What is your elephant gun?

themadbomber · June 11, 2015, 12:13 AM

If you could get an elephant gun, meaning one that is powerful enough to reliably stop a charging beast, what would you choose?

themadbomber · June 11, 2015, 12:19 AM

I would go with .500 or .577 nitro express. They are very big, but not as "overkill" as say a .700 NE. I have no experience with any of them, but I would imagine their recoil would seem way more tolerable than their big brothers

Scorch · June 11, 2015, 01:06 AM

.375 H&H, the best thing to go with my .275 Rigby. It's what all the chaps were using for elephants, don't you know.

Nathan · June 11, 2015, 04:30 AM

458 Lott bolt rifle! Drop belly for more rounds.

**Mike Irwin** · June 11, 2015, 05:09 AM

.425 Wesley Richard in a Mauser Magnum action.

If a double rifle, .500 NE.

RaySendero · June 11, 2015, 05:12 AM

eastbank · June 11, 2015, 06:28 AM

i don,t want to kill a elephant, but if i did i would use what i used on my last two trips to africa and what i,m going to to use on my up comming trip at the end of this month. a cz-550 in .375 H&H mag and i would not feel under gunned. eastbank.

precision_shooter · June 11, 2015, 07:36 AM

.50 BMG, from a long ways away. I have no interest in staring down an elephant and relying on a rifle to stop him from stomping me to death.

BumbleBug · June 11, 2015, 07:53 AM

I'd use Karamojo Bell's favorite the 7x57 Mauser.

...bug

natman · June 11, 2015, 09:47 AM

Mine is an Interarms Mark X Mauser in 458 Win Mag. It's in what I believe is a Bell and Carlson synthetic stock with a nice thick recoil pad.

I've polished the bolt working surfaces and beefed up the magazine release spring. Next project will be to add ghost ring sights.

I shot a pig and a deer with it using 350 grain handloads and it worked very well indeed. It's a bit heavy to lug around for such game, but if I ever have a problem with pachyderms in the petunias, I'm ready.

It's reputation is so fearsome that nobody has spotted a single elephant, rhino or hippo in my neighborhood since I got it.

Dufus · June 11, 2015, 11:53 AM

I don't ever intend to shoot an elephant, but I have a Mark V 460 that would work if loaded correctly.

T. O'Heir · June 11, 2015, 02:03 PM

Nothing you can shoot is powerful enough to reliably stop a charging beast of any kind. Physics doesn't allow it.

eastbank · June 11, 2015, 02:23 PM

well if you shoot them in the arse, i might agree with you. i have seen quite a few big bad animals shot up close and personal with the right rifle and hit in the right place give up the fight as in right down. eastbank.

Erno86 · June 11, 2015, 02:59 PM

I would probably choose a 416 Rigby Magnum, CZ bolt gun, with the 458 Lott not far behind.

Sharkbite · June 11, 2015, 03:08 PM

577 nitro, while wearing a pith helmet and long socks with shorts

The Big Game Hunter · June 11, 2015, 03:55 PM

Assuming money were no object, I'd go all out and buy Holland & Holland “Royal” Deluxe Double Rifle in .600 Nitro. Might as well hunt in style...

Erno86 · June 11, 2015, 04:11 PM

I believe that some of the African elephant poachers use AK-47's on full automatic.

themadbomber · June 11, 2015, 04:26 PM

I know you can use smaller calibers to catch large game (with the right shot placement of course)

, but If an elephant was danger close, then I would want something "elephant" sized and I thought it would be interesting to see everyones dream hand cannon

Erno86 · June 11, 2015, 04:32 PM

My 454 Super Redhawk is rated to bring down any critter on this planet, and maybe even a T-Rex on another.

