Okay folks...how about the 500S&W in a rifle for Africa!

[IvW]

Razor Dibbs is an idiot and he cannot shoot....wounded and lost 3 or 4 buffalo before finaly getting one he can take a picture of...all for the sake of tv shows.....

 

[IvW]

Just a hypothetical, but how about the 500 S&W in a rifle. 22" barrel turns it into a different beast than the handgun. Commercially available ammo statistics HSM Bear Loads 440gr hard cast, 1960fps/3753 Ft lbs......Double tap 400gr, 2240fps/4457 ftlbs at the muzzle. Obvious rainbow trajectory...so we are talking 100yds. Could I take my H&R Handi to Africa, and what kind of game would this cartridge be useful for. I already own this rifle and am proficient with it.
What are your thoughts gentlemen.

Why?

 

[Lycanit]

The 458 win mag takes a bashing as poor DG round Because it can’t do 2150 with a 500 grain bullet. That 500 SW is much worse than that.

Disclaimer: That is not my opinion of the 458 win mag, but I hear it all the time.

The true velocity is there now for the .458 winnie, was for years but the Rep was already hurt. Caking of the powder gave ridiculously low MV. 1500 and lower on some testing.
True the S&W is capable. Just wouldn't be the first pick. Of course handgunners have done all with it so in their eyes the rifle is cheating I suppose

 

[edward]

shot placement and bullet construction.name of the game.

 

[gbflyer]

I do like that Bighorn Armory rifle. I’d defer to the experts on caliber choice for African DG though.

 

[Brian]

For cape buffalo one must use a good bullet. I will take my TC Encore with a 500NE barrel and a 500S&W barrel.
For the 500S&W I will use the Cutting Edge Bullet 335 gr, Raptor and 375 gr, Solid.The bullets will be seated as shallow as possible to make room for more powder,
I use CFE BLK for rifle loads. Most people like Accurate 1680 for rifle. Lots of people like pistol powder like Lil'Gun. I don't, for rifle.

 

[tarbe]

I use CFE BLK for rifle loads. Most people like Accurate 1680 for rifle. Lots of people like pistol powder like Lil'Gun. I don't, for rifle.

I've used lots of Lil'gun in rifles and I've used 1680 in pistols...their burning rates are not all that different (1680 is slower, for sure).

It is really all about expansion ratio, bullet weight relative to diameter of bore, and allowable peak pressures. Case design and bullet type (bottleneck vs straight and mono vs cup/core vs cast) also factor.

I'm just glad we have so many niche powders that we can always find something that works!

 

[BeeMaa]

shot placement and bullet construction.name of the game.

I would also add size (caliber) and speed. It’s a combination of many factors. As well as many things that are out of our control. Shot angle, distance how long to make the shot…etc.

There is a time and place for every type of hunting. Actually having the time on a modern day safari to do so is the issue.

 

[IvW]

SD over .300 in caliber 375 H&H or larger(or 9.3 where legal) at velocities 2150 to 2400 you are good to go with a controlled expansion bullet....Cape Buffalo you are good to go...no solids....caliber is your choice as long as you can place the first shot where it needs to go..nothing more nothing less.....