Mac,

You miss my point, entirely. A 450/400 does not, imo, have "as good chance as anything larger".

Yes, 450/400 is going to be the equal of any cartridge given an opportunity to make a successful brain shot - and assuming that is what is delivered. But the 450/400 isn't going to be as likely to stop a charge with a less than perfect shot or when a clean brain shot is not offered, by either turning it, or knocking the elephant down, or knocking it out as a 416, and that isn't going to be as likely as a 450 and that isn't going to be as likely as a 500...

I find support for my opinion in my own limited experience, but also in other sources, amoungst which are, Buzz's recent DVD, in Taylors writing, as well as his Knock Out Values table as noted by Marraki, Ndlovu, Mahohba.

If only the absolutes are options then one should hunt with the legal minimum or go to the other end of the spectrum and use a 700. But they aren't the only options and, imo, one can strike a far better balance between effectiveness when the chips are down, portability and recoil than a 450/400. Especially the typical 10 plus pounder. Imo, elephant stoppers start at 450/458, and go up and a 10 1/2 lb rifle in this range is the better balance.

JPK