Buffalo rifle show and tell

[Kevin375]

I have hunted only one buffalo so far. Unfortunately, this animal was a bit too young, mistake can happen, but the stalking was great.
I used my R8 in .458 Lott topped with a Zeiss V8 1.1-8x30.
I really like this rifle that is short and well balanced. Such setup is heavy but the recoil is tamed and with a good quality sling, that is wide and flexible, it helps a lot to carry it.
I used a handloaded Degol Starkmantel 500 gr.

 

[Red Leg]

Have you ever had an issue with the barrel going into the dirt and getting clogged? That is one thing I have worried about when thinking about carrying the gun barrel down. Naturally, one would just have to be very diligent in swinging it into a safe position if crouching.

Never, but I have been using this carry for many years. That is also an R8 so it is a fairly compact rifle as a .375 goes.

 

[glblanchard]

Just a note about hunting in general, ALWAYS put a piece of electrical tape over the muzzle. If you stick your muzzle in the dirt, or are crawling during a stalk, no worries about dirt in the bore. When you shoot, the bullet will blow right through no problem. Not a problem in Africa, but also keeps snow out of the bore also.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Just a note about hunting in general, ALWAYS put a piece of electrical tape over the muzzle. If you stick your muzzle in the dirt, or are crawling during a stalk, no worries about dirt in the bore. When you shoot, the bullet will blow right through no problem. Not a problem in Africa, but also keeps snow out of the bore also.

Absolutely, and something I feel is critical here in Alaska where I hunt. But I believe the gases get to the tape long (relatively) before the bullet ever gets that far...

 

[RStien321]

No buffalo yet, but looking to change that with Limcroma Safaris in Mid-August.

This rifle was built off a Winchester Model 70 by Stuart Satterlee. It started life as a plastic stocked 300 RUM. It is now in a Winchester Safari stock, has super grade bottom metal, is beautifully blued, with a barrel band and NECG sites. Scope is a Leupold VX-5HD 1-5x24 with a #4 Firedog reticle set in Warne QD rings. Feed and function has been flawless, and it shoots 400 Grain Swift A Frames at 2350fps.

 

[grand veneur]

Just a note about hunting in general, ALWAYS put a piece of electrical tape over the muzzle. If you stick your muzzle in the dirt, or are crawling during a stalk, no worries about dirt in the bore. When you shoot, the bullet will blow right through no problem. Not a problem in Africa, but also keeps snow out of the bore also.

I have never done anything like that in Africa, but I also always do that in other countries when rain or snow is expected. I don't know if it is really useful.

 

[358 Norma]

No buffalo yet, but looking to change that with Limcroma Safaris in Mid-August.

This rifle was built off a Winchester Model 70 by Stuart Satterlee. It started life as a plastic stocked 300 RUM. It is now in a Winchester Safari stock, has super grade bottom metal, is beautifully blued, with a barrel band and NECG sites. Scope is a Leupold VX-5HD 1-5x24 with a #4 Firedog reticle set in Warne QD rings. Feed and function has been flawless, and it shoots 400 Grain Swift A Frames at 2350fps.

Nice, what Caliber?

 

[358 Norma]

No buffalo yet, but looking to change that with Limcroma Safaris in Mid-August.

This rifle was built off a Winchester Model 70 by Stuart Satterlee. It started life as a plastic stocked 300 RUM. It is now in a Winchester Safari stock, has super grade bottom metal, is beautifully blued, with a barrel band and NECG sites. Scope is a Leupold VX-5HD 1-5x24 with a #4 Firedog reticle set in Warne QD rings. Feed and function has been flawless, and it shoots 400 Grain Swift A Frames at 2350fps.

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Nice, what caliber?

 

[RStien321]

Nice, what caliber?

404 Jeffery - I need to update the post! Thanks for the catch!

 

[Green Chile]

My favorite buff rifle is my Dakota in 416 Rigby...and of course, it's great for everything else!

 

[TOBY458]

In your opinion, is there any difference in the power needed to hunt the Asiatic vs the African Buffalo?

I didn’t find that to be the case. If the bullet is placed in the right location, the end result is the same. I would absolutely say that Cape Buffalo are much harder to hunt, especially in wild Africa. They use their nose quite effectively and if they wind you, they take off on a mad dash into the thickest place they can find. Whereas the Australian buffalo were not nearly as spooky in my experience. I assume that’s because they have no natural predators such as Lion, in Australia.

 

[358 Norma]

404 Jeffery - I need to update the post! Thanks for the catch!

Nice, I am really thinking about having Parkwest arms build me a Dark Continent in 404 Jeffrey.

 

[Art Lambart II]

Last year with a Ruger #1 in 416 Rigby

 

[Flipper Dude]

First two pics a Model 70 Classic in 375 H&H. 300g TSX

Next two a 1917 Enfield in 404 Jeffery, built by Dennis Olson. 400g TSX. All one shot kills not counting the insurance. Always payed if a quick follow up.

Both sporting Monarch African scopes. Longest shot 35 yards.

 

[grand veneur]

In your opinion, is there any difference in the power needed to hunt the Asiatic vs the African Buffalo?

An interesting question, but we unfortunately are getting off topic.

I shot water buffalo in Malaysia, where these buffalo are sometime attacked by tigers, meaning they knows predators. Nevertheless, I had the feeling they were easier to kill than their African cousins. I also noticed, based on some posts from Australian hunters on various Forums, that the water buffalos in Australia are sometimes killed with cartridges that I would be hesitant to use on a wild boar in my country, let alone to an African buffalo. It could be that water buffalo are no longer as wild as African buffalo, because they are a species that has been domesticated for thousands of years and the transition from domestic to wild is very fluid, in Australia in all cases , but also in South and Southeast Asia.

 

[bigborelover]

Ehh

Both cartridges is unsuitable for that anyways

I know . 720 is more of a charge stopper . But a 800 grain bullet at 2700fps from a 50 bmg rifle is going to work pretty good in my opinion.

 

[jbirdwell]

My pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in 375. I wasn't planning on a Buffalo Bull when I took it on my safari but I'm glad I had it with me. It will have open sights before my next safari.

 

[Green Chile]

That's a good looking stock. You are adding iron sights but keeping the optic or taking it off? It's very practical as is.

 

[Monski]

Just a note about hunting in general, ALWAYS put a piece of electrical tape over the muzzle. If you stick your muzzle in the dirt, or are crawling during a stalk, no worries about dirt in the bore. When you shoot, the bullet will blow right through no problem. Not a problem in Africa, but also keeps snow out of the bore also.

My PH in Zim has me tape my muzzle and does the same to his rifle because of an insect, I forget the name, that likes to crawl in bbls and build mud nests/obstructions.

 

[Monski]

My favorite buff rifle is my Dakota in 416 Rigby...and of course, it's great for everything else!

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I hope I'm not being out of line and I know we mostly want to hunt buffalo for the experience and not worry about width of the horns.....buuuuuut please fess up on the width of your buffalo who is wider than your gorgeous Dakota!