Bigbulls,

Some interesting stuff going on at the ragged upper end of centerfire rifles with the wild cats including the 500A2, 600 Overkill and 700 Overkill cartridges, as well as others. If I was going for something like that, then I think I would write off trying to hunt with it and just get one of those single shot 50 BMG rifles and start playing at the 1000 yard range. But back to the Lazzeroni....

I believe 4 tons of energy would translate to 8,000 ft pounds not 12,000 but in any case that is a lot. If 8,000 is the number, then it' s a bit above a 460 Weatherby in terms of energy and recoil. Interestingly enough the 460 Weatherby is known in Africa as the 460 Wound-A-Beast and is not a favorite of PH' s -- NOT because of recoil or accuracy problems or recoil whimpy hunters, but rather excessive speed.

Contrary to the what one would assume, it seems that on the large large game animals that 500gr bullets at around 2150 to 2350 fps provides the best trade off of reliability, energy, bullet integrity, and straight line penetration; whereas the Weatherby (and I assume this new cartridge) falls into the " sounds great" but in reality may be a bit erratic and unpredictable in the straight line penetration department (like 4 feet of meat on some shots) -- oddly enough, kind of a case of big and slow and low pressure rounds " carrying the day" -- maybe the British had it figured out best about 100 years ago.

I' ll probably turn some of my " junk guns" into cash through GunBroker.com and get another CZ 550 either in 458WinMag and then modify it to a 458 Lott, just for entertainment purposes of course, I would never shoot an elk with it. Now on the other hand, a Alaskan Coastal Brownie..... Hmmm! [8D]

OR

Get a CZ in 7mmRemMag since that " slot" in my rack is empty and I' ve always wanted one. I figure the 7mmRemMag would work fine on varmits and antelope and such, I don' t care for deer much -- not too good for eating compared to others.

ON THE OTHER HAND....

An interesting quote from one of the lads who took his African " Big Five" ... " Once you' ve walked amongst them, there is no such thing as a rifle too large!" What a difference animals that hunt back or that can " pancake" you make on the psyche of a hunter!

Good Day,
Never Go Undergunned,
EKM