If a hippo is shot with these two calibres using the same make of solid and shot into the heart lung area which calibre will give you the best penetration

458 = 475gr
375 = 300gr

That is a very open ended question and there are many factors to take into account.

I am assuming that you are looking at shooting a Hippo on dry land? If so, in my humble opinion the .458 will be the better option; provided it is in the 2150+ fps range. 375 solids penetrate well but that hole is really small and it will take the Hippo a while to go down.

All else being equal, the 375 wins.

Google Penetration Index.

On a body shot on a hippo the .375 will win on penetration.

Which one to choose for a hippo on land and (usually) at night? The .458.

Which one to brain shoot a hippo in the water? .375 using something like a Barnes TSX. Actually the TSX from the .375 would be my choice for a heart shot on a hippo on land as well, but since you asked about solids...

We took a hippo last night the 375 gave exit wounds on all the shots the 458 didn't but like Ganyana said the 458 pulled the handbrake up.

the 375 won the penetration battle and proved to me once again that it is a capable of doing the job like we all know its shot place that counts

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
All else being equal, the 375 wins.

Google Penetration Index.

I Googled "penetration" and what I got was not at all rifle related.

quote:

Originally posted by Clayman:

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
All else being equal, the 375 wins.

Google Penetration Index.

I Googled "penetration" and what I got was not at all rifle related.

Depends on who you talk too..I know that Finn Aagard said the .458 would outpenetrate his beloved .375 H&H..So did Elmer..and several PHs of vast experience have also indicated the .458 will outpenetrate the .375 H&H.

I have never run these tests but I would ASSUME the .375 would win but in many instances that does not seem to be the case, which makes me wonder if some of these posts arn't maybe making the same assumption without actual knowledge..

Maybe this is a project for RIP and his barrel of whatever he uses to test bullets in...

The only thing I know for sure is the .375 and 458, properly loaded with good solids, has all the penetration one could possibly want..

Okay, then Google on

quote:

all the penetration one could possibly want..

375,

My PH believed the 375 had more penetration on elephant than any other standard caliber.

He carried a 416 Rigby.

If you can handle more recoil, I suspect he would have urged you to a larger caliber however.

Andy

I've tested the 375H&H vs. the 458wm. The 375H&H vs. the 458wm, both shooting the Woodleigh solids, 300grs and 500grs respectively. They are about equal with the 375 at ~ 2475fps and the 458wm at ~2145fps.

Switch to North Forks for the 458wm and there is no comparison, the NF's rule, vs the 375 round noses.

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
I've tested the 375H&H vs. the 458wm. The 375H&H vs. the 458wm, both shooting the Woodleigh solids, 300grs and 500grs respectively. They are about equal with the 375 at ~ 2475fps and the 458wm at ~2145fps.

Switch to North Forks for the 458wm and there is no comparison, the NF's rule, vs the 375 round noses.

JPK

This was flat nose solids i think they perform better than round nose solids they penetrate in a straight line