The way I look at it the ultimate elephant gun is a 470 NE double rifle.

MJines - Are you sure you can get that kind of velocity out of the .458 Win Mag? That's approaching .458 Lott speeds.

Bwana,

That is the factory quoted velocity for the Honraday "Heavy Magnum" 458wm load.

I understand that it is optimistic by somewhere in the 60-80fps range.

Laoding the 458wm approaching 2200fps is possible with AA2230.

JPK

Ive only shot seven elephants but used a .375 on all with no problems.

Ross,
Just my 2 cents and that is exactly what it is worth!

I voted to build a .458 Lott on a Winnie Model 70 action. That is what I did. I've only shot two elephant and am far from an expert. Used my .416 Rigby and had no problems... in fact, as others have posted any of the calibers mentioned can and will take down an elephant. But it gets down to what do YOU want.... when you already have a .375 it is not about NEED.

I wanted a Lott that I could carry all day... not worry about the finish, that fit me perfectly for use with open sights and was more than adequate to terminate any fight I started.
This is what I built and I am thoroughly enjoying it....





It isn't for everyone and I have caught some guff for the muzzlebrake (it is removable and I have a cap) but everyone isn't shooting it, I am. It is light, not too bad to shoot recoilwise and shoots a very tight 5 shot group with Barnes 500 grain driving band bullets through it's Lilja barrel at 50 yards. I am carrying it to the Zambezi Valley in May to try her out on a PAC ele. Will let you know the results. Good luck in your search for the perfect rifle for YOU!

OH, COME ON. That is one ugly rifle!!

Bwanamrm;;Nice looking rifle Really nice......

bwanamrm
what action did you have that built on? I'm not a muzzle break fan and I'm having a custom .458 Lott built on a Ruger action, but I'd like to have a .505 Gibbs built.

Thanks guys... I built it on a new classic Model 70 action about two months before Winchester announced they were shutting down.

Like I said, I built the rifle for my taste and use. McMillan safari stock at 14"LOP, NECG sights, Lilja 24" barrel, all stainless with teflon coating and kick-eze pad with mercury recoil reducer in the butt. As they say here in Texas, "she ain't purty, but she'll do!"

Dogcat,

I voted for your brace of 375's because you are already confident with them, and so presumably are your sons.

I would not recomend anyone hunt dangerous game with a rifle unless they had 300-500 rounds experience with it.

If you and your sons are willing to put that kind of time and effort into a different caliber I would move up to a 458 win mag with 450 grain NF or GS flat nose for elephant. And the excellent 400 or 450 grain NF bonded solid base for everything else.

This will give you 458 Lott velocities without the recoil, and you will still have your 375's for PG or scoped buffalo.

Dont worry about it and go hunting!

Andy