Are we forgetting something in this discussion about large calibers?
Interestingly, it seems that the big bore discussion has become somewhat monolithic in term of what purpose a big bore serves. Nowadays the quasi universal answer seems to be: a big bore is a DG caliber. That is likely a mistake...
Thankfully, we still hear, and appropriately so, good AH people making the distinction between a client's caliber and a PH's caliber. This makes a lot of sense, but why?
Is your DG rifle, a "stopper"?
For the longest time it seems, and at least into the 1990's, the discussion of the large calibers differentiated between what were called "stoppers" and non-stoppers. A "stopper" as its name indicates is a caliber than is capable of not only killing a buff, an elephant, a lion, etc. but that it also likely (there is no guarantee!) to stop a charge, through massive trauma caused by massive bullets releasing massive energy...
.375 H&H ? Great killer. No "stopper"...
From this perspective, the .375 H&H is indeed likely the best "client" cartridge because about anyone can shoot it OK, but it is easy to understand why darn few past or present pros use(d) it to back up clients. It is no stopper. It simply lacks the frontal area (caliber), bullet weight, and raw energy. A .375 caliber 300 grains bullet at ~2,500 fps and delivering ~4,000 ft/lbs is simply not enough for a "stopper." I am tempted to add: Period.
.416 ? Great killers. So, so "stoppers"...
400 grains at ~2,400 fps and delivering ~5,000 ft/lbs nudge the answer, but about a century of field experience seems to indicate that although 5,000 ft/lbs is the right number, the .416 does not get there the right way to be a reliable "stopper."
.450, .458, .470. etc. Great short range killers. Great "stoppers"...
Apparently, the century of field experience seems to indicate that the proper formula for a "stopper" is to go another notch in caliber (frontal area) and bullet weight to .45 cal 500 grains delivering ~5,000 ft/lbs.
Did you notice that I did not include velocity in this last one? It is because there are wide variations, from a classic .450 NE 2,100 fps to a .460 Wby 2,600 fps. But does it matter?
Apparently, based on the experience of those who have actually used extensively both the older and newer "stoppers" (Tony Sanchez-Arino - 1,000+ elephants , 2,000+ buffalo - comes to mind) there does not seem to be a notable difference in stopping performance with increased velocity for the "stoppers." In his book
On the Trail of the African Elephant he actually says something to the effect that he sees little if any difference in stopping effectiveness between .460 Wby (500 gr - 2,600 fps - 7,500 ft/lbs !!!) and .450 NE / .470 NE (500 gr - 2,100 fps - 5,100 ft/lbs).
.500, .577, etc. Bigger is better...
As bullet weight and caliber go up (NOT SPEED), stopping power increases, the pros have been telling us since the 1920's.
A .500 NE 570 grains slug at 2,100 fps and delivering 5,500 ft/lbs apparently hits them harder than a .450 / .470.
A .577 NE 750 grains slug at 2,000 fps and delivering 7,000 ft/lbs apparently hits them considerable harder. No kidding!
Notice that the .577 NE 750 gr load energy (7,000 ft/lbs) does not match the .460 Wby 500 gr load energy (7,500 ft/lbs) but few people in their right mind should consider the .460 Wby a better "stopper" than the .577 NE, based on the experience of those who have been there and done that (about which I hasten to add, I am not one of them).
And the .458 Win ?
With modern powders that do not clump when compressed as the original Olin ball powder did - which resulted in erratic ignition when the cartridges were cooked long enough in the African sun - the .458 Win is perfectly fine thank you very much. With 500 gr bullets at ~2,100 fps it breaks the magic 5,000 ft/lbs barrier and graduates in its full right in the "stoppers" world. The Lott originally gave the added case capacity to avoid pesky compressed loads with finicky powders (a decisive advantage in the 1960's) but it is today not a better "stopper." What its increased velocity does however, is make it fly a little flatter/further, which some may appreciate. There is a price to pay though: increased recoil...
- If one subscribes to the basic premise that the client's job is to kill, each time, every time, yes indeed the .375 is a great client DG rifle.
- If the role of the PH becomes, once the gun battle starts, to be the potential charge-stopper, then, yes, he needs a proper "stopper" rifle, .45 cal and up.
- If the client also wants to be able to partake in the stopping, should need arise, then, yes, he too needs a "stopper" rifle PROVIDED HE CAN SHOOT IT to begin with.
Give me a well placed 9.3x62 first shoot in a buff's heart & lungs (never mind .375 H&H if its recoils is too much) over a .458 Lott first shoot "somewhere" in a buff
But if you can put that .458 Lott slug in the right place, each time, every time, you have an edge if things get unsavory...
