Which 40 cal Dangerous Game Caliber

[Rule 303]

Never thought about the barnes being to long but I think I may like the A-frame better.

Could be they are OK. Just the monometals are longer for a given bullet weight. It may only apply to the heavier weights and I was also thinking of the Woodleigh Hydros, and similar bullets.

 

[ChrisG]

I am a 416 Rigby owner and my next choice would be a 404J. However the only real draw back that I can see to the 416 Ruger is if you want to use 400 grain monometals. You will probably run out of powder space to get them up to the 2200fps. Don't know for sure but looks that way.

I have 400 grain Barnes banded solids that I can drive to 2300 and there's still room in the case (the powder rattles around) and no pressure signs. The Ruger and the Remington are very close in case capacity.

Besides, even if it could only drive a mono metal to 2200, the 450/400 made its reputation as an elephant gun slinging a 400 grain bullet at 2050 FPS. The Jeffrey did it with a slightly lower SD bullet at 2150. I'd happily take the Ruger loaded thus after any animal that walks the earth with full assurance that it has the power to do the job.

 

[Rule 303]

I have 400 grain Barnes banded solids that I can drive to 2300 and there's still room in the case (the powder rattles around) and no pressure signs. The Ruger and the Remington are very close in case capacity.

Besides, even if it could only drive a mono metal to 2200, the 450/400 made its reputation as an elephant gun slinging a 400 grain bullet at 2050 FPS. The Jeffrey did it with a slightly lower SD bullet at 2150. I'd happily take the Ruger loaded thus after any animal that walks the earth with full assurance that it has the power to do the job.

Good to know about the Barnes. But one question are their banded solids a monometal or lead covered by a very thick jacket?

I think I said t before but I think a Ruger 416 would be the ultimate guide gun for Alaska and similar.

 

[Bos Javanicus]

I love my .404 Jeffery and the .416 Rigby and Rem Mag are pretty good as well.
But I was talking to a guy in the Territory who has probably shot over a thousand buff and he loves the .416 Taylor, and I wont argue with that. Another mate has probably shot the same amount and his favourite is the .416 Hoffman. He is the sort of guy that would never of picked a .416 Hoffman but it was a wedding gift from a client from the US. He reckons it is just plain bloody good.

 

[Dr Ray]

I know when I was younger I loaded everything to the max and than some. I am sure this could be the problem with stuck cases even today. I have some old books showing the rigby loaded to 2600. That may even stick a case.

I used to reload to the max also. I suggest that you want to back off and get the most accurate load near the max. If you get a stuck case when something mean and nasty is coming to chat to you, You may have a small problem.
I saw a video of a man throwing a spear at an Australian water buffalo. The buff flicked the spear with his horns and went after the would be spearer.
Interesting scenario if you get a stuck case too!

 

[Dr Ray]

I used to reload to the max also. I suggest that you want to back off and get the most accurate load near the max. If you get a stuck case when something mean and nasty is coming to chat to you, You may have a small problem.
I saw a video of a man throwing a spear at an Australian water buffalo. The buff flicked the spear with his horns and went after the would be spearer.
Interesting scenario if you get a stuck case too!

 

[ChrisG]

Good to know about the Barnes. But one question are their banded solids a monometal or lead covered by a very thick jacket?

I think I said t before but I think a Ruger 416 would be the ultimate guide gun for Alaska and similar.

They are a brass turned solid. They are about 2mm longer than a standard lead core bullet. And I totally agree for a guide gun. The thing hits so hard it makes a .45/70 look like a .308.

 

[Buckdog]

with a 416rem if you run the 400gr barnes banded solids up to 2400-2500fps it will be a compressed load of powder. At those loads and velocities be very careful of excess pressure and stuck cases. All guns are diff and are chambers. Mine can handle it no issues, many rounds down it at 2500fps in Africa and as I tested them here I let the rds and the gun sit in the sun on the hottest 90+ days and cook real good then run rds thru it. Suggest you do the same as you work up loads for whatever you choose.
I found if I ran the solids and swift a frames same velocity they shoot to the same spot perfectly in my gun.

 

[CAustin]

I think you liked the 416 Guide Gun sir!

 

[lwaters]

Charlie Austin stopped by my house and let me fire off a some rounds in his 416 ruger guide rifle. Nice rifle and the brake on it made it shot about like a 300 mag. Now the 458 lott was a little more. That the biggest rifle I've shot to date. It was a Ruger No.1 without a scope. One thing about it without the scope I didn't have to worry about wearing it. It had a nice recoil pad and I shot it in my shirt sleeves. It kind of felt like you accomplished something.

