Thanks Rich
"Zim Parks records show some facts central to this discussion. First is that it is ussually not the elephant being hunted that causes problems but either another elephant accompanying the hunted elephant or a suprise attack from an elephant. Second is the statistics for escaping harm from a bad encounter with an elephant show that all hunters using 375H&H's were either seriously injured or killed, and that the chances of escaping either serious harm or death only increased beyond 50/50 when the hunter was using a 458 or bigger bore rifle."
found this in another posting. Comments?
Well, if there is one thing I've been learning lately is the rules for stopping rifles seem a bit different with 50 caliber rifles, or pistols. I recently shot a 570 grain, soft point, out of a 500 Nitro Express, double, at 2014 fps. That IS considered a stopper, so the .50 AK may well be. Just haven't tried it, or really heard much about it.
I've also been learning that 525 grain 50 caliber bullets, at as slow as 1100 fps, simply hammer game like a 375 H&H, so, a bit faster, and, I may concede the point. Let me know.(Socrates runs to new Hogdon reloading manual to look up new cartridge, for him
) WOW! How long is your barrel? Looks like the 50 AK REALLY likes heavy bullets, like 525's, at 1850, with 35k pressure. GOT to like that.
I'd like another 150 ft a sec, but, I'm really wondering, with that big a bullet, if the game is going to notice the difference in velocity?
Rich, What did you use in 45-70 for your buffalo, last trip, and what kind of rifle was it?
Is the Blaser a 416 Rigby, and are you taking that with you, as well? (conversion kit, etc.?) I've heard, that the 400 grain 2400 fps out of the Rigby is VERY effective on cats, and, a great round for near anything.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I look at the 35 Whelan, 338 Win Mag, 9.3X6.2, 9.3X74R, and 375 H&H, I just don't see much difference. They all get 250's going fast enough to be effective, and, the caliber is about the same. So, you picked one, next step up is the 416.
Always fun learning about new calibers, and guns.
I've heard Jack Huntington is chambering the long cylinder BFR's for the 50 Alaskan, and getting 525's going 1650 fps. Now THAT's a handful.
Currently this gun
will get 525's going 1550 fps, .500 Linebaugh Maximum, but, what I've got it loaded with is going 1350 fps.
Bullets are empty 500 NE case, 440 grain 500 JRH bullet, another one taken from an Asian Buffalo, off side, after going through the animal, and hitting bone, a 525 grain
.510 caliber bullet for the Max, and, a ready to go 570 grain soft point, for the 500 NE.
Look forward to hearing about your trip-)
S
Hippo is still being negotiated but may be a non-starter due to the need to move camps to get one. 
