Being a double rifle newbie I have been doing a bit a research and have a couple of questions given the considerable experience on this Forum:

1. For Buffalo and Elephant any thoughts on 450/400 vs 470 NE?

2. If I end up purchasing a 88B PH do I have to get one regulated for Hornady ammo or are there other options i.e. Woodleigh, Swift or Barnes?

3. Does the price include a case or is that extra?

4. Any ideas on ball park pricing and lead time?

Take the 450/400.

Lighter than the 470, a pleasure to shoot, ample medicine for anything walking on four legs.

You'll have a rifle that you enjoy shooting, which means that you'll shoot it well. And when the chips are down, the most important thing is that the bullet hits what you're aiming for, everytime.

In the bush, you'll be walking for hours carrying your own rifle. Even one pound makes a difference.

By the time you'll have to get ready to shoot, you may be tired, sweaty, out of breath. One pound makes a lot of difference.

Before to go to Africa, you should get thoroughly proficient with your rifle. 20 rounds of 470 in a session are not pleasant. Once you got the hang on how to handle recoil, you can shoot more than that with a 450/400 and still be comfortable at the last shot.

Your PH is earning princely sums (clients' opinion) or miserly slave-wages (PH's opinion) to, among a thousand other chores, carry a big, heavy, back-end thumping, heavy hittin' backup rifle. Let him do the sweating, while you do the enjoying...

Try as I can, I can't think of any circumstance where you'd find yourself painted in a tight corner because you're carrying a 450/400 instead of a 470. But I can sure visualize a thousand times when you'd be cussin' about why you had to get the bigger iron instead of settling for the easier one...

quote:

you'll be walking for hours carrying your own rifle

What? They don't have gun bearers any more?
Peter.

Your first question: 470 for elephant, for buffalo either but I would prefer the 450/400 (IMO a great buff caliber).

Your second question: you need to PM newguy (Heym USA) he hunts with the Heym using Swift softs and I believe woodie solids. You can get the rifle to duplicate regulation with other ammo rifle was regulated with especially the Heym DR.

Your third question: PM newguy he'll answer all of your questions

Your fourth question: PM newguy

Newguys name is Chris Sells

Shakaribabu,

It will come down to how you feel about shooting a double and I have to admit the 450/400 is really fine double to shoot...
We will have to get together and shoot my 450#2 and decisions can be made...
Speak to Chris and he will help you out greatly...

Mike

If you have a lot of big bore bolt rifle exerience and can handle and enjoy shooting a 458, then you can handle a 470.

If not then I would recommend a 450/400.

Also consider your age, and your eyes.

A Heym in 450/400, with a scope in QD mounts is a great choice.

On my last Safari I used my 450/400 3 1/4", and it worked perfect. With the scope I took baboon, warthog, zebra, and lion. My wife took a cape buff. With the iron sights I took a buff and a bull elephant.

Shakaribabu,

I went through the same tough decision making process you are in and finally settled on a PH Model in 450/400 3". I can honestly say that I am not disappointed and it is a joy to shoot. I cannot yet personally attest to its effectiveness on buffalo or elephant, but I will not hesitate to hunt either species with it. The .40 caliber 400 grain bullet has a great sectional density and a good quality solid should give plenty of penetration on an elephant. As dirklawyer said, newguy (Chris Sells) is great to deal with and will answer all your questions. Good luck and let us know what you decide! You won't go wrong either way.

There's always the option of seeking out a vintage U.K. built 450/400

in either case length too. That's what I chose to do. When I can pay for

it, I'll likely hunt a non exportable elephant and have it's tusks copied

in fiber glass or what ever they use as my take home trophy.

I have owned both calibers and feel the 470NE is just great, but due to the fact that I usually only take one rifle on Safari, a QD scoped .400 made more sense.

Early season Ele hunts. well that's a different matter.