Advice needed Dangerous Game rifle

[Yaseen]

I'm interested in getting myself a DG rifle. 404 or 416 Rigby. Your advice would be appreciated, please. Thanks.

 

[USMA84DAB]

For use as a hunter, or PH?

What is your prior experience with .375 and up?

What is your physical stature - if you are on the small side a true magnum action for the .416 could push you on weight. A slight consideration, either will work for DG.

The .404 will probably cost less for both rifle and ammo?

 

[Safari Dave]

I have chosen the .416 Rigby as my scoped dangerous game rifle cartridge.

The .404 would would be OK, as well, but for me .404 ammunition is hard to find.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Head to Head: .404 Jeffery vs. .416 Rigby

While both cartridges have a rather impeccable reputation, which makes a better choice for the dangerous game hunter? Contributor Philip Massaro takes a closer look at what makes each cartridge tick.

www.americanhunter.org

 

[Berettaco]

375HH, 416 and 404J are all a good choice. I love my 375s 404J - don’t have a 416 anymore. If you reload I’d go for the 404

 

[CAustin]

I'm interested in getting myself a DG rifle. 404 or 416 Rigby. Your advice would be appreciated, please. Thanks.

416 s are far more available than 404s. However, a 375 H&H would do just fine!

 

[BeeMaa]

Everyone has a budget and it's an important thing to figure out. DG hunting is not the time to be skimping. Starting average budget is around $5-6K to include the rifle and scope. This will get you a very good DG ready to hunt rifle. All you will need to do is put in the time to properly practice and be able to use it.

Most of the time it isn't how much something costs, it's the dedication to get out and become proficient with it. You can have the most expensive rifle in the world, with the best scope, ammo...etc. Doesn't mean a damn thing if you don't know how to use it.

I'd rather see someone spend $1500 on their entire rig and be able to hit a 2" circle at 100 yards off sticks on a consistent basis. Do that while shooting a big bore and I'll be impressed.

 

[Rare Breed]

I'm interested in getting myself a DG rifle. 404 or 416 Rigby. Your advice would be appreciated, please. Thanks.

If I’ve learned anything. Do two things first: 1. Get the right LOP. 2. Get the right weight. Now try each caliber and see what you can shoot comfortably. I like many on AH have owned them all so 375 up will meet your needs. Pick the one you can shoot all day

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

375h+h is more than enough for all big game if you are a client
if you really want something bigger, get a 416 rem mag!!!

 

[Opposite Pole]

Another consideration is, 375 is a fairly universal chambering that can be reasonably used for a lot of hunting with a wide range of bullets available today. Whereas 40cal and up is getting a bit more specialised and limited in rational use. Sure you can hunt small game with a 416 but what is the point? Far be it for me to discourage someone from getting a big bore rifle, I have two, will likely get one more and enjoy them greatly.

You haven't mentioned whether or not you handload. If you don't, ammunition availability should be considered.

Also, are you looking for the big bore to complement your other rifles such as 375? If so, perhaps going with a 458 would be a worthwhile consideration?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Do you have any prior experience with big bore rifles ? If so, then what calibers have you sampled ? Some more information or details about your intended use of the rifle would allow us to give you better guidance.

 

[Red Leg]

I know this is boring, but a .375 is just about the perfect choice for a client. Moreover, it is not merely a compromise. It handles everything well. I either own or have owned a .404, 500-416, .470, .416 Rigby, .470 and .416 Rem. I shoot them all well. I have actually used a .375 exclusively. It is a joy to carry, and with a quality 300 gr bullet it will handle everything from suni to elephant (and yes, most of us probably would use a forty something for elephant, but I suspect more clients have used the .375 successfully for such work over the last 50 years than all other calibers combined). For a new DG hunter in particular, it is a very easy transition from a familiar deer rifle.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

Yaseen, I see that you are from Capetown. First question is what is readily available, secondary question is are you going to reload or shoot factory ammo, third question, what is the availability of reloading components or factory ammunition. I shoot a 416 Rigby, reload my own cartridges and live in Canada where reloading components and ammunition is still attainable. Im sure the 404J is a fine choice as well but based on the questions I have asked, the 375 H&H may be more economical or feasible.

 

[Rell]

Readily available Factory Rifles
CZ 416 Rigby
Win M70 375H&H

Semi Custom
Heym M98 404 Jeffery
Mauser 98 375 H&H
Rigby Big Game 416 Rigby

Double
Heym M89 450-400 3”

 

[Art Lambart II]

My first and only DG rifle is a Ruger #1 in 416 Rigby. It weighs a trim 11.5 pounds and clover leaf’s shots at 100 yards. I'll never need another DG rifle as long as I live but I want a R8 in 375 H&H. I'm not a young man anymore and carrying a 11.5 pound rifle all day gets old fast.

 

[450/400]

I own and have hunted with rifles in both these calibers and both are a good choice. Like many have said factors like availability of ammunition, reloading components and rifles in these calibers themselves will play a big part in you decision. The only other thing I would say, all being equal, go with the rifle and caliber you shoot the best and it will be a fine choice.

 

[Yaseen]

Do you have any prior experience with big bore rifles ? If so, then what calibers have you sampled ? Some more information or details about your intended use of the rifle would allow us to give you better guidance.

Thanks for your reply. I have a winchester 375 which I used to hunt a Buffalo 2 years ago. Although I love the rifle I think something a little bigger would be great.

 

[Yaseen]

Do you have any prior experience with big bore rifles ? If so, then what calibers have you sampled ? Some more information or details about your intended use of the rifle would allow us to give you better guidance.

Thanks for your respond. I own a winchester 375 which I used to hunt my Buffalo. I'm looking for something a little bigger. Need ro make my mind ip whether a 404 or 416.

 

[Rell]

I’m the same price range I would go for a Winchester M70 in 416 Rem or a CZ in 416 Rigby.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Thanks for your respond. I own a winchester 375 which I used to hunt my Buffalo. I'm looking for something a little bigger. Need ro make my mind ip whether a 404 or 416.

No problem. Get the .404 Jeffery. You have a wider variety of .423 caliber bullets on the market. If price is not an issue, then I’d strongly recommend a Heym Express magazine rifle.

 

[Shootist43]

I doubt that any one on AH would criticize either caliber when it comes to performance. IMHO the 416 Rigby got all the hype, while the 404 Jeffery did all the work. There are several threads on AH touting the 404 Jeffery. Enjoy using the AH "Search" feature to seek them out. Von Gruff initiated some of the threads.