Cheapest/most common dangerous game cartridge over .40 caliber?
- Thread starter philthygeezer
- Start date
pageophile
CGN frequent flyer
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- Edmonchuk, AB
I'd venture a 45-70 Gov't, with the proper handload won't feel undergunned for anything with four legs 
Of those you list, the cheapest/most common would have to be the .458 Win Mag. When Kynoch stopped producing ammo for the old British cartridges, a whole lot of old rifles in a whole lot of chamberings ceased being viable options for professional hunters, clients, and animal control officers. Add to that the fact Europe was in the doldrums and the vast majority of safari clients were now American. All together, this created a situation in which the .458 Win Mag was the only commercially available option for a "stopping cartridge" intended to duplicate the ballistics of the classic old .450 Nitro Express. The fact the that .458 WM was plagued by problems and underperformance (overly compressed load using the powder available at the time with alleged ignition problems, and then finally being loaded down by the factories) set the stage for the resurgence of those old cartridges plus the development of a host of new ones.
But with respect to the question you asked, a bolt action .458 has always been cheaper and more common than the others.
But with respect to the question you asked, a bolt action .458 has always been cheaper and more common than the others.
I like the Rigby, but if the question is cheaper then the answer is the .458. Keeping a Rigby running involves brass that runs $3 apiece, instead of $1 and powder charges of around 100 grains a pop. Federal factory loads run $200 a box as opposed to $120. There are also more cheap .45 caliber bullets for plinking. I keep telling myself that's why I bought the .458, but I'm in advanced stages of self delusion.
The bit of ammo used for hunting doesn't amount to much, compared practice ammo.
What are you after that requires this level of clobbering?
I was wondering the same thing. You mentioned that you wanted something with more power than a 375 H&H, does this mean that you already have a 375? Because the 375 will kill anything in North America, and 99+% of animals in Africa. If you can afford to pay for a hunt in Africa then you obviously have lots of money and you shouldn't be concerned about ammo costs. So that would lead me to believe that you are looking for hunting dangerous game in North America. That really only involves grizzlies, and anything from a 30-06 will do just fine, a 375 H&H is more than enough. most people that want protection from dangerous game want a quick firing rifle, like a double barrel, pump or lever action. This way they have quick follow up shots in case the animal charges. This brings us right back to a 45/70 being your perfect choice
I made one 'change' on the thread after initial post which was simply an oversight in trying to get a clear answer on African cartridges over .40. I wanted information on factory loadings more powerful than the .375 H&H when I posted.
Sore and in denial? Please... I own a .45-70 and the H&H. Neither have left me all that sore.
You just changed the criteria yet again by finally telling us that you were looking for African game cartridges. And as I previously stated, if you can afford to go on an African hunt, then ammo costs are insignificant.
I was wondering the same thing. You mentioned that you wanted something with more power than a 375 H&H, does this mean that you already have a 375? Because the 375 will kill anything in North America, and 99+% of animals in Africa. If you can afford to pay for a hunt in Africa then you obviously have lots of money and you shouldn't be concerned about ammo costs. So that would lead me to believe that you are looking for hunting dangerous game in North America. That really only involves grizzlies, and anything from a 30-06 will do just fine, a 375 H&H is more than enough. most people that want protection from dangerous game want a quick firing rifle, like a double barrel, pump or lever action. This way they have quick follow up shots in case the animal charges. This brings us right back to a 45/70 being your perfect choice
Curious about the prices of the top African DG charge-stopper cartridges. Even the hottest .45-70 hand-loadings are about 1000 ft-lb below the .375. Factory ammo can't get close to that even. I wanted to know about the Rigbys, Gibbs, Lotts etc, and the .458 Win Mag.
Seems like the .458 Win Mag is the best bang for buck.
Doesn't change a thing. Still makes the criteria .40 cal and up cartridges with more muzzle energy than the .375 H&H magnum in factory loadings. Saying 'Africa' doesn't change that. Ammo costs to be proficient with such a gun can be significant. Who cares? I'm asking about relative prices and availability of the ammo in factory loadings.
Look. If you don't know, just say so.
My choice although you might not find it interesting is the 404 Jeffery.
Bullets are available from Barnes, Swift, Hornady, Hawk, Woodleigh.
Brass from Hornady, Bertram and others.
Some people claim that it has the reach of a 375 with the hitting power of a 458, this I cannot personally prove, but it is an enjoyable round to shoot and reload.
I seriously doubt if I will ever use it on dangerous game, but according to what I've read it works well on things that will bite back.
As for cost of components, most of mine were given or horse-traded from my brother, so they could be expensive... I really don't know.
Bullets are available from Barnes, Swift, Hornady, Hawk, Woodleigh.
Brass from Hornady, Bertram and others.
Some people claim that it has the reach of a 375 with the hitting power of a 458, this I cannot personally prove, but it is an enjoyable round to shoot and reload.
I seriously doubt if I will ever use it on dangerous game, but according to what I've read it works well on things that will bite back.
As for cost of components, most of mine were given or horse-traded from my brother, so they could be expensive... I really don't know.
It's not on your list, but the .458 Lott should be, especially since you keep mentioning factory loads. Most factory loads in most calibers will clock in slower than the book, and the .458 has a historical record of being on the edge in the first place. That can be taken care of on the reloading bench, or the Lott is a ready made solution that can also chamber and shoot .458 ammo. Your choices in factory rifles are more limited, the CZ comes quickly to mind.
Mine might get rechambered to the Lott, since some part of my mind won't acknowledge the light kicking .458 as a real "big" gun. As soon as I'm miserable, I'll be happy.
Mine might get rechambered to the Lott, since some part of my mind won't acknowledge the light kicking .458 as a real "big" gun. As soon as I'm miserable, I'll be happy.
