Iqbal - The terminal ballistics of the 416 Rigby round need little endorsement from me - it's track record in Africa and India since it's introduction in 1909 is legendary.

But, since this thread relates to Rigby as a Gunmaker, let me address that.

Rigby actually only made very few, some estimate about 400. All but 4 or 5 were magazine rifles, with only one made up as a double prior to WW2. This was made for the Maharja of Surjoja, who was fond of shooting Tigers.

Originally made up on No. 20 Magnum Mauser commercial actions (Rigby was the original English agent for Mauser), many were made on French Brevex actions and standard length Mauser actions after WW2 when the supply of commercial Mauser actions came to an end.

You asked about recoil. Yes is is willing, but stock design plays a big part too, and the English Gunmakers had this all worked out, including Rigby.

But what set Rigby-Mausers apart from other magazine rifles of the era was that they fed from the magazine RELIABLY! Typical Rigby, whatever else, his products WORKED.

Probably why so many African Game Departments adopted them for Elephant control work.

I'd like to be able to quote the reference, but I heard it said somewhere that you could throw a handfull of cartridges and a Rigby .416 into a sack, shake it around, and it would emerge with the magazine full!

I have handled several Rigby .416's, and owned one for about 10 years, and can vouch for the fact that they are SLICK!

Hyperbole maybe - but THAT'S the attention to detail that Rigby was noted for. THAT'S what quality is about, not some bit of scratching on a lockplate or a fancy bit of wood.

So, perhaps I could answer your question by asking you one?

If you had the choice of facing a lion charge with a 416 made by Rigby, or some badly stocked whiz-bang modern Mega-Magnum made by some shonk that couldn't be relied on to transport a round from the chamber into the breech, what would you choose?

So, unless you can lay your hands on one of those original 400 Rigby's, I'm afraid all bets are off!