Having not been to Africa yet, I cannot address kills, etc. I think the ballistics are so close as to be a dead heat between the 416 Ruger and the 416 Rem Mag. You can still buy factory ammo for both, but I would not call either plentiful stateside. The Rem Mag is probably MUCH more common in Africa, which is an important consideration. I bought the 416 Ruger for the following reasons:
1. Rifles are MUCH cheaper and come with integral scope mounts and rings, muzzle brake for bench work, balanced muzzle attachments which maintain POI when hunting w/o brake. These would all be custom only features on other rifles.
2. I have been able to collect almost 1000 rounds a Hornady brass.
3. I can make 416 Ruger brass from 300 PRC brass which is fairly common and relatively inexpensive. I have over 1000 fired 300 PRC cases made by ADG, which it thicker and heavier than even the Hornady 416 brass.
4. While the ballistics are almost identical, the Ruger does it with a shorter case, which translates into being able to use shorter barrels without any significant velocity loss. (I like short barrels where quick shots in dense vegetation may be needed.)
5. I live where summer temps are regularly between 110 and 120 degrees F. So I can make sure my reloads and rifle function in extreme heat BEFORE I need to rely on them in Africa.
What I am trying to figure out is whether 400grs at 2400 to 2500 from the 416 Ruger (duplicates Rigby with less powder and recoil and is very near 404J in hot modern loads) is overkill, compared to 400grs .411 bullets at 2100 to 2200 from my 400 Whelen (uses 30-06 brass, duplicates 450/400 ballistics with less powder and recoil than even the relatively mild 450/400, and is rimless for use in bolt action rifles. In fact the 400 Whelen very nearly duplicates the 404J ballistics from yesteryear, on which the much beloved 404J actually built its reputation as a great all 'round caliber. The 404J hits a little harder at .423 caliber, but the 400 Whelen penetrates a little better with slightly better SD at .411 caliber.) With the Whelen, I can also use shorter barrels, AND lighter overall gun weight since it recoils significantly less than the 416 Ruger, Rem Mag, or Rigby, and even recoils less that the relatively mild 404J or 450/400.
The 375 Whelen and the 400 Whelen have proven themselves to be stopping rounds on the big Brown Bears in AK. I don't believe they would be true "stoppers" on African game, but a 400gr .411 bullet between 2150-2200 FPS with less recoil than a 375 H&H, that might just be my primary gun for my first African safari. I will carry my 458 Lott as my second rifle just in case I need the extra horsepower, or they lose my luggage and I need to buy and use 458 WM in Africa. Maybe even bring my 375 H&H or my 416 Ruger as a third rifle for long range plains game if needed.
1. Rifles are MUCH cheaper and come with integral scope mounts and rings, muzzle brake for bench work, balanced muzzle attachments which maintain POI when hunting w/o brake. These would all be custom only features on other rifles.
2. I have been able to collect almost 1000 rounds a Hornady brass.
3. I can make 416 Ruger brass from 300 PRC brass which is fairly common and relatively inexpensive. I have over 1000 fired 300 PRC cases made by ADG, which it thicker and heavier than even the Hornady 416 brass.
4. While the ballistics are almost identical, the Ruger does it with a shorter case, which translates into being able to use shorter barrels without any significant velocity loss. (I like short barrels where quick shots in dense vegetation may be needed.)
5. I live where summer temps are regularly between 110 and 120 degrees F. So I can make sure my reloads and rifle function in extreme heat BEFORE I need to rely on them in Africa.
What I am trying to figure out is whether 400grs at 2400 to 2500 from the 416 Ruger (duplicates Rigby with less powder and recoil and is very near 404J in hot modern loads) is overkill, compared to 400grs .411 bullets at 2100 to 2200 from my 400 Whelen (uses 30-06 brass, duplicates 450/400 ballistics with less powder and recoil than even the relatively mild 450/400, and is rimless for use in bolt action rifles. In fact the 400 Whelen very nearly duplicates the 404J ballistics from yesteryear, on which the much beloved 404J actually built its reputation as a great all 'round caliber. The 404J hits a little harder at .423 caliber, but the 400 Whelen penetrates a little better with slightly better SD at .411 caliber.) With the Whelen, I can also use shorter barrels, AND lighter overall gun weight since it recoils significantly less than the 416 Ruger, Rem Mag, or Rigby, and even recoils less that the relatively mild 404J or 450/400.
The 375 Whelen and the 400 Whelen have proven themselves to be stopping rounds on the big Brown Bears in AK. I don't believe they would be true "stoppers" on African game, but a 400gr .411 bullet between 2150-2200 FPS with less recoil than a 375 H&H, that might just be my primary gun for my first African safari. I will carry my 458 Lott as my second rifle just in case I need the extra horsepower, or they lose my luggage and I need to buy and use 458 WM in Africa. Maybe even bring my 375 H&H or my 416 Ruger as a third rifle for long range plains game if needed.
