Booked a hunt at DSC that's a little unusual -- for me at least. Buffalo, leopard and elephant are the target species, as well as sable and a roan if I'm lucky. All other plains game in play (except kudu).

My question is what second rifle to take (I'll probably shoot everything -- with the possible exception of the leopard with my .416-- it's what will be in my hands), Now I've been working with a .458 Lott, which would be great for buffalo and elephant. The .416 will certainly handle all of the plains game and/or the leopard and I'm very comfortable to 200 yards or more.

I generally like to have two rifles that are adequate for the largest game I intend to hunt. That would mean the .416 and the .458 would get the draw. the .300 clearly does not fit that bill.

But, the .458 is irons only at this point and the .416 has two scopes with detachable rings == a 1.5 X 5x and a 2.5X 8x Leupolds. Not big objectives; not a lot of light gathering. I've got a 3.5-10 Leupold VXL with a 50mm objective on the .300. Not illuminated reticle, but it does very well at twilight.

So what rifles would you take:

1) .416 Rem Mag/ .458 Lott ; or

2) .416 Rem. Mag./ .300 WSM.

The .416 and .300 are identical actions (save the length) and rifles built by the same maker. The .458 is a M70 clone.

The .416/.300 is perfect; assuming no malfunctions.

If you want to have the bases covered on the large end put the 1.5-5 scope on the 458 and take the 2 big bores (maybe with something with illuminated reticule on the 416).
My personal preference would be the 416 and 300 ( I like the idea of identical actions which for me is my M70 in 375 and Mrs. Blacktailer's Kimber in 308).
It's your safari.

Lavaca:

The .416/.300 battery would be my choice for the hunt you have in mind.

I shoot all three of the calibers you mentioned. For your hunt I'd take the .416 and .458. And I agree with putting the 1.5-5x on the .458 as that's how I've used most of my .458s on Ele, as close as 15 yards, without problems. I'd leave the 2.5-8x on the .416 and be completely comfortable with both rifles.

Sounds like a great bag of prime animals. Good luck. When, where and with whom?

416 and 300 would float my boat. What is going to malfuntion on the rifles? If anything probably the optics, on expensive hunts away from home I try to take a spare scope and mounts. In your case one set of mounts would probably fit both guns.

Option 1 would be a good choice

I would opt for a scope with a illuminated reticle for the Leopard for sure...

If you're dead set on taking two, the 458 and 416. That way, you have a back up elephant and buff rifle if your primary breaks.

That said, you could do it all with a 416. I have.

option 1 absolutely. As for elephant after having shot two I personally would not ever again shoot a ele with a scope. You take two rifle the 416 scoped and the Lott open sights. 99% of all eles shot are under 25 yds. Just by chance a long shot at a bull ele made by Anton,AR member at around 90yds. Your scoped 416 with solids is more then enough.
As for chui my choice was a 2- 10 VXIII illuminated german 4 config. The 416 with a soft Hornady will crush the cat from any angle. With the shot this is what you will see after walking up.

Mike

DRT...dead right there!

All you need is a 416. That is what I carry almost all the time. I have shot everything from dik dik to elephant with it. It is my primary weapon unless I am hunting elephant only.

Kevin Robertson told me to carry a rifle that will take up to the biggest game you are after. If it will take the biggest, it will surely take the smallest.
Don't want to be walking around with a 300wm and run into the biggest ele you see on your safari.

Cecil hit it on the head. Why carry a light rifle in dangerous game territory EVER? I got over that a long time ago shortly after my first encounter with angry dangerous game while carrying my light rifle.

The only time I use 2 rifles is if elephant and other game is on the menu. Otherwise, I exclusively use my 416.

I did a hunt in the Caprivi and then central Namibia a couple years ago, taking Elephant, Hippo, Kudu, Hartebeast, Steenbok, and a few other animals. Did it all with a 416 Rigby.

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:
option 1 absolutely. As for elephant after having shot two I personally would not ever again shoot a ele with a scope. You take two rifle the 416 scoped and the Lott open sights. 99% of all eles shot are under 25 yds. Just by chance a long shot at a bull ele made by Anton,AR member at around 90yds. Your scoped 416 with solids is more then enough.
As for chui my choice was a 2- 10 VXIII illuminated german 4 config. The 416 with a soft Hornady will crush the cat from any angle. With the shot this is what you will see after walking up.

Mike

DRT...dead right there!

DRT...

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
If you're dead set on taking two, the 458 and 416. That way, you have a back up elephant and buff rifle if your primary breaks.

+1

Thanks for all the input. I know the .416 will do it all; it has in the past. Just torn on the #2, which on this hunt I might actually pick up for a change, whichever way I go. Thanks again, you've all given me stuff to think about and I've got nine long months to decide.

I have no African experienc - but I would get a top end scope like a Zeiss or Swarovski for that last light advantage - 2-8x is fine but the light gathering factor is most critical for leopard.

I just "shot" my first leopard in India a couple of weeks ago & the new camera made a huge differnce at 5.30 pm. Lumix FZ200 with Leica lens.

I am with Larry on this one and would do it all with the .416 and the 2.5x8 scope, but I understand wanting a back-up rifle on an expensive trip like this with three of the Big 5 on the menu. I too, would scope the .458 with the 1.5x5 Leupy and use it for elephant and as a back-up in case of a malfunction with the .416.

Would hate to be stuck in a leopard blind with an open sighted .458!

On my dangerous game hunts with plains game also on the menu, my light rifle is a mild shooting 375 H&H.

My two gun batteries are either 416 Rigby/375H&H or 450 Rigby/375H&H.

Lavaca,
Of course you already have, or are going to have, 8x40 screws on all your scope mounts, right? Depending on your age and your eyes, an ele in deep shade at 15 yards can still present a problem. An illuminated scope or quality red dot sight isn't a bad idea.
Cheers,
Tim

I like my "light Rifle" to be quite capable to handle Big game if needed. For me that means 9.3x62 and ether a 458 or 470.

keep it simple. You only need one gun - the 416 Rem Mag. If you reload you can safely get 400 gr bullets to 2500 fps and 350 gr bullets to 2700 fps. Good factory ammo is also available - Doubletap 350 TSX at 2725 fps, Doubletap 400 gr Nosler partition at 2450 fps, Federal TBBC 400 gr at 2400 fps, and Federal 400 gr FN Nosler banded solids at 2400 fps. This will kill everything quickly and humanely, including the Cape buffalo and elephants. AIU

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
I have no African experienc - but I would get a top end scope like a Zeiss or Swarovski for that last light advantage - 2-8x is fine but the light gathering factor is most critical for leopard.

I just "shot" my first leopard in India a couple of weeks ago & the new camera made a huge differnce at 5.30 pm. Lumix FZ200 with Leica lens.

Damn, that's a pretty animal ...