550, 550 And Others

[krinko]

Here are the .375 and .416 Rigby 550s out for a Range Day which, due to the lovely weather, turned into a Range Hour.



And then the .416 alone, with the 200 meter berm in the far background.



I got eighteen offhand rounds of .416 down range at the 200 meter gong with a fair number of hits, considering that I was trying a couple of recoil control holds. That's the official excuse for the misses, by the way.

It's odd, but I am the third owner and the first one to fire this rifle. Ha!
I can't figure why. It's not really a recoil hog like my 1960ish .458 Browning. Greater weight and a 2012 recoil pad probably contribute to the relative comfort of this .416---possibly the stock geometry as well.

Here's an Elephant rifle weight table:

CZ 550 .416 Rigby---9.068 lb.
CZ 550 .375 H&H----9.790 lb.
M70 .375 H&H----8.812 lb.
BRN .458 W.M.---7.816 lb.
Control---
M14 .308 WIN----9.100 lb.

Still wouldn't like to shoot the .416 from the bench much.
-----krinko

 

[js8588]

I want, and intend to get, a matching set in exactly those calibers. Lovely rifles.

 

[Garrobo]

Very strange.

I also have a .375 H&H and a .416 Rem Mag but I built mine on P-13 actions (clock on closing). The .375 has a standard weight 24" barrel and the .416 has a 26" heavy sporter barrel. Both are Magnaported and have reinforced wood stocks. They both weigh right at 10 pounds. Neither of them recoil too much for the average guy to fire. I built a third in caliber .458 Ackley with a .24" barrel which originally was in caliber .458 Win Mag which I have not stocked to this date. I'm almost afraid to finish it. If I knew more about computers and this website I'd show some pictures of the first two but I'm about half Amish when it comes to modern stuff. I do have a cell phone though which I carry around in case I have to make a call but I have to read the instructions every time I try to use it.

 

[CraigC]

Good stuff! I've just about decided on the CZ in .416Rigby with plans to eventually convert it to .500Jeffery with a new English walnut stock. Or if I really like the .416, I might just keep it and have a custom .500 built on a .416 action ($800 at Brownells).

 

[CraigC]

Got my .416 on the way!

 

[krinko]

Glad to hear it! Post some photos here when you get to shoot it.
-----krinko