Buffalo Bore 416 Rigby Loads – Field-Tested Excellence
Friends, it’s difficult to know where to begin when describing our 416 Rigby loads. This cartridge is not only my most-used in Africa—it’s also one of the most beloved. What I share here is based on firsthand experience, not secondhand reading. When properly loaded (a big “if”) with modern bullet designs, the 416 Rigby becomes one of the most balanced and deadly cartridges for a wide range of African hunting applications. It hits hard at close range and shoots flat at distance—when paired with the right ammunition.
We currently produce four distinct loads for the 416 Rigby:
- Two soft-point expanding loads
- Two solid penetrating loads
All four loads are engineered to operate at super low pressures and fall well within modern SAAMI specifications. Thanks to advancements in powder and bullet technology, we’re able to deliver performance that far exceeds the original designs from over a century ago.
Item # 416 Rigby 400 TSX – Barnes 400 gr. All-Copper Soft
- Velocity: 2,400 fps from 22-inch barrels
- Modern TSX design offers unmatched expansion in 416 caliber
- Field-proven on Cape Buffalo at ranges up to 200 yards
- Reliable stopping power, even in charge scenarios
While I personally favor larger calibers (.505 and up) for pure stopping power, the 416 Rigby with a 400 gr. TSX bullet is worlds ahead of anything in the 375 H&H class—and it shoots just as flat. There are few cartridges that offer this level of versatility, precision, and terminal performance.
Real-world velocities for Item # 416 Rigby 400 CEB – Solid Load:
- 2,408 fps — Hartmann & Wiess, 24-inch barrel
- 2,418 fps — Verney Carron, 22-inch barrel
- 2,430 fps — CZ 550, 22-inch barrel
- 2,441 fps — Mauser Diplomat, 22-inch barrel
