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My comments on the recoil of a .416 was on the general safari client. Simply most guys see even a .375 as a huge cartridge. What people write or say back home doesn't measure up to their actual experiences. The guys that buy a big rifle or double rifle for their safari and sell it again on return. Can't shoot it at all. PHs often comment privately most guys can't shoot for shit.

There is a very good reason why the .375 has always been considered the all-rounder. Because of 110 years of experience. Untold numbers of buffalo. And not too excessive recoil for plains game. It was marketed that way at the beginning. A 235, 270 and 300 gr cartridge choice. It remains one of the most popular, the most popular? "big bore" for buffalo. As the big rifle if the two.

I wonder how many people have tried shooting their 375, 416 etc from a lying prone position? It's a pretty normal field shooting position for medium game. My guess is the average safari client uses the bakkies shooting frame instead! Shooting prone at a target, OUCH! Is my opinion.

I've really been thinking about have I read any articles or stories of an all-rounder .416 where there was a fair amount of plains game hunting detailed? Maybe an animal or two, yes. There is always a second mu0edium rifle. I have read many a single .375 story. Some romantically minded guys only take a .375 for only plains game.

Other threads rave on about long range "hunting". I wonder what's the longest field shots people have made with a .375, .494, .416, .450?

Most of my hunting has been from 20 yards to less than a hundred. A kudu at maybe 150? .30-06, 9.3x74R 0, 8x68S and .375. in the NT I made a pleasing .375 shot at 250 yards on a dingo. 300 gr RNSP. Impressed even myself!

I've shot my .404 in 8 round rapid fire competition. I don't find it very pleasant doing that. Actually the .375 for the same. Eight rounds rapid fire, one does feel it. A bit of shock an awe afterwards. The same with a .30-06, mwah, easy. A .318 WR or .338/06 I think might be easier than a .375 or .404.

There is always an incremental benefit in going from a .330 to a 9.3 to a .375 to a 400 of some sort to a .450, 500, 577 etc for DG.

There is also a decremental decrease in fine accurate shooting ability as recoil increases.

Safari client hunting? One always has a PH to back up and hold ones hand. Hunting solo? I prefer my .450 DR.

Note again, big difference between people using their rifles a fair amount. And those on that "big once a lifetime safari" with a brand new hardly shot rifle.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"