First dangerous game rifle

[Cheesehead]

In my opinion, which isn't worth much, the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express is the most turn-key of the rifles mentioned in this price range. They're generally better finished than the CZ 550 or Ruger Hawkey African. They have the best safety of the group. Yes, you can slick up a CZ 550 and add a Model 70 style safety, but that's not exactly free.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

Dangerous game is called that.for a reason and I would not be happy with a borrowed/rented firearm. My first buffalo jumped up and started to close on my PH at about 10 feet. His rifle malfunctioned with a loud "click." Using my own rifle, I was able to break the bulls neck and stop the charge. Would yoh want to be in an emergent situation and then be fumbling with a different safety or lining up a different sight system?

IMHO, and limited experience, but a CRF in nothing less than 416 calibre. get to know it intimately, shouldering it, dry firing it, putting the safety on and off eyes closed, chambering it, eyes closed. Practise, practise, practise and then practise some more. It is your best friend, maybe your only friend when the time comes. Again, IMHO, the cost of practise ammunition is negligible when compared to the cost of everything else in your hunting budget. I have a BRNO 602 and a CZ 550, very similar rifles but the safeties are different and under panic conditions the difference could be devastating.

Enjoy your hunt

 

[wolfhunter]

375 HH are easy to shoot they are a pushing type of recoil CRF are what you want there seems to be one for sale here most of the time usually at a fair price I have a CZ 375, Model 70 416mag, wintworth 458, most everyone here seems to have more than one thumper good luck.

 

[wolfhunter]

I agree with Neil Practice practice even at home with no amo in the rifle have a target on the wall pull up and kill it bolt your rifle and kill it again.

 

[grand veneur]

Some recommend a rifle caliber 416, which is certainly a very good option when it comes to get a rifle for big game hunting. However, such rifles have some disadvantages for hunters who do not go to big game hunting regularly or maybe only once in their life, they lack versatility. It is sure that a cartridge 416 Remington Magnum for example loaded with a lighter bullet can have external ballistics comparable to that of a cartridge 375 H&H Magnum, but shooting at longer distances by hunting plain game for example with rifles of bigger calibers it's not that easy. Certainly at last also a question of training.

By the way, such advice has not yet triggered the posts and dislike's that I sometimes get when I write that for big game hunting cartridges of bigger calibers are one step better above cartridges like the various 9,3mm and the 375 H&H Magnum. Probably not the same members read some of the posts. That's a good thing too.

 

[Rosch]

I don’t have experience with dangerous game but I love my Ruger African in 375 ruger. I recently purchased it to compliment my Ruger African 280ai. I plan for both to accompany me to Africa.

I’m generally a fan of the M77, and own several, all of which are accurate and dependable and CRF. I also have Winchester model 70 and believe either will serve you well.

I have the benefit of a range at home where I can shoot and evaluate and have plenty of confidence that a 375 either h&h or Ruger will dispatch of dangerous game quickly and humanely.

This is 1/2 mild plate steel with a 375 ruger 270gr hornady interlock…expanding, not solid!

View attachment 660680

I agree with You all over!
Those Ruger M77 are welldone Guns with good features serving well when out there! If I wouldn‘t be a k98 fan, I would have chosen Ruger!
Evenso the nice hole in that steelplate shows how much force such a 375 brings with only 270 grain into business!
So in my opinion good handling, practice and in result good shooting makes that 375 of any made a good beginners choice! Hunting big game means, the thinking and the fitness has to be done before the trip!

 

[Philip Glass]

Hello to all so I'm back with another question! I am still planning my Cape buffalo hunt but would like to buy a rifle to practice with. I have a budget of about $1-3k i will more than likely use the pHs gun on my first Safari just so I don't have to deal with traveling with it. I'm pretty overwhelmed by the options of rifles and calibers I just want something to practice and hunt deer and hogs with as well. I have looked at the Remington model 700 in 375 h&h mag but have heard mixed feelings about it. I know you can practice with smaller calibers but I shot a 375 2 weeks ago and I'm hooked on the big bores! So any suggestions are welcome! Thank you to all you amazing people!!

You need your own rifle on a DG safari! It is not hard to take your own rifle. Read up on the Safari Planning section here and my YouTube videos and you will be confident to do this right.

