Ganyana's idea of shooting lions wth bullets that have an impact velocity of more than 2200 fps is an interesting one. Has anyone tried 400 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claws in the 458 on lions especially from the front? At close range you are getting 416 Rigby of 416 Remington speeds with more frontal area but will the bullet penetrate.

No, but I shot my lion last year with two .300 grain trophy bonded bear claws front on at about 75 yards. First shot severed the aorta, second one broke the neck. The lion was 605 lbs, 27" skull and measured 11' 10". No small cat. Very effective bullet.

Ditto for a 300 grain bearclaw from a .375 very good penetration and plenty of horsepower. Only recovered the straight on shot as the running shoulder shot exited.

Dear Use Enough Gun,

That is a hell of a big lion. Where did you get him. A real monster.

I hunted with PH Brad Rolston in the Lompopo Province in an area where the fences are down and lions, elephant, rhino, cape buffalo, etc. etc. come and go from Kruger, free ranging. In fact, just to see for myself, we drove the reserve border areas near Kruger. One morning a herd of 200 Buffalo came in from Kruger. Another morning 80 elephant arrived. Both eventually worked their way back into the Park. Anyway, he and two others had been frequenting the area and had been hitting some hippo baits that had been hung prior to and during my hunt. He is now fully mounted and will be on his way from Life Form Taxidermy within the next month.

My opinion is with cats, velocity definetly affects them so given a proper bullet, spped does kill. Use Enough Gun, that is indeed a MOSNTER of a lion. Any chance of you posting a pic once your mount comes back from the taxidermist? Thanks, jorge

Here are the photos.

Man what a lion!!! That is truly impressive.

Magnificent lion! The stuff dreams are made of...jorge

That is a beautiful lion! Congratulations!

That is an AWESOME Lion! Way to go! I've never even heard of a lion reaching 600 lbs. I thought the max was like 500-550. UNBELIEVABLE! Congratulations again.

That is an AWESOME mount!!! I dream of taking a big maned lion someday...i need to win the lottery

Ted, I bought some 400 gr in TBBC a couple of years ago specifically for the increased velocity for cats in 458 Win. Unfortunately, they won't print good enough in my rifle (custom barrel, ? twist). I am taking a 375 with 300 gr Nosler or A-frame and a 458Win with 500 gr TBBC to Tanzania for 21 days in 3 weeks.

UEG,
That is an incredible lion. Congratulations. Kudude

I think that one of the issues with lions is how frangible the bullet is. You don't want a bullet that is too tough. I am not familiar enough with the bear claw in 458 to opine, having used them only on buffalo. It performed well on my buffalo, killing it efficiently; however, it was not recovered. K-d

What...a free ranging lion in South Africa? South Africa????

The AR jury are going to tell you off for this one, as it must be impossible, everyone who doesn't actually know what they are talking about knows that!!!

Damn big Lion!!!!!

Ted,

I tested all the premium 458's over the last few years and would highly recommend the North Fork 400 grain in your 458.



Pictured above is the 400 grain Barnes X, 400 grain NF soft point, 400 grain TBBC (original w copper jacket), and 400 grain Woodleigh.



Close up of the 400 and 450 grain North Fork recovered at point blank and 100 yards for each.

I ws shooting into 5 gallon nylon water buckets. This set up duplicated dozens of 375, 416 and 458 bullets that have been recovered from buffalo by 90% for retained weight and 95% for expansion.



The 450 grain North Fok (shown belowe with its competition) is also worth considering but with near perfect weight retention the 400 grains higher velocity and similar expansion (82 caliber) I would rather have the faster bullet. They ARE indestructible.



Finally, here is photo fo 400 and 450 NF soft taken from my cape buffalo at point blank range. You can sure use the 400 grain for lion.



Nearly identical expansion and weight retention as water buckets. As you see, the 400 grain NF will hold up just fine. This was at 2700 fps!

Andy

Dear Andy,

Thanks. That's very interesting stuff. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I read a story by Ganyana once wherin he tested 400 grain solids in a 458 at maybe 2,400 and got equal penetration on elephant legs bones as if he had been shooting a 500 grain at 2,150.

If that is the case maybe 400 grain bullets are the way to go with the 458.

Ted,

I was hoping that a 400 grain NF soft could be paired w a BArnes RN of same weight but the 400 grain solid did give up quite a bit of penetration compared to a 450 or 500 grain FMJ.

In my test of wood stop boxes the 450 dakota penetrated 54 boards w a Barnes 400 grain RN solid, 62 with a 450 grain RN and 70 with a 500 gr Hornady FMJ.

This compared to a 458 win mag in 25 inch barrel (BRNO 602) with 500 grain FMJ 58-59 boards depending on ammo.

For comparison a 375 300 grain FMJ will do 62 and a 416 69-70.

You did not say what welse you were hunting, but if it is no larger than buffalo the 400 grain solid would be fine. you wont need it anyway if you use a 400 grain NF soft point.

If you are hunting elephant I would standardize on a 450 grain soft/solid.

Andy

Kayaker: Right on.

UEG

On the remote chance you don't have room for the lion I would be willing to store it for you!

What an animal!!!!!!!!

Ian

ilw

UEG might just consider your offer if you "squeeze" him a little. He was telling me on the phone the other day how concerned he was about people touching and abusing his lion.

Brad