Most Coveted Dangerous Game Calibers

tarbe · Mar 18, 2019

Wheels said:
Can't tell from the photo. Are you loading 404j's there or are those 450/400's?

Those are 450/400 with a 400gr DGS.

postoak · Mar 18, 2019

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the .577 NE (or have they). It has a lot of mystique because of references to it in fiction literature.

CTDolan · Mar 18, 2019

postoak said:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the .577 NE (or have they). It has a lot of mystique because of references to it in fiction literature.

I don’t believe it has been mentioned. The cartridge is definitely a classic, and a wonder, but one with which only a very few have experience, it serving basically one purpose (to put the hurt on an elephant, big time).

HWL · Jan 7, 2020

I just remembered ...my other secret love is the 10,75x68.

A Ruger No.1 would be great... 66" barrel, easy to shoot, ....for hunting the everything.

HWL

perttime · Jan 7, 2020

I find that 66cm is quite enough, or perhaps a bit more than I like. 66 inches? sounds like over-doing it.

HWL · Jan 7, 2020

perttime said:
I find that 66cm is quite enough, or perhaps a bit more than I like. 66 inches? sounds like over-doing it.

The No.1s action is short,... even 26 " make an acceptable rifle.

...my american friends would cut it to 20 "... get a massive muzzle blast and lament about the lack of performance....

I like the Long Tom...

HWL

perttime · Jan 7, 2020

26", sure. 66" is a bit much.

HWL · Jan 7, 2020

perttime said:
26", sure. 66" is a bit much.

ok,...Germans tend to exaggerate....

HWL

chashardy · Jan 7, 2020

I think, perhaps, the "most coveted caliber" is the one that a hunter doesn't currently have in his gun case.
Having said that, after reading many books and stories about hunting in Africa (Hemingway, Ruark, etc.), my first African big game caliber rifle was a Model 70 Safari Express in 375 H&H, which is one of the historic safari calibers. I have always wanted a 416 Rigby, so Santa brought me one this year. I would say that those two calibers are probably the most talked about, written about and historic African big game calibers. Why? Because, when the British colonists began hunting big game in Kenya and Tanganyika (Tanzania) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries the London fine gun makers, especially Holland & Holland, John Rigby & Co., Westley Richards, Purdey, etc. began making rifles especially for African hunting and the 375 H&H and 416 Rigby were born of that era and carried by the famous hunters of that period. The same could be said, but maybe to a slightly lesser degree, regarding 404 Jeffrey, and the nitro express calibers.

Rum Runner · Jan 7, 2020

.416 Rigby. I'll admit, it's the only DG rifle I own, and I've only been on one African Safari, but it was a huge hit with my PH there. Everyone in camp loved it (CZ 550 with a Kevlar stock), and it was a topic of much discussion. I hand load too. The whole thing was a thrill to use...it performed spectacularly. In a way, I feel like I honored Africa with that rifle and that caliber.

chashardy · Jan 7, 2020

Rum Runner said:
.416 Rigby. I'll admit, it's the only DG rifle I own, and I've only been on one African Safari, but it was a huge hit with my PH there. Everyone in camp loved it (CZ 550 with a Kevlar stock), and it was a topic of much discussion. I hand load too. The whole thing was a thrill to use...it performed spectacularly. In a way, I feel like I honored Africa with that rifle and that caliber.

I'm really looking forward to taking my new 416 Rigby (John Rigby & Co. Big Game model) to Africa next year. I've been shooting it on the range and getting used to it. Beautiful rifle with the fine London workmanship and the old school feel. I'm meeting with my African outfitter and PH at the Dallas Safari Club Convention this week and will show them pics and book a hunt for 2021.

WAB · Jan 8, 2020

The .416 Rigby is a great caliber but as a classic there just weren’t that many in the field. There were far more .404’s, 9.3x62’s etc, actually in use.

Bonk · Jan 8, 2020

Put me down for a 404J. I'm not interested in hunting anything my 375H&H won't reliably kill but the 404J is so classic I can't resist it charms. I want one and someday I will have one. Having owned a .45 caliber DG rifle I no longer have the desire to own or shoot anything bigger.