 

[possumtooth]

Thank you to everyone for the great advice! I'm probably gonna go with the Winchester model 70 in 375! I hunt a lot in NA so I need some that's versatile!

 

[IvW]

Thank you to everyone for the great advice! I'm probably gonna go with the Winchester model 70 in 375! I hunt a lot in NA so I need some that's versatile!

Good choice

 

[Doug Hamilton]

In my opinion the .375 is too small for the average rifleman to use for hunting cape buffalo. It is the MINIMUM legal caliber in many areas. MINIMUM, no matter how good a bullet is used. It is much safer in my opinion to go with at least a .416or a 458 WM. I know that most of you will strongly disagree with me on this. Thats fine, it's why we have these blogs, isn't it.

Here is my logic on the subject.

Many times our first shots on a cape buffalo is taken at 40 -60 yds. and a cape buffalo, well hit with a .375, can often run/charge at least 70 yds. quicker that us desk jockeys can cycle a bolt action rifle and aim it acutely at a charging buffalo, and it usually has enough gas left in it's tank to roll us up. Trust me it's true.

A PH once told me, "When the time comes that you shoot a cape buffalo with a .375, you will pray so hard that it doesn't run toward you after it's hit, the ground you stand on will become a holy place." ( True story.)

The 375 works on cape buffalo most of time, until it doesn't.

( Does your wife and family know that? Do you tell them that you are putting your safety in the hands of a PH that has probably not fired his rifle at a charging buffalo more that once in his career and that he is also armed with a MINIMUM cartridge and is using Hornady bullets that do not kill DG worth a damned?)

I am sorry to to put this in such strong terms but I honestly believe it to be true and that I might save someones life with my strong opinion.

Please show this post to your wife and family before you purchase you next cape buffalo rifle.

Honestly, it is not hard to learn to shoot a modern, straight stocked 9+ pound .416 or 458 WM rifle, loaded with A frame or TSX or or better bullet using medium loads, not max. and be much safer hunting cape buffalo than with a MINIMUM cartridge .

I know that I will probably catch hell for this post, but I stand by it and mean well. Brian

While I think that the .375 H&H is certainly adequate for cape buffalo, I kind of agree with you. As I always take two rifles when I travel to hunt, I think that one should be bigger than minimum. In my case, I bring a .458 WM for buffalo. I also bring a .300 WM. The two rifles are on Mauser actions and are nearly always Identical. The safeties (Mod 70 type) and triggers (Timney) are identical. The .300 is more versatile for plains game and the .458 has more authority on buffalo I also think it would be a better choice if I should ever want (or need) to take an elephant. I have known two PH's that have tangled with elephants while hunting other game. One survived by getting a shot off after being badly injured, the other didn't live through the encounter.

 

[roklok]

While I think that the .375 H&H is certainly adequate for cape buffalo, I kind of agree with you. As I always take two rifles when I travel to hunt, I think that one should be bigger than minimum. In my case, I bring a .458 WM for buffalo. I also bring a .300 WM. The two rifles are on Mauser actions and are nearly always Identical. The safeties (Mod 70 type) and triggers (Timney) are identical. The .300 is more versatile for plains game and the .458 has more authority on buffalo I also think it would be a better choice if I should ever want (or need) to take an elephant. I have known two PH's that have tangled with elephants while hunting other game. One survived by getting a shot off after being badly injured, the other didn't live through the encounter.

I agree with some of your thoughts. Elephants are scary !! We had them up close numerous times in my recent buffalo hunt in Namibia. However, my thoughts diverge from yours in one significant way. Sure the .458 would be better than .375 to stop an elephant if needed, but what about when you are stalking something with your .300 ? Unless you have a gunbearer carrying the .458, if you run into a belligerent elephant (or buffalo) what good is the .458 going to do you in the cruiser or at camp ? In my mind that is a big reason for using the .375 for plains game, with two solids in magazine. Not ideal for stopping elephant, but has been done and lots better than the various 7mms or 30s. Carrying the .375 for plains game is comforting to me in that way.

 

[Nhoro]

375 H&H Winchester, CZ, Mauser or any controlled feed action is your best option. Rem 700 is ok. Put a Scope sight with 1-4 or 1- 8 magnification on and go shoot a buffalo.

You could choose pretty much anything you read about on the Internet from a sharpened stick to an 800 NE but I reckon a 375 H&H is a good starting point.

