I am asking for opinions on what cartridge/rifle combination is best for the heaviest members of the Big Five(Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo). I'm booking a hunt for late next year and plan on taking at least one or two of them. Which cartridge is most effective under any conditions. I would also like to know which cartridge has been used to the most against these animals.

You ask some tough questions, that invite almost endless rehashing of ol discussions, but it's winter and I'm tagged out.

I would guess that more elephants have been killed with .308 or .303 cartridges than any other. That does not make it right for hunting, as that's what the poachers use.

I would guess that more hunters use a .375 H&H than any other cartridge. Not knowing any more about you or your plans, that's what I'd advise you to get.

I personally have a 416 Rem Mag, but would probably have been just as happy with the 375 H&H.

Of the 458s I would choose the 458 Lott, but that is a custom affair.

Don

Start at the .375, because that is generally the legal minimum, and from there on up, it is the biggest one that you can shoot well. If that is also the .375 H&H, stop there.

Love this board, without doubt the best advice given was the biggest you can shoot comfortably.

Looking at it realistically, premium bullets are available for all of them, which makes effectiveness good in all.

But when you look at the hard facts the 416 Rigby is a heck of a performer and very heavily used by paying hunters.

For elephant hunting in today's conditions I consider the 375 marginal at best. Many PHs feel the same, from what I gather in speaking with them. If it is all you can handle then use it and be very certain about your shot placement before pulling the trigger.
In this discussion I would agree with the previously stated advice about using the biggest caliber you can shoot effectively. There is no such thing as overkill on these three bad boys. For my own use I have settled on the 450 Dakota because it gives me the best combination of power with tolerable recoil in a rifle that I can carry for long periods. The 505 and 500J are better, but for me they weigh too much and/or kick too hard! In double rifles, the 500-3" is supreme and has nowhere near the recoil of the 505 Gibbs bolt rifle.

[This message has been edited by John S (edited 12-02-2001).]

I doubt that your hunt will include Rhino. so lets say you are hunting the big four.

Shoot all the gun you can handle and shoot from any postion...the 500's are the best if you can shoot them, but if you have to ask then I doubt that your in that recoil relm...

My suggestion would be a 416 Rem. with or without a muzzle break, your choice.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com