Elephant caliber

[Ontario Hunter]

Something to keep in mind: Taylor, Bell, Blixen, Sutherland, and others who killed thousands of elephants professionally preferred, believe it or not, 318 Westley Richards with its puny 250 gr .330 bullet. Wally Johnson spent a lifetime hunting elephants with his Model 70 in 375 H&H and Harry Selby advised 416 Rigby as a stopper for PHs and 375 for clients. And all would have been shooting old fashioned bullets and powder technology (though admittedly solids tech probably hasn't changed that much). Furthermore, all but Johnson would have been shooting standard action Mauser rifles, not double rifles (Selby's 416 was built on a standard action, though typically they are on magnum action, and Johnson's rifle was almost certainly magnum length).

Moral of the story: Don't overthink it ... unless you want to. We all need a hobby.

 

[Malambo]

I don't own an elephant gun, nor the money to get all the rifles I would like to have.
I have used the .458 from my outfitter, with no regrets

 

[boris]

I shot my elephant with 375h&h with 300 grain solid RWS - side brain shot from 25-30 m. Tne animal dropped on spot. There was exit wound on the other side of the head.

 

[coyote wacker]

Having a 458 WM being built its the only rifle that I will need and use on several hunts comming up.
Loaded with Cutting Edge Bullets loaded with up to date ballistics it will have no problem with elephants and buffalo on three continent's.

 

[Tanks]

Agree which is why me personally nothing less than a 450, 470 or 500 NE. My point is your PH better have a heavy hitter beyond a 375 backing you for elephant in case of a charge or I am not hunting with them

Well, my point is to have enough gun so one does not have to solely depend on the PH to have a shot at a charging animal. Some PHs I know will not let a client with a .375 take a frontal brain shot at big Botswana elephants.

 

[Russ16]

I would buy another Model 70 if you like your 375. Get a rifle as close to what you’re used to handling as possible and the transition will be the cleanest.

Any of the 458 cartridges will work, same with 416s. So kind of depends how hard you want to have to search for ammo and if you hand load.

 

[Oil & Dirt]

I have this exact scenario coming up in a couple of months. My first elephant hunt. Combined with buff and croc. I have a 1-6 scoped 375 that is a fantastic shooter. It took buff and hippo on my last trip with no drama. We did see some elephant and you start to feel really small really quick. I just got done putting together a model 70 in 458 with a RMR. I plan to take both and certainly use the .375 for croc. Plan to use the 458 for elephant and probably for buff depending on conditions. As like most of us I have overly planned, packed, analyzed!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I don't hunt elephants and doubt I ever will but I'm ready to go if I ever change my mind. Three years ago I built a 404 Jeffery on a standard action Czech 98 Mauser. It could push a 450 gr .423 caliber solid bullet with relatively massive sectional density vs 416 or 375. Or with 400 gr bullets (still well above dangerous game minimum required sectional density of .300) the velocity can be gassed up to 416 Rigby speed but with even more SD (and no doubt comparative recoil). 404J can also easily be built on standard length Mauser actions which are still abundant and relatively affordable (vs magnum length Mauser actions = ++$$$). Easy enough to add a Model 70 style safety (= $200) which would make it handle exactly like the OP's 375 H&H Winchester. 375 and 416 Rigby can be built on standard Mauser but it's a bit more complicated. 404 ammo and loading components are becoming more available in recent years due to the cartridge's revived popularity. Oh, and yes it is a "classic" African cartridge/rifle. First developed by Jeffery in 1905 it quickly became popular among imperial game officers due to its knockdown power, manageable recoil, and relatively economical cost of production. 458 Winchester is much less classic and it's historical reputation in Africa is not nearly as glorious (in part if not entirely due to poor quality ammo in its early years). Unfortunately, 404J was overshadowed among sportsmen when magnum length cartridge/actions were introduced shortly afterwards (though it remained popular among govt hunters). You know, bigger is always better ... no matter the cost. Wait ... isn't that the Texas state motto? Okay everyone, don't get your shorts in a knot. I'm only kidding.

