Reloading the .416 Rigby and SS presses.

[Crashbox]

I am giving serious thought to purchasing a CZ 550 in .416 Rigby, and if I do, I will also be reloading for same.

Because the .416 Rigby is a LONG case, I have some concerns that my LnL Classic single-stage may not be adequate for at least two reasons: 1) the opening measures right at about 4", which may be quite tight for seating some of the longer bullets; and 2) should I need to full-length resize the cases, it is likely going to take a goodly amount of force to do so, and the press frame may not have sufficient strength to hold up to it.

Has anyone used the LnL single-stage press with this cartridge successfully? If so, what- if any- items of advice can you give?

I have no problem acquiring another SS press if it is needed to reload for this cartridge, even a .50 BMG SS press if necessary. Any advice regarding suitable SS presses (should another be needed) would also be very helpful.

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[GCBurner]

I went with the Lee Classic single stage press; it's about the least expensive name brand SS press that can take 1 1/4" diameter dies by removing the 7/8" bushing, so you can use dies made for the really big bore cartridges, up to .50 BMG. The RCBS Rock Chucker is also of that type, but a bit more expensive. I use the Lee dies for the long .577-450 Martini Henry cartridges with mine.

 

[Jim Watson]

.416 Rigby dies are standard 7/8-14 usable in any standard press.
Go ahead and buy some and screw them into your LnL, then start pulling the handle.

You will need good case lube for full length sizing - which I would recommend for a DGR anyhow. The industry standard is Imperial, a friend says he sizes .50 BMG easily with the Lee aqueous wax, and the big Sharps shooters are talking about a lanolin and castor oil blend.

The OAL of finished .416 is 3.75" so to seat bullets in a 4" press you will have to do a little manipulation. Kind of feed the bullet up into the die over the case and align it as you raise the ram.
Or you could get the Vickerman die which side loads the bullet into the die body.
http://gmwvickerman.com/html/products.html#MicrometerDie

 

[Walkalong]

I load .458 win Mag on my LNL progressive. It is a little tight. I stick the bullet up in the seater die to allow clearance. If I set it on the case it will not get under the seater.

The LNL single stage has more clearance. On the progressive, by the time the shell plate rotates over under the seater, it only has about 3 1/4" clearance.

 

[Crashbox]

Thanks y'all. I'll try the LnL and if I find it doesn't cut the mustard, then I'll get something like a LEE Classic Cast, RCBS Rockchucker Supreme or maybe even a Redding Ultramag (which I could then use to load .25 ACP with relative ease as well)-