Home › Browse Calibers › .416 Rigby
Common uses: Dangerous Game, Big Game
| Type | rifle (centerfire) |
| Typical load | 400gr Federal Premium Safari Cape-Shok Woodleigh Hydro Solid |
| Muzzle velocity | 2400 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 5117 ft-lb |
| Published G1 ballistic coefficient | 0.26 |
| Case length | 74 mm |
| Overall length | 95.3 mm |
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2400 | 5115 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2081 | 3846 | 0 |
| 200 | 1789 | 2842 | -6.6 |
| 300 | 1528 | 2074 | -24.2 |
| 400 | 1307 | 1517 | -56.8 |
| 500 | 1139 | 1151 | -109.8 |
At 1,000 yards, .416 Rigby (400gr at 2400 fps, 100 yd zero, standard conditions) has a modeled come-up of about 85.3 MOA / 24.8 MIL, retaining 797 fps (subsonic).
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | State | Drop (in) | Elev (MOA) | Elev (MIL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 1528 | Supersonic | -24.2 | 7.7 | 2.24 |
| 400 | 1307 | Transonic | -56.8 | 13.6 | 3.94 |
| 500 | 1139 | Transonic | -109.8 | 21.0 | 6.10 |
| 600 | 1027 | Subsonic | -189.6 | 30.2 | 8.78 |
| 700 | 950 | Subsonic | -302.3 | 41.3 | 12.00 |
| 800 | 891 | Subsonic | -453.5 | 54.1 | 15.75 |
| 900 | 841 | Subsonic | -648.8 | 68.9 | 20.02 |
| 1000 | 797 | Subsonic | -893.1 | 85.3 | 24.81 |
Extended predictions beyond 500 yards are modeled from the same G1 engine — useful for initial DOPE, but outside the 500-yard manufacturer-table validation audit. Confirm with observed DOPE, especially near transonic.
A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.
Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own rifle.
The .416 Rigby is one of the most respected dangerous-game cartridges in the world, prized for launching a heavy 400-grain bullet at a controllable velocity that delivers deep, straight-line penetration on elephant, buffalo, and other thick-skinned animals. Its large case operates at relatively low pressure (a maximum around 47,100 psi), which keeps it dependable in hot climates. Solid bullets reach the vitals of the largest bulls, while soft points offer expansion and penetration on softer game, making it a versatile choice for African and Asian big-game work. The main practical limitations are the size and weight of the rifles required to chamber its long case, plus the cost and comparative scarcity of ammunition. Factory-loaded ammunition is offered today by several major manufacturers, including Federal, Hornady, Norma, Nosler, Barnes, and Swift.
Introduced in 1911 by the London gunmaker John Rigby & Company, the .416 Rigby was a purpose-built dangerous-game cartridge designed around the large Magnum Mauser 98 bolt action (a derivative of the Gewehr 98). It was developed from scratch with no parent case, pioneering the .416-inch (10.57mm) bullet diameter and pairing a large-capacity case with the mild pressures needed to run reliably in the searing heat of Africa and India. It remains in production today and inspired a family of later .416 chamberings.
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