If I ever get to go to Africa again (big "if" considering what the recession has done to me), I plan on hunting tuskless and buffalo (again). For this task, I have a Ruger RSM in .458 Lott.

A few years ago, Midway had a fire sale on 500-grain Speer African Grand Slams, and I bought 125 for about a hundred bucks. At the time, I was thinking seriously about getting a Whitworth in .458 Win Mag for my son to tote in Africa, and I was sold on the idea of the AGS allowing allowing extra velocity through additional powder capicity due to the shorter length of the bullet.

Long story short, he decided on a Whitworth in .375, and I got stuck with the AGSs.

Well, I soon found found myself working up loads in my Lott, and found one that shoots 500-grain Hornady's, Barns Super Solids, and the AGSs to the same POI at 100 yards, which is good, since I can do all my practicing with the cheaper Hornady loads. All three Chrono between 2250 and 2280 fps.

My question is, when the rubber meets the road and I actually get the hunt, which bullet should I use? I've heard some good things about the AGSs, but have not seen a post on their use in the field. Seeing as I have a lifetime supply (115 left), I'd kinda like to use them, even if I have to buy a Win Mag.

And, no, I am not interested in selling them. I like having something no one else can get their hands on.

If you have been reading any of the recent 458 posts. It is pretty easy to get 2150 fps and change using Hornady or swift 500 gr projectiles with aa2230 powder.
I do believe the African GS solids are very fine projectiles. At one time there was a definite advantage with the 458 win mag to use the shorter speer bullet but that has been solved. There is no reason not to use them though.

In .416 and .458 I would consider the AGS the best bullet ever made for elephant hunting. (for a variety of reasons they didn't work in .375). as you have stock of the best, why not use them?

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
In .416 and .458 I would consider the AGS the best bullet ever made for elephant hunting. (for a variety of reasons they didn't work in .375). as you have stock of the best, why not use them?

I put a finishing shot on a buff with one in .375 in 2005 and I think that bullet is still going. I shot one through an inch of tempered steel like a knife through hot butter at 100 yards. They also shoot MOA. Why do you discourage their use in that caliber for elephant?

I, too, have heard of AGS bullet failure in .375 (something about the Tungston core seperating from the jacket due to too much velocity).

Come to think of it, it just might have been mentioned in an article by Ganyana in that last issue of Rifle magazine!

I've always been a fan of GS's. I have 100 left in .284 cal. Here's 2 views of what this 160 gr GS did to an Elk's shoulder at 575 yards:

pieces of shoulder bone