Got to field test a .416 Ruger

[ChrisG]

So I got to field test my .416 Ruger today. Load was:

84 grains Alliant 2000-MR
340 Grain Woodleigh Weldcore
2,550 FPS, 4,910 ft-lb,

Here was the result:

I think the woodleigh is my new favorite thin skinned bullet. This bear wasn't that big but it expanded completely and left a tennis ball sized exit would. Bear collapsed even though no bones were hit except a rib. No flakes of bullet in the wound path so it must have held together like it was designed to. The more I use this .416 Ruger the more I fall in love with it.

I just wish I had a musheroomed bullet to post a picture of...

 

[Patton63]

Very nice. Congratulations.

 

[brettp]

What's the rifle?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Did he even flinch? Nice job!

 

[ChrisG]

Thanks! It's a Ruger Hawkeye African that I cut the threads off of and recrowned to 22.5". Leopold VX-3, 1.5x-5x. And I couldn't tell you if he flinched Phil, by the time I recovered from the recoil he was a pile of limp black fur with a dust cloud hanging over him.

I love hunting bears... it's very challenging and the rough terrain of the Adirondack mountains makes it even harder but makes the bear that much more rewarding regardless of its size... although the smaller ones are easier to drag and taste soooo good.

 

[brettp]

Dropped this guy in his tracks with mine btw. 400gr DGX factory.

Rifle was a Ruger Alaskan.

 

[ChrisG]

View attachment 202700

Dropped this guy in his tracks with mine btw. 400gr DGX factory.

Rifle was a Ruger Alaskan.

That's a great bear! Is yours the African or the guide gun?

 

[brettp]

Mine is the Alaskan. It's not made any more. Predates the current models. 20" barrel. No break. Stainless in a Houge overmolded rubber stock with aluminum bedding block. Not pretty, but terribly effective and accurate.

 

[brettp]

I cerakoted it black....

 

[ChrisG]

View attachment 202705

I cerakoted it black....

Nice!

 

[PLM]

Smitten by the hammer of Thor. brettp, looks like an easy carrying, quick handling, effective weapon.

 

[brettp]

Smitten by the hammer of Thor. brettp, looks like an easy carrying, quick handling, effective weapon.

I friggin love that gun. I've taken 3 buffalo with it in addition to that brown and also backed up on an elephant that I dropped with a head shot.

 

[PLM]

Awesome. I like short quick handling rifles. For deer and hogs my go to is my Remington Model Seven in 308 with an 18 inch barrel.

 

[Dr Ray]

So I got to field test my .416 Ruger today. Load was:

84 grains Alliant 2000-MR
340 Grain Woodleigh Weldcore
2,550 FPS, 4,910 ft-lb,

Here was the result:
View attachment 202697

I think the woodleigh is my new favorite thin skinned bullet. This bear wasn't that big but it expanded completely and left a tennis ball sized exit would. Bear collapsed even though no bones were hit except a rib. No flakes of bullet in the wound path so it must have held together like it was designed to. The more I use this .416 Ruger the more I fall in love with it.

I just wish I had a musheroomed bullet to post a picture of...

Wow that's awesome!!

 

[CAustin]

View attachment 202700

Dropped this guy in his tracks with mine btw. 400gr DGX factory.

Rifle was a Ruger Alaskan.

Outstanding bear and to boot taken with Hornady DGX! Congrats!

 

[CAustin]

So I got to field test my .416 Ruger today. Load was:

84 grains Alliant 2000-MR
340 Grain Woodleigh Weldcore
2,550 FPS, 4,910 ft-lb,

Here was the result:
View attachment 202697

I think the woodleigh is my new favorite thin skinned bullet. This bear wasn't that big but it expanded completely and left a tennis ball sized exit would. Bear collapsed even though no bones were hit except a rib. No flakes of bullet in the wound path so it must have held together like it was designed to. The more I use this .416 Ruger the more I fall in love with it.

I just wish I had a musheroomed bullet to post a picture of...

Wish I had been out bear hunting today!

 

[Will B.]

I know I am reviving a dead thread, but I had to comment that the great potential for hunting and putting the smack down on brown bear at a distance while still being good on cape buffalo is why I went with the 416 ruger for my "big medicine". Thanks for sharing your experiences!

 

[Philip Glass]

I like my .416 Ruger!

 

[Britt Beck]

Congrats and thanks for sharing.

 

[ChrisG]

I know I am reviving a dead thread, but I had to comment that the great potential for hunting and putting the smack down on brown bear at a distance while still being good on cape buffalo is why I went with the 416 ruger for my "big medicine". Thanks for sharing your experiences!

It really is a flat shooting beast when you load it right. The load from this thread shoots pretty flat out to 250 yards or so. Thats probably about as far as I would want to shoot it anyway... due to the recoil, I am not as precise with this rifle as I am with my .375 H&H. I am going on an elk hunt next year and I am considering bringing the .416 just for kicks.