Just wondering why the 416 Rem. is not thought of as a general hunting gun like the 375. It seems most threads I see refer to the 416 with 400 gr. bullets. I have no African experience and am not likely get get any any time soom. I too have a 375 and normally have at least one in my battery. I like the 416 Rem as an all around big animal gun. With lighter bullets( 300gr. at 2900, 350 gr at 2650 ish) its a flat shooting gun with major power. It can be put in the same size guns and soundly trounces the 375. When loaded with the 400s its got to be decent for putting the brakes on anything. Not putting the 375 down just wondering why the 416 isn't looked at the same way. I don't hunt in extreme heat but I've never had any problem with pressure or loading in general with the 416. I've had a couple of Rigbys and can see that recoil and the need for larger guns/actions on those will deture some. Any thoughts?

Here you go (from the African Hunting board):

Are the .416 calibers the new African all-arounder ?

the 300 and 375H&H and 416 Rigby just have that African provenance...the Remington is a really great option to the Rigby. I can't figure it out either, except perhaps the PF versus CRF issue and snob appeal also comes into play.

The 700 is a great rifle, and the 416 is their crown jewel for DG. As you said, it can also more than match the 375H&H for trajectory with the 300 and 350gr bullets. Just had the wrong publicist.

Rich
DRSS

For the one gun bwana I can't see that there is better choice than the .416 Remington.

For one reason, the 416 kicks about 25% more than the 375! If that is not a concern the Lott is better than the 375, etc., etc.

If one is stuck on the "lightweight" North Forks, then it might be a good idea to go the 416 diameter route than a 375 and just slow them down.

You can shoot 350 gr. bullets in a 375 but only 370 gr. 416's. Maybe food for thought.

The 416 has more retained energy at 300 yds than the 458 Win and has much more punch than the 375. Add the fact the 416s have higher velocity than the 458s which some might say makes them a tad better in lion country (who can afford to hunt lions anyways, it's almost cheaper to buy one and have it run around in the back yard).

The only downsides to the 416 are less bullet variety, more recoil/noise, lesser avaialability of loaded ammo in Africa/Alaska, and higher pressures than the 375 or 416 rigby. If you are truly masochistic, there is also the 416 weatherby which is probably the most potent of the 416s.

John