Your preferred DG cartridge

[Pondoro]

Pondoro, didn’t you also own a .458 Wincester Magnum BRNO ZKK602 and a custom .500 Jeffery built on a BRNO ZKK602 action ?

Yes..that .458 got rebarreled to .500 Jeffery.. That proved to be unbearable recoilwise so consequently I rebarreled it to .416 Rigby..

 

[Green Chile]

The 500J is a lot and on the edge or beyond for 99% of shooters. I've owned 2 and while I could shoot them, I didn't enjoy practicing. The 505 Gibbs would be about the same.

 

[Fatback]

I have used 375 H&H and 458 Win on buffalo, 404 Jeffery on dry land hippo and a 300 Win on leopard. I also used the 300 Win on an Alaskan brown bear and it did the job there as well.

While I really enjoy hunting with my 375 and plan on using it on my lion hunt in 2027, I do believe when hunting buff, hippo or elephant I will be using something that starts with a 4, most likely my 404 Jeffery. Although, I do have a 416 Rem Mag coming that will have to get a chance at some point on something dangerous.

 

[SRvet]

As the question related to DG only I answered .458 as hunting leopard is of little interest to me for some reason. I would of course also take a .375 H&H with me as well as that’s the only reasonable thing to do!

 

[TOBY458]

My vote is for 458. Lott or Win Mag. Although I’ve taken the vast majority of my DG with a 375 H&H.

 

[CZDiesel]

I have used 375 H&H and 458 Win on buffalo, 404 Jeffery on dry land hippo and a 300 Win on leopard. I also used the 300 Win on an Alaskan brown bear and it did the job there as well.

While I really enjoy hunting with my 375 and plan on using it on my lion hunt in 2027, I do believe when hunting buff, hippo or elephant I will be using something that starts with a 4, most likely my 404 Jeffery. Although, I do have a 416 Rem Mag coming that will have to get a chance at some point on something dangerous.

Did you not like the performance on Buff by the 458?

 

[Fatback]

Did you not like the performance on Buff by the 458?

The 458 Win did a great job on my buff last year in Zim. I used a 450 grain Aframe that preformed perfectly. It was the first and only animal I have shot with the rifle, to date.

I would happily use it again. However, it is at the max of what I am comfortable shooting recoil wise and that is the only draw back for me. My 458 is lighter than my 404 and 416 which I am sure contributes to the recoil of this particular rifle. It is just less fun to practice with is all.

 

[Alan D P]

I must be the rogue... I love my .416 Rem. I've taken cape buff (no issues), and most large game down from that with it. I also like the .416 Ruger, but no experience with it. The .416 Rem. has been around for a long time, and is still in the runnin' for a dangerous game preference, according to my PH's, although both of them carry .458's when hunting dangerous game. One other PH with whom I've hunted preferred his .375 Ruger. I have that cal. also, and like it extremely well. It would have been fine for cape buffalo, but I'm set on my .416 Rem. for such hunts. (400 gr. Swift A-Frame and 400 gr. Barnes solids... handloads.)

 

[CZDiesel]

The 458 Win did a great job on my buff last year in Zim. I used a 450 grain Aframe that preformed perfectly. It was the first and only animal I have shot with the rifle, to date.

I would happily use it again. However, it is at the max of what I am comfortable shooting recoil wise and that is the only draw back for me. My 458 is lighter than my 404 and 416 which I am sure contributes to the recoil of this particular rifle. It is just less fun to practice with is all.

I hear you on that and that is why I said to the OP to make sure he can handle the recoil of a 458. My 375 H&H is 10lbs and a pussycat to shoot. My 458WinMag is 8lbs without a scope and bases and hits your shoulder at over 70ftlbs! It’s a handful!