Art Eatman · June 11, 2015, 05:40 PM

H&Hhunter at THR uses a .450 Rigby double rifle. He's had a lot of experience of the up-close-and-personal sort on buffalo and elephant, particularly in culling of the latter. I've seen him shoot. IPSC speed for a double-tap; 2" at 20 yards. Impressive.

http://www.ask.com/wiki/.450_Rigby?o...apn&ap=ask.com

Deja vu · June 11, 2015, 06:42 PM

I would go with the classic elephant rifle. I know its not the most powerful but id pick the 450 nitro express 3 1/4 inch. While id does have a fair amount of power the history is why I would pick it. I am a sucker for history and that round certainly has it.

Id take it in a double if I got to choose. I also like the fact that I can reload it with the same bullets as I use in my 45-70 Govts.

All that said I don't want to kill an elephant. I don't think i would want to eat it and they are not a nuance animal.

p.s. A 4 bore would be fun too!

jmr40 · June 11, 2015, 07:39 PM

Quote:

I'd use Karamojo Bell's favorite the 7x57 Mauser.

...bug

He killed around 1100 IIRC, most with the 7X57 and 175 gr solids. He said late in his life he would have used a 308 if it had been available at the time.

I'll never hunt elephant, but since we are on Fantasy Island I'll play. I'd probably go with one of the Ruger Guide guns in 375 Ruger. I like the compact size and trust Rugers rugged dependability. While on the lower end of elephant power it is versatile enough to work on other game.

http://ruger.com/products/guideGun/models.html

hatchettjack · June 11, 2015, 09:41 PM

45-70 with 460 gr hard cast at 2000 fps

reynolds357 · June 11, 2015, 10:01 PM

I have never shot an Elephant, but the old man I used to work for killed 8 and his daughter killed 3. He saw dozens shot. He said the .416 Rigby became his rifle of choice.

bamaranger · June 12, 2015, 01:56 AM

Seems like I've read an account of a "game ranger" somewhere in Africa that was issued a Duraganov, or had used on several occassions a Drag, for culling operations. Caliber 7.62x54R of course, because they could obtain genuine AP type ammo in that caliber.

This for conversations sake, I'm not endorsing same.

June 11, 2015, 12:13 AM	#1
themadbomber Member Join Date: February 5, 2015 Posts: 24	What is your elephant gun? If you could get an elephant gun, meaning one that is powerful enough to reliably stop a charging beast, what would you choose?

June 11, 2015, 01:06 AM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	.375 H&H, the best thing to go with my .275 Rigby. It's what all the chaps were using for elephants, don't you know. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 11, 2015, 05:09 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	.425 Wesley Richard in a Mauser Magnum action. If a double rifle, .500 NE. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

June 11, 2015, 07:36 AM	#8
precision_shooter Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,475	.50 BMG, from a long ways away. I have no interest in staring down an elephant and relying on a rifle to stop him from stomping me to death. __________________ "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes...Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." - Thomas Jefferson, 1776

June 11, 2015, 02:03 PM	#12
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Nothing you can shoot is powerful enough to reliably stop a charging beast of any kind. Physics doesn't allow it. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

June 11, 2015, 12:19 AM	#2
themadbomber Member Join Date: February 5, 2015 Posts: 24	I would go with .500 or .577 nitro express. They are very big, but not as "overkill" as say a .700 NE. I have no experience with any of them, but I would imagine their recoil would seem way more tolerable than their big brothers

June 11, 2015, 04:30 AM	#4
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	458 Lott bolt rifle! Drop belly for more rounds.

June 11, 2015, 05:12 AM	#6
RaySendero Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2010 Location: US South Posts: 857

June 11, 2015, 06:28 AM	#7
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	i don,t want to kill a elephant, but if i did i would use what i used on my last two trips to africa and what i,m going to to use on my up comming trip at the end of this month. a cz-550 in .375 H&H mag and i would not feel under gunned. eastbank.

