I don't want to start any arguments here so everybody play nice. I have the opportunity to substitute my cape buff hunt for an elephant hunt. The question I have is what rifle to hunt with. My "big" gun roster consists of a Ruger #1 in 458 Lott, and a Win. 70 in 375 H&H. Which one do I bring????? Thanks, Tom

I'd take the repeater. After the first shot with the #1, if the elephant does anything fast (except keel over) you're done shooting. The PH finishes the hunt for you. Congratulations, BTW, any hints how the rest of us can trade in a buffalo for an elephant?

H. C.

TJC Try this, go to the range with both rifles, Put extra ammo on the butstock with a quality product www.murraycustomleather.com Shoot both rifles. Time the difference between the shots. [after the 375 is empty the 458 WILL be quicker for the next shots]. but if the first shot does not put him down, it will probably be the next two that will count. I have used a Ruger No1 a fair amount, I would go with the 458 LOTT. With proper technique the No1 never leaves the shoulder, just lower the muzzle as you open the lever. Pull the fresh round off the butstock, GUIDE it into the chamber, close the lever as you raise the rifle, acquire the sight picture, fire and repeat as necessary. Practice with dummy rounds, try to be SMOOTH, not JERKY fast. Once you get it down you do not have to worry about mechanical failures to feed or eject. Read John Taylor, he hunted multiple Lions with a single shot. Carry extra rounds on your belt and reload the butstock carrier as necessary when there is a "pause" in the action.

Thanks for the replies guys. Henry, actually, it is not an even swap. That would be nice. The elephant is more expensive, but what the hell, this will probably be the only chance I get. NE 450, I will try your advice at the range this weekend. I too am leaning toward the 458. Quite a bit more oomph. Thanks again, Tom

If you are hesitant about taking the 375, take a look at some of Saeeds videos when he gets them back online of his elephant kills. With his awesome 375/404, there is atleast one hunt where he puts a good bull down with a frontal brain shot. I myself would go for the 375. Quick back up shoots, ect.... Just start practicing with it and with the bullets you will use, solids for sure on this one too. Maybe if you can get the GS FN Solid or some of the other premium solids, they would be the best to use on ele's.

Anywho good luck... Surely an awesome oppurtnuity for you...

TJC,

Take the one you are more confident with ! Whichever one it is personally I will settle for the 375. That is my own feeling never shot a ruger #1 before.

But again the one you are most confident with.

Safari-Hunt

www.Safari-Hunt.com

I shot my elephant with a Ruger #1 in .458 WM and found it to be quite adequate. With a little practice you can get off multiple shots at a fairly rapid pace.

TJC, first off let me say the closest I have come to takeing an African Elephant is dumping two rounds, out of a 500/450 WR double rifle, into the heart/lung area of the ele a friend had just shot in the head, but didn't put it down. So what I'm going to say is not from ele hunting experience on a personal level, but is from observation only.

Like NE 450 No2, I have used the Ruger No1s quite a bit, and they aren't as slow as they have been portrayed, if one only is willing to get it right by parctice. Tony's system of the buttstock cartridge holder is a good one, and makes sure the right ammo is available for the rifle in hand, as well. I would add to his system, carrying one round between the fore, and middle finger of the fore hand, for the initial re-load, and depend on the cartridge holder for the third shot! I think this cuts the time for the first re-load to about the same time as that of a bolt action.

I would carry the 375 H&H in my hands while tracking, with one of the trackers carrying the Ruger,UNLOADED, and change to the Ruger when you get close. If you can depend on the tracker holding tight, after the second shot he can hand you the bolt rifle. This is iffy, IMO, and would also involve working the bolt, to fill the chamber, before getting the 375 operational. I'm not sure the Ruger wouldn't be faster!

The 375 H&H will do the deed,on Elephant, and has on many occasions in the past almost 100 years. So, either one of these rifles will do, I simply prefere the 458 Lott on elephant. I any case I'd take both rifles on the hunt!

Don't hunt elephant with a single shot, use the 375 H&H..a solid 375 in the brain is as effective as a 600 N.E. in the brain...

I don't adhere to single shots for dangerous game and the reasoning should be obvious, however it is not, to some that are less initiated to agressive animals.

The main thing, however, is I don't like the PH to have to clean up my mess if that first shot strays a bit.

Also forget range tests, the fumble factor of a ticked off elephant at less than 20 yds pretty well voids what you can or cannot do at the range....

BTW, John Taylor always had a pair of double rifles to back up his play when useing a single shot or anything else for that matter...so did Bell and Selous, they didn't live that long being stupid, and thats for sure.

Shoot the .375 with good solid. Go with the repeater.