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Rifle · CIP

.416 Rigby

.416 Rigby Magnum10.6x74mm

Legendary British dangerous game cartridge.

Caliber
0.4161″ · 10.57 mm
Introduced
1911
Case
Rimless
Primary use
Hunting
Status
Active
Velocity2,300–2,450 fps
Energy5,000–5,500 ft·lb
Typical grains350 · 400 · 450 gr
Identity
Introduced
1911
Type
Rifle
Origin
United Kingdom
Inventor
John Rigby & Company
Manufacturer
John Rigby & Company
Standard
CIP
Status
Active
Availability
Moderate
Build
Case capacity
120 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:14
Primer
Large Rifle Magnum
Case type
Rimless
Pressure & range
Max pressure
52,000 psi
Eff. range
300 yd
Max range
3500 yd
Recoil
55–75 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond 400 gr, 2,400 fps, BC 0.435 G1 · 100 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd24005113-1.5″—
100 yd229246670.0″0.0
200 yd21874248-5.1″-2.4
300 yd20843856-17.5″-5.6
400 yd19823489-38.0″-9.1
500 yd18833149-67.2″-12.8
600 yd17862832-106.2″-16.9

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingNosler Trophy Grade AccuBond400 gr · AccuBond · 2,400 fps · BC 0.435 G1Buy now →
Best for TargetSIG Sauer Match Elite350 gr · OTM BTHP · 2,415 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .416 Rigby ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀10.570.416✓
Neck ⌀11.330.446✓
Shoulder ⌀13.720.540✓
Shoulder angle44.9°—✓
Base ⌀14.960.589✓
Rim ⌀14.990.590✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.650.065✓
Neck length12.700.500≈
Case length73.662.900✓
Overall length95.253.750✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .416 Rigby is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 241 active loads across 33 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 245 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
BarnesVOR-TX Safari400TSX2,4105,1580.370 G1
BarnesVOR-TX400TTSX BT2,4005,1150.370 G1
NoslerTrophy Grade AccuBond400AccuBond2,4005,1150.435 G1
HSMHSM Trophy Gold400TSX2,4005,1150.370 G1
BarnesVOR-TX TSX FB400TSX FB2,3704,9880.370 G1
FederalCape-Shok350Trophy Bonded2,7005,665—
BarnesVOR-TX Safari350TSX2,7005,665—
WinchesterSuper-X350Flex Tip2,7005,665—
HornadyDangerous Game350DGX Bonded2,7005,665—
RemingtonCore-Lokt350Core-Lokt Soft Point2,7005,665—
NoslerSafari350Solid2,7005,665—
HSMHSM Trophy Gold350Monolithic Solid2,7005,665—
NormaAfrican PH350Bonded Soft Point2,7005,665—
KynochBig Game / Nitro Express350Metal Covered Soft Nose2,7005,665—
Cutting Edge BulletsSafari350Raptor HP2,5505,053—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

5 reloading powders listed for .416 Rigby, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

N170Reloader 25LRTIMR 8133N105
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .416 Rigby

12 models in the database chamber .416 Rigby. Browse all →

Ruger Explore .416 Rigby 23-inchJohn Rigby & Co Farquharson Single Shot 416 RigbyKimber Caprivi .375 H&H 24-inchRigby Highland Stalker .375 H&H MagMerkel KR1 .375 H&H 24-inchMauser M98 Magnum .416 Rigby 25.6-inchBlaser R8 Safari .500 JefferyRuger Hawkeye African .375 H&HNosler Model 48 Safari .375 H&H Mag 24-inchRuger Hawkeye African 458 LottRuger African .416 RigbyRuger African .375 H&H Mag

Lineage

Immediate parent
Root — no documented parent
Direct descendants (5 · 12 total)
.338/416.378 Weatherby Magnum.450 Rigby.338 Lapua Magnum.338 Norma Magnum
Family TreeOpen .416 Rigby in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads245 factory loads for .416 Rigby↗Reloading5 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .416 Rigby↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Developed by John Rigby & Company in 1911 for hunting African dangerous game. Specifically designed for stopping charging elephants and buffalo. Used extensively during golden age of African safari hunting. The large case operates at moderate pressures for reliable extraction in heat and dust. Fell out of favor mid-20th century but revived in 1980s-90s. Now considered one of the finest dangerous game cartridges.

FAQs

What twist rate does .416 Rigby use?
.416 Rigby typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .416 Rigby?
.416 Rigby uses a 0.4161″ (10.57 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .416 Rigby still in production?
.416 Rigby is active; typical availability is moderate.
What is .416 Rigby used for?
.416 Rigby is primarily used for hunting.
What are the best powders for .416 Rigby?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .416 Rigby include N170, Reloader 25, LRT, IMR 8133, among 5 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 241 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →