First time on plains game

[TucsonFX4]

I have not yet been on a safari, but I plan to join the club in the next one to two years.

My thoughts are based off of reading many suggestions and opinions on here, as well as knowing my own risk/stress levels and tolerances. I am confident I will enjoy the hunt more with my own rifle and not a camp rifle, but it would be nice to know a camp rifle is available if the worst should happen to mine. I also believe taking only one rifle and one bullet is the way I will go, at least for my first safari. Admittedly, I don’t believe DG will be part of my first safari, so that simplifies my decision-making some. I currently own a 300WM and a 375H&H. Initially I was mentally committed to taking the 300, but I’m starting to lean towards the 375. I will say that I haven’t yet picked an outfitter or region I will hunt, so that will definitely play a role in the rifle. If shots will be under 200, the 375H&H will be favored, if over 200 then I will likely favor the 300WM. Time May alter these metrics those. I’m fairly confident I don’t want to take two rifles for my first safari. That may change for any subsequent safaris though.

 

[BRICKBURN]

He added Buffalo at the end of his PG list...

Bolt action 375H&H with low power scope in QD rings and 300 grain Swift A-Frames or Barnes TSX. Now you are done.

Or stick with your 404J. I prefer to travel light with just one rifle.

He covered that Buffalo with that 404J. Spot on, he could just take the one rifle and be fine. Just get sneaky.

 

[BRICKBURN]

300wm with 180gr ttsx is perfect for all normal game
whack the buff with your 404 and enjoy the hunt. stop stressing about this
take the 2 guns you shoot well, if you were mu client i would be happy with these 2

regards

Bingo!

 

[shootist~]

I had a similar dilemma and decided to just let the rifles decide.

I had been practicing - from the sticks - twice a week for months. I was already rotating rifles each trip and started going to a freshly painted 225 yard gong first-off - while I was fresh. A 2" White dot painted on a black gong so I could analyze. Maximum radius to POA of 5" mandatory, but mostly to get a rough average of the mean radius over several range trips with each rifle.

I really wanted to take a newish 9.3x62 with 250s, but the 30-06 (180 A-Frames) just clustered everything really tight. No contest, especially considering all the wisdom about shot placement trumping everything else.

And it paid off in spades. Nine animals with the '06 and all with good first round hits. Seven one shot kills (8 considering the Hartebeest was dead and didn't know it). Only one - a BWB front on chest shot - that the first shot did not put him on the ground. (He did not go far, but remained standing for the follow up.)

If you really do shoot them equally well, the 338 WM with 210 Barnes or 225 gr A-Frames would be my choice. (My 338 WM shoots the 180 and 210 TTSX really well, but in my old age I just don't care for the recoil.)

Have fun deciding - it's all part of the adventure.

 

[gillettehunter]

I agree to use the 404 for the buff. I'd take the .300 as the 2nd rifle. That 180 gr TTSX is a great bullet as well as things like a 200 gr accubond and others. If you do your part then that rifle will take any of the plains game that you hunt.
Bruce

 

[D-Orcutt]

I would bring 2 rifles, takes the same amount of time to do the paper work for one as it does for 2. I didn’t do the pre permit service and was still done with my permits in under 30 minutes took longer for the airport to find my gun case with my two guns. I would recommend the pre permits.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Your 404J was made for Africa. I would take it and use it for everything. If you want another rifle "just because", take the 300WM. By the way, what rifle is your 404J?

 

[AZDAVE]

If you are taking 2 rifles take the 404 and the 300. My 404 jeff shoots a 400 gr frames very well out to 225. Depending on where your hunt is your 404 will meet your needs.

 

[rigbymauser]

All you guns will work. Bring the ones you like.

 

[375er]

I have not yet been on a safari, but I plan to join the club in the next one to two years.

My thoughts are based off of reading many suggestions and opinions on here, as well as knowing my own risk/stress levels and tolerances. I am confident I will enjoy the hunt more with my own rifle and not a camp rifle, but it would be nice to know a camp rifle is available if the worst should happen to mine. I also believe taking only one rifle and one bullet is the way I will go, at least for my first safari. Admittedly, I don’t believe DG will be part of my first safari, so that simplifies my decision-making some. I currently own a 300WM and a 375H&H. Initially I was mentally committed to taking the 300, but I’m starting to lean towards the 375. I will say that I haven’t yet picked an outfitter or region I will hunt, so that will definitely play a role in the rifle. If shots will be under 200, the 375H&H will be favored, if over 200 then I will likely favor the 300WM. Time May alter these metrics those. I’m fairly confident I don’t want to take two rifles for my first safari. That may change for any subsequent safaris though.

