450 grain 416 for elephant

[wvfred]

Was curious if anyone here has used 450 grain 416 bullets on elephant and how they performed?

 

[VertigoBE]

Works quite well:

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Was curious if anyone here has used 450 grain 416 bullets on elephant and how they performed?

They will perform very well, but the trajectory will not be as flat as the traditional 400-410Gr bullet. Within 70-80 yards however, you will have a really heavy hitter.

 

[Green Chile]

You can go heavier of course as long as you don't mind reducing the all around nature of that caliber. Same with 375. I will tell you there's nothing the 400 grain can't do in the 416. I get exits on some ele body shots.

 

[uplander01]

I wouldn't hesitate to use 400's, and with a 416 rigby where you could get some real horsepower behind it, heck ya on the 450's.

 

[wvfred]

I'm using a 416 Remington.

 

[Fatback]

I am looking forward to seeing how my 400 grain Barnes flat nosed solids preform on elephant out of my 416 Rem.

The 404Jeffery version of that bullet was great on a hippo on land for me so I am a believer in that bullet.

 

[wvfred]

I ordered some 450 grain Norma ammo to give it a try. I hope to go after elephant late this year or 2026 depends on how family matters work out.

 

[IvW]

Works quite well:

Stone dead before he hit the ground......well done!

 

[VertigoBE]

Stone dead before he hit the ground......well done!

Despite being only at 12m, it was not an easy shot. I was not at a perfect side angle, but about 30 degrees (if 90 degrees would be perfect frontal) . That’s why I was hesitating so much before pulling the trigger, I tried to visualise the location of the brain in that massive head. Also definitely had to shoot upward, it was noticeable.

 

[wvfred]

Vertigo did the bullet exit or did you recover it?

Works quite well:

 

[VertigoBE]

Vertigo did the bullet exit or did you recover it?

The first shot, the one from the video, did not exit and was not found. The second shot was recovered in the back of the tongue.

I was using factory Norma 416 Rigby with 450gr Woodleighs.

 

[wvfred]

I just ordered 5 boxes of Norma ammo for the 416 Remington with the same bullet.I will see how they shoot in my rifle and go from there.

 

[IvW]

Despite being only at 12m, it was not an easy shot. I was not at a perfect side angle, but about 30 degrees (if 90 degrees would be perfect frontal) . That’s why I was hesitating so much before pulling the trigger, I tried to visualise the location of the brain in that massive head. Also definitely had to shoot upward, it was noticeable.

Perfect shot presentation is not always presented and as can be seen there is always some.form of brush etc. To contend with.
Heavy for caliber bullets are always my preferance as they get the job done.

Excellent shot placement....

 

[VertigoBE]

Perfect shot presentation is not always presented and as can be seen there is always some.form of brush etc. To contend with.
Heavy for caliber bullets are always my preferance as they get the job done.

Excellent shot placement....

Thanks @IvW, lots of studying and getting input from you and others helped tremendously!