Most efficient 3 cartridge spread for dangerous game?

[John Telford]

Your title is DG only but your question is just the age old three gun battery for anything from birds to bull elepants. This takes care of that far better than so many others here. If you don't want to include birds just omit the shotgun.

Me, I'd go something similar to what Teddy Roosevelt did in 1910. I'm reading African Game Trails right now and what he took with these three is amazing.

12 gauge shotgun
30-06
500/450 (Teddy's choice) or 416 (my choice)

Teddy’s double was a gift from the English Aristocracy of the day. Not sure he had much say in the matter .

 

[358 Norma]

My Dangerous game rifles are;
Winchester model 70 stainless classic 375 H&H, Winchester model 70 Super Express Classic 416 Remington Magnum, and a Chapuis Elan 470 Nitro!

 

[John458Lott]

Sure, there are many cartridges that will do-it-all and take everything from plains game to elephant.

But

If you were to choose 3 cartridges (+rifles) to hunt dangerous game. Which 3 would you choose?

A few thoughts:

A. 375--416--458
Basically small, medium and large. The 375 being arguably the most versatile African game cartridge for hunting plains game on up to elephant. The 416s as being similar to the 375 but being more ideal for larger game, less ideal for plains game(?). And the 458 for having the stopping power and authority on Buffalo on up that you don't get with the other two.

B. 375--470 NE--500 Jeff
Same as above except your cutting out the middle and reducing the overlap of the 375 & 416. Adding a 470 NE fills the middle the same as the 458 (similar ballistics/energy) but also opens up the options of carrying a double rifle. For anything above and beyond what you would conceivably need a 470 for, there's the 500J that will take anything and act as a stopping rifle moreso than anything else mentioned so far.

C. 404 Jeff--450 NE --505 Gibbs
The classic Africana threesome?

What combo would you consider? What would the most efficient spread consist of if you were to limit it down to three cartridges?

Does all of the above count?

 

[Northern Shooter]

My Dangerous game rifles are;
Winchester model 70 stainless classic 375 H&H, Winchester model 70 Super Express Classic 416 Remington Magnum, and a Chapuis Elan 470 Nitro!

That's a good line up. I feel like once you go above the 416s there is a cartridge options all doing roughly the same thing with a 500 grain bullet at around 2,150 fps.
458 Win Mag
450 NE
470 NE etc.

You have to jump up to a 500NE or 505Gibbs to see a noticeable increase in performance from there.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Only because these are the 3 I currently have:
30-06
375 H&H
458WM

Got to throw in a 12 gauge shotgun for all around bird hunting.

 

[HWL]

Only because these are the 3 I currently have:
30-06
375 H&H
458WM

Got to throw in a 12 gauge shotgun for all around bird hunting.

...or a Drilling 12/12/.30-06

HWL

 

[PARA45]

My dangerous game rifles are, an AHR CZ-550 in 375 H&H, and a Win Mod 70 in 416 RM, and that is where it ends for me unless I win the lotto and buy a double in 375.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I have a 404 (for big stuff) and a 375 (for other stuff). I can only carry one at a time, but if I get in a bind, the PH has a 500 NE.

No worries.

 

[Capebuffalo]

My Dangerous game rifles are;
Winchester model 70 stainless classic 375 H&H, Winchester model 70 Super Express Classic 416 Remington Magnum, and a Chapuis Elan 470 Nitro!

What about your 358 Norma?

 

[358 Norma]

What about your 358 Norma?

Remington model 700 358 Norma and Interarms mark x 358 Norma, and of course both of those are custom built rifles!

 

[Capebuffalo]

Remington model 700 358 Norma and Interarms mark x 358 Norma, and of course both of those are custom built rifles!

The best all round cartridge ever built!

 

[RudiB]

30-06
375 H&H
450 Rigby
Bolts cause im used to them

 

[Wiley64]

375 HH mag with 3-9 scope
416 Rigby with 1-6 scope
470 ne double

 

[Forrest Halley]

The best all round cartridge ever built!

Long live the three -seven-five H&H!

 

[Beck]

Would depend on the game for me, but:
.375 H&H - Bolt
.416 Rigby - Bolt
.450 Rigby - Bolt

Or

.375 H&H - Bolt
.416 or .450 Rigby - Bolt
.470 NE - Double

 

[Flipper Dude]

375 H&H
404 Jeffery
458 Lott

This is my battery. Shoot Barnes TSX in the two peashooters. CEB solids as well

CEB solids only in the Lott

 

[pinotguy]

9.3x64 Brenneke
400 H&H Magnum
450 Rigby

 

[Safari Dave]

.375 H&H
.416 Rigby
.470 NE

 

[dneaster3]

.375 H&H
.458 Lott
Done.

I’m with this guy.

That’s a good answer, but it can be reduced further….

(.375 H&H + .458 Lott) ÷ 2 = .416 Rigby

 

[IvW]

The OP was talking about DG so not sure why many mention pea shooters....