters recoil reducing options ranging from an average of 15% with our porting services up to 45% with our Mag-na-brake (actual reduction varies depending on caliber).
 
The old 460 Weatherby Magnum ammunition boxes stated 2700 fps. I rather doubt those figures were realistic, but some companies continued thereafter to list 2600 fps on their boxes. A realistic figure for a modern 460 Weatherby Magnum factory load is 2500 fps with a 500gr bullet. That is perfectly adequate in terms of maintaining effective impact velocities, and the recoil remains tolerable.

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Over at:
BTP-KennethWRoyce

Thread '.450 Dakota (500gr/2350fps) and the Dakota 76 African rifle'

I'd owned a ZKK 602 in .375 H&H, and a Win Model 70 in .416 RM (which I took on my first African safari).

hunting in Africa.png


The .416 RM (400gr/2400fps) is a fine medium, but I really wanted a .458 for its extra edge. Buffalo seems to stay down more reliably with that larger caliber.

When I was planning my second Cape Buffalo hunt, I wanted a 500gr .458 which was shouldered/nonbelted/noncompressed, and easily capable of 2300-2450fps. It did not have to be in a standard length action. I don't care for Weatherby calibers/rifles, and the .458 WM hadn't the MV I wanted. The .458 Lott has...
  • Like

I began a thread on the sublime .450 Dakota. It has comparable ballistics to the .460 Wea and .450 Rigby, yet with none of their issues. Brass and dies are available and affordable.
 
BTP-KennethWRoyce said:
Over at:
BTP-KennethWRoyce

Thread '.450 Dakota (500gr/2350fps) and the Dakota 76 African rifle'

I'd owned a ZKK 602 in .375 H&H, and a Win Model 70 in .416 RM (which I took on my first African safari).

hunting in Africa.png


The .416 RM (400gr/2400fps) is a fine medium, but I really wanted a .458 for its extra edge. Buffalo seems to stay down more reliably with that larger caliber.

When I was planning my second Cape Buffalo hunt, I wanted a 500gr .458 which was shouldered/nonbelted/noncompressed, and easily capable of 2300-2450fps. It did not have to be in a standard length action. I don't care for Weatherby calibers/rifles, and the .458 WM hadn't the MV I wanted. The .458 Lott has...
  • Like

I began a thread on the sublime .450 Dakota. It has comparable ballistics to the .460 Wea and .450 Rigby, yet with none of their issues. Brass and dies are available and affordable.
Click to expand...
what issues with the .450 Rigby?
 
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