PHOENIX PHIL
AH ambassador
Okay, so it's been a little less than a month since returning from my first safari in South Africa. I don't think a waking hour goes by that I don't think at least for a moment about either the hunt I was on or the next one I'm planning. I don't know whether or not I'll pursue buffalo on my next trip, but I'm giving it much thought. If I do, I'll need a new rifle and I'm pretty convinced that I'd like to go with the .375 calibre. I know you're asking, H&H or the new Ruger version? For now, put that aside. I'm partial to the H&H for nostalgic reasons and availability, but I'm not strongly in favor of it either. What I'm more concerned about is picking the right rifle.
It seems that buffalo hunting usually involves relatively short shots, 100 yards or less, in fairly to very thick brush and usually at the end of a very long walk. So in relation to the short shots and thick brush, it would seem to me that a shorter barreled rifle would be best. With respect to the walk, a lighter rifle would also be better. I realize this means more recoil, but I've never felt recoil when the target had legs and hair versus being made of paper. Furthermore, I found that my Tikka T3 Lite in 300 Win mag had it's recoil eaten up very well by the Limbsaver recoil pad I put on it and was never a problem when I was shooting it at the range.
So here's what I'm considering.....
Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker - The upside of this gun is it's light, coming in just under 7 pounds. It's a synthetic stock, a plus in my mind because I don't worry about scratching it. It has a 24" barrel, one of the shortest I've found. The only downside to me is I just don't really love that A-bolt style action.
Ruger Hawkeye African - The upsides of this gun is the controlled round feed, a 23" barrel, weight is a bit more than the Browning at 7.75 pounds but still not too bad. The downside is that it is only available in .375 Ruger. I've nothing against the round, but could you find it in Africa if your bag with the ammo gets lost by the airline? Or would your outfitter have it on hand? Not so sure, but I'm virtually 100% certain that he'd have .375 H&H all over the place. It also comes in a wood stock, a downside to me.
Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan- About the same as the African but with a synthetic stock, and shorter yet with a 20" barrel, perhaps this is getting too short however.
Winchester Model 70 Safari Express - I have two Model 70 Classics in .270 and 7mm Rem Mag, the latter of which I may request to be buried with. I love my Winchesters plain and simple. It also has a fairly short 24" barrel, but a wood stock that I guess I'd just have to accept the scratches and scars that come from hunting. The big downside is the weight at 9 pounds. That could get to be old on a long day's walk.
CZ 550 Safari Magnum - I have no experience with the CZ rifles, but do read lots of good things about them, so I'm giving them consideration. However with a 25" barrel and coming in at 9.4 pounds, it's last on my list, but not yet ruled out.
It seems that buffalo hunting usually involves relatively short shots, 100 yards or less, in fairly to very thick brush and usually at the end of a very long walk. So in relation to the short shots and thick brush, it would seem to me that a shorter barreled rifle would be best. With respect to the walk, a lighter rifle would also be better. I realize this means more recoil, but I've never felt recoil when the target had legs and hair versus being made of paper. Furthermore, I found that my Tikka T3 Lite in 300 Win mag had it's recoil eaten up very well by the Limbsaver recoil pad I put on it and was never a problem when I was shooting it at the range.
So here's what I'm considering.....
Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker - The upside of this gun is it's light, coming in just under 7 pounds. It's a synthetic stock, a plus in my mind because I don't worry about scratching it. It has a 24" barrel, one of the shortest I've found. The only downside to me is I just don't really love that A-bolt style action.
Ruger Hawkeye African - The upsides of this gun is the controlled round feed, a 23" barrel, weight is a bit more than the Browning at 7.75 pounds but still not too bad. The downside is that it is only available in .375 Ruger. I've nothing against the round, but could you find it in Africa if your bag with the ammo gets lost by the airline? Or would your outfitter have it on hand? Not so sure, but I'm virtually 100% certain that he'd have .375 H&H all over the place. It also comes in a wood stock, a downside to me.
Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan- About the same as the African but with a synthetic stock, and shorter yet with a 20" barrel, perhaps this is getting too short however.
Winchester Model 70 Safari Express - I have two Model 70 Classics in .270 and 7mm Rem Mag, the latter of which I may request to be buried with. I love my Winchesters plain and simple. It also has a fairly short 24" barrel, but a wood stock that I guess I'd just have to accept the scratches and scars that come from hunting. The big downside is the weight at 9 pounds. That could get to be old on a long day's walk.
CZ 550 Safari Magnum - I have no experience with the CZ rifles, but do read lots of good things about them, so I'm giving them consideration. However with a 25" barrel and coming in at 9.4 pounds, it's last on my list, but not yet ruled out.
) I agree with you on a shorter barrel. My CZ 550 in .458 Lott had a 25" barrel. Hunted the first time with this length and when I got home I had a gunsmith take 3" off of it which made a big difference my next time in Zim (by the way this rifle is for sale also). 
