Probably because the giant killers have way of seizing the imagination. I'll wager that there are thousands of elephant guns sold for every elephant hunt sold.
Stopping Rifles, .375 - .450 - .505 Gibbs
- Thread starter Ardent
- Start date
Probably because the giant killers have way of seizing the imagination. I'll wager that there are thousands of elephant guns sold for every elephant hunt sold.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Some folks talk just to be validated. "IBTL" is the same syndrome. It does come with a humurous twist when one complains of using bandwidth and yet adds absolutely nothing, but to flag themselves as "I was here". So nw mb, I suppose I owe thanks for the chuckle and if you really want to have some fun, search ".375 Ruger". 
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I was going through my Photobucket library and came across a photo I had forgotten about. Its one of the series I put on the EE when I sold my CZ 550 .416 Rigby, anyway in the spirit of big rifles, or in this case big rifles with medium bores . . .
OK, Just for the heck of it, here's what a "stopped elephant" looks like...
Note how thick the trunk is, and consider that your bullet has to pass through all that muscle and still deliver a substantial blow to the meaningful parts of the elephant's cranium (in line with its zygomatic arches/cheek bones) to "turn" the charge (of an angry, adrenalized elephant intent on killing you...)
Note how thick the trunk is, and consider that your bullet has to pass through all that muscle and still deliver a substantial blow to the meaningful parts of the elephant's cranium (in line with its zygomatic arches/cheek bones) to "turn" the charge (of an angry, adrenalized elephant intent on killing you...)
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
OK, Just for the heck of it, here's what a "stopped elephant" looks like...
Note how thick the trunk is, and consider that your bullet has to pass through all that muscle and still deliver a substantial blow to the meaningful parts of the elephant's cranium (in line with its zygomatic arches/cheek bones) to "turn" the charge (of an angry, adrenalized elephant intent on killing you...)
At one time I would have been under impressed. That changed when we were charged by a juvenile; his display was truly awesome, and can't really be put into words. I would have loved the opportunity to have faced a bull, but the cost is beyond me.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Pretty unreal, hunting something that weighs more than T-Rex did, likely has better senses, travels in herds, and an aggressive disposition. And at mere handfuls of yards, no less.
The more I play with these, and the more I consider that situation in jungle in Cameroon with only a tracker, the more sense a stopper makes. You are your own backup at that point, all ammunition worries aside I do believe I'll pack .450+.
The more I play with these, and the more I consider that situation in jungle in Cameroon with only a tracker, the more sense a stopper makes. You are your own backup at that point, all ammunition worries aside I do believe I'll pack .450+.
OK, Just for the heck of it, here's what a "stopped elephant" looks like...
Note how thick the trunk is, and consider that your bullet has to pass through all that muscle and still deliver a substantial blow to the meaningful parts of the elephant's cranium (in line with its zygomatic arches/cheek bones) to "turn" the charge (of an angry, adrenalized elephant intent on killing you...)
Yep my guy, although not in full swing yet, had flattened his ears and tucked his trunk, when I gave him a 416 to the brain, front on.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You've been incredibly kind already, but you know my weakness for a double and frankly the .470 is the sweetheart of this shoot and immediate favourite of both shooters from a shooting perspective. Don't get me wrong the .505 holds a hell of an allure of its own in another way. Anyhow you'll have to see whether the article is any good before making an offer like that!
Beautiful bulls both of you, I'm mad with envy and buoyed with respect. I'll never have tusks in my trophy room, well, we'll see when I finally get Leopard and what the situation's like down the road if I can revisit anything, but that ivory is absolutely gorgeous.
Looking forward to reading all your tests. I run a few boomers, but just for fun. I've worked in Africa many times, and wandered around after plains game, but cannot afford the big five. - dan
When hunting them in Botswana, we were charged, in the truck, by a cow who decided she wanted my seat in the cab and it was extremely tense for a few moments until we convinced her (non-lethally) the seat wasn't all that comfy. We were chased around a bit by 3 bulls, none of them being shooter class, who didn't appreciate our close proximity while checking out their ivory. I commented to my PH that if he got me into that situation again that I was just going to stand my ground and shoot it out, as I am a much better shot than runner at this point in my life. I would also much rather face my death than get it from behind.
I had another incident in Zambia in the dark, while returning to camp we encountered a cow at about 15 mtrs, she was in a pi$$y mood and was giving us a great display of it. I had my crosshairs firmly planted on her forehead and the PH was begging me not to shoot, to which I informed him that if she so much as pinned her ears or tucked her trunk she was going to get one.............finally she gathered up her calf and vacated the trail.
All memorable events but actually the kind of memories that nightmares are made of..................have I mentioned how much I hate elephants !!!!!
I had another incident in Zambia in the dark, while returning to camp we encountered a cow at about 15 mtrs, she was in a pi$$y mood and was giving us a great display of it. I had my crosshairs firmly planted on her forehead and the PH was begging me not to shoot, to which I informed him that if she so much as pinned her ears or tucked her trunk she was going to get one.............finally she gathered up her calf and vacated the trail.
All memorable events but actually the kind of memories that nightmares are made of..................have I mentioned how much I hate elephants !!!!!
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Hope you guys like the perspective, was test running the camera today for the stopper shoot. Think we'll use wood blocks as targets, and tip them. The 7x57 however punched clean through them and barely wiggled them, so I stacked them wobbly for the instinctive shot at the end. I suspect the .450+ bullets won't have so much trouble tipping them.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Ardent, I wish I could have swiped the 4 bore double for you to test, just couldn't stuff it in my pants unnoticed. It would make for an entertaining comparison, if a 4 bore can't stop it after all ........
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That's a beauty 4 bore, but the beast is too hefty to pack around for most folks. The 8 bore was the working hunter's gun in the Victorian era and is still a true "stopping rifle" today. Love the thump!
For the self abusers, try the 2 bore.
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That's awesome! . It's almost like a M79.
Cartoon guns as they're on the outer edges of practicality despite any perceived need.
I think the .470/.500 Nitro Express is about perfect, but like has been said you're better off with something you can shoot well.
. It's almost like a M79. Cartoon guns as they're on the outer edges of practicality despite any perceived need.
I think the .470/.500 Nitro Express is about perfect, but like has been said you're better off with something you can shoot well.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Whenever I think about these gigantic gauge sized rifles, I recall the picture of Frederick Courteney Selous, and the scar that ran down his face from from when his black powder 4 bore, opened his cheek, ostensibly from an over load. Little wonder he moved on to modern rifles and smokeless metallic cartridges; something about the big guns upsetting his nerves.
