Well since you didn't specify, but dangerous begins at grizzly/brown bear, and continues to africa.....starting there, I agree as above, .338 to start, I own a .340 Wby, which they say in alaska, the .338 that is, is the .30-06 to a guy in wisconsin, or the .375h&h if you wer ein africa. personally I can think of no finer a cartridge than the .375H&H to hunt Brown bear, and that would also double as a great african cartridge, can do it all, though on the really big stuff, I'd want more gun. The .458 Lott can be loaded down to .45-70 specs, can make a great all around. My suggestions, .338-.458Lott

45-70 using Garrett's 540gr. hammerheads +P will stop anything on this planet.

375 H&H, one world, one gun

IF you are talking about the "big five" in Africa (Cape Buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion & leopard) if you are the hunter with a PH backing you up, I'd use a .375 like the H&H or Ruger, or a .416 such as the .416 Rigby. For a stopping rifle, nothing under .45 caliber qualifies, and bigger is better, except the leopard does not require an elephant stopper.

For Kodiak, Polar, and big grizzlies, I think the .338 Win. and similar rounds with premium bullets are sufficient, but I'd use my .375 H&H or .416 Rigby for 1000-pound and up bears!

The .30/'06 with heavy premium bullets will kill (and has killed!!) anything on earth with one shot. BUT you must be a superb marksman, AND YOU MUST KNOW YOUR QUARRY'S ANATOMY VERY INTIMATELY, IN ORDER TO KNOW JUST EXACTLY WHERE THE BULLET MUST HIT!! The Inuit kill polar bears with the .22 Hornet and .223 Remington. Jack O'Connor's wife used a .30/'06 to kill her elephant. Bell killed over 800 elephant with a 7X57mm Mauser (275 Rigby).

My recommendation: use the biggest, most powerful rifle you can shoot well. Big bullets don't work if they miss.

That is very true alot of people try to shoot too big of gun and they are scared of the recoil and they start flinching.

444 Marlin

I would only consider the .444 capable for dangerous game if it was loaded with a bullet of at least 300 grains, and preferably more. Just like the old .405 Winchester, the bullets under 300 grains lack the necessary sectional density for deep penetration on really heavy game such as Cape Buffalo, elephant, etc. For example, when shooting such huge, tough things, T.R. used his big bore double, reserving the .405 for lion and smaller game.

What are we talking here, hunting or self defense? I know plenty of people that hunt large dangerous game (Moose, bear and the likes) with a bow.

If you are talking self defense I can't think of much that will reliably stop a charging grizzly or larger animal in its tracks before it gets to you.

I would say the biggest gun you can shoot and handle well, even if that means a 30-06 or something similar. My grandma used to live in Alaska and she took a 7mm mauser with her when she was doing chores outside like hanging clothes and what not. I huge gun will not do you much good if you can't shoot it well and quickly.

There is always the trusty 12 ga as well.

Paul

You can say the same about the 9.3x62mm, and it one gets "meat" on one end of the gun.