- Joined
- Jun 24, 2022
- Messages
- 493
- Reaction score
- 2,334
- Location
- SC Alaska, South Louisiana
- Media
- 14
- Member of
- AK WSF, AMM, DSC, GOA, GRAA, NRA, PHASA, SCI, WSF
- Hunted
- Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Argentina, Canada, England, Macedonia, Mexico, Serbia, Alaska, USA
Doubles are my absolute favorite Africa hunting rifles. With a couple of Zimbabwe hunts coming up in the next two years, I want to take a back up for my W.J. Jeffery 475 No 2 Jeffery. Plan was to take my 500NE Verney-Carroon as the back up.
But what if I get a chance at a perfect buffalo and the closest I can get is just out of double range. Or what if I decide to take some plains game.
I decided it'd make more sense to carry a medium caliber gun as a back up. But I didn't have one. And I figured since we are about to leave for a month in South Africa this would be the perfect time to get one and get comfortable with it.
The romance of old Africa Safaris bit me hard 60 years ago. With that in mind and my love of old guns I decided to look for a W.J. Jeffery in 404 Jeffery. Only one I could find was in Switzerland and because of time constraints mostly I didn't go that route. Next was a Rigby in 416 Rigby. Couldn't find one. But I did come across a Holland & Holland 375 H&H. Although I'd never seen myself owning a 375 I went for it.
Based on the serial number it was built between 1914 and 1918. Based on the condition of the stock I think maybe it was refinished at some point, but the rest of the gun is pretty much scratch and wear free so maybe not.
After giving the barrel and chamber a good cleaning it was off to the range with a box of Hornady DGS. I set up a bulls eye target at 50 yards, detached the scope, and took the first shot. First time I'd used a hooded front sight. High and to the left. Well crap that's not good I thought. Took a second shot and a couple of inches right and high. Not liking what I'm seeing I decided to lower the hood. Much better. Center and just a little high. Is this me I thought. I'm good with open sights. Have I got a gun with a problem. I'd have killed a Cape buffalo but good chance I would have missed a Steenbuck.
Feeling just a little dejected I put the scope on. Changed targets to the one I use for scopes. Fixed 2.5 power which didn't give me the precision to line up on a 1" square as I usually do so I aimed at the middle of the target with not the greatest expectations. Much to my surprise the first round was close enough. Maybe the gun is okay I thought. Second round cut the first. Nice! Third I pulled slightly but still excellent. The steenbuck would be dead.
Seems I've got some open sight shooting practice to do with this gun before I take it to Zimbabwe. But for South Africa as my plains game rifle with the scope it should be fine. Going to be quite the change from the 300 Weatherby Custom I usually hunt with. Looking forward to it.
A closer representation of the color of the stock (perhaps just a bit too light) is in this photo of it in the gun case.
I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to be the caretaker of these fine guns.
But what if I get a chance at a perfect buffalo and the closest I can get is just out of double range. Or what if I decide to take some plains game.
I decided it'd make more sense to carry a medium caliber gun as a back up. But I didn't have one. And I figured since we are about to leave for a month in South Africa this would be the perfect time to get one and get comfortable with it.
The romance of old Africa Safaris bit me hard 60 years ago. With that in mind and my love of old guns I decided to look for a W.J. Jeffery in 404 Jeffery. Only one I could find was in Switzerland and because of time constraints mostly I didn't go that route. Next was a Rigby in 416 Rigby. Couldn't find one. But I did come across a Holland & Holland 375 H&H. Although I'd never seen myself owning a 375 I went for it.
Based on the serial number it was built between 1914 and 1918. Based on the condition of the stock I think maybe it was refinished at some point, but the rest of the gun is pretty much scratch and wear free so maybe not.
After giving the barrel and chamber a good cleaning it was off to the range with a box of Hornady DGS. I set up a bulls eye target at 50 yards, detached the scope, and took the first shot. First time I'd used a hooded front sight. High and to the left. Well crap that's not good I thought. Took a second shot and a couple of inches right and high. Not liking what I'm seeing I decided to lower the hood. Much better. Center and just a little high. Is this me I thought. I'm good with open sights. Have I got a gun with a problem. I'd have killed a Cape buffalo but good chance I would have missed a Steenbuck.
Feeling just a little dejected I put the scope on. Changed targets to the one I use for scopes. Fixed 2.5 power which didn't give me the precision to line up on a 1" square as I usually do so I aimed at the middle of the target with not the greatest expectations. Much to my surprise the first round was close enough. Maybe the gun is okay I thought. Second round cut the first. Nice! Third I pulled slightly but still excellent. The steenbuck would be dead.
Seems I've got some open sight shooting practice to do with this gun before I take it to Zimbabwe. But for South Africa as my plains game rifle with the scope it should be fine. Going to be quite the change from the 300 Weatherby Custom I usually hunt with. Looking forward to it.
A closer representation of the color of the stock (perhaps just a bit too light) is in this photo of it in the gun case.
I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to be the caretaker of these fine guns.
