[marktwain]

Used to be, a person would put a round or two into the water between them and the hippos. Hippos in the water are likely sensitive to the sound and shock.

It does not take an elephant rifle to take down hippos, but they are big, tough animals. You want something with a lot of penetration.

Most would say a .375 H&H or above. The .375 is the minimum legal caliber to hunt hippos in South Africa.

Lots of hippos have been taken down with .308/.30-06/.303 loads or less.

If I were hunting hippos, I would likely opt for a .375.

[RedMonqey]

Used to be, a person would put a round or two into the water between them and the hippos. Hippos in the water are likely sensitive to the sound and shock.

Is this experience talking or just guessing?

Since most of the "boom" is at the business end of a weapon and does not travel well under water, I really doubt hippos, however "sensitive" are not deterred by bullets splashing the water.

And no I've never hunted hippos but I have killed Tennessee wildlife.