If you load a 416 barrett with a 400grain round nose projectile and use a starting load to push the projectile at around 2450-2500 ft/sec then the muzzle energy is only 5500ft-lbs. How is that banned from being discharged then?
Problem with the Barrett in Aus is the lack of projectile choices, there's the hand painted black 400Gr brass VLD from Ultratech in W.A or the you beaut Krusty brand custom made for me by Woodleigh 395Gr VLD. Any other non Barrett specific .416 projectile is not suitable for the Barrett and importing from the U.S is prohibitive based on cost. To get the best from these projectiles they need to be loaded to 3150fps to stabilise them properly, any slower then 3000fps and you're starting to waste money. I really don't understand the problems government fellas have with these calibers, yes they are powerful but they are very expensive to own and just as expensive to feed. No to mention a light version of the .416 is 12kg so not something the average crime would use to rob the local Qik-E-Mart.
Admittedly I have been tempted to try some other .416 projectiles as used in the Rigby but haven't had the time or seen any to try so what I've typed above may all be B.S but it's an educated theory