.458, .416rem., .416 rigby?

L

Little-e

New member
I've decided to get a big caliber rifle for no other reason than I want to and the three I'm looking at are a .458 win mag, a .416 rem mag, or a .416 rigby.

I don't really care what the recoil is like but I am wondering what your opinions are concerning these three calibers, especially in the following areas:
1. Overall accuracy.
2. Ability to get the job done. Not so much "energy this" and "velocity that" but how long the critter at the receiving end has its' eyes open.
3. Cost of feeding it. BTW, I do reload.

Opinions anyone?
 
Little-e,

I have some experience with the bigger caliber's mainly in Ruger #1H's.
I have found that the .416 Rem and the .458 WM are both accurate guns, the .416 Rem was exceptional.
Any of these caliber's are overpowerd for most game in North America and as long as the bullet you choose is matched to the game you are shooting so it delivers it's energy, there is plenty of oomph to get the rsults you want.
It is good that yo reload, these big caliber's are expensive to shoot even when you reload. The components for the .416 caliber's haven't been around as long as the .45 call stuff for the .458 and I always found them more expensive to reload.
It is really up in the air as far as caliber, I personally like the .45 caliber stuff. I took my .458 WM Ruger #1H and had it rechambered to .460 Weatherby. A 500 gr. .45 cal bullet doing 2,600 fps (it is around 7,500 pounds of muzzle energy) really puts energy on target.

NJW
 
I'm resurrecting this old post because I'm in the same situation that Little-e was.

One thing that I can't figure out is who makes the most accurate big bore rifles?
Apparently, Remington doens't make a rifle larger than a .30 caliber (at least it doens't show up on their website).
Where should I be looking? If Remington doens't make one and I want to stay in the $1000 price range should I consider Winchester?
 
Mad - Remington does make rifles larger than .30 caliber; I have shot the model 700 KS Safari in .416 and .458. If you are a fan of them, I'd suggest going to Auction Arms http://www.auctionarms.com/ or another web page and doing a search on 416 or 458. I'm sure you'll find some. I think the .416 I shot was around a grand.

Little-e - I am in the same situation you are. My brother bought a Mod 70 in .375 and my dad a Mod 70 in .416, so I need one!:) Since I do not reload, I started looking for cheap ammo, and .416 ammo can usually be found much cheaper than the .458. In fact, I bought 4 boxes of Rem 400 gr solid points for $25/box at a gun show a few weeks back for my dad. Another thing I did is check my local stores shelves. Mine carries less of .458, but not a great deal less. If they only had one box of one type, that may make me consider the other caliber more.

As to the critters, I've not yet shot any animals with one. My dad is going back to Africa in July for leopard and cape buffalo, so until then I'll reserve judgement. My guess is any of them will make the critters regret that moment.

Snake
 
One thing about the .375 and up calibers......

That I have observed over the years and still don't quite understand. The per centage of accurate rifles in these calibers is (IMHO) way more than you would expect. Many possible/probable reasons (better construction, better bullets, better bedding, etc.) but I have yet to see one that wouldn't shoot. Two I've shot have shot extremely well - a .416 and a .458. My Sako in .375 was also a tack driver with reloads.

If I were going to get another one soon, I'd look hard at the CZ rifles. CRF action, decent price, reportedly good accuracy.

I think the .416 is more versatile (flatter trajectory) while the .458 is a better fight stopper. If your after DG, the guide is the one who gets paid to stop the critter. I lean much more towards a low power scope and flat shooting for tagging the critter out to a decent range. I would avoid the .458 unless you reload. The 400 grain Barnes X bullet can be driven to 2300 FPS or so and would be a reasonably flat shooting bullet.

Giz
 
Why stop there? The .460 Weatherby is the real monster of the group. Since you reload you could even tame your loads for North American game.
 
Alfadog,

I agree 100% with your choice including the caliber.

I can't find a price on it on the Sigarms site however. Do you know what it is?

I know what they say, "if you have to ask how much, you can't afford it." I'm curious however. This looks like a great rifle.
 
I know what they say, "if you have to ask how much, you can't afford it."
Click to expand...

JMC--I think you probably answered your own question. I have no idea what SigArms will be asking for these guns. I would guess that it would be comparable to a Dakota 76 African, which I believe starts at about $4,500 to $5,000. The Mauser may be more--German labor doesn't come cheap.

Here's another interesting heavy rifle link: http://www.selousrifles.com. This is a South African outfit and I have no idea if their guns are even available in the United States.
 
Alfadog,

This is what makes the Ruger Magnum Rifle (M77RSM) so appealing. They are still under $2000 and well built and available in .416 Rigby.

I would still favor the Mauser but my fears are that your correct in your guess on the price.
 
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