Short Barreled 450 Rigby Question

[Elkbugling]

What would be the velocity of a 500 gr bullet coming out of a 20” 450 Rigby? Do you think it would be roughly the same as a 23” 458 Lott?

(I realize firing a 20” 450 Rigby would be quite exhilarating!)

 

[Frederik]

I have a friend Deon who is also on the forum he has a 450 Rigby with a 22" barrrel hope he will chime in.
He got up to 2430fps with 480gr bullets so making it a 500gr bullet and subtracting 50FPS +- for the 2" shorter barrel you should be able to get to 2300fps as long as you hold on.

 

[Luvthunt]

Well fast enough for anything that walks on earth today.

 

[Elkbugling]

Full disclosure, I already have a 23” 458 Lott and I love it. However, I’ve always wanted a 450 Rigby to get a little bit more (especially with a 550 gr bullet, sectional density is .375!)

I’ve found a custom CZ 550 in 450 Rigby, but the dang thing only has a 20” barrel. I think that it would be pretty much exactly what I already have, and wouldn’t offer anything new. I would also need to invest in different reloading components, so it stinks but I don’t think it will give me what I am after, thanks for everyone’s comments/advice.

 

[spike.t]

I know someone here who really wants a 450 rigby cal rifle...and that sounds right up his street eh @PeteG ...

 

[PeteG]

I know someone here who really wants a 450 rigby cal rifle...and that sounds right up his street eh @PeteG ...

Yeah, a 20” 450rigby sounds just right…

 

[colorado]

I would just rebarrell it with a nice Krieger 24" barrel. If you want a shorter rifle, I'd just buy a double in 500 NE.

 

[DWB]

I'm shooting the 22" 450 Rigby

All that powder wants space to burn.

I wouldn't go shorter than 22" in my opinion.

Shooting 480gr bullets at 2380fps (QL Node) with 109gr Somchem S365

 

[Luvthunt]

A 20” 450 wil do anything a 22” Lott will do(and more) at lower pressure.
I have a 458 Lott with a 22” barrel and on my Labrader chrony get 2250 with 500 gr bullets.
For me that enough to forget about more velocity. I believe the animal will not know the difference of another 50 or 100 feet. The 450 with a 550 will have greater momentum.
If it were me I would buy it and in today’s market if I did not like it put it up for sale. The key is to buy it right. Should be fun.