There's only one choice. A .338.

quote:

Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
I believe there is a better caliber than the standard 375 H&H and it's the 375 H&H Ackley Improved (aka., 375 Weatherby), especially if you reload. It equates to 200 more fps for a 300 gr. bullets and ~700 more ft.# of energy. The extra thump makes the 375 more than good for elephant. Many believe the 375 H&H is too light for elephant and to have too much of a rainbow trajectory for long-range plains game. The 375 H&H AI can shoot standard H&H and Weatherby ammo, as well as 375 AI ammo. Factor Weatherby ammo is available advertizing 2800 fps with 300 gr. Nosler Partitions. I chrono'ed this ammo in my gun and got 2936 fps, but I'm using a 26.5" barrel and no freebore. For my gun this is too hot, but with proper freebore it would be fine. Regards, AIU

Yeah, velocity is wonderful thing, but when you're in thick thorn with that 26.5" thing hanging up every time you turn around and the buff are very close and invisible and snorting and coughing, I would not want to be there.

Been through 375 H&H and .416 Rigby for African trips in DG territory. Next trip will be a 458 WM. Not interested in the longer shots and like the available power and proven track record over there of the 458 along with knowing I have "enough" gun and the recoil which is not all that bad (less than the Rigby!).

quote:
Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
I believe there is a better caliber than the standard 375 H&H and it's the 375 H&H Ackley Improved (aka., 375 Weatherby), especially if you reload. It equates to 200 more fps for a 300 gr. bullets and ~700 more ft.# of energy. The extra thump makes the 375 more than good for elephant. Many believe the 375 H&H is too light for elephant and to have too much of a rainbow trajectory for long-range plains game. The 375 H&H AI can shoot standard H&H and Weatherby ammo, as well as 375 AI ammo. Factor Weatherby ammo is available advertizing 2800 fps with 300 gr. Nosler Partitions. I chrono'ed this ammo in my gun and got 2936 fps, but I'm using a 26.5" barrel and no freebore. For my gun this is too hot, but with proper freebore it would be fine. Regards, AIU


Velocity can be a wonderful thing but I don't think it is all that wonderful a thing for dangerous game. I don't think I'd use a 300 grain bullet going 2800 - 2900 fps on elephant. That extra thump you're talking about would be better in the form of extra weight/caliber rather than high velocity when it comes to dangerous game. As for the long range plains game, just use a 270 grain bullet moving at 2800 fps or so as it has enough thump for any non dangerous/plains game anywhere out to over 325 yards. I don't believe I've ever heard anyone rave about real high velocity when it comes to dangerous game. I have, however, heard of professional hunters requesting their clients load the .375 down to about 2400 fps. But anyway, to each their own preference as that's what makes it all fun.

Thanks,

jfm

My all purpose rifle is my Win mod 70 in 30-06. It qualifies as all purpose since it will reliably bring down everything I could afford to hunt. I took it to Africa, again since the big guys were out of range for my wallet.

One more vote for the 375H&H.

If this question had been asked fourty years ago, there would have been very different answers. The most famous "All-purpose Rifle Caliber" of that time has not yet been listed.
Remember Elgin Gates. He had 232 entries in Roland Ward. Think about C.J. McElroy. He had 335 entries in SCI. He was also the Founder of SCI and SCI's Chairman Emeritus For Life.
These men and others used one rifle almost exclusively for all of their hunting.
And that rifle's manufacuter made an annual award to the hunter who best....
And that ALL-PURPOSE RIFLE CALIBER was the 300 Weatherby.
My, how times have changed.
Sincerely,

quote:

Originally posted by Bukken:
My all purpose rifle is my Win mod 70 in 30-06. It qualifies as all purpose since it will reliably bring down everything I could afford to hunt. I took it to Africa, again since the big guys were out of range for my wallet.

The Pre-64 Winchester in 30-06 is nominated as the Alaska State Firearm recently in our State legislature.

Readily admit to not back reading, but if I had to throw away all my rifles and chose only one for everything, it would be my .375RUM
If we exclude DG except for
Grizz, I would keep my 7mmMag.

I seem to remember reading in some African book that a .416 and a 12 guage will kill anything on the continent.

.375H&H

quote:

Originally posted by jfm:
I've heard anything from .375 through .458 Lott.
I've actually heard people say their favorite was .500 NE as it will handle anything and therefore must be the best AP caliber. What about longer ranges? Anyway, what might yours be?

Thanks,

jfm

Now that a 350 grain, tipped, boattail,.444 BC bullet is out in the .416, the 416 Rigby needs a serious look.

Handloaded to 2800 fps, it becomes a one load rifle for everything except ele and hippo (which I don't hunt). For those and for followup shots -- we have Flat nosed solids.

My three favorite chamberings in a rifle are .22LR, 243 Win, and 450/400NE 3", however if I had to live with only one rifle it wauld be a CRF bolt action 375H&H, with iron sights, and a Quick detach verible scope! It is legal for the big five, shoots flat enough to take game at longer range, will kill anything that walks the earth if the shooter does his part, and ammo is available in any country where hunting is allowed.

