280 AI and 416 Rigby

[jmad_81]

Jake, I think she just said we need a few 416's? At least that was all I heard.. Man, I can't wait to break it to the wife that she needs to get me a 416! :twisted:

THATS WHAT I'M HEARING!

GENTLEMEN THANK YOU
Jmad-81

Sir, again this is just my opinion from using and observing what others use, in regards to "something above the 375"

If your thinking Africa, you must have at least a 375 to hunt dangerous game in most countries. However some countries have attempted to make the minimum 400. When they started talking about increasing the minimum Holland and Holland developed and came out with a 400 H & H and it is a fine round but you need to take as much ammo as you think you will need, because it is not easily found.

What you see most often is the 404 Jeffrey, 416 Rigby and Rem, and 458 Rem and Lott. There are a lot of others also. Unless you plan on hunting the Elephant, Rhino, or Buffalo, you dont need any of these. Certainly not for the other two of the Big five--lion and leopard. If you prefer a double, the most popular would be the 450/400, which ballistically is the same as the 404 Jeffery. however again their are many other doubles and some prefer larger.

Remember, flinching can ruin a shot and also a quick second shot might be necessary so you dont want to get something that your not able to shoot comfortably. We personally dont like porting, but do have some rifles with screw on brakes. We almost always use the brake at the range but never in the field. In fact some PH will not allow you to use a brake in the field. However if you use a brake to sight in your rifle, make sure you take it off and get use to shooting it without one, if your going to shoot it without a brake in the field.

Doubles, are an entirely different ballgame. My husband likes them and I do not. You can not change ammo, at least not easy, as the barrels are sighted in with specific ammo that you must use if you intend to obtain accuracy. To its credit it can fire two shells faster than a bolt action and of course if your hunting Africa, the nostalgia is a factor. My husband has a 450/400 likes it and uses it.

I personally prefer the 416 Rigby. It allows me to hunt plains game as well as dangerous game. If I went up from there I would use a 458 Lott. Like I said what I see the most is the 404 Jeffery and the 416 Rigby and Rem. and the 458 Lott and Rem. However, the ammo for the Rem is cheaper and easier to find, than the Jefferys, Rigby and Lott. There is absolutely no "hunting" reason to go above the 458. I suggest you try shooting anything above a 458, even the 460 Weatherby before you buy it. Unless of course you happen to look like a defensive linemen in the NFL LOL There are a lot of other calibers I did not discuss that you might want to look at also--best of luck to you sir in your search.

I think I'm pretty well set for most anything with a 375R, but if I was going after elephant I would want a bigger bullet for sure (hince the reason for asking your thoughts)! I was aware of the 375 minumim, but not that some countries had a bigger minimun. Good to know. I'm with you on the breaks, I can't stand them and don't own a gun with one. I think I would stay away from the doubles (although they look really cool) and stick with a bolt gun.
I'm not big on shooting my 375 a bunch (20+ rounds) off the bench, but off of shooting sticks it is not nearly as bad. Last time I was in Africa (plains game only that trip) everything was shot off of sticks so I figure if I don't need to be able to shoot it off the bench well, I need to be able to shoot it off sticks well. So I use a lead sled on the bench. I find it helps me out a lot doing it that way.

I'm not going to lie, if I had .4xx" anything (I will someday) I would have to shoot an elk or two with it as well :lol:

 

[Africa Huntress]

charlie,
nice to hear from you again. Yes the 300 H & H is one of my favorite for sure

Scotty and jmad-81

If your thinking of a 416--the Remington will give you much better ammo choices, off the shelf, at a cheaper price.

However, if you reload and I know you do Scotty, you might want to go with the Rigby, as you can load it up or down depending on the hunt. If you load it up you will get better distance than the Rem and a better choice of bullet weights to match the game being hunted. It is one of the favorite one rifle guns for hunting plains game and dangerous game. When loaded "up" it is similar to the 416 weatherby ballistically . Also the Taylor, which if A -Square is still in business, they make ammo for the Taylor.

But whether you go with the Remington, Rigby, Weatherby or even the Taylor, you will have a gun you can take to Africa and also hunt North America Brown Bear, Moose and Elk.

If you have a 416 Rigby and a 30-06 you will be ready to hunt anything, anywhere Scotty LOL Sorry, could not resist .

 

[SJB358]

If you have a 416 Rigby and a 30-06 you will be ready to hunt anything, anywhere Scotty LOL Sorry, could not resist .

Man, seems like nobody can resist! I am getting it from all sides!

 

[FOTIS]

Aleena,

I truly enjoy your posts. Thank you for posting them here.
To my knowledge you are the only huntress we have on here, and we feel privileged to have you.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Aleena, without having been precisely being aware of the relative availability of the 416 cartridges, I had kind of figured that the Remington version with its dimensional envelope being so similar to and mostly within those of the .375 H&H case.

The Rigby has the patina of age, has performed yeoman service for some of the greatest hiunters and has proven dependability in certain quarters of this world but I have never seen a box of cartridges in any gun store, anywhere that I have lived chambered for it. Whereas the Remington, although not common is available.

