Number one caliber for DGR

[dgr416]

I have a friend who builds rifles and he says 416 rem mag is the number one caliber for Dangerous game for Africa .I think its the best choice .The problem is hardly anyone is making a gun in it anymore .The 416 Ruger is making inroads but I think Ruger is the only one making guns .I was suprised in alaska the 338 win mag was number one and I hardly saw sny for sale .I dont think as many people hunt there as there use to be .I still like my 338-378 weatherby for open spaces and the 416 rem mag for thick stuff and bears as big as trucks .I did see lots of 375 Rugers in Alaska no 375 hh .I was suprised to see lots of 6.5 needmore rifles in Alaska .There were lots of people using 308s .I like the big rifles but 416 rem mag is my recoil limit with my torn rotaror cuff in my right arm .

 

[rnovi]

What do you want to hunt?

Personally, I have a .375 H&H and a 416 Rigby…forced to pick just one, I’d take the .375.

 

[BryceM]

If elephant is in the cards, .416 Rigby. If not, 375 H&H.

 

[dgr416]

I have 4 416 rem mags set there and three 338-378s just saw anothet one of those I like .I tried bigger many different rifles and settled on these two calibers .I still use my 338 win mag where its under 300 yards .I was ssking what everyone thinks the most popular DGR rifles are these days .I didnt see a single 416 ruger in Alaska but tons of 375 Rugers .I was suprised to ses no 375 hh rifles they went poof .Africa is way differnt but with hardly any elephant hunting any more there is a move towards the 416s I have been told for quite a while .The 458 win mag almost totally disapeared along with the 458 lott .

 

[375Fox]

I have 4 416 rem mags set there and three 338-378s just saw anothet one of those I like .I tried bigger many different rifles and settled on these two calibers .I still use my 338 win mag where its under 300 yards .I was ssking what everyone thinks the most popular DGR rifles are these days .I didnt see a single 416 ruger in Alaska but tons of 375 Rugers .I was suprised to ses no 375 hh rifles they went poof .Africa is way differnt but with hardly any elephant hunting any more there is a move towards the 416s I have been told for quite a while .The 458 win mag almost totally disapeared along with the 458 lott .

Since when is there “hardly any elephant hunting anymore”? The 458 win and 458 Lott are both still very common for African hunting. Any cartridge Winchester Model 70 or CZ 550 chambered in their rifles will be common in Africa so 375 H&H, 416 Remington, 416 Rigby, 458 win, 458 Lott.

It’s been a while but my last guide in Alaska had a Winchester model 70 stainless in 375 H&H. I’m not surprised the 375 Ruger is popular in Alaska though because Ruger makes an economical all weather rifle. I don’t know of a currently produced stainless 375 H&H at that price point.

 

[Slickshooter]

416 Rigby

 

[Ryan]

We can talk about the changes in Alaskan calibers another time, after all, I am Alaskan, been here over 30 years and chatted with a fair amount of hunters on the subject. But that isn't what you asked about.

The Numero Uno for DG is subjective. Double rifle or bolt-action rifles choices immediately divide things. But even I, someone who owns a 375 Ruger and loves it will say. You need something in the .4+ caliber for perfect for DGE.

One of the great PHs, Harry Selby, kept the 416 Rigby alive, but just barely. Funny thing, the 416 Remington was it's replacement right up until nostalgia and some gun makers brought the Rigby back. And now, the Rigby is the go-to and the Remington is waning. So a 416 IMO is perfection for a bolt action gun. Find ammo for either in the quantity you need and you have it.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Both the .375 Caliber and .416 Caliber are considered Medium Bores. I would say the .375 H&H to be the number one cartridge for dangerous game in Africa used by visiting sport hunters. And the .375 Ruger may have gained ground. The reasons are traveling with one rifle and the .375 offers extreme flexibility, can be used with relative safety for higher magnification scopes with less critical eye relief, and recoil for the majority is very tolerable. For the PH, I would say life starts at .416 and goes up from there. Further, the .416 Remington deserves a lot of respect. George Hoffman was a friend of mine and I very much like the .416 Hoffman. I credit George for Remington’s development of the .416 and Bill Ruger and CZ for making the .416 Rigby affordable for enthusiasts.

 

[DaddyFlip]

I wanted a 416 Rigby for decades for the history, nostalgia and the big case. When it finally came time to buy a 416 this year, the Rem Mag got the nod for rifle and component availability, cost to own and operate, wider load development range, and lower recoil potential. It may dwindle in numbers because Remington is gone and Ruger is only making its proprietary carts in safari now. The Model 70 should retain it for life. The factory customs like Parkwest and Hill Country will always offer it.

I bought a used Browning A-bolt Stainless Stalker in 375 H&H and fixed it up with a new magazine, scope and rings, and a paint job. Love it.

