Elephant caliber

[Justin D.]

I'm starting to put my mind towards wanting to complete my Big 5. With that in mind, I'm trying to decide on a caliber for an elephant. I currently have a Winchester M70 in .375 H&H for everything else. I originally was going to go with a .458 Win Mag but from what I've been reading/researching, there's mixed reviews on the Win Mag for elephant. So then I've been looking at the .458 Lott. I don't have the $15-75k+ for a double rifle (my plan is a non-trophy elephant and a green rhino hunt) and I want something that I can still buy commercial ammo for. Therefore, my two choices of the Win Mag and the Lott.

For those of you with actual elephant experience, is the Win Mag enough juice or do I need the Lott? Especially if SHTF and a charge occurs.

 

[jcs271]

For a one and done elephant trip, I'd stick with the 375 that you already own and are comfortable with. No need to buy another rifle unless the money is just burning a hole in your pocket.

 

[JHT]

Have you considered the .416 Remington Magnum?

 

[K-man]

Any of those calibers will be adequate. I have experience with 3 elephants. One with a .375 and 2 with a .416Ruger. All were properly placed and decisive. It’s far more important to put it where it goes than how big/fast it’s going. I would suggest finding someone who will let you fire a .458 Lott before you purchase. Used to be a saying, “.4somethin gun for sale, 19 bullets…”

 

[Wildwillalaska]

All Win Mag fans will say the 458WM with modern brass and powders will prove more than sufficient and can be loaded close to if not beyond historical Lott ballistics. That said, I personally would want a 416 Rigby or 458 Lott.

I just took a nice old and huge bodied bull in NW Botswana with my 450NE. I used a 480gr Woodleigh Hydro clocking along at 2185fps. Other loads I had worked up were all 500gr, those being CEB solids at 2150, NF Solids at 2145, and Swift Break Away solids at 2130fps.

I’ll say it proved more than sufficient and a great round for elephant. I’m heading back again in the fall, working up loads for my new 500NE now and shooting it more than my 450NE, but honestly I won’t surprise myself if I decide to return with my 450…I just love and trust that round so much.

So, totally expect you can load the 458WM to exceed the 450NE…so I’d say you should be fine. A proper made 500gr .458 bullet at 2150fps or more should penetrate and kill anything that walks this earth.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

If your going to do the one and done, premium bullet in 375 if its OK with PH you go with I say,
I am doing my first Elephant next month, using 458 Lott and thats because I have had it since 2019 and used it for most everything big since I been going to Africa. If you just have to have a new rifle as an excuse, go with the 416 Rem Mag, 458 Win mag or 458 Lott. The 416 or 458 Win Mag will be less expensive to buy and set up.

 

[ElevenBravo]

I'm starting to put my mind towards wanting to complete my Big 5. With that in mind, I'm trying to decide on a caliber for an elephant. I currently have a Winchester M70 in .375 H&H for everything else. I originally was going to go with a .458 Win Mag but from what I've been reading/researching, there's mixed reviews on the Win Mag for elephant. So then I've been looking at the .458 Lott. I don't have the $15-75k+ for a double rifle (my plan is a non-trophy elephant and a green rhino hunt) and I want something that I can still buy commercial ammo for. Therefore, my two choices of the Win Mag and the Lott.

For those of you with actual elephant experience, is the Win Mag enough juice or do I need the Lott? Especially if SHTF and a charge occurs.

Have you looked into the possibility of renting a bigger boomstick from your outfitter? Assuming they have one and ammunition, of course.

 

[Tanks]

Have you looked into the possibility of renting a bigger boomstick from your outfitter? Assuming they have one and ammunition, of course.

That would be a mistake as he would be shooting a caliber that he is not accustomed to in regard to recoil and feel. For a hunt that will cost North of 20K+ in fees, plane tickets etc. that is a big risk to take.

In regard to double rifle cost, I bought a Heym .500NE a few years ago, took it to Africa multiple times where I shot 3 elephants, 2 buffalo and a baboon with it, shot hundreds of rounds in practice. I just sold it for what I had in it plus shipping. So, free use for a number of years. Decent doubles do not depreciate.

 

[grand veneur]

I'm starting to put my mind towards wanting to complete my Big 5. With that in mind, I'm trying to decide on a caliber for an elephant. I currently have a Winchester M70 in .375 H&H for everything else. I originally was going to go with a .458 Win Mag but from what I've been reading/researching, there's mixed reviews on the Win Mag for elephant. So then I've been looking at the .458 Lott. I don't have the $15-75k+ for a double rifle (my plan is a non-trophy elephant and a green rhino hunt) and I want something that I can still buy commercial ammo for. Therefore, my two choices of the Win Mag and the Lott.

For those of you with actual elephant experience, is the Win Mag enough juice or do I need the Lott? Especially if SHTF and a charge occurs.

Elephant hunting experience is such a thing. I have shot six elephants in my life with different cartridges, but to call myself experienced, one need to have to shoot quite a few more, which is very difficult nowadays.

With a well-placed bullet in the brain, taking down an elephant is not a problem. The cartridge 375 H&H Magnum or even a smaller one are in this case sufficient. The problem, however, is placing the first bullet on the right place in the brain, and that is not as easy as it looks. For this reason, it is better that elephant calibers are bigger and the bullet heavier to have some reserves in case things don't go as planned. Big bores are in all cases more better and rather a necessity for body shots. We are so quickly talking about rifles caliber 416 minimum, but better a litte bit larger. If you are looking for a bolt action rifle primarily for elephant hunting, one caliber 458 Lott, or better one caliber 460 Weatherby Magnum, is a good choice. The ultimate choice is undoubtedly one caliber 500 Jeffery.

