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I am getting another cz550/american hunting rifle modified rifle. I have one in 375 H&H with a trijicon scope simply love the gun - the best firearm i have ever bought. Taken it to africa and throughly enough using and shooting it. Have bought another 375 and now have to decide what calibre to build the rifle on - i am left handed so i have to buy a 375 build another calibre on the platform. I think I have narrowed my choices down to 404 jefferies 416 rigby 450 rigby 458 lott which one of these would make the best complement to an existing 375 h&h primarily hunting buffalo - i think i will use by 375 for everything else availability of ammunition recoil - i shoot the 375 well - much better than my 7 mm remington which i hate - i like a heavy gun flexibility to shoot other plains game - primarily eland - if they show up while hunting buffalo thanks in advance | ||
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404 or 458Lott The 458 if a number of Ele are to be taken in the foreseeable future and you don't mind heavy recoil. | |||
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450 Rigby Karl Stumpfe Ndumo Hunting Safaris www.huntingsafaris.net karl@huntingsafaris.net P.O. Box 1667, Katima Mulilo, Namibia Cell: +264 81 1285 416 Fax: +264 61 254 328 Sat. phone: +88 163 166 9264 | |||
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416 Remington. It has a big enough KO value, has greater penetration than the bigger stuff, and pretty much all one would ever need. ------------------------------- Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun. --------------------------------------- and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R. _________________________ "Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped “Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped. red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com _________________________ Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go. | |||
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458 lott is imho the best complement in this case ! The calibers .458 are the best all round cartridges for big game ! Personally i prefer the 460WM ! | |||
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I was in exactly the same place a few years ago. I went with the .404J. I figured the .416's were too close in trajectory to the .375 and that if I didn't get a .458, I'd have a slot left for a big double. Dean ...I say that hunters go into Paradise when they die, and live in this world more joyfully than any other men. -Edward, Duke of York | |||
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HUH?  ------------------------------- Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun. --------------------------------------- and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R. _________________________ "Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped “Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped. red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com _________________________ Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go. | |||
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Did you choose that over the .416 Rigby because of the difference in ammo cost? ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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IMO having a similar trajectory as the 375 with more knockdown power is a good thing. My vote would be for the 416 Rigby, although the 458 Lott would not be a bad choice. Both of these have fairly accassable ammo. | |||
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Ditto!! ____________________________________________ "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchett. | |||
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416 Rem is a good choice. Will K.O. any animal. Ammo availability is good. Tim | |||
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Since you noted Buffalo/Plains Game, I would rule out the 458s. I have a 404 Jeffery and really like this chambering, however, I like slimmer, trimmer, and reduced weight. I am done with 10+ lb bare rifles, they are a pain to carry all day. My 404 Jeffery is 8.25 lbs bare and is a pleasure to carry. Loaded to a nominal 2400 fps, it works very well on Buffalo and PG. With solids it would work just fine on Elephant. Best of luck on your choice... | |||
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404 Jeffery is a very nostalgic caliber and, I hear, mild in recoil yet still very effective on game. Hornady also has factory loads for it now! I think the 416 Rem Mag and 458 Lott would be the easiest conversions since their case is based on the 375 H&H (i.e. same bolt face). They will also have the advantage of you'll be able to hold 5, maybe 6, down in the magazine. Since you said primarily buffalo hunting, using the calibers listed, I'd give the 404 Jeffery the nod. Even though it's not listed, the 416 Rem Mag seems like a good contender, especially once you consider ammo availability and magazine capacity. ____________________________ If you died tomorrow, what would you have done today ... 2018 Zimbabwe - Tuskless w/ Nengasha Safaris 2011 Mozambique - Buffalo w/ Mashambanzou Safaris | |||
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Well, for one thing I killed most of the critters with a 416 Remington. It works. It gives you more in the mag than the Rigby. And I converted to the last 416 Remington from a .375 H&H CZ 550 Magnum. You put a new barrel on it, chamber it, and away you go. No mess. No fuss. And with 1 up and 5 down, what's not to like? Goose bump good. ------------------------------- Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun. --------------------------------------- and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R. _________________________ "Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped “Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped. red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com _________________________ Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go. | |||
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Everyone comes around eventually! ------------------------------- Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun. --------------------------------------- and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R. _________________________ "Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped “Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped. red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com _________________________ Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go. | |||
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Will, I came across an article where you talked about building a 416 Taylor. Do you still like it? SSR | |||
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FWIW, when I wanted something bigger than a 375, I went with the 404J. Caleb | |||
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Then you know I built it on a CZ 550 Medium (7mm Rem Mag). With a drop magazine plate I can get 4 down. I did it for the reduced weight: 7.5 lbs. Love that rifle. ------------------------------- Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun. --------------------------------------- and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R. _________________________ "Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped “Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped. red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com _________________________ Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go. | |||
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Beretta For your purposes I think I'd pick the 416 but in the Remington variety for all the reason's Will has mentioned. The Remingtom has similiar ballisics to the Rigby, is cheaper to shoot, recoils less plus offers a larger magazine capacity. To me the Rigby offers nostalgia only unless you want to try and load it beyond 2400 fps and then you get into some serious recoil. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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All you mentioned are fine-if you already have a 375 a 458 Lott is very effective and ammo readily available.I have seen the 458 Lott in action on elephant,feral donkey and brumby.It is very effective-you could not go wrong. Australia I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains, Of ragged mountain ranges, Of drought and flooding rains. I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea, Her beauty and her terror The wide brown land for me! | |||
