My Buffalo Rifle

[Bert the Turtle]

404 Jeffery

 

[jduckhunter]

Here's mine Ruger Alaskan in 375 Ruger/ Leupold 1.5 x 5

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Beautiful rifles and excellent trophies.
Witold

 

[svinejakt]

Thank you Witold Having a hard time deciding on the optics, so I have been practising with open sights. Shoots very well actually, but thinking about a Swarozski 1-6 or 1-8. Then I can use it for Moose hunts in Norway and DG and PG in Africa

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I've got the 1-8 on my 375 and the 1-6 EE on my 404. The 1-8 has a finer reticle that I think suits the 375's role as a versatile rifle. The 1-6's reticle is more coarse and I think it is better for a dedicated dangerous game rifle, although it did not handicap me at all in making shots out to about 140 yards. The EE version with about 1 inch more eye relief than standard is not currently being made but is still available new old stock and to me it is worth looking for if going on a heavy caliber gun.

 

[Shootist43]

Bert the Turtle, that looks to be a nice buff that you took with your 404. Have you posted a hunt report and photos yet? What bullet did you use?

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Bert the Turtle, that looks to be a nice buff that you took with your 404. Have you posted a hunt report and photos yet? What bullet did you use?

400g TSX for the first shot, solids thereafter. Brief version: It was hit very hard with the first shot, went maybe 40 yards and stopped. Hit with the second shot and was down in about 20 yards. A third shot in the top of the spine to seal the deal.

He was a good buffalo, 38-39". As it was getting close to the end of the season I was able to get a decent deal on a second buffalo and got one I like even more.

 

[CDorroh]

I've got the 1-8 on my 375 and the 1-6 EE on my 404. The 1-8 has a finer reticle that I think suits the 375's role as a versatile rifle. The 1-6's reticle is more coarse and I think it is better for a dedicated dangerous game rifle, although it did not handicap me at all in making shots out to about 140 yards. The EE version with about 1 inch more eye relief than standard is not currently being made but is still available new old stock and to me it is worth looking for if going on a heavy caliber gun.

I can vouch for the 1-6 EE as well. Excellent scope for a heavy recoiling rifle, and I'm still able to print 1 moa groups with it off sticks at 200 yds if I do my part.

 

[Adam S]

I have no immediate plans to hunt buffalo; alas, it will likely be far in the future. That doesn't keep me from thinking I need a buffalo rifle, however. You guys aren't helping!

 

[rafaellinne]

This is my buffalo rifle. Anderson Wheeler .500 NE. Very accurate tool

 

[Lowdi]

This is my rifle for buffalo. Heym 88 Safari .470 NE. It is very accurate does not have a heavy recoil.

 

[svinejakt]

Seems like all I have to do is decide how versatile the rifle will be I have to admit that I have looked mostly at the 1-6. I will only use it for moose her in Norway and teh 1-6 should do very well for that. I will probably be hunting most PG with a lighter rifle and I`m not a long range shooter. Like getting close

 

[Opposite Pole]

View attachment 204924
This is my CZ made .404 that I used to take the buffalo in my avatar. I had them add some options like a pop up peep sight. Very accurate rifle. I've since purchased a .470 double K gun to use on my next hunt.

That is one fancy looking CZ! Are the leaf sights custom made?

 

[Rell]

My faithful work horse of a double, Chapuis 450-400 3 inch.

 

[WAB]

My .458 Lott on the left in the top photo. A custom M-70.

My wife’s Highland Stalker in 9.3x62 in the bottom photo.

The Lott has taken a number of buffalo. My wife has taken one buffalo with the 9.3 and hopes to use it on a leopard next year.

 

[Badboymelvin]

Let me introduce you to my buffalo rifle that I'll hopefully be using on Water Buffalo in the Northern Territory of Australia this time next year.
If/ when finances allow my dream is to one day use this rifle on Cape Buffalo.

It is the absolute plainest, cheapest and ugliest rifle on this thread!

It's a Zastava M70 chambered in .458 Win Mag with a Hogue aluminium bedded stock.
On top is a Leupold 1.5-4 in Warne rings/ mounts.

The Load that will be used is the 550gn Woodleigh at 2080fps.
I have absolute confidence this combo will be effective on any buffalo.

 

[Badboymelvin]

Seeing that my Merkel 470 found a new home today, (with one of our members), I suppose this will be my dedicated buffalo rifle. It's a Winchester Model 70, 416 Rem Mag, with Mcmillan stock and Leupold VX3 1.5-5x20 scope. Let me see your buffalo rifles!

View attachment 204091

I absolutely love Winchester M70's, the .416RM cartridge and Mcmillan stocks... So your rifle is an actual representation of one of my dream rifles...

 

[flatwater bill]

Baboymelvin.......I like your no frills buffalo rifle. It should do nicely. You are getting a lot of power too, with a 550 grainer at 2080....nearly 5300 pounds. Hope you post a couple of pics next year of some NT buffalo..................FWB

 

[Badboymelvin]

Baboymelvin.......I like your no frills buffalo rifle. It should do nicely. You are getting a lot of power too, with a 550 grainer at 2080....nearly 5300 pounds. Hope you post a couple of pics next year of some NT buffalo..................FWB

Thank you FWB.
I like it too and as a bonus it only weighs 9lb so it's nice, light and handy for a .458.
And you're right it does pack a punch - but unfortunately at the expense of heavy recoil, a fraction over 80ft/lbs.
I sometimes think I might've been better off loading the 450gn Woodleigh Hydro at around 2200fps...
heaps of penetration but a lot less recoil...

Russ

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Ever since 1974 , I've hunted African Cape Buffalo with ( depending on what my White Hunter had in camp , to offer ) :
* A BSA Majestic ( .458 Winchester Magnum )
* Remington M700 ( .458 Winchester Magnum )
* BRNO ZKK602 ( .375 Holland & Holland Magnum )
* Sako M85 ( .375 Holland & Holland Magnum )

I initially was under the impression that Cape Buffalo need the biggest rifle that one can get their hands on ( which was a .458 Winchester Magnum , when I first started hunting in Africa ) . After my first two safaris , I quickly decided that the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum was what really worked for me . The best .375 which I've ever used on Cape Buffalo , would have to be the BRNO ZKK602 . Loaded with Federal 300 Gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw soft points .

I'd really like to take my next Cape Buffalo with a .505 Gibbs , if possible . Just for kicks ( no pun intended ) .