I recently returned from an elephant hunt in the Caprivi. I shot two bulls, first one at 15 yards and second one at 11 yards. Both bulls were aware of our presence and moving fairly quickly. I used a 416 Rigby that performed great. I narrowly missed the brain on both bulls. However I was close enough that both bulls went straight down at the initial shot, and never got up thanks to follow up shots.

In the area where I shot the second bull, visibility was pretty low, max about 25 yards or so. Given the fact that there were lots of elephant cows all around us, my 416 Rigby felt pretty small to me.

I'd like to step up to a bigger cartridge for my future elephant hunts. I'd like a bolt rifle that I can use a detachable scope. I was mainly thinking of either a 450 Rigby or 470 Capstick.

I'd like to get some feedback on these calibers for elephant/buffalo hunting.


I'm also considering the 500 Jeffery and 505 Gibbs, but I've heard both these rounds are terribly hard on scopes.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

The .500 Jeffery is quite mild compared to the .505 Gibbs. I hardly notice any difference shooting my .500 Jeffery or .416 Rigby, and had no issue whatsoever with their scopes.

quote:

Originally posted by bobby van der Putten:
The .500 Jeffery is quite mild compared to the .505 Gibbs. I hardly notice any difference shooting my .500 Jeffery or .416 Rigby, and had no issue whatsoever with their scopes.

I've shot the 500 Jeffery but not the 505 Gibbs so I speak of this without expert knowledge but how is it that the Jeffery is "quite mild" compared to the Gibbs when the Jeffery shoots a 10 grain HEAVIER bullet 200fps FASTER? Unless the specific rifles you are speaking of fit you differently and therefore the FELT recoil is what you are talking about, it doesn't make sense to me from a physics standpoint.

My experience with the 500 Jeffery is that the recoil is significantly MORE than my 416 Rigby.

From your report why do you think a more powerfull rifle is the answer? A missed brain shot with a .600OK wont be significantly anymore effective than a missed brain shot with a .416 Rigby.
After hunting ele though,I know how you feel and bigger seems way better. Truth be told, the Rigby is enough gun, you just need more practice shooting at odd angles and judging the brain position. More gun really wont make up for this, but we all feel better that way! In my case I lugged a 12 lb.470 double over 10 miles a day and it flat wore me out. I now have a 8.5lb .458 Lott double CZ489 with open sights that I think is just perfect for ELE. I think the .505 Gibbs is over-rated myself and for close range hunting that may need a fast second shot, nothing beats a double.
BTW, the recoil of both the 500 Jeffery and the 505 Gibbs are more than most can handle and not much different. I own rifles in both calibers and if I were hunting Ele again, I'd pick the .458 Lott double over those two bolt guns anyday.-Rob

quote:

Originally posted by bobby van der Putten:
The .500 Jeffery is quite mild compared to the .505 Gibbs. I hardly notice any difference shooting my .500 Jeffery or .416 Rigby, and had no issue whatsoever with their scopes.

Apologies in advance, but I think recoil has had an effect on your judgement ... I own a 500 Jeffery and a 570g bullet at 2300 fps will get your attention! After shooting my 500 Jeffery a CZ in 416 Rigby feels like a 338 Win Mag