Most Coveted Dangerous Game Calibers

[John Camp]

I have enjoyed reading about grown men "jonesing" for DG caliber rifles. I have heard of all theses calibers, most since I was a child: 416 Rigby, 450/400 NE, 404 Jeffry, 458 Lott, 505 Gibbs. There are also the many American dangerous game calibers, and I am sure many others. Of course I find the British calibers more romantic. I ask here: what is the most coveted / rarest caliber. Not necessarily the most coveted rifle, but caliber. Of course it might not be possible to separate the two. This is not a poll. I am just trying to better understand these magical calibers.

 

[Ray B]

There are two aspects regarding cartridges: 1, diameter and potential bullet weights, & 2, case configurations & powder capacity. The focus of a considerable amount of writing regarding various DG cartridges deal with the "killing effect" of certain calibers. some writers are in love with the .45" bore while others have different favorites. Others focus more on the cartridge shape, either a long sloping case for its ease of chambering or a sharp shouldered "modern" style with it efficient burning of powder. It will be interesting to review the various magical cartridges in light of each's characteristics.

 

[Wheels]

The 10.75 x 73 aka. 404j

 

[BnC 04]

X2 on the 404 Jeff

 

[Custom]

Make that 3

 

[Jeffrey]

4. oh four that is.

 

[John Camp]

wow on the 404 j. I have been reading so much lately on the 458 lott so I thought it would get some support.

 

[Royal27]

wow on the 404 j. I have been reading so much lately on the 458 lott so I thought it would get some support.

I have a Lott and love it.

That said, it's way too young to be considered a classic must have for nostalgia sake caliber.

It's like arguing that a 375 Ruger is better than a .375 H&H. A Ruger is inferior simply because it isn't an H&H .

 

[Aaron N]

I hear A LOT of people on here saying that .460 WBY is the best safari caliber ever made! Especially with a muzzle break

 

[tarbe]

I'm going to call it a tie between the 404J and the 450/400 Nitro Express...

Have the latter and jonesing for the former!

The 450 NE 3 1/4 ought to get more love than it does, I think.

Then there are the 450 and 475 NE No 2 cartridges that are so cool because they are so large!

 

[tarbe]

I hear A LOT of people on here saying that .460 WBY is the best safari caliber ever made! Especially with a muzzle break

I wanted to like this post, because it is funny.

But then I was afraid someone might think I actually agree!!

 

[tarbe]

It is funny though...we mostly all have a disdain for the 460 Wby, but we love the 450 Rigby...which is essentially a 460 Wby with the belt gone, a non-radiused shoulder and a lower SAAMI pressure limit.

 

[K-man]

.470 NE

 

[JakeH]

wow on the 404 j. I have been reading so much lately on the 458 lott so I thought it would get some support.

The Lott is without a doubt a fantastic caliber, but it just doesn’t have the history of something like the .404 Jeff or my personal favorite, the .450/400 Nitro Express.

 

[tarbe]

The Lott is without a doubt a fantastic caliber, but it just doesn’t have the history of something like the .404 Jeff or my personal favorite, the .450/400 Nitro Express.

Seriously...how can someone not dig these?

 

[tarbe]

.470 NE

Yum Yum 470NE.

 

[JakeH]

Seriously...how can someone not dig these?

View attachment 268132

Prior to joining this website I saw such calibers as an oddity, something that I knew existed but never had more than a passing thought of. You fine folks have taught me the error of my ways and while I’ll likely never own a double, I can just feel that Ruger No 1 in .450/400 NE in my hands.

 

[John Camp]

It is addictive. All I have is my little 416 Ruger, and I am still waiting on ammo so I have not even shot it yet. But, I am already trying to work my way into a 404 j.

 

[sierraone]

.404 J.

 

[JakeH]

It is addictive. All I have is my little 416 Ruger, and I am still waiting on ammo so I have not even shot it yet. But, I am already trying to work my way into a 404 j.

I’m still trying to weasel my way into a .375, be it a H&H or a Ruger.