 

[Doug3006]

Thank you to everyone for the great advice! I'm probably gonna go with the Winchester model 70 in 375! I hunt a lot in NA so I need some that's versatile!

No rifle collection is complete without at least one 30-06 and one .375 H&H! Excluding the Tiny 10 on the small side and Elephant on the large side, those 2 calibers do everything one needs doing in Africa. With solids, either of these calibers can take the little guys without undo damage. The 416s are marginally better on Buffalo, but modern DG bullets have closed the gap very well. IMO, only Elephant truly require a 40 or 50 caliber cartridge these days.

 

[Brian]

I always dump on the .375, it's a pet peeve of mine. But the fact is that I have two of them. One is a new model Winchester 375 HH and one is a Ruger 375 that I made by re-barreling a Tikka.

Also I have had mostly good fortune with the 375HH on cape buffalo and have killed six buffalo with it. I used NorthFork CPS bullets on all of them.

One was DRT with a single shot that broke the femur bone and went through both lungs. It hopped up and down on the spot for a few seconds then went straight down on the spot, Shot was 30 yds.

Another one was the same shot and ran about 28 yds.

Another one was broad side at 70 yds for a double lung shot and it loped off for about 60 yds and went down unceremoniously.

Two were facing me at 25 and 40 yds and I was fortunate enough to centre their chest. Both ran about about 30 yds and went down.

I messed up one bull with with a single lung shot at 90 yds. and it took most of the day to find him laying down in a thicket. For the search we split up into two groups. One PH with a .416 Rigby and his tracker found the bull and gave it a .416 bullet at 10 yds causing it to jump up and take off for about 20 yds then suddenly turn back and charge the PH and tracker, it took 3 more 416 bullets to stop the buffalo at the PH's feet.

I am nearly 80 years old now and may not have many buffalo hunts to go. I am staying with my 577 NE and my 50-110 Winchester from now on. No more MINIMUM guns for me. I don't want to be killed by a buffalo that has been wounded by a .375, before I get to my retirement age. (chuckle.) Happy hunting, Brian

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I agree with some of your thoughts. Elephants are scary !! We had them up close numerous times in my recent buffalo hunt in Namibia. However, my thoughts diverge from yours in one significant way. Sure the .458 would be better than .375 to stop an elephant if needed, but what about when you are stalking something with your .300 ? Unless you have a gunbearer carrying the .458, if you run into a belligerent elephant (or buffalo) what good is the .458 going to do you in the cruiser or at camp ? In my mind that is a big reason for using the .375 for plains game, with two solids in magazine. Not ideal for stopping elephant, but has been done and lots better than the various 7mms or 30s. Carrying the .375 for plains game is comforting to me in that way.

Yeah, I can't really argue the point. I was just saying what has worked for me, and when I had to stop a buffalo as he closed on the PH I was glad to have the .458!

 

[wolfhunter]

my next buffalo hunt will be with my model 70 416 remington mag. the first one was with 375hh. on that hunt 1st shot broad side75yds it ran 50yds stoped turned broad side 2nd shot lung shot now from both sides knocked down while we were saying well done it started to try to get up and i shot it between the front legs down for the count just like you want a buffalo hunt to go. hopeing to go again soon.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Based on your screen name, I wouldn't have guessed lol.

The only downfall I see of the ole Holland & Holland girl is that looooong action!

375 Ruger may enter the chat soon, however, I love a good antique cartridge!
There's a reason that ole 375 has been around so long. Just like the 30-06. Cannot argue with efficiency and simplicity.

375 H&H can be built on standard length Mauser. Duane Weibe does it all the time. For $25 he'll send you his how-to book. Using it I built my slightly shorter COL 404 Jeffery on a standard 98 Mauser action.

 

[Timbo]

In my opinion the .375 is too small for the average rifleman to use for hunting cape buffalo. It is the MINIMUM legal caliber in many areas. MINIMUM, no matter how good a bullet is used. It is much safer in my opinion to go with at least a .416or a 458 WM. I know that most of you will strongly disagree with me on this. Thats fine, it's why we have these blogs, isn't it.

Here is my logic on the subject.

Many times our first shots on a cape buffalo is taken at 40 -60 yds. and a cape buffalo, well hit with a .375, can often run/charge at least 70 yds. quicker that us desk jockeys can cycle a bolt action rifle and aim it acutely at a charging buffalo, and it usually has enough gas left in it's tank to roll us up. Trust me it's true.