 

[Betterinthebush]

It was too appropriate to not copy and paste it.

 

[Rare Breed]

I have a friend who builds rifles and he says 416 rem mag is the number one caliber for Dangerous game for Africa .I think its the best choice .The problem is hardly anyone is making a gun in it anymore .The 416 Ruger is making inroads but I think Ruger is the only one making guns .I was suprised in alaska the 338 win mag was number one and I hardly saw sny for sale .I dont think as many people hunt there as there use to be .I still like my 338-378 weatherby for open spaces and the 416 rem mag for thick stuff and bears as big as trucks .I did see lots of 375 Rugers in Alaska no 375 hh .I was suprised to see lots of 6.5 needmore rifles in Alaska .There were lots of people using 308s .I like the big rifles but 416 rem mag is my recoil limit with my torn rotaror cuff in my right arm .

I respectivly disagree and if anyone had statistics I would be shocked to see that particular caliber. 416 Rigby maybe. I would bet my farm the 375 H&H by far dwarfs the 416 Remington

 

[Green Chile]

I don't think it's the 416, although that's an excellent choice. The #1 for many years has been the 375 H&H. It will take everything cleanly and makes an excellent one gun safari for duikers to elephant. I have done that myself even though I prefer a bit more in the 416 Rigby. 375 H&H is also the recoil limit of what most people can handle with a little practice. It's the easiest DG cartridge to get used to with limited amounts of practice.

 

[roklok]

I misread the title, I thought you were looking for input on DG cartridges for a Ruger No 1. That's why I opened it. Now that I am here, a few thoughts based on posts so far.

I live in Alaska, and use a .375 H&H for Alaskan hunting, among others. Don't own any Ruger cartridges.

No shortage of elephant hunting, I am hunting them next year. Overpopulated in a lot of areas.

My PH told me that .416 Remington ammunition is the most easily found .416 where he frequents.

Winchester 70s are still available in .416 Remington, so are numerous other rifles.

Of the 416s, the Remington would be my choice. My current DG rifles are .375 H&H and .458 WM.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Nothing wrong with a 416 REM mag. Another great caliber with slightly more recoil is the 458 Lott.

HH

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I have a friend who builds rifles and he says 416 rem mag is the number one caliber for Dangerous game for Africa .I think its the best choice .The problem is hardly anyone is making a gun in it anymore .The 416 Ruger is making inroads but I think Ruger is the only one making guns .I was suprised in alaska the 338 win mag was number one and I hardly saw sny for sale .I dont think as many people hunt there as there use to be .I still like my 338-378 weatherby for open spaces and the 416 rem mag for thick stuff and bears as big as trucks .I did see lots of 375 Rugers in Alaska no 375 hh .I was suprised to see lots of 6.5 needmore rifles in Alaska .There were lots of people using 308s .I like the big rifles but 416 rem mag is my recoil limit with my torn rotaror cuff in my right arm .

I like:
.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
.505 Gibbs
.600 Nitro Express

For a “Do-It-All” caliber from duiker to elephant, I would prefer:
.404 Jeffery
Or
.416 Remington Magnum
Or
.416 Rigby
Or
.500/416 Nitro Express
Or
.425 Westley Richards

I have accomplished the “Do-It-All-Status” with the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum. Albeit more out of compulsion than by choice. It serves me very well, but I do not advocate it’s use for body shots on big bull elephant.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

416 rem mag, best decision you will ever make, dont look back, just do it, get the 416 rem mag
tbh best rifle i own

 

[bigborelover]

For me its the 505 gibbs , low pressure cartidge. Lots of room in the case for hotter loads and relatively flat shooting.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

For me its the 505 gibbs , low pressure cartidge. Lots of room in the case for hotter loads and relatively flat shooting.

You’re learning fast, young man ! Well done.

 

[Bejane]

totally totally subjective, but I have to agree that a 416 rem mag is "my ideal"too

Ive seen 378 weatherby and this is devastating because it pushes a bullet at 2800fps, buffalo do not like this calibre, but can you handle the recoil?

whatever you recoil tolerance is, with a min legal DR calibre is "ideal"

For bolt action, I have noted that a 300gr going at 2500fps or faster, 400gr bullet at 24000 to 2500 fps, 500gr at 2400 works very well on all DG. And there are many calibres and wildcats that can achieve this. Up to you which calibre you like.

in doubles many people rave about 450-400, 450, 470 and 500 and up. They too work well with modern day mono bullets and expanding solids.

 

[spike.t]

416 rem mag, best decision you will ever make, dont look back, just do it, get the 416 rem mag
tbh best rifle i own

Just correcting this for you.....

416 Rigby best decision you will ever make, don't look back, just do it,get the 416 Rigby..tbh one of the best calibres I own....