First Dangerous game capable rifle

[Rule 303]

If you can handle the 404 J get that, can use it on plains game and all DG only trouble would be sourcing ammo. Of the others 375H&H. Will do all you need with the right bullets, ammo can be found in Africa and other countries.

The 375Rugger is almost identical in performance to the H&H but ammo will be a problem. I do not know if the Rugger's magazine id long enough to accept monometal bullets especial Woodleigh Hydros and similar solids made in South African and the US. Those that own a Rugger should be able to answer this.

Also the 2 375H&H and 2 others I know of print the different weight and style projectiles to the same point of impact at 100mts. Not saying the 375 Rugger wont as I do not know but the H&H seems to have this characteristic.

 

[mark-hunter]

Arguably, you can add to the list 9.3x64, an old german cartridge metric ballistic equivalent tf 375 H&H.
Ammo, will be available most probably from European factories. (and not overwhelmingly on the market)
9.3x62 will have better ammo avialbility.

From the rest of initial list, I would choose 375 H&H, undisputable global DG cartridge, and global legal minimum for DG, with present global ammo distribution.

 

[Philip Glass]

I am currently looking to get a bigger gun for wild wood bison and Grizzly Bear(These are personal hunt without a PH/guide to backup) and perhaps for use on Moose and of course to one day take on a Cape Buffalo hunt . I currently have a nice early model Weatherby Vanguard in 30/06 changes to a Box Magazine.

My thoughts are that it comes down to really 3/4 options with 2 Balletically similar cartridges if I go for a double over a bolt gun:

1) 9.3x62/74 Lowest recoil great proven moose/bear killer but not legal everywhere for DG for the 62 lots for fine Swedish made rifle for sale at reasonable prices
2) .375 H&H higher recoil legal everywhere guns seem harder to come by ammo is everywhere
3) .375 Ruger Same as above rifles seem easier to come by but not sure about ammo. The Ruger doesn't have the heritage of the others and personally my .30-06 is the newest cartridge I own so it on the list if its a lot better
4) .404/450-400 Jeffery Highest Recoil (still shootable in a heavy rifle) best for DG but fewer option for ammo harder to fine guns

I am personally thinking more of going for a cheap used Husqvaran M98 or 1640 in 9.3x62 and put money into practice and gun upgrades as I get confident with the rifle but am very open to advice

For what you do I'd probably get a Ruger in .375 Ruger. Ammo is in good supply and now even in Africa.

 

[serdog]

Thanks Everyone. Sounds like a .375 H&H is likely the way to go. For me was a gun cabinet who's newest chambering is the .30-06 the Ruger just doesn't do it for me.

As for looking at a .338 Win mag then a big bore like a .458 Lott or a .470 NE for Africa I kinda like that but I don't see much between a .338 and a 9.3x62 and those nice old Swedish FN98 Mausers right around $500-700 Canadian(add a nice recoil pad some tuning and a scope maybe $1500) are sure nice rifles so that might be how I end up going 9.3 now and save up for a nice double big bore.

 

[PerH]

That water buff was massive Hunter Habib

 

[Brian]

As far as I am concerned the .375 HH/Ruger is marginal for cape buffalo. They usually run at least 30yds. with a good hit. Sometimes a lot further. Is that what you want? Brian

Here are some more of my personal opinions. I just add them as "grist for the mill".

The killing power of a bullet is greatly improve by recent improvements in bullet design/technology, obviously. I also believe that a bullet's terminal performance increases exponentially with bullet diameter, once you get past .375 cal.

With that in mind here are some ballistics of dangerous game cartridges that anyone including a novice can learn to enjoy shooting.

The 450-400, a .410 diameter bullet, is the darling of many cape buffalo hunter aficionados.
The standard loading for it is a 400 grain bullet at 2,100 fps. ( Remember it's just a .410 gr. bullet.)

As far as I can see it is no better than the poor old 45-70.
45-70, a .458 diameter bullet. shoots a .295 gr. CEB safari Raptor at 2,500 fps.

Here is a couple more choices for comparison.
.416 Ruger shoots a 350 gr. CEB Safari Raptor at 2,700 fps.
.458 WM shoots a 420 gr. CEB bullet at 2,300 fps.
.50-110 Win shoots a 400 gr. bullet up to 1,900 fps. ( Some brave hearts shoot it faster.)