 

[lwaters]

Nice rifle Charlie.

 

[CAustin]

It was good to meet you and your wife Lenny.

 

[Rule 303]

They are a brass turned solid. They are about 2mm longer than a standard lead core bullet. And I totally agree for a guide gun. The thing hits so hard it makes a .45/70 look like a .308.

Thanks for the info Chris

 

[Rule 303]

View attachment 202131
I think you liked the 416 Guide Gun sir!

You Sir, are a tease

Buckdog, that is the same reason I use 410 Woodleigh Weldcores and their 400Hydro in my 416 Rigby. Same point of impact.

Good advice on load development for hotter climates. Most of my ammo has to work in any thing from -3 (rare but does happen outback of a night) to 45+C. I do not know if I am becoming wiser or less hard as I become older but I tend to wait for the hot days to cool before hunting now.

 

[Dr Ray]

I have a 375 Ruger Alaskan. When I buff hunting I used the PH 416 Ruger Alaskan. Myself I could tell no difference in recoil between the two rifles. Now I been bitten by the 40 caliber bug. I know a lot here like the 404 Jeffery but it seem rather bothersome to build when you can get the same thing from a 416 ruger or rem. mag. and you can also get the 416 rigby from Montana rifle and CZ although the cases are quit pricey for the reloader that I am. They all shoot the 400 gr bullet at around 2300-2400 fps. and I see no big advantage one has over the other. The Ruger and Rem. Mag. seem to be the cheapest way to go and also the cheapest to reload and I do like the Ruger African and the Model 70. I also may be better off sticking with what I already have.

I think it's Woodleigh that offers even heavier bullets in various calibers. Maybe you should look at for example a 450 grain Woodleigh at moderate velocity but very deep penetration.
Hopefully I have my facts right here.
Chose the rifle and caliber that suits you best. Your target is hardly likely to know the difference in 40 caliber.
I do know that Woodleigh makes a 350 grain bullet in 375.
All the best in your quest.

 

[lwaters]

I think it's Woodleigh that offers even heavier bullets in various calibers. Maybe you should look at for example a 450 grain Woodleigh at moderate velocity but very deep penetration.
Hopefully I have my facts right here.
Chose the rifle and caliber that suits you best. Your target is hardly likely to know the difference in 40 caliber.
I do know that Woodleigh makes a 350 grain bullet in 375.
All the best in your quest.

Hmm, I will have to try out some of the 350gr. in375. It may be better than some of the 400gr. 416

 

[lwaters]

Well I pulled the trigger and bought me a 4o caliber on line. When Charlie stopped by I really liked that Ruger No.1 in 458 Lott. I didn't buy a Lott but I got a 450/400 Nitro Express. I check out Midway and they have the reloading dies and some ammo. The ammo is expensive but when I get the cases it won't be to bad. They have brass but it is on backorder. I figure it will be a good backup to my 375 Ruger and fun to play around with. Kind of did the opposite of what I've been talking about.

 

[CAustin]

Well I pulled the trigger and bought me a 4o caliber on line. When Charlie stopped by I really liked that Ruger No.1 in 458 Lott. I didn't buy a Lott but I got a 450/400 Nitro Express. I check out Midway and they have the reloading dies and some ammo. The ammo is expensive but when I get the cases it won't be to bad. They have brass but it is on backorder. I figure it will be a good backup to my 375 Ruger and fun to play around with. Kind of did the opposite of what I've been talking about.

Good to hear Lenny. Several folks on here have the 450/400.

 

[Shootist43]

What rifle did you purchase?

 

[tarbe]

Well I pulled the trigger and bought me a 4o caliber on line. When Charlie stopped by I really liked that Ruger No.1 in 458 Lott. I didn't buy a Lott but I got a 450/400 Nitro Express. I check out Midway and they have the reloading dies and some ammo. The ammo is expensive but when I get the cases it won't be to bad. They have brass but it is on backorder. I figure it will be a good backup to my 375 Ruger and fun to play around with. Kind of did the opposite of what I've been talking about.

Welcome to the club!

Powder Valley has brass and they are in Kansas! $33.51/box...

HORNADY 450 / 400 3"400 JEFFERY (20) In Stock 33.51 HORNADY