What single caliber would you reccomend from each of the following cartridge families to a new shooter?

[Mtn_Infantry]

Good to know! I've been searching for ammo here domestically (Canada) and there are a couple places with Factory 500 NE (more with 470NE) but zero Factory 505Gibbs, 500J, 577NE etc.

Also a box of 500NE here goes for $270, not sure how that compares globally.

That’s interesting. One can find 500NE all day but 470NE has been pretty much gone off shelves and online retailers here since Jan. Even then it was up briefly for maybe a month then gone.

 

[Inline6]

I do believe that people perceive recoil differently and to me it just seemed like the 375 had a sharper faster recoil whereas the 416 Remington was hard but it was a slower recoil! My current rifles are a Winchester model 70 stainless classic 375 H&H mag, a Winchester model 70 super Express classic in 416 Remington mag and a Ruger No1 416 Remington mag. I much prefer to shoot the two 416 Remington mags over the 375.

I felt the same way with my Dakota 375h&h and my M70 in 416REM. I chocked it up to the stock being narrower on the Dakota. Once the 375h&h was sold I felt an empty space in my heart. A deal came up on the 375h&h/458Lott R8 combo. So that is what I bought and have been very happy with that decision.

@Northern Shooter the only thing I can say about your question is, start with a 375 I don't care the flavor, then make the next step up 416, then 458, then the 500. I can only speak for myself, it required me to take steps to get comfortable in each one (I have not played with the 500) if the 458Lott can't get it done. I should not have been playing that game.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I don't mean a first time new shooter but someone who hasn't already been exposed to the following.

1. 375s?

2. Lower 40s (416/423)?

3. 458s?

4. 50s and above?

For someone who doesn't own or have had experience with any of the above, which would you reccomend from each category to that shooter? Whether or not cost, availability, recoil, nostalgia etc. play into that decision.

1. .375 H&H
2. .416 Rem
3. .458 WM
4. 500NE

I think these calibers have some of the best factory ammo offerings and component availability (until you get to #4). If you said pick 1 of them I’d vote .375 H&H, unless there’s a bunch of Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and dry land Hippo on the menu in the new shooters very near future. Even then since they’re new to bigger calibers I might say stick to 375 H&H. If they reload then I might say 404J

 

[Mark R]

1. 375H&H

2. 416RM

3. 458WM

4. 500J

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

375H&H
450/400 3" or 404j
458WM

But as others have said, just go 375H&H and do it all.

 

[Dhutson]

375 H&H Barnes TSX bullets 300 grain will do it all.

 

[Luvthunt]

375H&H
416 Rigby
458 Lott
505 Gibbs

 

[perttime]

I do believe that people perceive recoil differently and to me it just seemed like the 375 had a sharper faster recoil whereas the 416 Remington was hard but it was a slower recoil! ...

A lighter bullet going faster will generate different recoil from a heavier bullet going slower. Not necessary more or less recoil, but different recoil.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

1. 375s? Only one: 375 H&H

2. Lower 40s (416/423)? The classic, 416 Rigby

3. 458s? 458 Win Mag. Easy to load down and use 350gr bullets for deer and pigs in the US. Very easy cartridge to load.

4. 50s and above? This is a very specialized area. More so than any of the other calibers in my opinion. But, if I was going to go into this area again, it would be a 500 Jeffery.

Safe shooting

 

[AZDAVE]

Since you are talking med and big bore rounds I am going to make an assumption that the shooter is experienced and looking to move up in caliber for DG hunting. and not a new shooter that has read a number of books and has not shot much. because I have bought a large number of 338 and bigger rifles that have one or two rounds shot out of the first box of ammo.

You also didn't mention if you were looking at bolt gun only or doubles. So here would be a recommendation I would give. to cover several bases. Use the extra $$$ for the middle bore to go hunt with.
Bolt gun: Double
375 H&H 9.3x74
458 WM 450/400
505Gibbs 500 NE

My personal choices
bolt: Double: Single shot
7x64 7x65 577NE
9.3x62 9.3x74
404 Jeff 500/416
505 Gibbs

 

[PeteG]

I don't mean a first time new shooter but someone who hasn't already been exposed to the following.

1. 375s?

2. Lower 40s (416/423)?

3. 458s?

4. 50s and above?

For someone who doesn't own or have had experience with any of the above, which would you reccomend from each category to that shooter? Whether or not cost, availability, recoil, nostalgia etc. play into that decision.

375 H&H
416Rigby
450Rigby
505Gibbs.

Or

375flanged
500/416NE
450NE
500NE

Seeing as you didn’t specify bolt or double, cover both bases.

 

[Nyati]

I´ll keep it simple

.375 HH in a bolt action

.470 NE in a double

 

[Berettaco]

375 HH - shoot that a bit and then shoot someone else’s big bores before you decide what to get. If you buy a nice bolt action 375 it will probably get the most use…

 

[358 Norma]

A lighter bullet going faster will generate different recoil from a heavier bullet going slower. Not necessary more or less recoil, but different recoil.

Agreed

 

[xausa]

1. .375 H&H Magnum
2. .416 Rigby
3. .450 Watts
4. .500 Jeffrey

 

[steve white]

375 H&H
404 Jeffrey (or 450/400_
458 Hoffman
505 Gibbs (465 if you hadn't said 50 and above)

 

[Safari Dave]

375 H&H
416 Rigby
458 Lott
50 BMG - Might as well get something that can take out an APC at this point. If a .458 Lott can't stop it, you need to go anti-tyranny with anything larger.

 

[Deepfork]

I am new to hunting in Africa (one trip and another booked) I decided I wanted a .375 Cal Rifle, there will be a Buffalo on the list on our next hunt. Comparing the Ruger and H&H was a no contest to me, the .375 Ruger is the easy winner.

I'll eat the recoil difference many of you mention, 8 lb vs 10 lb rifle or whatever it is. I don't care! This is a rifle I am going to carry a LOT and not shoot much after I work up my loads. I'll take the lighter rifle. I never worry about or even feel recoil in the field.

I will have a can on my rifle, so I appreciate the lighter rifles and shorter barrel lengths that are common with the .375 Ruger vs the H&H. Recoil doesn't bother me, noise does. I very serious about not doing any further damage to my hearing. Most of the .375 Ruger rifles available come threaded.

The availability of ammo and components was something a lot of you mentioned. If you say so. I will never need to purchase ammo on a hunt. Components? Well I have Brass. Bullets, powders, primers all the same for both. I have a lifetime supply of components, not hard to gather on a rifle I will only shoot 30-50 times a year after I work up my loads.

The .375 Ruger is a more efficient cartridge, the difference is noticable when both are using the same barrel length. Balistics are generally close to identical when the .375 Ruger is exiting a barrel that is 2-3 inches shorter than you find on most .375 H&H rifles, which is the norm.

Ya I get the .375 H&H is a great classic cartridge! Its just funny to me that pages of you will say the lighter recoil is nice but not a single one mentions carrying around a rifle all day that is quite a bit lighter is also kind of nice.

The .375 Ruger is a really well designed cartridge. It does some things the H&H can't. But, there are several custom rifle makers out there building custom .375 Ruger rifles so you can get one custom made as heavy as you like and still get that classic feel while shooting modern cartridge.

 

[Northern Shooter]

375 H&H
416 Rigby
458 Lott
50 BMG - Might as well get something that can take out an APC at this point. If a .458 Lott can't stop it, you need to go anti-tyranny with anything larger.

I wonder how many people have hunted with 50 BMG on dangerous game in Africa?

 

[fourfive8]

Seems most everyone is on the same page. My preferences are:

375 HH
416 Rem Mag
458 WM, Lott or 450 Watts
50??? Depends on design and best platform- Thinking bolt gun here, not double...

Also may depend on reloading or factory only?