It is a welcome treat to have a lady here especially one who has been able to hunt and reflect on so many places that many of us will never get to visit. I was lucky enough to live in several countries and work in a dozen more throughout the world more during my professional years. Unfortunately these forays did not include hunting anywhere but in Canada and the US. Not complaining, just busy and trying to service 10 plants at once, world-wide.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I'm surprised to hear that ammo for the 416Rem is more available. I was under the impression that the Rigby version was preferred due to pressure issues in the heat with the Rem. Or has that issue been attenuated and now just lives on in the annals of the internet rumor mill?

Aleena - your posts are very insightful and always a worthy read. You and your hubbie are living the dream!

 

[Africa Huntress]

again, thank you gentlemen.

I may be the only female posting, but I saw a picture of a very attractive young lady and the deer she shot, just this morning on this forum. Danielle, is definitely a huntress and her sister Kelly needs to find a forum that discusses fishing, or maybe I didnt scroll down far enough on this forum. Your a very lucky man Jim and kudos to you for raising them to be all that they can be.

Catskillcrawler

The heat and the Rigby. It isnt just the heat sir, it is also the dust. Also the "heat" in question is really only the heat in the equator countries in Africa. BUT, it is not just an internet rumor that the Rigby is, again in my opinion, a better choice, in the heat and the dust. However, the new rifles and actions all work better than they did in years past and if you buy Remington ammo off the shelf it will not be a hot load, and you should not have a problem.

The problem is if you reload a Remington, to the max, and use it on a hunt in a equator country, you do take the chance that it will stick. If you do this and use a push feed then you up the chances even more that it could stick in the tube.

I was ask my favorites by another gentleman and I will answer that here, they are not the newest or hottest rounds available and they each have their limitations, but they all work for me and of course in the end that is the main thing for all of us.

My favorites are the 6.5 Swede, 275 Rigby, 300 H & H, 375 H & H, and 416 Rigby and all these rifles have crf actions. Not because I re chamber while standing on my head ( although I have re chambered while on my back from falling and the rifle was straight up when I re chambered ) but I just always wanted as much in my favor as possible, especially when hunting dangerous game. I am not pushing these calibers or the CRF, just explaining my reasoning. I am sure your all aware of Murphys law LOL

 

[JD338]

Alena,

Thank you! :grin:

Your favorites list is of "classics" and for good reasons. They work very well shooting high selectional density bullets at moderate pressure levels. Makes perfect sense to me when shooting in high temps and dusty conditions.

JD338

 

[longrangehunter]

If you have a 416 Rigby and a 30-06 you will be ready to hunt anything, anywhere Scotty LOL Sorry, could not resist .

Welcome to the forum Alena. Very enjoyable reading, and I agree completely. The 30-06 can be loaded with a wide range of bullet weights. I used 200 gr. soft points and 220 gr. solids in my 30-06 because they both shot to the same point of aim over in Africa. That combo could be a 375 H&H/30-06, 404 Jeffery/30-06 and/or a 458 WM-Lott/30-06. One thing I would advise to anyone, bring cartridges that are common over there. The old standards are best in case you ever need ammo in a foreign country.

 

[hunternyny]

Thanks for info about the 416 Rigby. Was thinking a Rem, but after reading this thread I am now leaning toward the Rigby

 

[BK]

GENTLEMEN THANK YOU

Well, I hope I can include myself in this group, but I might be stretching things a bit...

Anyway, a belated welcome. Good to have you here.

Scotty--You like the 280 and the 35 Whelen, but dont have the mother of those two fine rounds ? LOL

I can see both sides of the argument here... if you have a .280 and a Whelen, you don't really need an '06. But really, a dedicated rifle crank needs the whole family. Well, outside of the .270, of course!

What you see most often is the 404 Jeffrey, 416 Rigby and Rem, and 458 Win and Lott. There are a lot of others also. Unless you plan on hunting the Elephant, Rhino, or Buffalo, you dont need any of these. Certainly not for the other two of the Big five--lion and leopard. If you prefer a double, the most popular would be the 450/400, which ballistically is the same as the 404 Jeffery. however again their are many other doubles and some prefer larger.

Fixed a slight error. I don't see a real need (well, for me) for any right now, but I sure want .416s in the Rigby and Remington flavors, and a .404 (the reason I bought my M70 in .300RUM, so I could have a donor). For whatever reason, the .45s have never really appealed to me... but I sure would like to have a double in .470 Nitro!

I personally prefer the 416 Rigby. It allows me to hunt plains game as well as dangerous game. If I went up from there I would use a 458 Lott. Like I said what I see the most is the 404 Jeffery and the 416 Rigby and Rem. and the 458 Lott and Rem. However, the ammo for the Rem is cheaper and easier to find, than the Jefferys, Rigby and Lott. There is absolutely no "hunting" reason to go above the 458.

You are probably right, but I sure would like to find a Model 70 in .470 Capstick, if for no other reason that to have a rifle named for a guy who has given me so much fine reading material.