'..the horror, the horror...' Apocalypse Now....
Recoil of any Heavy Recoil Rifle can be managed by various after market recoil reducing products/ systems. Or combination of said products/ systems.
Weapon design...well that is another beast to discuss.
It ALL boils down to
MULTI PURPOSE !!:
In ALL of North America and Most of the World the 30-06 is King!!!
Except in Africa!!!...the 375 H&H is King!!! ALL Other Calibers are IMO specific to what species is being hunted....there are better calibers and better / multi species specific ammo!!.
Bigger or Smaller Caliber is never better If the shooter can not be proficient in using it!!.
Choosing a weapon caliber should also include the various types of ammo that can be used!!. limiting ones choices of variety of ammo is basically limiting the use of a weapon to a specific purpose!!. WHY?? would anyone choose such a tool when a multi purpose weapon that can use a much more variety of ammo for multiple purposes is available??.
Examples: in this scenario;
North American hunter using a 460 Weatherby that hunts moose and bear regularly, IMO is an albeit a good caliber and to have to hunt All African animals.
However,
Does a North American really need a .4+ caliber to hunt North American animals...NO!!. Is a .4+ caliber better for hunting the largest and potentially dangerous of North American animals??..Yes!!..WITH EXCEPTION...Range!!. limitations.
In Africa same applies!!.
Hunting Dangerous Game; the Big 5; The Dangerous 7, a PH carrying a .4+, .5+ caliber is definitely a plus!!. But not necessarily needed in North America, or in Europe, or in any other part of the world.
No sir not at all, I only need to justify it to myself and I recently did that when I decided I will (God willing and the bank don't close) hunt a Cape Buff over the next few years. Just like I didn't order the 375 until I put Eland on my next safari list. No I don't need a 375 for Eland but it IS justifiable for that use and I sure have no use for it in south GA! Lol. So no sir I'm asking for real world experienced opinions because I have no way of shooting one myself before buying. I've talked myself into and out of the Ultrmags a dozen times and I too almost went with the 340 instead of the 338 WM. I admit I like a bit of overkill and with a 375 I don't need the 416 or 460 but I want a true big bore and figure I may as well go all the way but I don't want to screw up and have something ridiculous and borderline unusable. I guess I'm asking if the 460 is beyond reasonable usefulness. Btw my PH is great, obviously I'll have to show that I can shoot whatever I bring but otherwise he'll just give me hell about being overpowered and trying to compensate for something while I argue that he's just a pansy that don't like being outgunned.
I admire and applaud your tenacity. And you are very well correct.
Although the 460 would be a good choice for an eland as well with a lighter bullet for extended range over the 375. But I do love my 375.
My African battery is:
30-06
375 H&H
458 Win Mag
I picked up the 458WM as a package deal with the 375 H&H, other wise I would have chosen another of the .4 calibers.
Since it's earlier conception 458WM ammo has improved much like the 9mm. Thus I will be forever be content with my 458 WM.
I sincerely hope you will enjoy and be ever so content with your 460 Weatherby.
Happy Hunting. I'll be looking forward to hopefully one of many African DG reports from you. And perhaps some moose and bear reports as well.
