There are guys here that have much more experience than I do with DGR and their use on DG. I will go ahead and give you my limited experience.

First, if you have a chance to go to Africa...GO! I just got back from Tanzania and had the time of my life chasing Cape Buffalo. I am already planning on going again..hopefully soon!

Second, I guess choice of caliber, rifle, scope, set-up will depend on what DG you are after, local conditions where you hunt, if plains game is part of your trip, tolerance to recoil, etc. Also, if you plan on taking one rifle or two. I always take two rifles on my hunting trips no matter where I go and in the past I have had the need for the second rifle.

While I was focusing on Cape Buffalo for my trip, I also had an interest in taking some plains game. When it came time to pick calibers I decided on a 458 Lott and a 375 H&H. Both are capable for DG while the 375 offered more flexibility for plains game. I used the Lott for Buffalo and the 375 for plains game but if we were to run into Buffalo while hunting plains game the 375 would work just fine.

I was impressed with the Lott on both Buffalo I killed. It seems to me...at least with the limited experience I have..that the Lott is flexible in that it can be loaded (with 500 grain bullets) to 458 win mag velocities (2100 fps or so) without any problems and if the need be or you just wish to..you can load the Lott to 2350 fps without problems. I loaded mine to nominal 2250 fps and that worked great for me. A 500 grain bullet (of proper construction) at 2250 fps is a real killer and recoil is not that bad, at least to me. I am sure the Lott would have worked fine for all my plain game as well, the longest shot I took was about 200 yards.

I plan on getting a 416, hopefully so...but I plan on getting the Rigby version. I guess I like the bigger case and the Rigby has some historic fasination from my prospective. The Rigby version is more expensive to shoot but also more flexible that the Remington version..my opinon based upon what I have read about 416's.

I like the combination of the Lott and 375 and most likely will continue to use that combination when I go back to Africa. I do think the Lott is a real thumper..more than any 416 but how much does one really need...others here know better than I ....I have only taken two Cape Buffalo...

Good luck with your choice!

If a guy had a chance to go to Africa and was in the market for a DGR, which of these two rounds would you pick?
Some people say that a 400gr. bullet doing 2400fps is the cats' meow, but I look at a 500gr. bullet doing 2200+ and find that hard to resist.
Help me make up my mind,
Elk Country

If you can shoot a 458 lott as well as a 416, I see no reason not to use the 458. Not everyone can shoot a 458 lott that well, as it's recoil is a tier above the 40's.

Even though I have a 458 Lott and a 500 Jeffrey, I'd still consider a 416, despite the fact I don't own one.

I own the Rem 416 and that rifle can kill any animal in the world with a 400gr bullet going 2445fps. Hand loads of course. I've heard that the Lott has alot of recoil. The 416 just pushes you.

Even guys that have both can't make up their minds, so you are on your own.

One reason I think the 400's are so popular is because it represents an upper limit as to recoil tolerance.

If you are recoil tolerant, then when push comes to shove in DG hunting, the Lott will be a better performer than the 400's.

Like JJS my I often bring a .458 Lott and a .375H&H. The Lott is a really neat cartridge and it hits like the proverbial hammer of Thor. I've used mine on plains game out past 100 yards and buffalo at close range on the same day. With the right loads it's just as flat shooting as a 416. And it has all the benifits that JJS has mentioned.



That being said it really boils down to personal preference because a .416 is a fantastic DGR. No two ways about it.



In todays world of premium bullets the .416 will do anyhting you need it to do without any questions asked. The lott will do it with a bit more authority.