What calibers would be needed for a proper dangerous game cartridge display?

CLICKBANGBANG

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While waiting for my first trip to Africa, I’ve been collecting a few cartridges for a dangerous game caliber collection. But I think I’ve still got a few to chase down. So I’m asking here to see what might be missing.

What is your favorite DG caliber? What odd cartridge would you put in a DG collection like this? What modern and also Golden Era cartridges need to be included in a proper collection? The requirement is it needs to be an acquirable live ammunition. No dummy’s. They just hold the same appeal when you pick it up.

I’m also going to build a proper display shelf for such a collection. I’d like to use elephant leather for the backdrop and different African woods for the shelves. The top shelf for plains game, and bottom for the “.375 and up” dangerous game calibers.

For fun, name the shown calibers. The winner will receive 100 internets! (This holds no actual value).
8CA83ACB-0AFD-4FD9-9680-76A6FE122FB5.jpeg
 
Ok, I would nominate the 45-70 Govt for odd DG cartridge. Obviously big 5 can be done, but it's really out of its league.
 
I like that you have the .22lr, that's cool!
 
Going to give it a try guessing the lineup. Here we go!

8x57
7mm Rem Mag
300 H&H Mag
9.3x62
9.3x74R
375 H&H
458 Win Mag
458 Lott
450-400 3"
450-400 3-1/4"
450 NE
500-450 NE
475 No.2 NE
378 Weatherby Mag
416 Rigby
450 Rigby
460 Weatherby Mag
470 Capstick
416 Taylor
416 Remington Mag
505 Gibbs
22 long rifle
 
not even gonna try to guess the cartridges... but no dangerous game cartridge collection is complete without a 577 NE 3" and a 4 bore. in the early days of elephant hunting these two cartridges were the top pick for the great ivory hunters.

getting a 577 NE cartridge should be fairly easy but the 4 bore might be a bit tricky. for the 4 bore you could try contacting @cal pappas.

-matt
 
If we’re talking about completing the list then an 8-bore and a 600 NE definitely belong in the lineup (the first due to popularity in use, the second due to popularity with regard to general reverence, awe), along with a 404 Jeffrey (also due to popularity with regard to use).

If the 470 NE is missing, that one needs a spot, also (along with the 500 NE).

Really, the list could become rather long!
 
IMG_20171004_212946701.jpg


400 H&H (308 Norma, 400 H&H with a 360gr CEB Raptor, 400 H&H with 400gr Woodleigh) I wouldn't think the 308 NM is a dangerous game cartridge, but the other two :)(y)
 
I’m quite fond of the newer H&H belted magnums. Rather than attempt to stuff as much horsepower in as compact a package as possible, they took a long view and consider such important factors as feeding and extraction.
 
Watch what you say or you'll be on the 6 pm news! Some woman will claim 400 H&H as her code name!!!
Or all the 400 pound Huge Heifers will get on to me! Good thing I'm more politically correct than to ever offend anyone David!
 
Ok, I would nominate the 45-70 Govt for odd DG cartridge. Obviously big 5 can be done, but it's really out of its league.

I thought about the 45-70, but just didn’t bring one out for the picture. I’m surprised to see so many new manufacturered double guns chambered in 45-70. At inexpensive prices too. I might look into finding the -90 and -110 as well. They’d make a nice looking trio. But I think the Model 1869 up to the 1878 have killed more American bison than Cape buffalo. The 50-110 looks impressive.
 
Or all the 400 pound Huge Heifers will get on to me! Good thing I'm more politically correct than to ever offend anyone David!

LMAO!! Politically correct my fat butt!
 
425 Westley Richards ...... the org 458 win mag and no belt
 
I enjoy cartridge collections. I'm always looking to expand mine as I run across them- especially in the DG/large calibers. Shown also is a conical and RB for my 69 caliber blackpowder ML M1861 Plymouth Rifle. I don't have examples of any of the really big bore gauge blackpowder ML rifle bullets up to 2 and 4 gauge (RB or conical) which were used extensively for DG in the early days. The largest (near center) is a 700NE and the red paper patched cartridge on the right side is a 577/450 MH which was most assuredly used for DG along with a couple of other early black powder paper patched rounds. The 22 lr rf is for reference

DG Cartridges.jpg
 
I would say your linup is pretty representative. You'd have a whole collection in itself if you tried to include all the various cartridges introduced by the british following the ban on .458s.

I'll take a crack at the lineup though: L to R
.35 whelen
7mm mag
.300 H&H
9.3x62
9.3x74R
.375 H&H
.458 Win Mag
.458 Lott
.404 Jeff
.450/400 3"
.450 NE
.470 NE
.475 #2 NE
.416 Weatherby
.416 Rigby
.450 Rigby
.460 Weatherby
.470 Capstick
.416 Taylor
.416 Rem Mag
.505 Gibbs
.22 LR
 
View attachment 208421

400 H&H (308 Norma, 400 H&H with a 360gr CEB Raptor, 400 H&H with 400gr Woodleigh) I wouldn't think the 308 NM is a dangerous game cartridge, but the other two :)(y)

I’ve already checked with my local sources about the 400 H&H and came up empty with no restock coming soon. I think the caliber in itself is very interesting. Good velocity with a 400 grain bullets. I bet that Woodleigh finds its target with authority. But finding singles of ammo in non common calibers like the 400 H&H can be challenging. Not many guys with odd ammo laying around. I’ll keep my eyes open for it. Maybe by the time the display is done, I’ll have a few more cartridges to add to the picture.
 
These guys have some 'ready made' collections

http://www.tmbdesigns.co.uk/hunting-calibres-and-clocks

I’ve looked at these! They make some nice displays. But it lacks the ability to pick up and hold the cartridges. When you hold the 470 No2, you get a feel as to the size. Same with all of the large bores. The other biggest thing is to add to the kits. And I really think the backdrop of a dangerous game cartridge collection should be elephant leather. ;)

And here, not a PSA, but more of a fair warning... Adding large bore cartridges to a collection will have you scrolling though gunsinternational and the likes for a fine double.
 
I’ve already checked with my local sources about the 400 H&H and came up empty with no restock coming soon. I think the caliber in itself is very interesting. Good velocity with a 400 grain bullets. I bet that Woodleigh finds its target with authority. But finding singles of ammo in non common calibers like the 400 H&H can be challenging. Not many guys with odd ammo laying around. I’ll keep my eyes open for it. Maybe by the time the display is done, I’ll have a few more cartridges to add to the picture.

Do you want me to send you a dummy round?
 

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