Plains game rifle with big game capability 416 rigby vs 375 debate

[kirtmorris]

To start, I just got back from an amazing trip from Omujeve safaris in Namibia. I’m starting to plan the next with them. I took a 6,5x47, 300wm, and 450/400 krieghoff double on this trip. All were more than adequate for what I hunted. All of my bolt Guns are custom and I want a large bore which I don’t currently have. I’m trying to decide what to build and what action to use. Any input would be appreciated. I know the specs on both cartridges but wanted advice of those in similar situations. I would want to use this one on animals ranging from kudu to buffalo.

thanks in advance

 

[Tom Leoni]

I have owned a .416 before I owned a .375. I have since sold the .416. I own about 10 high-end ready-to-use sporting rifles in different calibers, but the one that always comes out of the safe for an important hunt--here in the USA or abroad--is the .375.

There are precisely *zero* hunting situations you can't face with a .375, while carrying a rifle of decent weight, getting a great trajectory out to 300 yards, shooting it over and over without developing a flinch, and finding factory ammo as well as a myriad components and bullet weights at a reasonable price. I view the .375 as the .30-06 of medium bores.

With the .416 you are getting into much more specialized territory. It kicks noticeably more (all other things being equal), it is not as flexible for handloading and it is considerably more expensive to shoot. As far as buffalo, the .416 may have a slight edge but ask yourself: how often will you hunt one as opposed to the 40+ species of plains game, not to mention other types of ungulates in different continents? And each year hundreds of buffalo fall to the .375 without any fuss.

Even for stopping a charge--one of the most-cited (and statistically least relevant) scenarios we like to bring up--the difference between the two may not be pronounced enough to opt for the .416. If you start from that premise to build a rifle, you may as well buy one of the .458s or a .500. But then you'll pay the price in recoil, cost, and shooting enjoyment.

I've killed from whitetail deer to eland with my .375--and all with the same load. Never a complaint. On the other hand, if it is a .416 you want, go for it--as long as you know what you're getting yourself into. Bigger is cooler and if it is for kicks you're building this rifle, have at it!

 

[Safari Dave]

I have a .375 H&H in a Winchester Model 70 and a .416 Rigby CZ 550.

I've taken a kudu and gemsbok with the .375 and a buffalo with the .416. In my rifles, the felt recoil is about the same for both.


I would lean towards the .416 because of the buffalo. The trajectory is pretty similar, but the .416 has quite a bit more energy.

 

[Joker12]

Both are great choices!

 

[wesheltonj]

My vote is the 375 H&H. I don't like recoil, and the 375 is about all i want to take and still shoot accurately.

 

[Tanks]

...

With the .416 you are getting into much more specialized territory. It kicks noticeably more (all other things being equal), it is not as flexible for handloading and it is considerably more expensive to shoot. As far as buffalo, the .416 may have a slight edge but ask yourself: how often will you hunt one as opposed to the 40+ species of plains game, not to mention other types of ungulates in different continents? ...

.416 was my plains game rifle and I have taken an Elk at 300+ yards with it as well. It has plenty of bullets for handloading (I liked CEB for it). It is very accurate (I was ringing steel at 500 yards at Elk camp prior to hunt as shots could be at that range). .416 Rigby was a big favorite of John Taylor if you want some historical context. Because I always took two rifles, I also looked at it as my DG backup if needed.

Also, it depends on what one hunts and sets a priority on. I have hunted more elephants and buffalo than species of plains game. My upcoming Zambia hunt for Sable will be my first ever specifically PG hunt, and even then I am going there after my elephant/buffalo hunt at Zimbabwe. Also, if the OP ever goes on a strictly PG hunt, well he has his .300WM.

And, the OP wants a big bore, not a medium bore, so that lets .375 out

 

[Red Leg]

They both work as dual purpose calibers. So, for me, it is about the rifle. I hate lugging unnecessary weight - whether in a gun case or on my shoulder. If I have a choice between two rifles and one will do everything the other one will, and do it while weighing two pounds less, then it is no contest. My R8 in .375 is like carrying a 30-06. My .404 is like carrying - well, a .404.

 

[Tanks]

...My R8 in .375 is like carrying a 30-06. My .404 is like carrying - well, a .404.

How about your R8 with the .404J barrel you purchased last year?

 

[Red Leg]

How about your R8 with the .404J barrel you purchased last year?

Still trying to figure out why.

 

[kirtmorris]

I have owned a .416 before I owned a .375. I have since sold the .416. I own about 10 high-end ready-to-use sporting rifles in different calibers, but the one that always comes out of the safe for an important hunt--here in the USA or abroad--is the .375.

There are precisely *zero* hunting situations you can't face with a .375, while carrying a rifle of decent weight, getting a great trajectory out to 300 yards, shooting it over and over without developing a flinch, and finding factory ammo as well as a myriad components and bullet weights at a reasonable price. I view the .375 as the .30-06 of medium bores.