 

[AJ Peacock]

I think I've read this entire thread and haven't seen anyone mention Sectional Density. I've not hunted Elephant, but it seems that all the recommendations for caliber/weight have a sectional density in the .300 or larger.

375 with 300 gr = .305
375 with 350 gr = .356
416 with 400 gr = .330
458 with 500 gr = .341
500 with 570 gr = .326

If a free Elephant hunt falls out of the sky onto my head, I'll just take my .375, unless a big lotto falls with it!

AJ

 

[SStomcat]

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.

I have not hunted elephant myself, but I did speak with a few PHs in person at the HSC this January. I was always under the impression that anything below .450 caliber was less than ideal for elephant. Interestingly, two of the three PHs I spoke with said they carried a .375, one a bolt gun and the other a double ,and both strongly vouched for its accuracy, penetration, and overall effectiveness on elephant when used properly.

It certainly challenged some of my preconceived notions about minimum caliber requirements versus practical shot placement and bullet performance.

 

[Shaw]

Have no experience yet with ELE but will next June, PH said 375 little to light so I will take 450/400 double and a 416 Rigby as a backup gun in the Matesi ESA area. Tic Toc tic toc.

 

[TTundra]

Not sure anyone mentioned a rifle that truly fits you.

Whichever caliber you choose, .375 and up, make sure the rifle fits you well and you put in dry fire and extensive range time. Be ready for a shot off sticks, off a tree, offhand, while tired, while sweaty...you get the drift. These factors are amplified when shooting a big bore especially if multiple shots are needed.


I shot mine with a Hannibal in 460 Weatherby, 500 gr at 2500 fps. Slight off frontal at 20ish yards and dropped instantly. I prefer something above .4 personally.

 

[Russ16]

I think I've read this entire thread and haven't seen anyone mention Sectional Density. I've not hunted Elephant, but it seems that all the recommendations for caliber/weight have a sectional density in the .300 or larger.

375 with 300 gr = .305
375 with 350 gr = .356
416 with 400 gr = .330
458 with 500 gr = .341
500 with 570 gr = .326

If a free Elephant hunt falls out of the sky onto my head, I'll just take my .375, unless a big lotto falls with it!

AJ

Don’t forget the .410 with 400 gr = .340. That’s why I have a 450/400

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I think I've read this entire thread and haven't seen anyone mention Sectional Density. I've not hunted Elephant, but it seems that all the recommendations for caliber/weight have a sectional density in the .300 or larger.

375 with 300 gr = .305
375 with 350 gr = .356
416 with 400 gr = .330
458 with 500 gr = .341
500 with 570 gr = .326

If a free Elephant hunt falls out of the sky onto my head, I'll just take my .375, unless a big lotto falls with it!

AJ

I guess you missed my post a half hour before yours (or maybe you have me on ignore?). 404J with 400 gr bullets = .320 section density. With 450 gr solids = .360 SD. And its 400 gr can be pushed to 2300 fps if desired, making 404J essentially equivalent to 416 Rigby.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Don’t forget the .410 with 400 gr = .340. That’s why I have a 450/400

Or 318 WR with .330 caliber 250 gr bullet = incredible sectional density of 0.328. Currently not legal for elephants, though it shot thousands of them historically. Not quite as much sectional density as 450/400 but probably a lot more pleasant to shoot.

 

[AJ Peacock]

I guess you missed my post a half hour before yours (or maybe you have me on ignore?). 404J with 400 gr bullets = .320 section density. With 450 gr solids = .360 SD. And its 400 gr can be pushed to 2300 fps if desired, making 404J essentially equivalent to 416 Rigby.

I don't have you on an 'official ignore', I take great pride in ignoring you manually every day. JK.

AJ

 

[Rare Breed]

Well, my point is to have enough gun so one does not have to solely depend on the PH to have a shot at a charging animal. Some PHs I know will not let a client with a .375 take a frontal brain shot at big Botswana elephants.

Which is why I hunt elephant with a 450 NE or higher, but I will have hunted 3 elephant by 28 and plan on hunting more versus the OP sounds like he wants only 1 which will be a great accomplishment!!! I really like his vision to take the Big 5!!!