I have had .500 cal CEB 410 gr. Raptors drop mature cape buffalo in their tracks with a MV of 1,920 fps.
Bullet diameter and bullet design are number to me. Your milage may vary.

 

[Newboomer]

Thanks Everyone. Sounds like a .375 H&H is likely the way to go. For me was a gun cabinet who's newest chambering is the .30-06 the Ruger just doesn't do it for me.

As for looking at a .338 Win mag then a big bore like a .458 Lott or a .470 NE for Africa I kinda like that but I don't see much between a .338 and a 9.3x62 and those nice old Swedish FN98 Mausers right around $500-700 Canadian(add a nice recoil pad some tuning and a scope maybe $1500) are sure nice rifles so that might be how I end up going 9.3 now and save up for a nice double big bore.

375HH and stuff it with Barnes 235 gr TSX for pg and Barnes 350 gr TSX for dg. You are set for anything that lives.

 

[BeeMaa]

375HH and stuff it with Barnes 235 gr TSX for pg and Barnes 350 gr TSX for dg. You are set for anything that lives.

Or feed your 375 with Swift A-Frame, Norma Oryx, Barnes TSX or Federal TBBC 300 grain pills and call it good for everything.

 

[AZDAVE]

You can't really go wrong with a 9.3x62, 375 Ruger, or 375 H&H. Pick the one you get the best deal on a quality rifle. Acquire plenty of ammo, then shot it till it is like an extension of your arm and go hunt.

 

[deewayne2003]

No experience with grizzlies or buffalo… yet!

But if I were located in a place with access to such animals as Alaska, I would definitely get a .375 H&H and most likely a Winchester model 70 stainless.

Between the 30-06 & .375H&H you’ve got the world covered.

 

[Bush Buck]

I think a 375 H&H is a great choice and very versatile - especially if you can reload custom ammo for different needs.
The trick with 375 is finding a rifle that meets your needs - some of them are pretty heavy for hunting big hills.

However, if I had the opportunity to pick up a nice 98 Swedish Mauser in 9.3x62 for $500 to 700 then I would probably start there.

You won't mind shopping for another rifle for your Cape Buffalo hunt when the time comes!

 

[Chaplin]

A model 70 safari express in 375 h&h, factory weight, open sights sighted for 50 yards. It has a leupold vx3 2.5-8×36 on it. I hand load 300 grain accubonds, I have taken it moose hunting but haven't knocked anything over with it yet. I think I will take it spring bear hunting this year. Heavy to pack around but fun to shoot.

 

[Beck]

I’m a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum man, through & through. Ideal for everything, except for body shots on bull elephant.

Ballistically speaking, the .375 Ruger can do whatever the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum can do.

In Africa, the ammunition for the Holland & Holland Magnum will be relatively easier to source than that of the Ruger.
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Hard to disagree with such a vast array of fantastic results.

 

[mark-hunter]

Agreed.
I can only learn from people like hunter habib, or red leg, and many others with similar experience on this forum!

 

[Major Bonkers]

Head says .375 H&H

Heart says .404 Jeffery

 

[Puddle]

If you hand load, you can have a great deal of fun working up a 300 grain load for the 5.3kj and 5.4kj ME police. 300+ grain bullets? Even more fun. You'd only be looking at ~36 to ~38 ft-lbs of recoil from a 8.5lb rifle.

Just shoot and grin...

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Head says .375 H&H

Heart says .404 Jeffery

When I was planning my big bore build this summer, I faced the same quandary. Contacted three different gunsmiths who said building a 404 build on 98 Mauser was impossible. "Impossible" peaked my interest. So I built one. Fortunately, my buddy found me a great package deal for dies, brass, and 400 gr bullets.

 

[bobdahunter84]

375H&H for it being DG legal everywhere, relatively easy to shoot with practice and ammo is available everywhere.

Go big with your second DG legal cartridge and get a 458LOTT.

Not a better reply on this thread. This is 100% the best answer.

 

[Toast]

I agree bobdahunter84

 

[pilar]

I have a 375ruger it’s a hammer, ammo is definaty Less selection then 375 h&h