Dangerous Game Rifle Caliber for an Enthusiast

[VertigoBE]

500 Jeff most devistatingly effective DG cartridge I haveever used and seen used on DG.

Yes in a bolt action. Only time you need a double is for Leopard and Lion. My opinion. In which case it is a toss up between a 450/400 NE or a 500/416NE...
500 Jeff is devestating on Lion but too much for leopard. Leopard follow up requires a specialised setup due to the speed etc involved in a follow up

I have used 340gr, 350gr and 380gr bullets extensively in the 375 H&H.

However SD alone is not the holy grail I need 2300 fps without pressure as well..

The 404 Jeff bullets are for my daughters rifle that I am going to restock for her. She is studying nature managemnt is currently in the Kruger National park on a tracking and trailing course and may be off to the BVC next year for her practical.....wild Africa big 5 country....404 Jeff perfect for her the 500 Jeff I use is a bit much for her...she will also be doing her PH licence later this year.

Would you give this same advise towards a 500 Jeff, for the client role? Or is your opinion mostly towards the PH role?

In other words, for the ultimate DG client rifle, would you still recommend the 500 Jeff, provided the person carrying it has sufficiently practiced with it?

 

[IvW]

If he can handle it yes....
It is not a cartridge for the faint hearted and it is certainly not for everyone but its effectiveness has never been challenged....
If the recoil is too much its younger brother is my next choice 404 Jeff

 

[BigFan375]

The VX III in 2-7 or 2.5-8 are good choices for 'all around' use IMO. I have a 1.5-5 and prefer the higher magnification of the others. Scope choice might come down to the target animals. More plains game, higher power for longer shots. Dangerous game, maybe a lower power. Maybe that's just an excuse to buy more scopes and QD rings....lol.

But, I changed them all out after comparison shopping and I have 3-9 Zeiss on all my rifles (404Jef and 375). Just turn it down to 3 on close in shots and 9 for longer. A bit of overkill on the 404, but I could not afford the Zeiss low power variable.

Anyway, you are on the right track with the Leupold brand, I think they are warranted for a lifetime. My 1.5-5 is a replacement they sent after I returned a damaged one. Fantastic service.

All the best.......Lee

 

[Captain Munro]

The VX III in 2-7 or 2.5-8 are good choices for 'all around' use IMO. I have a 1.5-5 and prefer the higher magnification of the others. Scope choice might come down to the target animals. More plains game, higher power for longer shots. Dangerous game, maybe a lower power. Maybe that's just an excuse to buy more scopes and QD rings....lol.

But, I changed them all out after comparison shopping and I have 3-9 Zeiss on all my rifles (404Jef and 375). Just turn it down to 3 on close in shots and 9 for longer. A bit of overkill on the 404, but I could not afford the Zeiss low power variable.

Anyway, you are on the right track with the Leupold brand, I think they are warranted for a lifetime. My 1.5-5 is a replacement they sent after I returned a damaged one. Fantastic service.

All the best.......Lee

I have used Leupolds warranty on 2 pairs of Binoculars. One I found buried in the ground, still in its package. Sent it back and got a new one. And the other was for my Dad, who dropped his. No questions asked and 2 new pairs. For the money, I feel pretty good about them.