The .375 is very capable of longer shots. I took 2 animals at 300 yds with mine. The PH was very impressed at the power and as long as you are familiar the scope/load/rifle you are good well past 300 if you practice.

 

[R.M.C.]

I'd take the .300 you shoot well and the Jeffrey because there's no point in owning it if you don't hunt buff with it lol.

 

[375er]

I'd take the .300 you shoot well and the Jeffrey because there's no point in owning it if you don't hunt buff with it lol.

With a .375 AND the 404 he has two buff capable rifles and the .375 will cover the plains game well.

 

[spike.t]

300wm with 180gr ttsx is perfect for all normal game
whack the buff with your 404 and enjoy the hunt. stop stressing about this
take the 2 guns you shoot well, if you were mu client i would be happy with these 2

regards

As said above.....take the 300 and 404 and enjoy....and totally agree about the stop over thinking and stressing

 

[spike.t]

The .375 is very capable of longer shots. I took 2 animals at 300 yds with mine. The PH was very impressed at the power and as long as you are familiar the scope/load/rifle you are good well past 300 if you practice.

I presume you are obviously a .375 fan....but plenty of people use and like other calibres...and also have no issues travelling with more than one rifle....when I was on the "other side" ie a client I used to take 3 rifles and a shotgun sometimes....as I likes using different guns I had....I would at min take 2 rifles...but the majority of the time it was 2 rifles and a shotgun....so when I see people banging on about only take one rifle .....it bugs me that they seem to be doing their best to put the person off taking 2 rifles if they want to....its that person's hunt , and I think let them do it how they want ...its no harder to take 2 rifles in the same case than it is one....rant over

 

[R.M.C.]

You don't need to take one gun for everything from buffalo to the tiny ten. In a world with rugged double gun cases , why the hell would someone want to? You've got the perfect pair, 404 and 300

 

[Red Leg]

You don't need to take one gun for everything from buffalo to the tiny ten. In a world with rugged double gun cases , why the hell would someone want to? You've got the perfect pair, 404 and 300

I HATE carrying more than one rifle - whether a perfect case or a lousy one. I hate dragging weight. I don't do it in North America, Europe, or South America, and can't get into the idea of toting a "battery" to Africa. If I were sailing there in 1927? Sure. Now? Forget it. If it is DG and PG, then I have had perfect results from Suni to Cape buffalo with a 300 gr bullet from a .375. For plains game, I have used a .270, .338, 30-06, and .275. All worked fine (the .338 worked best). I did once bring along my William Evans Paradox and it created a meaningful pile of sand grouse after rolling a pair of wart hogs. But for general game hunting? One rifle is plenty.

 

[wesheltonj]

I am also a one gun person too. That said, it’s a 375 H&H. I get you wanting to use your 404. Therefore, it’s the 404 and 300. The 300 will kill every plains game animal that you can hunt, but then so will the 404.

And if flying Business class, two guns should be within your weight limit.

 

[R.M.C.]

I HATE carrying more than one rifle - whether a perfect case or a lousy one. I hate dragging weight. I don't do it in North America, Europe, or South America, and can't get into the idea of toting a "battery" to Africa. If I were sailing there in 1927? Sure. Now? Forget it. If it is DG and PG, then I have had perfect results from Suni to Cape buffalo with a 300 gr bullet from a .375. For plains game, I have used a .270, .338, 30-06, and .275. All worked fine (the .338 worked best). I did once bring along my William Evans Paradox and it created a meaningful pile of sand grouse after rolling a pair of wart hogs. But for general game hunting? One rifle is plenty.

Sounds like this guy wants to bring two. And sounds like the 404 is going no matter what. I think the 300 he already owns and shoots well should get the nod. I can definitely see the argument for one gun, just not really in this case.
For the one gun guy, it has to be 375 h&h in my opinion.

 

[Red Leg]

Sounds like this guy wants to bring two. And sounds like the 404 is going no matter what. I think the 300 he already owns and shoots well should get the nod. I can definitely see the argument for one gun, just not really in this case.
For the one gun guy, it has to be 375 h&h in my opinion.

I was responding to "why the hell would someone want to" bring only one gun.

In his case, as I noted earlier, he does have the .404, and it would indeed be a shame not to use it on a buffalo. Should he decide to do that, then pairing it with the .300 makes all kinds of sense. However, I would note that I own a magnificent .404 that has yet to go to Africa. The .375 is just such a better solution.

 

[BryceM]

.300 WM with TTSX is perfect for PG. The 404 is perfect for buff (and will work just fine for duiker and steenbok). I’d probably get real comfy with the .404 and only carry it until the buff is in the salt. After that, there’s no chance you’ll be standing there with the wrong gun.