First Attempt...Does This Look Funny?

[jambie]

Assembled my first dummy cartridge, and the shoulder looks flatter than the factory round. The case was originally fired in my rifle...wrong die adjustment or other mistake, or not to worry? I am worried about headspace issues...The factory round is on the left in the pics.Cases that I resized but didn't load a bullet in look pretty close to the factory round. It seemed to have gotten flatter after I seated the bullet and tried to crimp it. Could a misadjustment here have caused it?

Cheers,
Tom

 

[mattsbox99]

Try it in the chamber and see.

If its not being used in an autoloader, there is no need to crimp - regardless of a cannelure in the bullet.

 

[Sugar River]

Try it in the chamber and see.

If its not being used in an autoloader, there is no need to crimp - regardless of a cannelure in the bullet.

Agreed.
That wouldn't be 416 Rigby, would it?

Something else to consider is I like to crimp in a seperate operation after seating. Just back off the stem and add your crimp. It might help your concerns.

But as said above, there's no need to crimp those puppies.

Pete

 

[jambie]

So have I wasted these cases? They chamber in the rifle...I'm just worried about the flattened shoulder causing too much of a headspace issue.

I will definitely take your advice on the crimp,.

Regards,
Tom

 

[maxpress]

It looks as if the die was set to low and it crimped before the bullet seater finished.
You may have higher pressure if you fire these. a bullet puller hammer is cheap and then you can fire form the case to the chamber with a lighter load. im assuming these are standard pressure you loaded.

 

[Paul B]

It looks as if the die was set to low and it crimped before the bullet seater finished.
You may have higher pressure if you fire these. a bullet puller hammer is cheap and then you can fire form the case to the chamber with a lighter load. im assuming these are standard pressure you loaded.

If that round is indeed a .416 Rigby, it's too big to fit in a hammer type bullet puller. Pressure shuldn't be a problem with the Rigby. The .416 eatherby Magnum uses the same case. I t just has a belt and they different type shoulder. In theory, ypou could use Weatherby data in a Rigby without any probem other than getting the snot kicked out od you a lot harder. The Weatherby is too much of a good thing as the Rigby works just fine as is.
As a matter of fact, before .416 Rigby brass became available again, people turmed the belts off of .378 Wby. brass, opened the necks and fireformed. The late jack O'Connor stated that he did so to feed his Rigby.
Paul B.

 

[maxpress]

Didnt realize it was a rigby.

 

[jambie]

It is the .416 Rigby...I'm loading to Hornady's specs on the 400 gr rns with 84.7 gr. of IMR 4350. Supposed to be a middle of the road load. I'm going to the range tomorrow (hopefully) and light them off.

On the subject of a bullet puller, I bought a RCBS collet bullet puller for use in my press, and it works flawlessly, leaving no mark on the bullet.

Will keep you updated...thanks for all the advice!
Cheers,
Tom

 

[pvtschultz]

That is exactly the reason that I use the bullet seater that comes with the dies and then a LEE Factory Crimp Die to finish them off. I haven't really had the time to play with not crimping my loads, but sounds like something that I could play with in the future.

 

[Paul B]

I don't crimp my loads for the .416 Rigby. No real need as my Rifle is the Ruger #1. You might need to do it if you're using a bolt action rifle, but you should try it both ways, crimped or non-crimped. Just something to think about.
Paul B.

 

[jambie]

Well, they all went bang, and the case necks look more normal since being fired. Recoil not as bad as with the old Win M70 in .375 H&H I used to have. The biggest problem is taht with my aging eyes, I'm having trouble seeing the front sight bead. I think I'm going to get the New England Custom Gun front fiber optic sight...

Thanks, all, for the info!

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Paul B]

Well, they all went bang, and the case necks look more normal since being fired. Recoil not as bad as with the old Win M70 in .375 H&H I used to have. The biggest problem is taht with my aging eyes, I'm having trouble seeing the front sight bead. I think I'm going to get the New England Custom Gun front fiber optic sight...

Thanks, all, for the info!

Cheers,
Tom

I can't even see the front sight on mine. I'm so near sighted that even with a variable bifocal set of glasses it's an exercise in frustration. I put a a low power 2X scope on my .416 and have one on the .404 Jeffery as well. Just make darn sure they have fairly long eye relief and are stout enough to take the recoil.
Paul B.

 

[bennettfam]

Ackley Improved?

 

[Paul B]

Ackley Improved?

Huh? The .416 needs no improvement. However, if you look at the .378, .416 and .460 Weatherby cartridges, they are nothig more than the .416 Rigby cartridge case with a belt and Weatherby's stupid looking shoulder. :shock: I do believe that working crefully, one could raise the power level of the Rigby up to the .416 Rigby. The only thing, IMHO is the Rigby needs no improvement. The late jack O'Connor once had to make his .416 Rigby brass from .378 or .460 Weatherby brass. He had to turn the belts off and run them though a proper .416 Rigby sizing die. Just my personal opinion but I've always felt Weatherby cartridges were a little bit too much of a good thing. And, yes I've shot some of them, the .300 and .460.
Paul B.

 

[Cowboy Billy]

:? It appears to me that your sizing die needs adjusted. Looks as if it's to tight and as a result,setting the shoulder to far back. In the pic it appears the brass is slightly shorter on the reload. Adjust your die so your brass just chambers without a problem. :wink: