Your preferred DG cartridge

What is your preferred Dangerous Game caliber

  • 375

    Votes: 24 19.0%
  • 410

    Votes: 3 2.4%
  • 416

    Votes: 38 30.2%
  • 404

    Votes: 14 11.1%
  • 458

    Votes: 27 21.4%
  • 470

    Votes: 6 4.8%
  • 505

    Votes: 4 3.2%
  • 510

    Votes: 7 5.6%
  • 584

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • other

    Votes: 3 2.4%

  • Total voters
    126
Pondoro, didn’t you also own a .458 Wincester Magnum BRNO ZKK602 and a custom .500 Jeffery built on a BRNO ZKK602 action ?

Yes..that .458 got rebarreled to .500 Jeffery.. That proved to be unbearable recoilwise so consequently I rebarreled it to .416 Rigby.. :D
 
The 500J is a lot and on the edge or beyond for 99% of shooters. I've owned 2 and while I could shoot them, I didn't enjoy practicing. The 505 Gibbs would be about the same.
 
I have used 375 H&H and 458 Win on buffalo, 404 Jeffery on dry land hippo and a 300 Win on leopard. I also used the 300 Win on an Alaskan brown bear and it did the job there as well.

While I really enjoy hunting with my 375 and plan on using it on my lion hunt in 2027, I do believe when hunting buff, hippo or elephant I will be using something that starts with a 4, most likely my 404 Jeffery. Although, I do have a 416 Rem Mag coming that will have to get a chance at some point on something dangerous.
 
As the question related to DG only I answered .458 as hunting leopard is of little interest to me for some reason. I would of course also take a .375 H&H with me as well as that’s the only reasonable thing to do!
 
I have used 375 H&H and 458 Win on buffalo, 404 Jeffery on dry land hippo and a 300 Win on leopard. I also used the 300 Win on an Alaskan brown bear and it did the job there as well.

While I really enjoy hunting with my 375 and plan on using it on my lion hunt in 2027, I do believe when hunting buff, hippo or elephant I will be using something that starts with a 4, most likely my 404 Jeffery. Although, I do have a 416 Rem Mag coming that will have to get a chance at some point on something dangerous.
Did you not like the performance on Buff by the 458?
 
Did you not like the performance on Buff by the 458?
The 458 Win did a great job on my buff last year in Zim. I used a 450 grain Aframe that preformed perfectly. It was the first and only animal I have shot with the rifle, to date.

I would happily use it again. However, it is at the max of what I am comfortable shooting recoil wise and that is the only draw back for me. My 458 is lighter than my 404 and 416 which I am sure contributes to the recoil of this particular rifle. It is just less fun to practice with is all.
 
I must be the rogue... I love my .416 Rem. I've taken cape buff (no issues), and most large game down from that with it. I also like the .416 Ruger, but no experience with it. The .416 Rem. has been around for a long time, and is still in the runnin' for a dangerous game preference, according to my PH's, although both of them carry .458's when hunting dangerous game. One other PH with whom I've hunted preferred his .375 Ruger. I have that cal. also, and like it extremely well. It would have been fine for cape buffalo, but I'm set on my .416 Rem. for such hunts. (400 gr. Swift A-Frame and 400 gr. Barnes solids... handloads.)
 
The 458 Win did a great job on my buff last year in Zim. I used a 450 grain Aframe that preformed perfectly. It was the first and only animal I have shot with the rifle, to date.

I would happily use it again. However, it is at the max of what I am comfortable shooting recoil wise and that is the only draw back for me. My 458 is lighter than my 404 and 416 which I am sure contributes to the recoil of this particular rifle. It is just less fun to practice with is all.
I hear you on that and that is why I said to the OP to make sure he can handle the recoil of a 458. My 375 H&H is 10lbs and a pussycat to shoot. My 458WinMag is 8lbs without a scope and bases and hits your shoulder at over 70ftlbs! It’s a handful!
 

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What a great way to kick off our 2025 hunting season in South Africa.

This beautiful Impala ram was taken at just over 300 yards, took a few steps and toppled over.

We are looking forward to the next week and a half of hunting with our first client of the year.
Handcannons wrote on Jaayunoo's profile.
Do you have any more copies of African Dangerous Game Cartridges, Author: Pierre van der Walt ? I'm looking for one. Thanks for any information, John buzzardhilllabs@hotmail.com
NRA benefactor, areas hunted, add congo, Mozambique3, Zambia2
Out of all the different color variations of Impala the black Impala just stands out with its beautiful pitch black hide.

Impala is one of the animals you will see all over Africa.
You can see them in herds of a 100 plus together.

This excellent ram was taken with one of our previous client this past season.

Contact us at Elite hunting outfitters to help you make your African safari dream come true..
 
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