So share yours, what do you feel makes a proper buffalo bolt gun?
I did my share of shooting and hunting, but having shot only one buffalo so far, I am by no means expert. I also learnt a lot on this forum, especially from member
@One Day...
He said, something like "every DG rifle will need debugging before first DG hunt".
I did not understand this entirely, as all of my hunting rifles were good to go, out of box. What the hack needs to be done?!
But very soon I learned he was correct!
So, what I can tell you is my journey with a rifle and what I have done till I shot my first buffalo.
Idea to hunt buffalo came to me during my second plains game safari in 2018, while listening the stories over a "bush telegraph", over fire pit in the camp, about dangerous game hunting.
I decided then, under African sky, to buy my buffalo gun, and hunt buffalo one day with it.
I am also very conservative, and with restrictive budget:
So, at the start I considered three options for buffalo gun:
- double rifle
- bolt action, CRF, M98 type
- Blaser R8.
Being conservative in choice of firearms, Blaser R8 was cancelled immediately.
Being restrictive on the budget, and double rifle costs, it left me only with option to get M98 rifle, or clone, in appropriate caliber.
At start, my plan was just to make one safari with my own rifle for buffalo. This determined a choice of caliber: 375 H&H.
Because I can use this caliber for other game on European hunting grounds, while other DG calibers would be overkill, making no use of them on old continent.
There is not many CRF rifles on the market, so it took me almost 2 years to find it.
Finally I obtained:
ZKK 602, in 375 H&H, vintage 1985.
Rifle came with awful scope Swarovski 8x56 (fixed power), with vertical thick reticle, on fixed mounts. The scope unlovely and distasteful, big like shovel, trigger pull that could be improved. Safety on in fwd position which didnt sit well with me.
But the rifle shot well during the test, recoil was acceptable. Had iron sights which I think are necessary for DG gun.
So, I made first stage debugging:
- Removed the ugly scope. Bought more elegant Swarovski 1.7-10x42, which will be adequate for short ranges in bush and longer shots if necessary, with illuminated reticle.
- Installed German swing mounts by Rusan, made of steel with 6 screws on front ring.
- Basis of new swing mounts covered iron sights, so we installed doubler plate below rear sight, and higher front sight to make it visible over the bases when scope is removed.
- Safety reworked (somehow) to fire forward, but with this modification, bolt was able to unlock and open when safety was on. This was not to my full satisfaction, but it was better then before, and for further modifications I kept the safety on the list for debugging stage no 2.
- Trigger was lightened, much better then earlier.
- Iron sight and scope zeroed.
With debugging stage no 1done,, I went on eland safari 2022 and on buffalo safari in 2024.
This worked very well, but safety as it was did not give me piece of mind. Something will have to be done.
Debugging, stage no 2.
I came back from buffalo safari, passed a brush through the barrel in haste, and put the gun in the locker. Had no time, as I had to run to my off shore job.
Came back home, and two months later after safari, rifle was rusted, as in haste I forgot to wipe the rifle with oily rag, and rusty effects of sweat during 10 days safari were very visible.
Some time earlier, having set my mind to fix the safety issue, I ordered and received winchester type safety and trigger from Wayne at AHR. Safety and new trigger was received and available.
I took the rifle to my gunsmith. He did following:
- Bluing the rifle
- Installed the new trigger
- Installed Winchester type safety from AHR
I tested the rifle after bluing job, and rifle holds same zero, as before. A testament to scope mounts, rifle and scope.
Debugging stage no 3.
This is in plan, in forthcoming period.
I spoke with the gunsmith and we have a plan.
This old design of the rifle from sixties and eighties, does not have a floating barrel. It is still acceptably accurate, at around 1.5 MOA. Acceptable for close range DG work. But this cam be improved.
The stock is 3/4 inch too short for my length of pull
Now, striving for perfection the plan is following.
- Make new stock, with 3/4 inch longer lenght of pull
- Float the barrel, with hope to optimize accuracy.
- Install crossbolts on receiver, and remove forend screw that now connects stock and barrel in order to make barrel floating.
Philosophical misconception clarification:
Now, the philosophical misconception is following:
The rifle was purchased and bought with purpose of one DG hunt, buffalo. Obviously this idea does not hold anymore. I already have one buffalo as per plan, with my rifle!
So, correction follows:
When I make debugging stage no 3, I will have a moral obligation to repeat DG hunt again, for a buffalo or something else. The rifle will need to make at least one more African trip!
Perfecting the rifle is not for the reason of safe storage in a gun locker.
