.416/.338 Cartridge?

[Sharpsman]

I know there's bound to be some "sperts" here regarding this cartridge so what I'm asking is for some info regarding this cartridge and it's performance factors. Loads, ballistics data, best action (in your opinion) for building one up, barrel lengths and contours, etc.? I've received some data from a computer friend a year or so ago from up Pennsylvania way...the good fellow even sent me a video of some stuff and my 64 year old mine has had a "brain fart" and as I saved his info....my PC "crashed" a while back and I lost the data! Believe the last name was Gessell...or something akin to that!

Need your help please!

Thanks! [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[jb1000br]

GP--email me and i'll send you to the only 338-416 expert i know (that is online) as he doesnt post here anymore [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

JB [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Dave King]

Groundpounder

I believe that would be Darryl Cassel. I think he posts regularly over on WWW.WildcatShooting.Com. He posted here a while ago but it was in the Sale section I believe.

[jb1000br]

Yep Dave, thats the guy.

[Paul Wyatt]

I designed and built a 338 based on the .416 Rigby case in 1995, and have taken elk and moose with it. The rifle is built on a modified Enfield action with a 30inch #6 Lilja barrel. It wears a Vais muzzle brake, and weighs in at just under 12 pounds. The recoil is not at all unpleasant with this set-up. The accuacy of the rifle is much better than I expected and I can't tell you how impressivly large animals lay down after being introduced to a slug from the business end of the gun. I like the caliber so much that I am in the process of building a new rifle based on this cartridge using a Nesika action Lilja barrel, McMillan stock, etc. Pacific Tool and Gauge made the chamber reamer. My basic load is 119 grains of H870, Barnes 225 grain X bullet, Federal 215M primers. This is near maximum in my rifle so judge accordingly. The only thing I don't like about the set-up is the cost of the 416 Rigby cases, and the process of fire-forming the brass. All said, though, an excellent caliber and a long range stomper!

[Paul Wyatt]

BTW, if you are interested, I do have case dimensions (drawings) of the case and reloading information generated by QuickLOAD and QuickDESIGN that I can send you.

[Jay, Idaho]

I built a .338-416 Rigby Imp. on a Geske action. Lilja 1.45 X 36" barrel, aluminum billet stock, at about 70#. I have a reamer with the same specs that Dan Lilja used back in early '90s. Also have a set of RCBS case forming dies. There are only 3 bullets to choose from, 250 and 300 Sierra MKs and the 250 Lapua Scenar. A friend has a 16# gun built on a Sako TRG-S, took an elk at 850 yards this year. It has a 32" Lilja HV profile barrel and brake. Another friend has a Nesika action, 1.45 X 42" Lilja barrel, weighs about 42#. All of the big, heavy guns have 12" -15" barrel blocks, floated receiver.
The first one that I saw was built on an Enfield, had a brake, weighed about 15#. There were a number of them used in 1000 yard BR in Montana, about 4-7 years ago but most shooters have gone to big 30s, or even 6 and 6.5 rifles for competition. The Big 338 is still popular for extreme elk hunting, though.
Idaho has some silly laws, one is a 16# maximum for big game hunting rifles.

[ 10-24-2004: Message edited by: Jay, Idaho ]

[ 10-24-2004: Message edited by: Jay, Idaho ]