What powder do you use to reload your 416 Ruger?

[Shootist43]

Yesterday while playing around with QuickLoad I stumbled into something that I'd like others to comment on. Our good friend CAustin has a 416 Ruger that he wants to reload for. A couple of years back I asked recommendations. Based on what I received at the time "we" went with Hodgden's Varget. Bob Nelson 35 Whelen has often touted CFE 223 for use in a 35 Whelen. So just for giggles I "plugged" CFE 223 into the "Selected Propellant" window. What I found out is that it appears to be a perfect fit. Out of a 20" barrel 81 Gr. of CFE 223 generates 61,958 lbs. of pressure and 2356 FPS pushing a 400 Gr. Hornady DGX. The question is do any of you use CFE 223 in your 416 Ruger?

 

[USMA84DAB]

Shootist43 -

Since this one is AT the pressure limit, where is the next harmonic node down from this one?

That is something! Might be great discovery!

 

[Shootist43]

Capt. Dan, reducing the charge by 4 gr. results in a Chamber pressure of 52,000, i.e. 10,000 psi less, and a loss of 100 FPS. I'd like to see how the 81 Gr. load shoots before changing it. Hopefully someone already uses CFE 223 and will 'chime" in. But to answer your question the resultant change in the powder charge hits accuracy node 7 right on the head.

 

[USMA84DAB]

I am keeping this in my back pocket - the load you gave me really shot awesomely. However, no telling if we will ever get to buy our preferred powders any more!

 

[meigsbucks]

With a 400gr Barnes TSX: 2000-MR

 

[wswolf]

My .416 Howell (an old wildcat which is based on a shortened .404 Jeffery) has a case capacity nearly identical to the .416 Ruger. I prefer powders designed to be relatively insensitive to temperature changes. It works very well with Varget, Ramshot TAC, 8208XBR or AR-Comp.

Normally 350 grain bullets impact around 5" higher than 400 grain.

I found that 400 grain Barnes Banded Solids loaded to 2340 fps with Varget or AR-Comp have the same point of impact as 350 grain Barnes TSX loaded to 2540 fps with AR-Comp. Maybe this happy combination will work with the Ruger.

Cheers,
Walt

 

[Luederitz]

I am loading my .416 Ruger with CFE223.

With 72grs CFE223 and a 400grs A-Frame (COAL 3,34") the German proof house measured 2260 fps (24" barrel length) with 3840 bar pressure (allowed 4200 bar).
I use 74grs CFE223 and measured with my Magnetospeed 2320 fps out of a 24" barrel.
So this is still a safe load without touching a pressure limit.

With 350grs bullets I use 79grs CFE223 and measured 2490 fps.

 

[Sammcc73]

My .416 Howell (an old wildcat which is based on a shortened .404 Jeffery) has a case capacity nearly identical to the .416 Ruger. I prefer powders designed to be relatively insensitive to temperature changes. It works very well with Varget, Ramshot TAC, 8208XBR or AR-Comp.

Normally 350 grain bullets impact around 5" higher than 400 grain.

I found that 400 grain Barnes Banded Solids loaded to 2340 fps with Varget or AR-Comp have the same point of impact as 350 grain Barnes TSX loaded to 2540 fps with AR-Comp. Maybe this happy combination will work with the Ruger.

Cheers,
Walt

I have Fired 400grain DGS and Buffalo Bore 350gr TSX's at 50y it is at least 5" higher (both factory loads 2300 vs 2650