Terry,

Thanks for the link, that was a very good read.

Ron Thomson's book Mahohboh is the best book around for learning where to shoot an elephant, next to the one I am writing.

Will,
You have become a wuss in your golden years, a 416 is merely a maidens caress!....feeels goooood!

If you're willing to carry a 10 lb. rifle, a .416 isn't uncomfortable. If you'd rather have it lighter, then the .375 is the way to go.

Mark, if you can handle the .338wm off the bench, then a .375 isn't a huge step up. I went to a .404jeffery (same, same as a .416). It wears me out shooting 20-30 rounds from the bench, but it's managable. I'm off for Moz. tomorrow for a buffalo hunt & will report when I get back. I wanted more than a .375 for buff. & would definetly want a .41 or up for ele.

For the purposes you describe, a standard 416 will have an unquestionable edge over a typical 375 Ouch and Ouch. The difference in power is definitely noticable at both ends. I think anyone that shoots both from the bench will easily be able to tell them apart! The sound and recoil will have you understand why most people consider the standard 416's to be the first entrant in the spectrum of big bores (with the standard 375's as the upper end of the medium bores). My 416 is very comfortable to shoot, even less painful than my 375, but the overall magnitude of the recoil and the destructive power on water jugs is very obvious.

I say go an shoot someone's 416 first, and if you think you'll be fine with it, go and get one for yourself. If it is too much, get yourself a 375 H&H and never look back.

My 2c CDN, FWIW...

Canuck

Speaking as one who once flinched and missed a standing caribou at 60 yards, I am also a high power match shooter. As such I know that the lighter the recoil, the more accurate the shooting. Thus a .223 will beat a .260 will beat a .308 and so on through 300 magnum and on up. I am speaking of ability to hit, not killing power. I think I would probably go with the .375 if I faced your choice.

Also I would not shoot either very much off the bench, to avoid developing even the hint of a flinch, except for a very few shots to establish zero. I much prefer to shoot from field positions. I can call my shots accurately enough to tell if the problem is the "nut behind the buttplate" or something else, especially as I don't give a hoot if a DGR shoots to 1 MOA, 1/2 MOA or whatever.

That said, I have never been to Africa or fired a .375 or .416. But I have fired a .458 and hunt with an ultralight .300 Wby that sometimes draws blood from my knuckle where the bolt hits it.