With the .416 you are getting into much more specialized territory. It kicks noticeably more (all other things being equal), it is not as flexible for handloading and it is considerably more expensive to shoot. As far as buffalo, the .416 may have a slight edge but ask yourself: how often will you hunt one as opposed to the 40+ species of plains game, not to mention other types of ungulates in different continents? And each year hundreds of buffalo fall to the .375 without any fuss.

Even for stopping a charge--one of the most-cited (and statistically least relevant) scenarios we like to bring up--the difference between the two may not be pronounced enough to opt for the .416. If you start from that premise to build a rifle, you may as well buy one of the .458s or a .500. But then you'll pay the price in recoil, cost, and shooting enjoyment.

I've killed from whitetail deer to eland with my .375--and all with the same load. Never a complaint. On the other hand, if it is a .416 you want, go for it--as long as you know what you're getting yourself into. Bigger is cooler and if it is for kicks you're building this rifle, have at it!

Very helpful mr Tom, thanks

 

[F. Vaccaro]

I am a .375 fan, having never hunted Africa, I still like the .375. It’s marvelous on elk & we do have grizzlies in most of our hunting areas. I’ve taken mule deer with it & you can eat up to the bullet hole.
With the 235gr Speer, it really splatters ground squirrels too!

 

[Phil Giordano]

I love my 416, but my vote is for 375 if you intend your rifle for PG. King of versatility. To me, no contest.

 

[kirtmorris]

I am a .375 fan, having never hunted Africa, I still like the .375. It’s marvelous on elk & we do have grizzlies in most of our hunting areas. I’ve taken mule deer with it & you can eat up to the bullet hole.
With the 235gr Speer, it really splatters ground squirrels too!

I’m also shooting a 210 grain 300wm bullet is why I keep erring in a larger step in caliber.

 

[TOBY458]

To me, if Buffalo is the upper end, and PG is the main focus, I'd say a 375 in a trim easy to carry package would do nicely. I'm actually facing this same dilemma right now, with the added caveat of Elephant and dry land Hippo to go along with my Buffalo. So, in this case I've opted to take my 416 Rem Mag in lieu of the 375, even though I know the 375 would probably work just fine under normal circumstances. The added 1.5lbs of my 416 is not too much to fuss over, and the recoil, although noticeably more, is not unmanageable by any means.

In the past I've used a 375 for all sorts of PG, and found it works very well. Have also taken Cape Buffalo, Water Buffalo, and Lion. If you put the bullet where it's supposed to go, you'll be quite satisfied. And if you decide to move up to 416, you'll be better equipped for Elephant and Hippo, if you decide to hunt those in the future.

 

[Safari Dave]

To me, if Buffalo is the upper end, and PG is the main focus, I'd say a 375 in a trim easy to carry package would do nicely. I'm actually facing this same dilemma right now, with the added caveat of Elephant and dry land Hippo to go along with my Buffalo. So, in this case I've opted to take my 416 Rem Mag in lieu of the 375, even though I know the 375 would probably work just fine under normal circumstances. The added 1.5lbs of my 416 is not too much to fuss over, and the recoil, although noticeably more, is not unmanageable by any means.

In the past I've used a 375 for all sorts of PG, and found it works very well. Have also taken Cape Buffalo, Water Buffalo, and Lion. If you put the bullet where it's supposed to go, you'll be quite satisfied. And if you decide to move up to 416, you'll be better equipped for Elephant and Hippo, if you decide to hunt those in the future.

Can't disagree with this logic.


In my situation, the Winchester 70 in .375 and the CZ in .416 weigh almost exactly the same. Something about the Euro stock and the softer recoil pad of the CZ make it no less punishing than the .375.

If you are one and done on buffalo, the .375 would be fine.

If you foresee 25% or more of your future hunts being for buffalo, hippo or elephant, then I would opt for the .416

 

[Tanks]

If I was being nostalgic and building another custom gun for DG I would go with a .450 Rigby today. I do have too many .4XX rifles already though.

 

[Inline6]

It's a right of passage, get the 375h&h than you can't be without one again, then you will step up to a 416 because it is a good balance between a 375 and 458. You will then wonder is the 458 that much better. After that you are either satisfied or you start trying to figure out how to step up the power. The gents on the board will be more than happy to help you along the way.

 

[Newboomer]

It's a right of passage, get the 375h&h than you can't be without one again, then you will step up to a 416 because it is a good balance between a 375 and 458. You will then wonder is the 458 that much better. After that you are either satisfied or you start trying to figure out how to step up the power. The gents on the board will be more than happy to help you along the way.

375HH. 235gr Barnes TSX for anything from mice up to eland. Barnes 350gr TSX for larger dg, You're covered for anything that walks the earth and ammo and components are available worldwide.

 

[Inline6]

Not a fan of the 350gr in a 375h&h

 

[AES]

For me, it’s the 416. Great in all respects.