.416 Ruger Load Data for 300 and 350 Grain Bullets

[ChrisG]

Hi All,

I am still out looking for additional data. I was wondering if anyone has come across any manuals with data for the 300 and 350 grain bullets in the .416 Ruger. There is a plethora of data available for 400 grain bullets but I cannot find data that is not anecdotal or "My gun didn't blow up so it's safe" data. I mean tried and true, strain gauge tested data. Currently I am using Alliant PP 2000-MR which is phenomenal for 400 grain loads but I am not averse to buying a different powder for lighter bullets. I would just like a decent load that will throw a 350 out at 2,450-2,550fps without going into pressure guesstimation. After all, we all know that with some powders and cartridges, pressure signs don't even begin to hsow up until you are well within the 70K to 80K psi area. Thanks!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Chris,

Joe at Realguns.com did a 2 part article a few years ago on the 416 Ruger and showed a bunch of load data for 350 and 400 gr bullets. Sorry, no 300 gr info. I did see on Hendershots.com that they offer custom load with 300 Barnes TSX with 2750 fps and 325 gr Norfolk.

Realguns 416 Ruger Part 1: http://www.realguns.com/archives/172.htm
Realguns 416 Ruger Part 2: http://www.realguns.com/archives/177.htm

 

[larry4831]

I second real guns.com. There's a part one and part two both have loads for 350 and 400 grain bullets. Found one site for 300 grain loads but it is not a tested site. I don't trust just any information on hand loads.

 

[ChrisG]

I second real guns.com. There's a part one and part two both have loads for 350 and 400 grain bullets. Found one site for 300 grain loads but it is not a tested site. I don't trust just any information on hand loads.

I have seen these before and he doesn't provide any pressure data. Also, his loads seem a little anemic. I wish speer or barnes would do some load testing with the .416 Ruger.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Chris,

Are you shooting a 20" or 23" barrel model? Realguns did a 2 part article on the 23" African.

Ruger's Hawkeye African in 416 Ruger Part 1
http://www.realguns.com/articles/679.htm

Ruger's Hawkeye African in 416 Ruger Part 2
http://www.realguns.com/articles/680.htm

 

[ChrisG]

Chris,

Are you shooting a 20" or 23" barrel model? Realguns did a 2 part article on the 23" African.

Ruger's Hawkeye African in 416 Ruger Part 1
http://www.realguns.com/articles/679.htm

Ruger's Hawkeye African in 416 Ruger Part 2
http://www.realguns.com/articles/680.htm

Oh I didn't see that one! Thanks for the link My question is, are his loads pressure tested or are they just guesstimations based on his particular rifle? Mine is a 23" African by the way...

 

[Shootist43]

I think someone using "Quick Load" software could probably give you calculated pressure ratings if they were given the information they need to work up a load.

 

[JKO HUNTING SAFARIS]

Good day guys,

Did anyone ever worked out loads from this thread? I need to reload my 416 Ruger with Hodgon's now as we do not find Somchem powders anymore.

Any info will be appreciated....

All my best,

Jacques Spamer
JKO Hunting Safaris

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Swift Manual shows starting with 67.8 grs Varget and max load 73.0.

Also, BL-C(2) starting 65.1 grs and max 70.0

Hornady lists H335, starting with 61.6 grs and max of 69.5 grs.

 

[Luederitz]

Good day guys,

Did anyone ever worked out loads from this thread? I need to reload my 416 Ruger with Hodgon's now as we do not find Somchem powders anymore.

72 grains of Hodgdon CFE223 with a 400grs A-Frame, brass Hornady, magnum primer, OAL 84,5 mm
the pressure test says 3840 bar which is safe
the muzzle speed is 690 m/s

so you can go up to 74,5...75 grains of CFE223, the pressure will be around 4000 bar and the muzzle speed is slightly over 700 m/s

 

[bassasdaindia]

I am loading a 300g peregrine bullet with somchem powder , but i don’t think either are available to you?

 

[Edge]

Speer has published load data for the 350gr Mag-Tip with a wide variety of powders, link below.

I'm using Varget for my practice loads and Alliant 2000 MR for full throttle loads. You can’t really get into pressure trouble with the 2000 MR as you can’t fit enough in the case. I've run a 2000 MR ladder test with the 350 TSX to see how much powder/velocity I can achieve and never a hint of pressure. I was really compressing the powder without reaching the top charge listed for the Speer data. I don't have my data book handy, if anyone wants my test data, let me know.

