As my other most recent post illustrates, I'm a newby, and dreaming of safari and doubles.

My question. . .

If you could only own/buy one double rifle, and use it for everything from eland at 100 or maybe 150 yards, buffalo, lion, and elephant, and you were willing to scope it (blasphemous I know), what would you consider for the perfect cartridge?

I would love to go on safari and take two rifles. . . my familiar best friend Remington 700 .300 RUM, and a nice double with a low power scope. Something more than adequate for elephant, buffalo at less than 100 yards, and lion either on a baited or tracking hunt.

I've done lots of searching here and on the competitive website. Some calibers I've considered. . .

.500/.416. . . but availability of components may be the killer, although with it's higher velocity, seems like it might be a great cartridge with some versatility. I've never been able to find a ballistics table though showing expected bullet drop past 100 yards

.450/.400. . . a popular sounding cartridge with a big following. Available components and freely available factory ammo.

.450 NE 3.25". . . One choice that I'm considering really hard. Highly recommended. Slimmer action and possibly lighter rifle than a .470 or .500, and seems ballistically identical to a .470 or .500. Nostalgic round that predates most other NE rounds. Factory ammo, big choice of .458 bullets. But what's it gonna act like with a scope at 100 yards? How will it be for lion?

.470 NE. . . also a choice I'm really considering. What more can I say about this round. Is it really gonna be any better than a .450 NE? Especially considering that I'm sure I won't be hunting elephant a lot

.500 NE. . . sounds cool. May not be able to handle the recoil, I don't know. And it seems especially blasphemous to scope a .500. And again, what's this big round do after 100 yards? How will it be for a lion killer at ranges approaching 100 yards maybe?

Really, in my mind, comes down to the 500/416, the .450 NE 3.25", and the .470.

And Yeah yeah yeah, I've heard and read every argument for either a 3 rifle battery, or if only a two rifle battery, using a .375 as the light rifle. However, I like my .300. It's perfectly adequate for any antelope (even eland I would submit), and I have absolutely no desire to own a bolt action "medium" or to use one. And as a rabid bowhunter, the thought of passing up a 150 yard shot at a buffalo or other critter because all I have is the double, doesn't bother me. I've had to watch plenty of trophies pass me by at 60 yards and not being able to do anything. I'm used to it. (although passing a 150 yard shot at a lion would hurt a lot, especially considering that I've read it's getting to be one of the toughest african trophies)

What's your take?

Sorry for the book

Bake