hoppdoc
.400 member
Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA
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Was cruising GA and found a Merkel 416 Rigby Double.
My ignorance-Didn't know anyone could do that and thought that cartridge pressure too high for a Double.
Wonder what velocities Factory ammo shoots in such a Double?
Woodleigh has come out with a 450 gr bullet too.
Interesting-
http://www.gunsamerica.com/classifieds/none/_976709303.aspx
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An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.
Edited by hoppdoc (25/04/07 12:41 PM)
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dnovo
.333 member
Reged: 21/02/05
Posts: 490
Loc: Chicago & SE Wisconsin
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There seem to be several recent production DRs in 416, Merkel, Kreighoff, etc. I do not see the 416 listed on the current US importer sight. I suppose there is no reason that, given modern steel and construction, the 416 would not work. Indeed, there are a fair number of late 1950-1970s DR in 458 Winchester, another higher-than-Nitro rounds.
If you want, I'd give Danny Span down at Merkel USA a call. He is sales, but a DR enthusiast and has always had an honest answer on Merkel questions when I call. Dave
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Time Wounds All Heels
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DUGABOY1
.400 member
Reged: 02/02/03
Posts: 1340
Loc: TEXAS USA
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Quote:
Was cruising GA and found a Merkel 416 Rigby Double.
My ignorance-Didn't know anyone could do that and thought that cartridge pressure too high for a Double.
Wonder what velocities Factory ammo shoots in such a Double?
Woodleigh has come out with a 450 gr bullet too.
Interesting-
http://www.gunsamerica.com/classifieds/none/_976709303.aspx
The Merkel 140-2 has always been made chambered for 375 H&H Magnum, 416 Rigby, 470NE, and 500NE! However, the reason the 375H&H, and the 416 Rigby is not the best choice for a double rifle is not because of the pressure, but because they are rimless, or belted rimless rounds. This is not the best choice of rounds in a double rifle because of the tiny palls used for extraction, are pritty flemsey, and are opperated by tinier springs, that have little power to resist dust jamming. The rimless cartridge is OK, but still not the best idea, in a rifle used to hunt deer, but is a definte No NO in a dangerous game rifle, IMO!
Merkel would be much better off to chamber that rifle with a 450/400NE 3", or the 500/416NE, and the 375H&H Flanged instead of the belted rimless round. 
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..........Mac >>>===(x)===>
DUGABOY1, and MacD37 founding member of DRSS www.doublerifleshooterssociety.com
"If I die today, I have had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"
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dnovo
.333 member
Reged: 21/02/05
Posts: 490
Loc: Chicago & SE Wisconsin
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Another reason to consider another gun may be balance. My only issue with the Merkel 140s is that in the smaller calibers, they tend to be a bit muzzle heavy. The barrel contours of a 375 and 500 are pretty much the same. I found the 375 to be poorly balanced for this reason while the 500 was delightful. The 416 should be closer to the 375 in balance than the 500, so at a minimum, I would try before you buy and pay attention to the feel when you shoulder it and swing it from side to side. Dave
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Time Wounds All Heels
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hoppdoc
.400 member
Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA
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It is interesting in that I thought the pressure the round generated precluded a Double.I suspect weight wise it is the same as their 470 NE which I find entirely too muzzle heavy.
For the same weight Double one would presumably be better off with a rimmed 500/416 if a high velocity 416 bullet was your goal.Correct me if wrong,but I do think the majority feeling of folks here is that more bullet diameter with standard Double velocities kills larger DG better that jacking the velocity up,i.e. you want a bigger hole in the animal.
Methinks that that a quality 450/400 would be lighter,penetrate well, and point better than a 416 Rigby Double or a 500/416.The only disadvantage it would have over a 500/416 would be less velocity for longer range non DG shots.The great SD of a 400 gr bullet with a scoped 450/400 along with needed elevation correction should compensate for that deficiency satisfactorily out to 250 yds.When paying trophy fees in Africa that is plenty far for me. 
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An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.
Edited by hoppdoc (26/04/07 12:13 PM)
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JPK
.375 member
Reged: 31/08/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Chevy Chase, MD
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Hopdoc,
I'm in the "bigger bullet camp." Still, a 416, whether a 416 Rigby or a 416/500 will have more penetration with similar solids than a 450/400 due to greater energy. But penetration of the 450/400 may be enough, and history says it is, that the greater penetration of the 416 is immaterial.
Being a fan of the "bigger bullet," if I was going to deal with the weight and/or recoil of the 416 than I would rather have a 450NE.
Pressure is an issue with double rifles but way too much is made of it. Proper lubrication is more important than high vs low pressure cartidge, imo.
JPK
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CptCurl
.450 member
Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5318
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
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The .416 Rigby is rated at 18 tons pressure
http://www.new-kynoch.apt-sites.com/416%20Rigby%20NE.htm
That's the same working pressure of the .375 Flanged Magnum
http://www.new-kynoch.apt-sites.com/375%20flanged.htm
Curl
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RoscoeStephenson.com
YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
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