A PH once told me, "When the time comes that you shoot a cape buffalo with a .375, you will pray so hard that it doesn't run toward you after it's hit, the ground you stand on will become a holy place." ( True story.)

The 375 works on cape buffalo most of time, until it doesn't.

( Does your wife and family know that? Do you tell them that you are putting your safety in the hands of a PH that has probably not fired his rifle at a charging buffalo more that once in his career and that he is also armed with a MINIMUM cartridge and is using Hornady bullets that do not kill DG worth a damned?)

I am sorry to to put this in such strong terms but I honestly believe it to be true and that I might save someones life with my strong opinion.

Please show this post to your wife and family before you purchase you next cape buffalo rifle.

Honestly, it is not hard to learn to shoot a modern, straight stocked 9+ pound .416 or 458 WM rifle, loaded with A frame or TSX or or better bullet using medium loads, not max. and be much safer hunting cape buffalo than with a MINIMUM cartridge .

I know that I will probably catch hell for this post, but I stand by it and mean well. Brian

That's why I got a .458 Win Mag (the Lott was not commercially available way back then) as my first dG calibre, and have never felt under-gunned ever since. Indeed on one buff hunt in Zambia, my Zim PH was using the camp 375HH. One day his tracker was lagging behind with the 375HH when we came upon 4 buff. After I had dropped one, the remaining 3 milled around, with one remonstrating and preparing to charge. The PH was unarmed, so I just coolly waited for developments. The charge didn't happen, but I had absolute confidence in my competence, and in rifle's abilities, had things gone awry.

What some don't realise is that though the 375HH is considered the perfect all-round calibre (except being a "charge-stopper"), that calibre packs a hefty recoil: more than some 450 calibres. So,for those recoil shy, huntresses or lightly-framed hunters, I'd always opine using a 9.3x62 instead. It's way lighter in recoil - and for the usual ranges for DG - it's just as accurate, and gives the same penetration, as the 375HH.

I also have a 9.3x62 and have found that it takes cape buff very efficiently, just as long as the buff is unaware of you, you put that first shot precisely where it needs to go, and (as with using the 375HH) that your PH has a decent charge-stopper to save everyone's bacon if things go wrong.

One added feature I like between these two calibres is that they both have the same action length: so there's no chance of muscle memory short-stroking either action in a sticky situation.

 

[Desaad]

I have a 458Lott built on a P-14 action. Its pretty plain jane but its set-up for what I use it for.

 

[Rosch]

That's why I got a .458 Win Mag (the Lott was not commercially available way back then) as my first dG calibre, and have never felt under-gunned ever since. Indeed on one buff hunt in Zambia, my Zim PH was using the camp 375HH. One day his tracker was lagging behind with the 375HH when we came upon 4 buff. After I had dropped one, the remaining 3 milled around, with one remonstrating and preparing to charge. The PH was unarmed, so I just coolly waited for developments. The charge didn't happen, but I had absolute confidence in my competence, and in rifle's abilities, had things gone awry.

What some don't realise is that though the 375HH is considered the perfect all-round calibre (except being a "charge-stopper"), that calibre packs a hefty recoil: more than some 450 calibres. So,for those recoil shy, huntresses or lightly-framed hunters, I'd always opine using a 9.3x62 instead. It's way lighter in recoil - and for the usual ranges for DG - it's just as accurate, and gives the same penetration, as the 375HH.

I also have a 9.3x62 and have found that it takes cape buff very efficiently, just as long as the buff is unaware of you, you put that first shot precisely where it needs to go, and (as with using the 375HH) that your PH has a decent charge-stopper to save everyone's bacon if things go wrong.

One added feature I like between these two calibres is that they both have the same action length: so there's no chance of muscle memory short-stroking either action in a sticky situation.

Jepp, You have Your points right and I think there is not much making You nervous when out there.
458 Win is in my humble opinion the most useable cartridge if "all" is on the list, and if the owner is a waky handloader, one can load 350 Grainers (close ballistics to 30-06 in 200 grain) on a nearby pad the 450 or 500 Grainer is flying and so also be well prepared for far out shots on plains game.
The 98 Mauser action is also a very good choice for strenght and reliablity and if one chooses this action for all his guns, You carry allways the same gun with no surprises! I like Your style!