Bighammer

As to 450 Rigby cases making them from 416 will be easy.

Becuase the 416 Rigby has a very sharp shoulder you will probably need to go over s 45 expander plug first because to go to 50 in one go will probably mean mean the shoulder will collapse. By the way I am assuming the body of the 450 Rigby is longer which may not be the case. If it is like comparing a 270 to a 30/06 Ackley Improved then you will just neck to 450 and go shooting.

You would not need to worry about fireforming loads as 99.99% of your loads will fit the un improved case.

To cut a long story short the main issue is whether you would rebarrel a 416 Rigby or rechamber a 458 Ruger.

Bertram lists 450 Rigby which you can be fairly sure will be pure shit but you could by 20 just to have 20 450 Rigby headstamped case while you you do some day dreaming and cork sniffing

To get the full benefit of a 450 you want a get a muzzle brake, which can be removed. A 460 with full loads and the KDF type brake is more controllable than a 375 without a brake. For most of our shooting it is easy to put on muffs or plugs in the field.

If the 450 Rigby will equal the 460 then in a 26 inch barrel you can punch the 400 grain Woodleighs out out 2900 and the 350 Hornadies will crack 3000 f/s. Although the case capacities are the same I am mot 100% sure it will match the 460 with top loads. The only reason I say that is an aquaintance in America has the 450 Dakota (same capacity again) and his mate also has a 450 Dakota but neither will match the 460 at top loads.

Lastly, if due to brass etc you chamber to 460 you need to make sure the reamer used is top quality that is right on specifications for the freebore diameter. Wbys with freebore diameters that are too large can only be described as an excercise in hair pulling.

One other point, for some reason which completely escapes me, calibres like the 460 loaded back to 458 Win/Lott or 416 Rigby back to 416 Rem, 378 back to 375 etc seem to be much easier on scopes than the same ballistics generated from full pressure loads in the smaller cases. They also seem to shoot better off bedding that is not as good as it could be and also better from barrels that are only so so.

Mike