Ripp, I have shot many more elephants than Boddington. That isn't bragging or saying much because he hunted but one elephant long ago and then didn't return to elephant hunting until very recently.

Ivan on the other hand

It is as easy to hit the brain with a 375H&H, 416 of any description or 450 class rifle, assuming the same sights. There is no difference with any of the cartridges when the brain is hit. The significant difference is when the bain is not hit, but you can't rely on it since there isn't always a significant difference. So, Why not use the more powerful rifle, you don't foreclose making the right shot to begin with and using a big bore might end up saving the day; if its gotten ugly and an ele has come charging, the big bore may well save your life or someone elses. It's saved mine, or a tracker's, twice. Refer back to Buzz'z DVD!

If you're on Taylor's chapter about the 416, it isn't much different than the chapter about the 450/400. Lots of praise, etc, etc, etc... blah, blah, blah... Keep reading, eventually you'll get to either the elephant hunting chapter where he begins with 450's as minimums in the thick stuff (but wanders) or to his description of the rifles he used, a 450NE No2 and a 465H&H, for the great, great bulk of his elephant hunting.

Better to practice what Taylor (and Nychens and Harlan and Thomson and... and...) practiced than to practice what he preaches. Same is true of Ganyana who uses (or used) a 458 Lott. Use a big bore!

Merry Christmas!!!

JPK