Let's see your Dangerous Game Rifles.

Experts have proven less is suitable, long as the penetration isn’t traded off; that’s the one required constant that links them all lest for my last thought at the end.

Some are better all rounders than others, like the .375, it both works in close and reaches afar equally well, compared to say a .500 Nitro Express or .458 Win. The answer on range should be obvious, a dangerous game rifle can shoot far, but is optimized for shooting close. .375s also the usual African Big Five minimum, though some countries make exceptions. Some do it all, like the .458 Lott, but only Doglegs and other likeable masochists shoot them for full days. The last thing that links them? They put a sideways smile on your face. A sense of adventure when one is in your hands, whether that’s at home in winter daydreaming, or on your shoulder salmon fishing or taking wildlife photos. Or berry picking for that matter as recently established.

They’re tools of a wilder, mostly lost world, and a fondness of them is something I’ve been unable to shake even as I pack the camera now rather than the rifle chasing the allegedly highly dangerous game. There’s some creatures the concern’s less to make light of, and has a less imagined component, but they live on another continent I’ll look forward to returning to soon again. And you bet a .375 will be on my shoulder again, and that it will feel like life being lived… with a little sideways smile just the camera or berry basket doesn’t quite bring. I hope you can see the fun in this and these rifles riverrest, you’ve seemed an irritable soul in many directions through recent years. Quality time with a dangerous game rifle is a well known prescription for that.
I really love the .375 H&H. It's pleasant to shoot in a nine pound Model 70 Safari. Had a heavier Ruger RSM in .458 Lott and after about four rounds I was thinking, "This might be a bridge too far...". Got a flinch for the first time ever, that took a few weeks to straighten out. :D

May try again with a new Model 70 Safari .458 WM, as maybe the Ruger didn't fit me as well. Was thinking about loading 400 grain A-Frames or 350 TSX to reduce the recoil and get velocities up over 2300 fps, but then why not just stick with the .375 H&H and get better SD and BC while I'm at it?

So I am on the fence about the .458WM, and may just go all in on the .375 H&H that I know I could practice more. But having a .45 caliber big bore to tinker with, instead of the usual Marlin .45-70, is still a very entertaining idea.
 
One thing I can say about the 375HH is that it's the perfect gateway drug.

My 375HH was my first dangerous game cartridge which has since lead me to 416 Rigby, 458 WM and 500NE.
I have this notion that the perfect weight for the .458 WM never was 500 grains, but more like 450 grains. Still get .307 SD, velocity is 2250 fps, and more powder space to boot, though still compressed.

But the .375 H&H seems to do all of this at 300 grains with more velocity, way less recoil, and less powder compression if any. Maybe less wallop? Action length is slightly longer...
 
Neat thread. I'll have to post up some pics when I get time.

My lineup is 500 Jeffery, 460 Weatherby, 43 express, 375 H&H, and my newest .577 project.

I think I'm taking my 375 this year as a backup rifle to my project 6.5x53r rifle on a fly-in this August

I'd love a 416 rigby and a 404 Jeffery in the collection..
 
Neat thread. I'll have to post up some pics when I get time.

My lineup is 500 Jeffery, 460 Weatherby, 43 express, 375 H&H, and my newest .577 project.

I think I'm taking my 375 this year as a backup rifle to my project 6.5x53r rifle on a fly-in this August

I'd love a 416 rigby and a 404 Jeffery in the collection..
Is your 500J a Sako 85? Ever found factory ammo in stock for it?

Such a cool cartridge.
 
Is your 500J a Sako 85? Ever found factory ammo in stock for it?

Such a cool cartridge.

In my search for factory 500J, Clay @ Prophet River got in touch with me back in May, and I expect it's still available to order and receive in relatively short order:

stoeger has this in stock. so, a few weeks to ge tiot here. 179.00 per box of ten

P682087D

500 JEFFERY 487D TWINHEADII 535GR (10 PIECES PER BOX)
 
In my search for factory 500J, Clay @ Prophet River got in touch with me back in May, and I expect it's still available to order and receive in relatively short order:
I have exactly one round of .500 Jeffery, my friend who was doing a lot of Safari's at the time and had several different big bore rifles purchased one and fired it once before deciding that it was too much for him. I was given a round for my collection!
Not the biggest rifle I've shot but the biggest one I own now is a .416 Taylor however with a shoulder injury it looks like it's going to have to find a new home, a shame since it's a nice custom Mauser.
 
I fired close to 20 rounds of 500J out of my Blaser one day. It has the mercury tube in the stock and is quite effective. It has no brake on it.

The 500J cartridge in the Blaser has a heavy, smooth recoil pulse, unlike some smaller ones that are just sharp and painful and cause bruising.
 
I have a savings account running, so I can take this .458wm to Africa for what it was intended for. In the meantime, I’ll replace that model 70 steel plate for a more forgiving recoil pad. I fired this rifle twice back around year ‘2000 (with grandads hand loads), nearly ko’d me each shot. After nearly 25 years, I just bought die’s and brass for it yesterday, and have a few recoil pads on the way to try out. Leaning towards a brown old English pad with a black line.


New plan,

Being a lefty, that rear sight will surely try taking my thumb off I think, and I think I recall something about that when I shot this rifle years ago.

The way the grip is formed for a right hand. Holding the rifle right handed, the grip feels perfect. My new plan is to copy grandads stock, but I’ll flip it and fit it to my left hand, along with the cheek piece on my side. I’ll add an Ebony forend cap as well, grip cap to be determined still. I’d love a skeleton grip cap, but Iv yet to try my hand with one. Maybe I’ll take the antler off grandads stock and add it to mine?

Winter is the only time I get real time at the stock bench, by spring time, I should have my dangerous game rifle finished!

IMG_4258.jpeg
 
My latest Carbine that "may" be put to use on DG, but local fun for sure. Ruger (ahem...), stainless Mark II in .458 Win Mag... 20" Bob Jury barrel with NECG rear ramp and front Banded sights... irons zeroed for 50 yards.View attachment 784798
That is one awesome rifle big fella, I’d pack it to the Strip for sure. Heal up!
 
so i have realized all the pics i have of my guns are from a few years ago and before they were finished. well the project ones anyway.

these are just pics I've pulled for my flickr, so they have all been posted before. some of these pics are years old and i have done a lot of finish work on the rifles.

all but the 460 Weatherby is finished now, the Weatherby needs the barrel blued still but has sights on it now.


460 Weatherby- 8 pounds 6 oz, 23.5" barrel, holds 3 rounds.
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500 Jeffery- weighs 8 pounds even, 18" barrel, built on a P14. holds 2 in the mag and 1 i the chamber
i have no good pics of it but here is what i have.

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43 express- 7 pounds, 24" barrel holds 4 rounds, pushes a 360gr bullet at 2000fps

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375HH Winchester model 70 magnum. factory model 70 in 375, weighs 10 pounds.

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and an honorable mention goes to my 45-70 SXS rifle. I'm in the process of installing a heavier rib on the barrel as its so light when shooting heavy loads. 300gr bullet 2000fps

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Nice, look forward to seeing it come together your work never fails to impress. I’m also doing a stock right now, restarted this project for the .375 Kemano Oberndorf. Had a turn of motivation inspired by a cyclically disgruntled member’s trolling, silver linings.
Geez Louise, that is pretty... I think you would have regretted sending the Kemano down the road... it has so many applications... very well thought out.
 
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