Big-bore and dangerous-game cartridges for Africa, Alaska and big bears: what each was built for, a typical load, speed, energy, practical range, point-blank range, rifle type and twist. Tap a column header to sort.
| Made for | Practical range | Rifle | Twist |
|---|
Many African countries set a legal minimum of .375 caliber and about 4,000 ft-lbs for buffalo, elephant, hippo and lion. Solids (non-expanding bullets) are used for elephant and often buffalo for deep, straight penetration; soft points are used on lion and plains game.
A 6" vital zone, a scope 1.5" over the bore, sea-level air and a G1 drag model, with sight-in height at 100 yards. Double rifles usually wear open express sights regulated at 50–100 yards, and most dangerous-game shots happen well inside 100 yards, so treat MPBR here as a comparison, not a shooting distance.