.416 for plains game?

[Doug3006]

I can’t answer regarding every game animal that one might pursue. All I can say is almost every animal that I’ve taken in Africa I could’ve taken with the 416 and there would’ve been no problem. All of them were taken within 200 yards. Most of them were taken under 100 yards. Of course, the 2 buffalo I’ve taken would have succumb to a 416. In fact, I used a 416 on one of them! Everything else would’ve died either on the spot or soon after being shot with a 416. The only animal I taken that I would not recommend a 416 for is a steenbok. I’d hate to think what a 416 would’ve done to that little critter.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Haven’t used a 416, but a 404 is pretty close. TSX bullets. Perfectly acceptable on plains game. I don’t shoot at great distances and if anything, after using each, prefer the 404 to my 30-06.

 

[BourbonTrail]

I stated this on another thread: It’s fine for PG, but it can be very damaging on small PG with the softer bullets.

I used 400 gr Nosler Partitions on lion, gemsbok, springbok, and warthog. On gemsbok it left a 2x diameter hole, but on the warthog and springbok it left 3”+ exit holes. Yardage was between 80 and 150 yards.

 

[luger6]

On my first trip with my 416 Taylor I shot Buffalo and a Kudu with 400gr A-frame. Then I switched to 340gr Woodleigh PPSN for fifteen PG from Eland to Bushbuck. I was very pleased and impressed with the result. On my second trip I couldn't get hold of the A-frame so it had to be 370gr North Fork SS and CPS. Used CPS on only two animals, a Duiker and Giraffe. The buffalo I shot went down after about ten meters after a shot with the 370SS. With a 416 you can take advantage of situations where the game is not perfectly positioned and with the right bullet you can still expect the bullet to reach vital organs.

North Fork 370 SS left from Kudu right from Buff. 366gr and 348gr .

 

[Altitude sickness]

Luger6, I am taking my newly acquired.416 Taylor to Zimbabwe in May. I plan to shoot many different sized animals with this rifle.
Model 70
Timney trigger
Custom stock
21” barrel

 

[luger6]

Nice gun, I'm sure it will serve you well in Zimbabwe. Mine is a Schultz and Larsen Victory.

 

[Altitude sickness]

It came with dummy rounds that I’ve been practicing with often. Aiming, dry fire and running the bolt. It’s a great handling rifle

 

[BeeMaa]

@Beck - Is there a specific reason you were looking to use a .416 caliber for PG? One gun safari? Primary animal is buffalo, hippo or elephant?

I’m a big fan of traveling light and taking only one rifle for a safari. If you shoot a 416 well and that’s your DG rifle, I see no reason why it couldn’t be used for PG. But I also believe in using the appropriate caliber for the game, and a 416 is a bit much.

If you were doing a dedicated PG safari, I’d say there are better options like anything from 7x57 to 35W or even a 375H&H.

Lastly is renting a camp rifle to supplement whichever rifle you bring. Talk to your outfitter, I’m sure they will have a few options to choose from.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I will speak for my reason. I’m hunting a large DG animal then backing my wife on Buffalo, and all the while will be collecting bait for her leopard bait. I also won’t pass a mature Eland. So one rifle will cover it all. Plus it’s smaller over all size. Smaller than many PG rifles.

 

[BeeMaa]

I will speak for my reason. I’m hunting a large DG animal then backing my wife on Buffalo, and all the while will be collecting bait for her leopard bait. I also won’t pass a mature Eland. So one rifle will cover it all. Plus it’s smaller over all size. Smaller than many PG rifles.

Makes perfect sense to me, especially the backing up your wife. Not that she isn’t a wonderful hunter, but protecting your/her best interests…I get it.

Best of luck to you both.

 

[Red Leg]

I will speak for my reason. I’m hunting a large DG animal then backing my wife on Buffalo, and all the while will be collecting bait for her leopard bait. I also won’t pass a mature Eland. So one rifle will cover it all. Plus it’s smaller over all size. Smaller than many PG rifles.

What is the plan for the cat?

 

[Altitude sickness]

Red Leg, She will use a .308

 

[fourfive8]

A 416 at reasonably conservative impact velocity and heavily built bullet do very well with minimal damage on small PG. The smaller the animal the less the potential damage. A 400 gr bullet in most 416s is limited to around 23-2400 fps muzzle velocity or less. Speed up a lighter, more frangible expanding bullet and expect more tissue damage. Most 416s are actually ideal for really small plains game but accuracy and shooting ability are obviously important as the vital area on little PG is small. Kinetic energy works equally in both directions and is geometrically velocity dependent - both on the bullet and on the terminal target. Shooting a duiker with a 400 gr DG 416 bullet at normal velocity will result in a 1/2" hole right through no matter where hit. Try that with a lighter, frangible or expanding bullet at a much higher, bragging rights, velocity.... then report back the results.

 

[luger6]

Accuracy in my rifle is good enough to get some small game for the kitchen.

 

[GreenT]

The first kill I made with my .416 Rem Mag was this Niassa wildebeest; one factory 400 grain Swift A-Frame from 100 yards, through a Ruger #1 rifle, broadside through the chest and the bullet stopped under the hide on the off side. (I was surprised it didn't pass through, so I guess there was enough body mass and bullet expansion to realize complete energy transfer). The bull made a 40 yard dash and piled up. We were after Cape Buffalo at the time, which is why I wasn't carrying my 30.06, but the .416 worked great. My PH said he had once guided a hunter who used a .416 exclusively on a combo hunt for Buffalo and the Tiny Ten! Probably not the best match of caliber and game, but if you only want to bring one gun then it's certainly doable. One wouldn't have to worry much about trajectory, considering the range of most shot opportunities in Africa, and - as others have mentioned - be mindful of the effect of solids versus expanding bullets when choosing a load for a particular species (as it relates to the issue of tissue damage).
Good hunting!

 

[Altitude sickness]

Gorgeous animal

 

[Daisy]

I had a 225 tipped raptor load worked up for my 416. Similar point of impact to my 370 safari raptor and 400 Maximus at 100 yards.

That said the 400 Maximus has a great BC and has similar drop at 200 and 300 yards as a 185gr 30/06. I probably would just use it for everything.

 

[analog_peninsula]

This hog made it about 75 yards after a body hit with the 416, but there was a trail that a blind man could probably follow. Only a CNS hit guarantees a DRT reaction, and even that assumes perfect shot placement every time.

 

[Red Leg]

Red Leg, She will use a .308View attachment 582572

Perfect! Looks like quality optics as well. Bet she parks him at the base of the tree. Can't wait to read the report.

 

[flatwater bill]

@Beck I have bought some 300 grainers for my Rigby, but haven't used them on PG yet. Having the same question. Good thread..............FWB