Elephant caliber

[Tibavati]

A correctly placed frontal or side head/brain shot with a high quality solid ( Barnes, Woodleigh, etc) out of your 375 will cleanly kill the elephant. Pick the 300 or 350 gr bullet that gives you the best precision. If you still want the 458 but have not bought one, the go with the 458 Lott. Look at a pre-owned CZ 550 Safari. CZ quit making these in 2020. I borrowed my PH's in the Outback and killed two fine buff. Well made before 2020. As for elephant, I have killed two, both with Heym Express bolt rifle in 500NE. Look at Ammoseek.com for ammo.

 

[Fulvio]

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.

The 458 Win Mag is enough provided you stay within 50 yards/meters though the 416 Rigby/Rem calibers are very fashionable/effective.

 

[Nomaz]

A correctly placed frontal or side head/brain shot with a high quality solid ( Barnes, Woodleigh, etc) out of your 375 will cleanly kill the elephant. Pick the 300 or 350 gr bullet that gives you the best precision. If you still want the 458 but have not bought one, the go with the 458 Lott. Look at a pre-owned CZ 550 Safari. CZ quit making these in 2020. I borrowed my PH's in the Outback and killed two fine buff. Well made before 2020. As for elephant, I have killed two, both with Heym Express bolt rifle in 500NE. Look at Ammoseek.com for ammo.

Honestly though, for elephant I’d trust whatever rifle you handle best under pressure more than just chasing bigger caliber numbers.

 

[coreydb]

The 375 H&H is all you need. It's a great DG round that also includes elephants. Of course, if you want another rifle just to have another rifle.......

 

[MTNYALA]

Back in the good old days of hunting elephant in the highland rain forests of Ethiopia, after trial and some near fatal error,
we chambered every .458 WM in the company on out to .458 Lott.

 

[farmer_john]

I askes the same question a while ago
Consensus was for ele and hippo
" if your hunting pacyderms it needs to start with a .4"
So i got 1 gun and its a 404 its gonna be what i put my memoriess in

 

[Tibavati]

My PH carries a 458 Lott. I would try to find a pre-owned CZ 550 safari in the Lott. Try to find the CZ that was built about 20-30 years ago. I carry a Heym Express Rifle (bolt gun) in 500NE.

 

[Hornyman]

I'm a lefty and looking to create my first DG rifle, one that can handle Elephant in the near future.

Finding an affordable lefty is near impossible.

Can someone please critique my thought process.

Ruger .375 in lefty -> rebarreled to Ruger .416. All for under 5k.

Honest feedback please...preferably from those that have actually killed elephants.

* since posting this I found some good threads on this website regarding the re barrel (they werent coming up in my search function but found them through google). If anyone has had experience with Ruger .416 on elephant Id love to hear the results.

 

[sgt_zim]

North Fork and Barnes both make 350 gr solids in 375. At 2300-ish fps, they'll both hit like a freight train. Personally would opt for the NF is it's a flat nose solid. But that's just me.

No need to rebarrel unless you just REALLY, REALLY want to.

If my missus ever decides she wants to go after ele, that's what I'll load up for her Ruger #1H. We're both lefties, I lucked up and found an MRC Alaskan in LH 404 Jeff.

 

[R eight]

Honestly though, for elephant I’d trust whatever rifle you handle best under pressure more than just chasing bigger caliber numbers.

+ 1

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

.375 H&H with a premium solid and a rifle that you shoot accurately should get it done. I would recommend chronograph to confirm velocity.

Beyond that, .416 Rigby, 458 Lott, 450 Rigby, 450 Dakota. Quality 400 - 500 Grain Solids seem to be very effective when the shot placement and velocity is consistent…

 

[skydiver386]

I'm a lefty and looking to create my first DG rifle, one that can handle Elephant in the near future.

Finding an affordable lefty is near impossible.

Can someone please critique my thought process.

Ruger .375 in lefty -> rebarreled to Ruger .416. All for under 5k.

Honest feedback please...preferably from those that have actually killed elephants.

* since posting this I found some good threads on this website regarding the re barrel (they werent coming up in my search function but found them through google). If anyone has had experience with Ruger .416 on elephant Id love to hear the results.

CZ made the 550 Safari Magnum in left hand versions. Most are 375 H&H and 458Win, but occasionally you will find a 458 Lott. They haven't been produced since 2019, but pop up on the used market occasionally. Left hand versions of these rifles usually go for a lot less than the right hand versions.

 

[R eight]

I'm a lefty and looking to create my first DG rifle, one that can handle Elephant in the near future.

Finding an affordable lefty is near impossible.

Can someone please critique my thought process.

Ruger .375 in lefty -> rebarreled to Ruger .416. All for under 5k.

Honest feedback please...preferably from those that have actually killed elephants.

* since posting this I found some good threads on this website regarding the re barrel (they werent coming up in my search function but found them through google). If anyone has had experience with Ruger .416 on elephant Id love to hear the results.

Blaser R8

 

[K-man]

I'm a lefty and looking to create my first DG rifle, one that can handle Elephant in the near future.

Finding an affordable lefty is near impossible.

Can someone please critique my thought process.

