My thought on a one gun big boy is the 375, great power, great range capability, mild recoil, wide range of bullets and generally a fairly light rifle plus a caliber good for anything

My opinions on the 416 Rem, since I recently purchased one is basically one up from the 375 in power, range similar, less bullet choices, greater recoil and weighs 2 pounds more, a neat caliber which can be used for just about anything

The 458 although mine is a WM, medium range although mine is extremely accurate, fair amount of bullet choices, fair recoil, weighs about 2 pounds heavier than a 375 and Can be used for just about everything assuming the range is not a factor.

Alot depends on tolerance to recoil, no matter how much power it has if you can't put it in the right place you are defeating yourself so I would pick a gun that you can handle and use, I couldn't decide so I have them all but if I could only keep one it would be the 375

Well...I appreciate all of your opinions and it sounds like I have two very good cartridges to choose from! The reasons given by everyone for their favorite round is making my decision even harder than I thought!
My trip to The Dark Continent probably wouldn't be until 2006 at the earliest, most likely 2007, so I have a while to make up my mind.
Please keep the opinions coming,

Elk Country

I'll let more experienced African hunters describe the difference in Killing power between the two.
I do own a 416 Rem, a 416 Rigby and 2 458 Lotts. The 458 Lott definately kicks a good bit more than the 416's. If I had something nasty getting ready to stomp on me I'd rather have the Lott since I can shoot it well enough. If I was using it for a more general type of hunting I think a lighter bullet in the 416 would give me a little extra range.
If you can, shoot both and see if you can handle the recoil of both and then you can make a more informed decision. PM me if you're near enough to Oklahoma City and I'll let you try mine........DJ

I own a .459 lott and .416 Rigby and I do feel the .458 lott si more versatile in regards to bullet selection. There are also some premium 400 gr .458 bullets around that could be driven at speeds to mimick recoil levels of the .416's if one wanted. I have plans of one day trying the 400 gr woodleigh protected point .458 bullet in my lott. I also like the 500 gr woodleigh soft and thats what I am sighted for.

I feel the .458 lott might be a tad better for the budget conscious I like both the .458's and the .416's therefore I need one of each

P.S. the 2.5x compact leupold is THE scope for the lott and heavy kickers.

When one is talking about recoil sensitivity I think it is imparative that one should shoot his bigbore from a sitting, kneeling, squat, prone, and a bent over position shooting under a limb or something on that order, then decide how well he handles recoil....

Its easy to shoot the big bores standing up on your hind legs off hand, but in real world hunting situations they can hammer the liveing crap out of you...I think many out there are mislead by shooting at a target off hand and its amazing how many folks that say "heck, that aint bad" will bend a trigger guard when you slip a dummy round on them!!

Africa ain't yo daddys target range!

Elk Country,

458 Lott! It will generate a larger volume of tissue trauma meaning it will KILL FASTER! You can load it with 400 gr bullets and duplicate the 416s ballistics, or you can load it 600 gr bullets and penetrate targets like NO TOMORROW!

The recoil is a relative thing. It has EVERYTHING to do with bullet weight and bullet velocity (I figure you know that though). A 400 gr bullet at 2400 fps kicks the same in the 416 as the 458! Actually, the 458 Lott is more efficient than the 416 Rem so you can drive them there 400 gr bullets faster in teh 458 Lott, if you so desire.

ASS_CLOWN

Guys, this is the second thread, at least, that everyone agrees to the sharp recoil of the 458 Lott. Is this in a 9.5 lb rifle or is this cartridge inherently hot like the .340 Wea? I have a Dakota 450 in a 12 lb rifle shooting 500 gr bullets at 2450 fps and the recoil is not bad for hunting in the unbraked condition. Off the bench, of course, unbraked, it does hammer you. But still I would not call it a fierce recoil.

Could it be that the extra weight 2.5 to 3.0 lbs could tame it that much or is the Dak using slower propellants.

My curiosity is up on the Lott, because one more hunting show and I may weaken, also. Of course, I could buy my own 458 Lott and find out.

Dak

A .458 lott 500 gr @ 2300 fps from a prone position in an 8.5-9 pound rifle would be an experience !!

They both have outstanding track records... so I would not focus on terminal balistics but rather which one intrests you the most in other ways or fits you better. Are you having this rifle built for you? I have never been a 416 guy for the reason it is to me the "biggest" of all compromises(think about that for a minute befor you'all take me to the wood shed.), but thats not to say it isnt effective. If I was in a dangerous situation again with a big game, I would rather have my 375 then my 458 lott. Not because of the recoil but that my 375 handles better. I think many get hung up with cartridges and never build or try to understand fiting the rifle to the body. I have a new 458 lott being built around my specific needs. Maybe my body just doesnt fit with common rifles as well as others.

I originally had a Lott made up & didn't care much for the recoil. Like Ray said, hunting positions or shooting fast, the recoil can be nasty. I sold it & had a .404JEff. made. It kicks, but I can shoot it from the bench & couldn't do that w/ the Lott . The .416 will be equally managable.

Elk less recoil should not decide you on the calibre or you might as well pick the minimum allowed.

You could of course throw in a third calibre such as the 500 A-square to your choices ,and then suddenly everyone will tout the managebale recoil and minimalist approach of the 458 Lott

Either one of the 416 and 458 will do the job as you may have worked out.
Pick whichever calibre gives you the biggest hard on mate.

Karl.

A lot of this is about confidence, so if the Lott makes you more so, use it.

The other option is to handload and get a 416 Weatherby...load it to 416 Rigby specs when you don't need a cannon, and stuff in the factory 400 grainers at 2700 fps when you do. Many, many other handloads at various velocities and power levels will cover the longer ranges.

Don't forget that this case handles the 500 gr Hawk .416 with ease and will duplicate the Lott velocities at slightly reduced loads for lower pressures.