Proven Cartridges and Loads
- .375 H&H Magnum: 270-300 grain. Bonded or partition softs for cats and buffalo broadside. Monolithic solids for backup or elephant. Widely available. Often the legal minimum in Africa. A practical “do‑it‑all” choice for mixed safaris.
- .375 Ruger: 270-300 grain. Delivers .375 H&H performance in a shorter action with handy barrel lengths. Good option for travel rifles.
- .416 Rigby / .416 Remington Magnum: 400 grain at roughly 2,300-2,400 fps. Excellent on Cape buffalo and hippo. Noticeably more authority than .375 with manageable recoil for trained shooters.
- .404 Jeffery: 400 grain at roughly 2,150-2,350 fps. Smooth feeding. Hits hard with a mild recoil impulse for its class. Proven on buffalo and elephant.
- .458 Lott: 500 grain at roughly 2,250-2,300 fps. Serious stopping round for close work. Favored as a backup rifle. Use bonded softs for first shots on buffalo. Keep solids ready for raking or shoulder‑breaking angles.
- .458 Winchester Magnum: 500 grain around 2,100-2,150 fps with modern loads. Broad ammo availability. A classic that still works.
- .470 Nitro Express (double rifles): 500 grain at about 2,150 fps. A standard in doubles for buffalo and elephant where fast pairs of shots matter.
- 9.3×62 Mauser: 286 grain around 2,300-2,400 fps. Legal for buffalo in some countries. Useful all‑rounder where allowed.
- .45‑70 Government (+P hard‑cast in strong modern actions): 405-430 grain hard‑cast or monolithic. Close‑range choice for big bears in thick cover. Use only in rifles rated for modern high‑pressure loads.
- Specialist Elephant Options: .500 NE, .505 Gibbs, and similar heavy bores with solids for maximum straight‑line penetration at close range.
- Other Capable Options: .416 Ruger, .450/400 3" NE, 9.3×74R, .500 Jeffery, .470 Capstick. Each can work in skilled hands. Prioritize ammunition availability and practice time before the trip.
Bullet picks to look for: bonded softs (Swift A‑Frame, Nosler Partition), copper monos (Barnes TSX/TTSX), safari lines (Hornady DGX/DGS, Federal Cape‑Shok including Woodleigh Hydro). Choose flat‑nosed solids for straight travel on thick‑skinned game.
Gear to Complete Your Hunt
For seasoned hunters, ammunition is only one part of the equation. A complete kit includes:
- Ammunition Selection: Premium controlled-expansion bullets hold together on impact and penetrate deeply.
- Optics: Binoculars, rangefinders, and spotting scopes to locate and judge game before the shot.
- Cutting Tools: Quality skinning and processing knives for efficient field work.
- Game Handling Gear: Meat bags, tarps, and gloves to keep harvests clean and cool.
- Scent Control: Sprays, clothing, and storage solutions to reduce detection.
- Calls and Decoys: Species-specific tools for bringing game into range.
- Clothing: Layered, weather-ready garments built for the terrain and season.