As John well knows, I have a .450 Rigby and like it just fine. I would like, however, to point out something that ought to be obvious but seems to be missing in this thread. The case contents and configuration for the Rigby, Dakota and Weatherby are all the same. The loading data for all three is the same. It's just that with the Rigby and Dakota you avoid that damned silly belt and get another full round in the magazine. With a little work, you can get four! This is very comforting. And I do agree that function is everything. Spend the extra money in good feeding and a well-fitting stock. Then spend the engraving dough on another safari . . . unless you happen to be one of those folks who take 20 of their friends.

Sarge, I believe I posted to that.

One end of sat phone conversation placed from Tanzania:

"I say, old chap, the bloody airline seems to have lost my baggage. That's just not cricket, now, is it old chum?"

"No, old man, I do have my .465, its just that the blighters seem to have left all of my bloody ammunition at Heathrow."

"Yes, you're right, of course. I should have listened to mrlexma. Please don't rub it in. Yes, I know. I know, I said. Yes, there are lorry loads of .458 Lott and .460 Weatherby ammunition to be had in Dar, BUT I'VE GOT A .465 HOLLAND AND HOLLAND BELTED RIMLESS MAGNUM, YOU BLOODY SOD."

"No, please . . . hang on old chap. I'm terribly sorry for the language old man, but it's damned annoying for a fellow as rich as I am to be stuck in this position."

"I've an idea, though . . . could you have Jeeves take the Rolls over to Bruton Street, pick up some Kynoch solids and softs in .465 and fly down to Dar on the next bird? Good old Jeeves, he'll be sure to bail me out! I'll fly him first class, or even book a charter flight if needs be. Money's no object, you know."

"Don't talk rot old man, Hollands positively cannot be out of stock. What's that you say? But look here old boy, I will pay any sum for these cartridges, you realize that, do you not? TWO WEEKS WAIT AT ANY PRICE? THIS IS INSUFFERABLE! I AM A WEALTHY MAN!"

"All right, old man. Now you're talking sense. Have Jeeves bring my custom CZ 550 Magnum in .458 Lott--ON THE DOUBLE!"

"No, don't worry about ammunition."

"My PH uses a Lott and he has plenty."

"Right-O, old man. Now I've got to get back to my gimlet and lighting my cigars with 100 pound notes."

"Cheerio."

Can ammunition be sent to Africa before you go?

Good one, and thanks for the effort.

You are on the verge, though, of hacking-off guys that have their own plane.

Will

mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

The 450 Rigby would be best, for case design reasons versus the other two, forgetting ammo availability for now. Might as well stick with the 450 Dakota, for no big difference.

But rather than deal with that kind of ammo availability, I would prefer my own .458/.338 Lapua Magnum, also known as the "45 Lapua" or "457 Faultless Express," over the 460 Weatherby, 465 H&H, or the 450 Rigby. The 45 Lapua will have reliably better brass quality than any of them.

460 Weatherby factory ammo is either loaded too hot or with the wrong bullet, or both!

Just the thoughts of someone who would prefer the CZ route.

Is it possible to get the 2300-2400FPS out of the 458 3" the South Africans have come up with?

Nick,
You did, indeed, make reference to the interchangeability of the three, but I found it a bit subtle for some of the brothers. So, nat'rl born sergeant-type that I am, I felt a need to beat them over the head!