June 11, 2015, 07:53 AM	#9
BumbleBug Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Near Heart of Texas Posts: 870	I'd use Karamojo Bell's favorite the 7x57 Mauser. ...bug

June 11, 2015, 09:47 AM	#10
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,607	Mine is an Interarms Mark X Mauser in 458 Win Mag. It's in what I believe is a Bell and Carlson synthetic stock with a nice thick recoil pad. I've polished the bolt working surfaces and beefed up the magazine release spring. Next project will be to add ghost ring sights. I shot a pig and a deer with it using 350 grain handloads and it worked very well indeed. It's a bit heavy to lug around for such game, but if I ever have a problem with pachyderms in the petunias, I'm ready. It's reputation is so fearsome that nobody has spotted a single elephant, rhino or hippo in my neighborhood since I got it.

June 11, 2015, 11:53 AM	#11
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	I don't ever intend to shoot an elephant, but I have a Mark V 460 that would work if loaded correctly.

June 11, 2015, 02:23 PM	#13
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	well if you shoot them in the arse, i might agree with you. i have seen quite a few big bad animals shot up close and personal with the right rifle and hit in the right place give up the fight as in right down. eastbank.

June 11, 2015, 02:59 PM	#14
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,739	I would probably choose a 416 Rigby Magnum, CZ bolt gun, with the 458 Lott not far behind. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell Last edited by Erno86; June 11, 2015 at 03:04 PM.

June 11, 2015, 03:08 PM	#15
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,679	577 nitro, while wearing a pith helmet and long socks with shorts

June 11, 2015, 03:55 PM	#16
The Big Game Hunter Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Posts: 34	Assuming money were no object, I'd go all out and buy Holland & Holland “Royal” Deluxe Double Rifle in .600 Nitro. Might as well hunt in style... __________________ Hunting Ear Protection, African Hunting Safaris, Cape Buffalo Hunting Safaris, Canada Hunts & New Zealand Hunting

June 11, 2015, 04:11 PM	#17
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,739	I believe that some of the African elephant poachers use AK-47's on full automatic. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

June 11, 2015, 04:26 PM	#18
themadbomber Member Join Date: February 5, 2015 Posts: 24	I know you can use smaller calibers to catch large game (with the right shot placement of course), but If an elephant was danger close, then I would want something "elephant" sized and I thought it would be interesting to see everyones dream hand cannon

June 11, 2015, 04:32 PM	#19
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,739	My 454 Super Redhawk is rated to bring down any critter on this planet, and maybe even a T-Rex on another. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

June 11, 2015, 05:40 PM	#20
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	H&Hhunter at THR uses a .450 Rigby double rifle. He's had a lot of experience of the up-close-and-personal sort on buffalo and elephant, particularly in culling of the latter. I've seen him shoot. IPSC speed for a double-tap; 2" at 20 yards. Impressive. http://www.ask.com/wiki/.450_Rigby?o...apn&ap=ask.com

June 11, 2015, 06:42 PM	#21
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	I would go with the classic elephant rifle. I know its not the most powerful but id pick the 450 nitro express 3 1/4 inch. While id does have a fair amount of power the history is why I would pick it. I am a sucker for history and that round certainly has it. Id take it in a double if I got to choose. I also like the fact that I can reload it with the same bullets as I use in my 45-70 Govts. All that said I don't want to kill an elephant. I don't think i would want to eat it and they are not a nuance animal. p.s. A 4 bore would be fun too! __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

June 11, 2015, 09:41 PM	#23
hatchettjack Member Join Date: June 11, 2015 Posts: 17	45-70 with 460 gr hard cast at 2000 fps

June 11, 2015, 10:01 PM	#24
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I have never shot an Elephant, but the old man I used to work for killed 8 and his daughter killed 3. He saw dozens shot. He said the .416 Rigby became his rifle of choice.

June 12, 2015, 01:56 AM	#25
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,312	Duraganov??? Seems like I've read an account of a "game ranger" somewhere in Africa that was issued a Duraganov, or had used on several occassions a Drag, for culling operations. Caliber 7.62x54R of course, because they could obtain genuine AP type ammo in that caliber. This for conversations sake, I'm not endorsing same.