Longwalker · Jan 8, 2020

I first coveted a .375H&H. Got one. Then I coveted a 9.3x62. Got one of those too. And a 9.3x74R. Got one but haven't even hunted with it yet. Then I realized that the best dangerous game cartridges start at .40 caliber or bigger, and the really nice ones have two barrels. Yes I'm an elitist. I really like my side by side double barrel .450-400 3" N.E. I don't think I need anything else.

Jumbo · Jan 9, 2020

Come on guys what about something left field like the 425WR?

Wanting something unusual and not mainstream, that was my choice. what a classic!
But then I went from no "400" caliber rifles to owning 2 in a few weeks...…………...when I couldn't resist a new Mauser M98 in .416 Rigby. what a beautiful rifle and caliber...……...

I have to say however (apart from that 460Wby with a muzzle brake comment somewhere above) that I cant fault any of the suggestions! wish I could own them all!

Captain Nwz · Jan 9, 2020

I like the .338 Winchester Magnum myself . Mine is a custom made one built on an FN Mauser action , with a straight stock and a Douglas barrel. However , the only dangerous game l have shot with it are Asian Sloth Bears and leopards.
My elder son , who some times hunts water buffalo in Australia , uses a .404 Jeffery . His is a bolt action rifle made by Heym . He really likes it for water buffaloes , with the 400 grain Barnes TSX bullet .

BeeMaa · Jan 9, 2020

Longwalker said:
I first coveted a .375H&H. Got one. Then I coveted a 9.3x62. Got one of those too. And a 9.3x74R. Got one but haven't even hunted with it yet. Then I realized that the best dangerous game cartridges start at .40 caliber or bigger, and the really nice ones have two barrels. Yes I'm an elitist. I really like my side by side double barrel .450-400 3" N.E. I don't think I need anything else.

Yeah, right.
You don't need anything else...yet.
I'll sit in the corner and hold my breath while you start looking at 470NE or maybe even a 500/416NE.
Next thing you know, membership to the half-inch club will be coming down the pike.

Major Khan · Jan 11, 2020

Based on the rifle calibres which all of my clients had brought to India , during my career as a professional shikaree from 1961 to 1970 in Nagpur , my personal favorite dangerous game calibres would have to be :
.476 Westley Richards ( only 1 client )
.450/400 Nitro Express ( only 1 client )
.375 Holland & Holland magnum
9.3 × 74 R
9.3 × 62 Mauser
If l could only name 1 calibre from all of these , then it would have to be the .450 / 400 Nitro Express ( taking all 8 species of Indian dangerous game into consideration ) . Even though l have never seen a .404 Jeffery calibre rifle in my career , l understand that it is basically a ballistic twin of the .450/400 Nitro Express , but in a bolt rifle . Therefore , in a bolt rifle , the .404 Jeffery would have to be my favorite ( based on this speculation ) .

The .458 Winchester magnum and .460 Weatherby were also very popular during my time. However , l never liked either .

spike.t · Jan 11, 2020

Jumbo said:
Come on guys what about something left field like the 425WR?

Wanting something unusual and not mainstream, that was my choice. what a classic!
But then I went from no "400" caliber rifles to owning 2 in a few weeks...…………...when I couldn't resist a new Mauser M98 in .416 Rigby. what a beautiful rifle and caliber...……...

I have to say however (apart from that 460Wby with a muzzle brake comment somewhere above) that I cant fault any of the suggestions! wish I could own them all!

Someone has been busy.....

Aussie_Hunter · Feb 3, 2020

I'm a bit surprised the 375H&H isn't getting more votes, has been one of the most popular DG cartridges for the last 100 years or so? All though I am very interested in another bigger calibres my vote goes for the 375H&H.

But maybe this is only because I haven't yet fired a 404J

haha

Most Coveted Dangerous Game Calibers

tarbe

postoak

CTDolan

HWL

perttime

HWL

perttime

HWL

chashardy

Rum Runner

chashardy

WAB

Bonk

Longwalker

Jumbo

Captain Nwz

BeeMaa

Major Khan

spike.t

Aussie_Hunter

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