.416 Rigby
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.416 Rigby: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle |
| Primer Type | Large Rifle |
| Used For | Big Game Hunting, Dangerous Game |
| Case Design | Rimless, Straight |
| Year Introduced | 1911 |
.416 Rigby: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Excellent stopping power for large and dangerous game
- ✔ Deep penetration for thick-skinned animals
- ✔ Flat trajectory for a large bore cartridge
- ✔ Versatile for various African big game species
- ✔ Reliable performance in adverse conditions
Cons
- ✘ Significant recoil, challenging for inexperienced shooters
- ✘ Expensive ammunition
- ✘ Heavy rifles required to manage recoil
- ✘ Overkill for most non-dangerous game hunting
- ✘ Limited availability compared to more common calibers
.416 Rigby: The Classic African Big Game Cartridge
The .416 Rigby is a powerful large bore rifle cartridge developed in 1911 by John Rigby & Company of London, England. It was specifically designed for hunting dangerous game in Africa. Known for its excellent stopping power and penetration, the .416 Rigby has become a favorite among professional hunters and safari enthusiasts. Its performance characteristics make it highly effective against large and potentially dangerous animals such as elephant, cape buffalo, and rhinoceros.
History and Development
The .416 Rigby was introduced in 1911 by the British firm John Rigby & Company. It was designed to bridge the gap between the .375 H&H Magnum and the more powerful but harder-recoiling .470 Nitro Express. The cartridge was created to provide adequate stopping power for the largest and most dangerous African game while still being manageable in terms of recoil for the average hunter.
The .416 Rigby gained immediate popularity among professional hunters in Africa due to its excellent penetration and stopping power. It was capable of cleanly taking down any African game animal, including elephant, at reasonable ranges. The cartridge's success led to its adoption by many notable hunters and explorers of the early 20th century.
Despite a period of decline in popularity during the mid-20th century, the .416 Rigby experienced a resurgence in the 1980s. This revival was partly due to the efforts of custom gunsmiths and the introduction of new rifles chambered for this cartridge by major manufacturers. Today, the .416 Rigby remains a respected and sought-after cartridge for dangerous game hunting in Africa and other parts of the world.
Cartridge Specifications
The .416 Rigby uses a 2.5-inch (63.5mm) belted case, which allows for high powder capacity. It typically fires a .416 inch (10.57mm) diameter bullet weighing between 400 and 450 grains (26-29 grams). The standard load achieves a muzzle velocity of around 2,400 feet per second (730 m/s) with a 400-grain bullet, generating over 5,000 ft-lbs (6,800 J) of muzzle energy.
The cartridge's design allows for deep penetration, which is crucial when hunting thick-skinned dangerous game. The .416 Rigby's performance is characterized by its ability to maintain velocity and energy at longer ranges, making it effective for both close encounters and shots at moderate distances in African hunting scenarios.
Timeline of .416 Rigby Development and Usage:
.416 Rigby Performance Characteristics
The .416 Rigby offers exceptional performance for dangerous game hunting. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,400 fps (400-grain bullet) Provides excellent penetration and energy transfer |
| Muzzle Energy | 5,115 ft-lbs Sufficient for the largest and most dangerous game animals |
| Effective Range | Up to 300 yards Maintains lethal energy for large game at this distance |
| Recoil | High Manageable for experienced shooters, but significant practice is recommended |
| Bullet Weight | 400-450 grains Heavy bullets provide deep penetration on large animals |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .416 Rigby loads.
.416 Rigby: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .416 Rigby ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous Game Hunting | 0-100 | Optimal for close-range encounters with dangerous game |
| African Big Game | 0-300 | Effective for all African big game species at typical hunting distances |
| Long-Range Shooting | 0-500 | Capable of long-range accuracy with proper loads and optics |
| Bear Defense | 0-100 | Excellent stopping power for large, dangerous animals at close range |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .416 Rigby is renowned for its power and penetration, making it a top choice for dangerous game hunting. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .416 Rigby
The .416 Rigby's powerful performance profile makes it suitable for specific, demanding applications:
Caliber Comparisons: .416 Rigby
The .416 Rigby is a powerful big-game rifle cartridge. To understand its capabilities, let's compare it to similar large-bore cartridges:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .416 Rigby with other large-bore rifle cartridges. (Based on a 10 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .416 Rigby with other large-bore rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .416 Rigby with other large-bore rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .416 Rigby with other large-bore rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .416 Rigby
The .416 Rigby is a large bore rifle cartridge designed for hunting dangerous game. It's known for its excellent penetration and stopping power.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .416 Rigby | 400 | 0.330 |
| .416 Rigby | 410 | 0.338 |
| .416 Rigby | 450 | 0.371 |
| .416 Rigby | 400 (Solid) | 0.330 |
| .416 Rigby | 450 (Solid) | 0.371 |
Note: The .416 Rigby offers high sectional densities, contributing to its reputation for deep penetration on large, dangerous game. Solid bullets are often used for maximum penetration, while expanding bullets are used for increased tissue damage.