Reloading 416 Barrett

[drkphibr]

Barrett publishes:

Brass: Barrett .416 caliber cases
Primer: CCI #35
Powder: Hodgdon US-869
Powder Charge: 190gr
Bullet: 395gr Barrett VLD
Cartridge Overall Length: 4.563 +.005 / -.000

.416 BARRETT CASE DIMENSIONS

Overall Length: 3.273 +.000 / -.015
Trim to Length: 3.263
Headspace: 2.649 +.000 / -.006

There is also a guy on YT that loads the Hornady 450gr BT, but what's a bit strange is he's loading to the US-859 powder recommendations for the 395gr bullet of 190gr of powder with a COAL of 4.561.

I would think that with the heavier bullet, he'd be using less powder (how much less is the question I'd like answered). His COAL is .002 below Barrett's recommendations, not sure how much additional pressure that would account for, if any.

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1pqVSw9rro

What are folks charging loads for a 450gr bullet?

[50 Shooter]

Contact Ben at mrkubota@yahoo.com and talk to him, he's a board member and a commercial reloader in his spare time.

He's done plenty 50 BMG, 50 DTC, 416 Barrett, 408CT.... and can answer your questions. He's in SoCal but will help you out with any questions that you have.

[cgornet]

I finally got a chronograph on my 416B, what are some of you seeing for muzzle velocity, and what power/charge are you using?

[LynnJr]

The reason he can use more US869 powder is because it is one of the slowest powders made.
It works okay in my 50 BMG's with 660 grain bullets but shoots terrible with the 800 grain bullets.
It is very very slow burning powder.

[JMP]

You can also use more 869 with a lead jacketed bullet vs. the less dense monolithic bullets. The biggest problem with the 416 is finding a suitable projectile. The ones Barrett use can be made quite accurate, but they are not good for optimizing distance (on the very very long side) with their 0.72 G1s. There are some new cartridges that I've seen advertised that use the 420gr GSC.

I have found that the 416 Barrett cartridge seems to benefit from the use of an RWS primer rather than a CCI. RL-50 and ~450gr bullets seem to be the right combination for distance given what is readily available in components.

[drkphibr]

So I decided to take the plunge and video document my 416 Barrett journey. Tinkering with YouTube videos as there was not a lot of 416 Barrett info for building the rifle and only a couple of videos for reloading.

Since I'm starting fresh in the reloading space specific to this caliber and none of my current gear would support it, I thought it would be interesting to document the three paths I'm going down in parallel:

1. The reloading requirements/process (successes and failures)
2. Building the lower
3. Mating the lower and upper

and anything else that seems to make sense in this space. Here's the link for anyone interested:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNwPsxbBf1vlEUTuaU_rMKg

[50 Shooter]

What upper are you using? ALS, Ferret, Safety Harbor... Looked into the optimum barrel length for it?

Do you have factory ammo or are you buying reloading supplies to reload yourself?

Done your homework on a scope? Backup sights?

[drkphibr]

What upper are you using? ALS, Ferret, Safety Harbor... Looked into the optimum barrel length for it?

Do you have factory ammo or are you buying reloading supplies to reload yourself?

Done your homework on a scope? Backup sights?

Upper is going to be a Zel Custom. Most likely 32" barrel.

I have factory ammo and have yet to find any once fired brass. My videos will cover the reloading side of this effort.

No idea on glass yet, too broke to think that far ahead. Maybe a Christmas gift to myself :-)

Probably won't do iron sight as this is meant for long distance, but haven't ruled it out completely.

[50 Shooter]

Talk to Ben, I think he has dies to size 50 BMG down to .416 Barrett. You'll just need to ask him what it'll cost you to have him make some for you. If not, you can get a set from CH4D and be set for as long as you own the upper.

[drkphibr]

Talk to Ben, I think he has dies to size 50 BMG down to .416 Barrett. You'll just need to ask him what it'll cost you to have him make some for you. If not, you can get a set from CH4D and be set for as long as you own the upper.

I read that the neck for trimming down a 50 BMG to 416 would also have to be "thinned". In looking at forming dies from CH4D, each die is >$200, so I'm not sure it's worth it to me to (at least at this point) go down that path for a trimming and forming die. Even a neck sizing die is ~$260. I think I'll stick with my Lee dies as in my experience they have proven to be not only economical but also quite capable of producing a great finished product.

[drkphibr]

Speaking of glass/optics, anyone have any recommendations for a 50 BMG or 416 Barrett scope?

[50 Shooter]

What's your budget?

Leupold Mk-IV, Nightforce NXS and IOR will set you back about $1,600 to start. S&B, U.S. Optics, March and Nightforce ATACR start at about $2,500. Buy once, cry once.

As for shooting long range, you'll need a scope that can get out there. You'll need a scope with at least 60 MOA (30 up, 30 down) to get out to 1000 yards. All the scopes above have 100 MOA minimum. You can also add a mount with added MOA built in to help.

[drkphibr]

What's your budget?

Leupold Mk-IV, Nightforce NXS and IOR will set you back about $1,600 to start. S&B, U.S. Optics, March and Nightforce ATACR start at about $2,500. Buy once, cry once.

As for shooting long range, you'll need a scope that can get out there. You'll need a scope with at least 60 MOA (30 up, 30 down) to get out to 1000 yards. All the scopes above have 100 MOA minimum. You can also add a mount with added MOA built in to help.

Thanks for the detailed response. Haven't thought about budget, as all of this is quickly (but not surprisingly) adding up (my build route is still preferred over the complete buy path...and less expensive as well). Regardless of how I would have arrived at a finished 416B rifle, optics were always going to be in the mix, just not sure of timing. Better to plan now for my cry once session!

[Rockit]

If you're looking for a los budget option, SWFA Super Sniper holds up to BMG just fine.

http://swfa.com/Classic-C12502.aspx

[50 Shooter]

Call Don at Long Range Supply.com and ask him about scopes you're interested in. He's helped a lot of guys in the past when Biggerhammer was still up and active. He carries a lot of different scopes and has good prices.

I think he also carries used scopes and gives good discounts on those also.