Get both of course !! for what your planning the .416 is the best bet I would think. The .416 can be quite versatile to with speer 350 gr bullets for smaller stuff and the woodleigh 410 gr and 450 gr for smashing big stuff.
Posts: 7505 | Location: Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002
I'm still giving thought to a '05 cow elephant hunt, also with the possibly of a lion if encountered, and don't own a DGR. Which would you recommend? A 375 H&H or 416 rem? If it helps the biggest rifle I own is a .338win, but up to 20 rounds, or so, at the range is not uncomfortably.
Posts: 1739 | Location: alabama | Registered: 13 November 2001
Let me first qualify my reply by telling you I have never hunted Africa (2005 will be my first)AND I have never shot or hunted with greater than the 338. Nor will I in 2005 as I will be using my 338 for plains game.
But I have studied many of the posts regarding this very subject over the last couple of years. The 375 seems to be the most popular all round caliber and capable of the job. Ammunition (if you don' load) also appears to be alot more locatable. But the real sense I get, is that most would prefer the 416 when facing DG.
Of course to truly settle the question you could always purchase one of each!
I like the 375 H&H for anything and its served me well in the past, but I highly recommend a 416 if you can handle the recoil, especially for elephant...You may have to shot old Tembo in the heart, in which case the 416 or larger is a real world plus...
I cannot tell much difference in recoil between a 375 and 416, I do notice a real difference until I get to the 45 caliber guns like a 458 Lott, ouch!...
Posts: 42507 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000
Since you already have a 338 I would step up to the 416 and skip the 375. With this combination (338/416)you would be ready for anything that Africa has to offer (plains game/dangerous game). In my opinion, if you can handle the 338's recoil you will not have a problem with either the 375 or 416's recoil (my wife will shoot my 375H&H but she won't shoot my 338).