I dearly love the big bore double rifles, but I can assure you, not matter it's shortcomings it just seems to do everything right, and I own 3 375 H&H rifle today, and have owned several others. I will never be without at least one 375 H&H rifle!

..................................

375 h&h

quote:

Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
I believe there is a better caliber than the standard 375 H&H and it's the 375 H&H Ackley Improved (aka., 375 Weatherby), especially if you reload. It equates to 200 more fps for a 300 gr. bullets and ~700 more ft.# of energy. The extra thump makes the 375 more than good for elephant. Many believe the 375 H&H is too light for elephant and to have too much of a rainbow trajectory for long-range plains game. The 375 H&H AI can shoot standard H&H and Weatherby ammo, as well as 375 AI ammo. Factor Weatherby ammo is available advertizing 2800 fps with 300 gr. Nosler Partitions. I chrono'ed this ammo in my gun and got 2936 fps, but I'm using a 26.5" barrel and no freebore. For my gun this is too hot, but with proper freebore it would be fine. Regards, AIU

I'm having my brand new Rem XCR II in 375 H&H looked at by my gunsmith, Kevin Weaver, tomorrow for hard bolt closing (sad isn't it?). If it turns out it needs to be rechambered which it probably won't, I'll have him rechamber it to 375 Weatherby.

Chuck, if you decide to go that route, I'd suggest going with the 375 H&H Ackley Improved. Cases are fire formed from 375 H&H and dies can be purchased from Redding. It's a touch larger by ~2 grs H20, and the case is basically the same as the 8mm Rem Mag and 416 Rem Mag but with a .375 bore and 40 degree shoulder. It can fire 375 H&H or 375 Weatherby with accuracy and retention of performance. Besides, if you lose your ammo in Africa, you'll always be able to find one or the other nearby. Also, ask your gunsmith to set your lans where you want them - I'm not into free bore, since I believe it effects accuracy and pressure. But, that's your taste. I'd also suggest a Lilja barrel with a heavier than normal sporting contour. I like mine finished at 26" and 0.82" diameter at the muzzle. You can pick what you like from Lilja. Also, while he's at it, you might want to have other same contour barrels made to fit on the same action but with variations on the theme, such as 8 mm Rem Mag (fantastic elk rifle) or 416 Rem Mag (fantastic elephant gun). Then you just change them out depending upon your hunting needs - that is, screw one out, screw the other in and your good to go. They only need to be finger tight. Also, the heavier barrels are more accurate, help to absorb some of that MAGNUM kick, and steady your aim, especially when shooting off hand. Remember, there's a big .375" hole running down the center to reduce the weight. Warm regards, AIU

.375 in it's different varieties... H&H, Weatherby, Ruger and RUM would be my first choice. However, like Andrew I find myself reaching for my .404 Jeff a bit more often than I used to!

been on this forum many years, seen a lot of discussion of big bore calibers versus the 375H&H.the funny thing is that those that vote for a caliber greater than the 375 have never been on a dangerous game hunt and likely will never hunt elephant. If more than 10% of the game you have hunted or intended to hunt is in the elephant class, then you should be using a bigger caliber. If you are killing a kudu with a 416x and there is no elephant or buff on license for the hunt then you made a poor decision on caliber selection. dreaming of hunting an elephant is different than going on a hunt for elephants.I have been on six hunts where buff/hippo/elephants were on license and were persued. The largest caliber i own for Africa is 500 Jeffery. It has never been to Africa because it was not ready on time. My375 H&H/ 404/416x class has always gone with me as it is always ready. The one and certain passenger/companion for dangerous and non-dangerous hunts is my 375H&H. It will do it all.

375 H&H. Nuff said.

Dave

I found myself going to the .416 Remington magnum more and more each time I went out on a hunt. It shoots very flat and still will out penetrate most other calibers on the market with a 400 grain solid going out the barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by bobgrow:
It's hard to deny the history and support for the 375H&H as the all purpose rifle,but jamming all needs into one bucket is not my game.

There are much better choices for shooting Springbok at 300 yds and Ele at 75 ft.

Mine are a 257 AI and 450 Dakota,respectively.

That was not the OP's question. Anyone can pick two, or three, or four. But if I were limited to owning only one rifle for the rest of my life, it would be my .375 H&H.

Amen brother. Still use it for day to day stuff and a real overall great killer!

Well, 338 WM, 9.3x62, and 375 HH are duly represented as they should be, and the 'legality' of the 375 in some places probably lines up with the runaway selection of the 375. (Now available in a shorter, light-model 375 Ruger.) I suspect that if the laws had been .4" minimum for buffalo, then the 416s would be the runaway leader.

I do most hunting with one gun and was recently asked to purchase one gun that would be "mine" in a particular country. So the choice was real, not theoretical.

It is a 416 Rigby,
I've made that choice three times in my life. Currently it is a CZ 550 because of rugged reliability and price.
It was a close call with the new 416 Ruger, though handloaded, the Rigby can do a bit more.

It will be enough gun for spurwing goose and guinea fowl. Now with the 'bluetip' bullet with a .444 BC it will reach to 400 yards without regret. One gun. 350 grain bullets.

In any case, as Selby might say, it's a tool. It works. It works really well. And if buffalo are often on the menu, then it has a more satisfying feel than lesser calibres.