Number one caliber for DGR

...My current DG rifles are .375 H&H and .458 WM.

+1 on this combo. But one consideration for me was the affordability & availability of left-handed rifles which isn't a factor for most people. I seriously considered a readily-available LH 375 Ruger until a couple of Winchesters at good prices fortuitously appeared.
 
I have taken 3 Cape buffalo, a hippo and an elephant with 375H&H, 416 Rem, 404Jeffery and 458 Win Mag, respectively.

For me, the 416 Rem is the sweet spot in terms of effect on the animal, recoil and ammo availability.

I will always have a 375H&H because I love the versatility of the cartridge. I sold my 458 Win when I got the 416 Rem. I have two rifles chambered in 404Jeffery. I am trying to sell the CZ 550.

I am not sure what to do with my Winchester M70 in 404Jeffery. The 416 Rem and 404Jeffery are essentially the same cartridge and I have enough high quality ammo for the 404 to last the rest of my DG hunting life so I can keep it and hunt with it but I sure do like my 416 Rem and high quality ammo is much easier to come by. I guess there are worse problems a fella could have than having two quality DG capable rifles at the ready.
 
Point of order.

"The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name." - Confucius

When we take a GM long pickup frame, and bolt a passenger body onto it, it becomes a Suburban. Not a single thing wrong with that, but it can no longer be called a pickup truck.

The op asked about Dangerous Game rifles. Now there are Plains Game rifles, mountain rifles, beanfield and sendero rifles, varmint rifles and on and on.

If the discussion is a one gun for everything with a 3-12x40 scope, it's the 375 H&H that's the reigning champion. I personally think the better term for this is a "Heavy Game" rifle.

The larger 404, 416, 458, etc. with a red dot or 1-6 scope are what enters my mind when I hear "Dangerous Game" rifle. I'm a 416 and 450 Rigby fan.

This is my opinion, and it's worth exactly what you paid for it, but the 500NE, 500 Jeff, 505 and larger are "Stopping Rifles". I need one like I need a hole in the foot, but if Krish comes up with another CZ550 in 505 Gibbs, my bank account is just going to have to take a hit. ;)

I'll call it a stopping rifle mostly because I need to stop buying rifles.
 
I am surprised that you are surprised the 338 win mag is the #1 caliber in Alaska. I actually suspect that the 416 Rem is down on the list of something like this. 338 win mag, 300 win mag, 338-06, 35 whelen and of course the 30-06. It would be interesting what others thought. I am not saying that the 416 Rem is not a great cartridge, anything 416 is great!!
 
Number one caliber for dangerous game must be .375 H&H Mag in quantity of rifles used. A .416 Rem Mag or .416 Rigby is an excellent choice for dangerous game calibers and in my opinion is a good step up from the .375 H&H Mag.

Good luck with finding a rifle and getting out to hunt dangerous game.
 
I have three DG Rifles
- 416 Rigby: Ele, Rhino, and Hippo on Land
- 375 H&H: Hippo in Water, Cape Buffalo, Lion, and Leopard
- 9.3 x 62: Leopard, Cape Buffalo???, Lion???

Of those three rifles I prefer the 9.3 x 62, but I have no issue with using the other two.
 
Croc hasn't been mentioned but a 375 is great croc medicine...bigger than needed but you will not get an exit on a croc neck shot. You want to shock that lizard and gravel his spine or you will end up having a bad day.
 
Croc hasn't been mentioned but a 375 is great croc medicine...bigger than needed but you will not get an exit on a croc neck shot. You want to shock that lizard and gravel his spine or you will end up having a bad day.
Hopefully I'll get the chance to put this to the test next july. ;)
 
Yea and if you want, you can use my 416 Rigby on something. I plan to bring a 2nd gun for sniping baboons and random PG.
 
Yea and if you want, you can use my 416 Rigby on something. I plan to bring a 2nd gun for sniping baboons and random PG.
Maybe a cow Buffalo, served right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy. :D
 
Even better is buffalo oxtail and gravy! I plan to chase some buff also after the group hunt. I never get enough of them.
 

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I have one of each (Ruger Alaskan Bush Rifles) new in the box - just waiting for someone to take them off my hands...
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Nice Report! Im about to pull the trigger on booking the LDE with Patrick. I have been talking about it with him for about 3 yrs now. Romain hit me up the other day with an offer I can't refuse for 2027.
Qwatali wrote on Charly L's profile.
Nice Report! Im about to pull the trigger on booking the LDE with Patrick. I have been talking about it with him for about 3 yrs now. Romain hit me up the other day with an offer I can't refuse for 2027.
LRich wrote on Andrew62's profile.
Andrew, I commented that your on 375 H&H for sale was the fair price.

Like I commented, my classic stainless has the original 24” barrel.

Did you buy yours with the barrel already cut down to 21” or did you do it (or a gunsmith)?
 
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