Ruger .375 in lefty -> rebarreled to Ruger .416. All for under 5k.

Honest feedback please...preferably from those that have actually killed elephants.

* since posting this I found some good threads on this website regarding the re barrel (they werent coming up in my search function but found them through google). If anyone has had experience with Ruger .416 on elephant Id love to hear the results.

I have a blaser r8 with an aftermarket .416 ruger barrel. Very simple to get an r8 lefthanded. Factory bullets are limited to Hornady dgx and dgs. It is fairly easy to get hendershots or other companies to custom load Barnes or northfork or other ammunition for you. Simple, great triggers and easy to get through airports. I have used mine on 2 elephants, 2 buffalo and a hippo. All one shot kills. You would also have the option to take another barrel like a .300 win mag along for plains game.

 

[mooze]

I'm a lefty and looking to create my first DG rifle, one that can handle Elephant in the near future.

Finding an affordable lefty is near impossible.

Can someone please critique my thought process.

Ruger .375 in lefty -> rebarreled to Ruger .416. All for under 5k.

Honest feedback please...preferably from those that have actually killed elephants.

* since posting this I found some good threads on this website regarding the re barrel (they werent coming up in my search function but found them through google). If anyone has had experience with Ruger .416 on elephant Id love to hear the results.

You can rebarrel any gun that was either a 300 WINmag or a 300 PRC to a 416 Ruger without having to change magazine follower or lips very much and the magazine length is correct as well. Such guns are probably easier to find than 375 ruger

 

[pc3]

375 with a good solid will do the task at hand you are preparing for .
I have never hunted Africa this will be accomplished in 2027 with a 21 day safari 5 of the dangerous 7 on the list including bull elephant first animal on the safari .
I have hunted all over the USA and have taken quiet a few animals with 375 nothing wrong with a 375
I was going to take my model 70 in 458 WM on this safari .Except I will only be using lead bullets on this safari and the 458 WM just cant cut it with a heavy lead bullets . So I am switching to the 458 Lott which can handle up to 700 grain bullets. Now the 458 WM will be excellent with a 450 gr solid at 2300 fps with modern solid ammo on the market today. Reports on the 450 solid in the 458 WM. at 2300 fps will shoot completely through the elephant head . The 458 Lott is replacing the 458 WM today Finding brass for the 458 WM is starting to be difficult in the US . 458 Lott brass is all over the place.I only point this out if you will be reloading your ammo . In a pinch the 458 Lott will shoot 458 WM ammo.
Yes you can use the 416’s but your 375 will be real close with the 350 gr bullets on the market today .
If you are just wanting a bigger gun then buy a 458 lott take it on the safari then sell it unless you are planning on hunting elephant again , The 458 WM and the 458 Lott will be a lot more recoil than your 375 if you are recoil sensitive stay with the 375 and have a great safari.
A 600 nitro is no good if you cant put the bullet in the right place when SHTF and a charge happens . Sounds like you know your 375 well I would say stay with it and shoot 350 gr solid bullet .
Looking forward to seeing the report when you return from your safari .

The same goes for the .416 Rigby excellent Woodleigh bullets in 450gr variety.

I believe the .416 is the perfect level of power and recoil, the “shootability” of a .375 and it closes the gap a little on the superior power levels of the various .458’s so aliitle
more punch than the .375 but still with the ability to place a shot accurately. The .416 is also an execellnt penetrator. I’d be happy to use the .416 when I finally get to hunt elephant, but hopefully I’ll have a .500 NE double for that hunt

 

[coyote wacker]

I'm a lefty and looking to create my first DG rifle, one that can handle Elephant in the near future.

Finding an affordable lefty is near impossible.

Can someone please critique my thought process.

Ruger .375 in lefty -> rebarreled to Ruger .416. All for under 5k.

Honest feedback please...preferably from those that have actually killed elephants.

* since posting this I found some good threads on this website regarding the re barrel (they werent coming up in my search function but found them through google). If anyone has had experience with Ruger .416 on elephant Id love to hear the results.

Last May I found a Ruger 77 Mark II in 7 mm RM in left hand at a very good price. Been looking for one to have rebarreled to 458 WM. Gun is still being worked on barrel installed by Pac-Nor just waiting on the sights and barrel band to come in and be installed. Hope its completed very shortly !

If your looking for a Ruger you need to find it quick before scalpers start putting higher prices on them. Ruger 77's are a good candidate to rebarrel.

 

[mark-hunter]

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 shot mine with 416 rigby, becasue that was rental gun available in Zim.
Otherwise my plan was to hunt with 375 H&H.
My presumption was I will hunt elephant in Caprivi, Namibia, where importing the rifle is easier than to Zim. But, the destiny took me to Zim. Best laid plans, and so on... So, I used rental gun. My buffalo I got with my 375 H&H.

SHTF scenario.
My resoning is, my job is to make accurate first shot.
PH job is to back me up, and stop the charge. Choice of rifle and caliber to stop the charge is his. My job is to choose the rifle I can shoot accurately.

Hunting is team work. And DG hunting is absolute teamwork, with individual responsibilities.
So one gun with one purpose for PH, and different gun, with different purpose for client.