 

[RootballExpress]

Have you considered the .416 Remington Magnum?

This video helped influence my purchase of my Winchester Model 70 Safari Express chambered in 416 Rem Mag. Love to rifle and bullet selection/commercial availability of the caliber.

 

[roklok]

I have no elephant experience, but that is set to change this summer, going after my first one. I am taking a .458 WM, 450 grain CEB solid at 2320 FPS. I have done extensive reading on the subject, and the consensus from those that do have experience is this load and bullet is more than adequate for any elephant. Again, I have no experience, but have heard that if the brain is missed, the 45 + calibers have a better chance of stunning an elephant long enough to get follow up shots as opposed to smaller cartridges. No guarantees of course, but stacking the odds in your favor is not a bad thing. If shooting factory ammunition I believe the Lott has a distinct advantage. If you handload, the .458 WM is all you will ever need with modern bullets (CEB) and powders (2230).

 

[coreydb]

The 375 H&H is adequate for ALL DG. Shot placement is the most critical component; deep penetrating ammo a close second.

 

[skydiver386]

What would be nice is if we (Africa Hunting Members) had more big bore shoots where folks that were in the market for such a rifle could actually shoot various calibers to get a feel for them.

Recoil tolerance is built up, and without gradual stages of advancement, most shooters top out at 50-60ft lbs of recoil. I think you are wise to narrow your selection to the win or lott, and personally I'd go with the lott. Both can be down loaded easily for practice and the charges gradually increased as your recoil tolerance grows. Which brings us to the question do you reload?

If so, I wouldn't hesitate to find a good 458 Lott, reloading dies and brass. Grex shotshell buffer can be used to fill the remainder of the case when you want reduced loads for practice, then work your way up the scale until you've maxed out those 500 grain bullets.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I recently completed the Big 5 and I’m attempting to complete the Tiny 10 next month in Mozambique using same Pre64 M70 in 375 H&H.

A premium solid in a 375 H&H is more than adequate for all DG up to and including Elephant. Future DG hunts will be completed using one of my double rifles, however if money were tight and I wanted to keep hunting, I could sell them and keep hunting with my 375 without a moments hesitation.

A 458WM with modern brass, powder and projectiles isn’t a handicap. Scores of elephants have been culled by Game Departments in numerous African Countries using a 458WM. Decide how much you’re comfortable investing in another firearm and go hunt. You might decide that investment isn’t worth it and you can hunt with your current 375 since you’re a client and not a PH.

 

[grand veneur]

Ultimately, it depends on what you mean by a rifle for elephant hunting.

Is it about to own a working rifle to be able to shoot an elephant someday, with a PH for backup, or do you want to own such a rifle for your battery, representative for the purpose elephant hunting and similar to what was used in the past. Decades ago, I had a rifle caliber 500 Schüler custom made for the last reason. I don't really need it, but it's a nice traditional piece of the equipment of a big game hunter in Africa, that is also quite effective when it comes to shoot elephants.

 

[sgt_zim]

I'm starting to put my mind towards wanting to complete my Big 5. With that in mind, I'm trying to decide on a caliber for an elephant. I currently have a Winchester M70 in .375 H&H for everything else. I originally was going to go with a .458 Win Mag but from what I've been reading/researching, there's mixed reviews on the Win Mag for elephant. So then I've been looking at the .458 Lott. I don't have the $15-75k+ for a double rifle (my plan is a non-trophy elephant and a green rhino hunt) and I want something that I can still buy commercial ammo for. Therefore, my two choices of the Win Mag and the Lott.

For those of you with actual elephant experience, is the Win Mag enough juice or do I need the Lott? Especially if SHTF and a charge occurs.

Haven't been ele hunting yet, but if you end up taking your 375H&H, North Fork flat point solid has developed quite the reputation.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I have no elephant experience, but that is set to change this summer, going after my first one. I am taking a .458 WM, 450 grain CEB solid at 2320 FPS. I have done extensive reading on the subject, and the consensus from those that do have experience is this load and bullet is more than adequate for any elephant... If you handload, the .458 WM is all you will ever need with modern bullets (CEB) and powders (2230).

This is the .458 Win load I shot a tuskless with in 2025. My Heym double regulated the 450 grain CEB Safari Solid at 2300 fps MV. I loaded this with H4895.

The solid punched a hole in the right side of the head, clipped off the bottom of the brain, and exited out the left side. The elephant fell to her side but stood back up. I followed up with another 450 gr solid through the right shoulder bone, exiting out the left shoulder. There is nothing wrong with this load!

 

[Rare Breed]

Ultimately, it depends on what you mean by a rifle for elephant hunting.

Is it about to own a working rifle to be able to shoot an elephant someday, with a PH for backup, or do you want to own such a rifle for your battery, representative for the purpose elephant hunting and similar to what was used in the past. Decades ago, I had a rifle caliber 500 Schüler custom made for the last reason. I don't really need it, but it's a nice traditional piece of the equipment of a big game hunter in Africa, that is also quite effective when it comes to shoot elephants.

Good reply…your 375 will do the job with your PH backing you no problem. Me personally I want a 4 as the first number for elephant and I will be having that for my next two elephants in 27 and 28 in Moz and had one for my first. It really is about “want” not “need”. You don’t need anything beyond your 375, but you may want a rifle with a 4 in front

 

[Pole Pole]

Has anyone used a 375 H&H for a frontal brain shot? Any thoughts on 300 grain or 350 grain? I have never shot an elephant but ….

 

[318AE]

A second hand Ruger Safari Magnum is hard to beat in terms of value, for a rifle suitable for elephant. They have appreciated the last few years after languishing for a long time, and still look to be on the rise. You can find one either in 416 Rigby or 458 Lott.