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"You could not go wrong with the 458LOTT." Unless you dislike the heavy recoil. | |||
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What a horrible dillema! If you don't think the 375 will do what you want, move up to the 404 or 416. Then sell me the 375 at a bargain price! Seriously, if elephant might be on the menu, moving up could be justified, the 375, 404 and 416 could all be considered versatile. | |||
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Wwhy not the .458 win mag.? It has an excellent KO value and 5,000 ft/lbs at the muzzle. It is easy to shoot. And you can always get ammo/brass/bullet for the .458 win mag cheap!!. I belive the .458 win mag is the best choice in the 400's. But your .375 is an excellent choice as well. | |||
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FWIW - I would go with the .458 something. The 404 and the .416's are too close to your .375, so if a new gun is in order go up a step or two. Larry Sellers SCI Life Member | |||
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The 550 Magnum is just too much gun bulk for the 458 WM. If going to the 458 WM get a smaller platform. ------------------------------- Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun. --------------------------------------- and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R. _________________________ "Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped “Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped. red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com _________________________ Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go. | |||
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I have the different opinion that the 416 Rem MAg is not close to the 375 H&H. ------------------------------- Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun. --------------------------------------- and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R. _________________________ "Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped “Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped. red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com _________________________ Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go. | |||
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Will, You can purchase another rifle other than the 550 magnum. Example: You can purchase a quality new .458 win mag african safari grade for under 2k from several rifle manufactures. Why even deal with the 550? dale | |||
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Yeah, that was a bit vague. I'm a minimalist when it comes to hunting rifles. Kind of along the lines of "beware the man with only one rifle", except 1 rifle won't really be good for what I want to do. I am also a bit of a recoil wuss and have to keep working at it to handle the heavier cartridges. Basically, I've got a small collection of hunting rifles that have enough ballistic overlap so that if one rifle goes sour, another one is on hand to do the job well, if not perfectly. When buffalo entered the picture, I got a .375, I like it and it taught me how to manage recoil. Then I figured elephant might come along one day. I wanted something a bit heavier (but still with relatively little recoil). I also figured I'd like to try a heavy double. In the end, I settled on a .404J and a .470. For what it is worth, if I were starting over, I'd skip the .375 and .404j and go wth a .416 bolt and a big double. But I'm not and I do like rifles I'm currently working with. Dean Dean ...I say that hunters go into Paradise when they die, and live in this world more joyfully than any other men. -Edward, Duke of York | |||
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I think he wanted a 550 because he can get it in a left hand version (???). ------------------------------- Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun. --------------------------------------- and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R. _________________________ "Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped “Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped. red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com _________________________ Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go. | |||
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Sounds like an excellent plan. Can always goose the 404 up in velocity if need be. ------------------------------- Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun. --------------------------------------- and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R. _________________________ "Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped “Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped. red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com _________________________ Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go. | |||
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If I already had a .375 H&H...I would get a .458 Win Mag. In your list...I guess the Lott or maybe the .450 Rigby...not too familiar with that round. Any case...if you have a 3-7-5...and are going up...and plan to keep the 3-7-5...go to at least 4-5-8!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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The 375 and 404 are from a critter's perspective the same thing. You need to get something a lot bigger. The 416 is an "in-between" the 375 and 458s. Doesn't really make sense. I would opt for the 450 Rigby despite the ammo problem because this action is big enough and long enough to take it. Just make sure the stock is reinforced and properly bedded. You can always load the 450 Rigby down a bit, but you can't push the 458 Win Mag any harder. The 458 Lott or 470 Capstick would be the runners up. This action is way too long for a 458 Win, and if you want a 458 Win, just go ahead and buy one to start with. (I think CZ will sell you a 450 Rigby so I am a little puzzled as to why you bought another 375). Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC BigfiveHQ.com, Large Calibers and African Safaris Doublegunhq.com, Fine English, American and German Double Rifles and Shotguns VH2Q.com, Varmint Rifles and Gear | |||
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On the other hand, having 2 versatile chamberings is nice insurance in case Murphy comes along as an uininvited safari guest.  Caleb | |||
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.375H&H and .458Lott - what a fantastic duo in an identical pair of rifles Add a .30-06 or .300Win Mag and you have a 3 rifle battery for the entire planet! | |||
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CZ's in: 375 H&H and 458 Lott Searcy in 470 NE done... Rich | |||
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I love my 416Rem. In an 11lb Win 70, it kills everything and anything you point it at. Easy conversion, too. oh, and, accurate as all hell. Phil Massaro President, Massaro Ballistic Laboratories, LLC NRA Life Member B&C Member www.mblammo.com Hunt Reports- Zambia 2011 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1481089261 "Two kinds of people in this world, those of us with loaded guns, and those of us who dig. You dig." | |||
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You can also go with a 416 hoffman if you want to go beyond 2400 fps. I easily get 2510 with mine, using RL15 and a 400 grain trophy bonded sledgehammer. It'll go faster than that, but I started losing accuracy and it does kick like hell with that stiff a load. A 400 grain bullet at 2500+ kills stuff good! | |||
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The .375 H&H and .458 Lott made the most sense to me, and is the route I went. | |||
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Or just a 416 and a 30-06 for the entire planet. STAY IN THE FIGHT! | |||
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man, all this discussion/dissension gives me a headache. glad i just use whatever rifle the outfitter has in camp that is appropriate for the task. so far, has worked fine for buffalo, hippo, croc, leopard, and a LARGE assortment of plainsgame. and if a plan comes together this fall, should work for a tuskless elephant. Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
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