Talk:Elephant gun

Most powerful
Which round is the most powerfull in the world? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.700_Nitro_Express says: While the .700 Nitro Express is sometimes touted as the "most powerful commercial round in the world", especially by the manufacturer, this is not exactly true. The .700 Nitro Express double rifle is only available on a custom order basis, and has never seen regular production, while the .585 Nyati which is built under similar circumstances is significantly more powerful. Currently the most powerful rifle cartridge available on a commercial basis is the .50 BMG. Still, the .700 Nitro Express is a very powerful round, and is known worldwide by its reputation among serious big-game hunters.


 * The .700 Nitro was only recently produced. It may have been used on some animals by this time, but it is not a popular 'working' cartridge. It is mostly a collectors piece. Even the .600 Nitro was not that popular during the early part of the century, and most Professional Hunters used the .577 Nitro; some even considering the .600 "overkill". The 50 BMG is not a 'rifle' round in the sense, but is classified as a heavy machine gun round. Yes, it can be used in a 'rifle'; hoewever, these rifles are specialized and for custom applications. When speaking in terms of a dangerous game rifle, we are typically talking about a rifle around 15 pounds or less, and without a muzzlebrake. A hunter must be able to field a weapon,and the shoot, for some time. A rifle version of a 50 BMG doesnt fit the bill. Harry 138.162.8.57 (talk) 15:55, 8 June 2008 (UTC)

Ten Centimeter Plate?
The article claims that elephant guns could punch though a 10cm (4 inch) plate. This is probably wrong. I think it should read 10 millimeter (0.4 inch) plate. That's much more realistic. --71.172.37.93 (talk) 08:27, 25 May 2008 (UTC)
 * You would be correct, as my .458 cannot punch through 3/4 inches (sectional density versus velocity) but it sure makes that plate jump around while its suspended from the frame. My .300 Weatherby can make a nice hole through 1/2 plate WITHOUT using FMJ's.  Harry 138.162.8.57 (talk) 15:55, 8 June 2008 (UTC)

Photos
"Harry", if you have a .458 would you be willing to photograph it and upload a photo (for the article? (see photo request box above). Similarly for a .458 cartridge! Articles are nearly always improved by a few photos! Any other safari hunters or gun collectors who could similarly assist this article would be greatly appreciated! While its a bit of a cliche, photos of less common  cartridges lined up with widely used rounds (.22LR, 30-06, .303 etc) do help greatly in giving those of us with limited experience of/opportunities for, shooting or hunting, some idea of what we're talking about when we refer to a cartridge of the order of a .458! (I've had the good fortune to actually handle, though not shoot, a .460 Weatherby Magnum... but many people have never even seen any rifle in any calibre above the .300/7mm range).  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.66.135.161 (talk) 21:05, 9 June 2008 (UTC)

Market Share
I heard on TV that the number of elephant guns sold has tripled in the last six months for some unknown reason, but I can find no reference to this in the article.


 * Touche, Colbert Report fan. Touche. -FrYGuY (talk) 14:09, 12 January 2009 (UTC)