Targets below, the very first shots with the 350 gr Speer load (2350 fps) and the Barnes 350 TSX load (2535 fps), no load development, dump powder and shoot. I'm working on a load now to have the 350 TSX and Banded solid shoot to same POI.

https://www.speer-ammo.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/Rifle/41_caliber_416_dia/416_Ruger_350.pdf

Targets @ 100 yards
350 Speer

350 TSX

 

[ldmay375]

Speer has published load data for the 350gr Mag-Tip with a wide variety of powders, link below.

I'm using Varget for my practice loads and Alliant 2000 MR for full throttle loads. You can’t really get into pressure trouble with the 2000 MR as you can’t fit enough in the case. I've run a 2000 MR ladder test with the 350 TSX to see how much powder/velocity I can achieve and never a hint of pressure. I was really compressing the powder without reaching the top charge listed for the Speer data. I don't have my data book handy, if anyone wants my test data, let me know.

Targets below, the very first shots with the 350 gr Speer load (2350 fps) and the Barnes 350 TSX load (2535 fps), no load development, dump powder and shoot. I'm working on a load now to have the 350 TSX and Banded solid shoot to same POI.

https://www.speer-ammo.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/Rifle/41_caliber_416_dia/416_Ruger_350.pdf

Targets @ 100 yards
350 Speer

View attachment 334915

350 TSX

View attachment 334916

The 2000-MR has my interest for the 350 grain TSX and TTSX.
What length barrel are you using ?
I have been using IMR 4320 for the TSX. But with it supposedly discontinued, I am looking for a replacement. Plus, I have some of the 350 TTSX that I want to try with the 2000-MR.
The TTSX has a lot of bullet in the case. I will be very happy with 2400-2450 fps out of my 20” barrel. Hell, actually I will be satisfied with 2350 fps.

 

[ChrisG]

The 2000-MR has my interest for the 350 grain TSX and TTSX.
What length barrel are you using ?
I have been using IMR 4320 for the TSX. But with it supposedly discontinued, I am looking for a replacement. Plus, I have some of the 350 TTSX that I want to try with the 2000-MR.
The TTSX has a lot of bullet in the case. I will be very happy with 2400-2450 fps out of my 20” barrel. Hell, actually I will be satisfied with 2350 fps.

I had a 24" on my .416 Ruger. I will have to check my load but 2000MR gave me 2550 or 2600 for a 340 grain woodleigh. I can post that later if you want for a reference. It was extrapolated from 400 grainload data for that powder from nosler.

 

[ldmay375]

Thanks, always interested in anything 416 !!
And particularly 416 Ruger loads.
I have load some of the 350 grain TTSX at 3.360 coal with 83, 83.5, and 84 grains of 2000-MR. But, will be awhile before I am able to test them over the chronograph

 

[Edge]

The 2000-MR has my interest for the 350 grain TSX and TTSX.
What length barrel are you using ?
I have been using IMR 4320 for the TSX. But with it supposedly discontinued, I am looking for a replacement. Plus, I have some of the 350 TTSX that I want to try with the 2000-MR.
The TTSX has a lot of bullet in the case. I will be very happy with 2400-2450 fps out of my 20” barrel. Hell, actually I will be satisfied with 2350 fps.

Ruger African, older model prior to the muzzle brake. Believe it has a 23" barrel.

You should be able to reach 2400 fps with Alliant 2000 MR, even with the longer 350gr TTSX bullet. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[ldmay375]

Ruger African, older model prior to the muzzle brake. Believe it has a 23" barrel.

You should be able to reach 2400 fps with Alliant 2000 MR, even with the longer 350gr TTSX bullet. Let us know how it turns out.

Thank you. I have a very early 375 Ruger African, pre-barrel band sling stud, it is a 23”.
I definitely will post how the results turn out.

 

[ldmay375]

Ruger African, older model prior to the muzzle brake. Believe it has a 23" barrel.

You should be able to reach 2400 fps with Alliant 2000 MR, even with the longer 350gr TTSX bullet. Let us know how it turns out.

Loaded MR-2000 & 350 TTSX, Federal 215 Primer, new Unfired Hornady brass, 3.350" COAL, 416 Ruger with 20" barrel.
Chronographed today:

85 grains = 2522, 2536, 2514 FPS
86 grains = 2565, 2561, 2549 FPS

The MR-2000 seems like the cat's meow for the 416 Ruger.

Edit:
My prior load of 73.5 grains of IMR 4320 and 350 grain TSX, chronographed:

2384, 2349, 2365, 2375 fps

 

[ldmay375]

This might be a good reference for here.
This for the 400 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullet.

 

[ldmay375]

A visual comparison of a few expanding type 325 - 350 grain .416 bullets.