New member

[Considering Africa]

I just wanted to say hello. I have been reading the form pages and learning things I’ve been hunting North America for 30 years mostly ambush style but when I started, I learned to still hunt into classes on snow tracking, but have not practiced any of it for the last 15 years I have Been ambush hunting. I have been considering coming to Africa although right now in the uncertain financial future I don’t know if that will be possible. I still like to read, however. I would like to ask one question I’m considering purchasing a heavy recoiling rifle I like the idea of the 404 Jeffrey caliber, but if I ever do make it to Africa, how realistic is it that if somehow I become separated from the ammo I bring finding ammo in that caliber anywhere in Africa? In addition to that having never shot a heavy recoiling rifle and studying some recoil charts, the comparison between the Jeffrey and a 458 Winchester of both 55 pounds of recoil. I don’t understand the comment that recoil is manageable having them both fire of 400 green projectile at the same recoil as that test was done. Can anyone shed line on that for me?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I just wanted to say hello. I have been reading the form pages and learning things I’ve been hunting North America for 30 years mostly ambush style but when I started, I learned to still hunt into classes on snow tracking, but have not practiced any of it for the last 15 years I have Been ambush hunting. I have been considering coming to Africa although right now in the uncertain financial future I don’t know if that will be possible. I still like to read, however. I would like to ask one question I’m considering purchasing a heavy recoiling rifle I like the idea of the 404 Jeffrey caliber, but if I ever do make it to Africa, how realistic is it that if somehow I become separated from the ammo I bring finding ammo in that caliber anywhere in Africa? In addition to that having never shot a heavy recoiling rifle and studying some recoil charts, the comparison between the Jeffrey and a 458 Winchester of both 55 pounds of recoil. I don’t understand the comment that recoil is manageable having them both fire of 400 green projectile at the same recoil as that test was done. Can anyone shed line on that for me?

Welcome to AH! The .404J is a great caliber, but it does give a bit of a punch, there are worse to be certain when it comes to recoil. My suggestion to you if I may give it is to get a rifle in .375HH, one that may be just a little on the heavy side. This will give you something to step up in and you can use on anything that roams Africa but do so with a little less recoil than the .404J.

And you'll always be able to find ammunition in Africa for this caliber. I would guess it's not much of an issue for the .404J, but the .375HH is arguably the most popular if not then one of the most popular calibers in Africa.

 

[Mekaniks]

 

[Considering Africa]

Welcome to AH! The .404J is a great caliber, but it does give a bit of a punch, there are worse to be certain when it comes to recoil. My suggestion to you if I may give it is to get a rifle in .375HH, one that may be just a little on the heavy side. This will give you something to step up in and you can use on anything that roams Africa but do so with a little less recoil than the .404J.

And you'll always be able to find ammunition in Africa for this caliber. I would guess it's not much of an issue for the .404J, but the .375HH is arguably the most popular if not then one of the most popular calibers in Africa.

Thank you for your suggestion most likely I will start there. One thing I’ve learned about firearms advice when I first started hunting was that everyone falls into a few camps they either tell you to get the gun that they desire so they could try it and not have to pay for it or they tell you the gun that grandpa or dad gave them which isn’t necessarily bad advice, but from the myriad of choices, especially for North American game it’s almost impossible to make a decision, however, having hindsight and experience purchasing different calbers of rifles and different actions. I have now my own favorite amongst my collection. However, having hindsight, I now decide to listen to good advice. I don’t know why I didn’t trust the person that told me get a 30
-06 and be done with it because I would’ve saved a whole bunch of money. L O L.

 

[CAustin]

I just wanted to say hello. I have been reading the form pages and learning things I’ve been hunting North America for 30 years mostly ambush style but when I started, I learned to still hunt into classes on snow tracking, but have not practiced any of it for the last 15 years I have Been ambush hunting. I have been considering coming to Africa although right now in the uncertain financial future I don’t know if that will be possible. I still like to read, however. I would like to ask one question I’m considering purchasing a heavy recoiling rifle I like the idea of the 404 Jeffrey caliber, but if I ever do make it to Africa, how realistic is it that if somehow I become separated from the ammo I bring finding ammo in that caliber anywhere in Africa? In addition to that having never shot a heavy recoiling rifle and studying some recoil charts, the comparison between the Jeffrey and a 458 Winchester of both 55 pounds of recoil. I don’t understand the comment that recoil is manageable having them both fire of 400 green projectile at the same recoil as that test was done. Can anyone shed line on that for me?

Welcome to AH

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Welcome to AH Considering Africa!

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

I just wanted to say hello. I have been reading the form pages and learning things I’ve been hunting North America for 30 years mostly ambush style but when I started, I learned to still hunt into classes on snow tracking, but have not practiced any of it for the last 15 years I have Been ambush hunting. I have been considering coming to Africa although right now in the uncertain financial future I don’t know if that will be possible. I still like to read, however. I would like to ask one question I’m considering purchasing a heavy recoiling rifle I like the idea of the 404 Jeffrey caliber, but if I ever do make it to Africa, how realistic is it that if somehow I become separated from the ammo I bring finding ammo in that caliber anywhere in Africa? In addition to that having never shot a heavy recoiling rifle and studying some recoil charts, the comparison between the Jeffrey and a 458 Winchester of both 55 pounds of recoil. I don’t understand the comment that recoil is manageable having them both fire of 400 green projectile at the same recoil as that test was done. Can anyone shed line on that for me?

Welcome welcome welcome

 

[EXECUTIVE HUNT AFRICA]

Good day! Welcome to AH!
I agree with PHOENIX PHIL.

You don't need a big bore to hunt in Africa. Our normal calibers for plains game vary from .243 to .30-06 and if you want something bigger to hunt Buffalo, .93x62 or .375HH are perfect. Ammunition are available and not as expensive as other big bore ammo. The best all rounder will be .375HH - in my opinion to hunt Buffalo and plains game. You can even take elephant with a good solid. But shooting big bores are a lot of fun and can get addictive! My advise is to try find a buddy who has a caliber you're interested in and shoot it from a standing position and decide which recoil are exceptable for you.
One shot from a smaller caliber in the right place is much better than 10 shots from a big caliber in the wrong place! Shot placement is much more important than big caliber.
All the best with your decision.
Regards,
Johan

 

[MATTANJA HUNTING SAFARIS]

Welcome to AH!!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Welcome to AH. Good luck.

 

[cpr0312]

Hello and welcome!

 

[JES Adventures]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Nyati]

Fully agree with Phil, a ,375HH is enough gun !

 

[Chimp]

Welcome to AH

 

[mark-hunter]

I would like to ask one question I’m considering purchasing a heavy recoiling rifle I like the idea of the 404 Jeffrey caliber, but if I ever do make it to Africa, how realistic is it that if somehow I become separated from the ammo I bring finding ammo in that caliber anywhere in Africa? In addition to that having never shot a heavy recoiling rifle and studying some recoil charts, the comparison between the Jeffrey and a 458 Winchester of both 55 pounds of recoil. I don’t understand the comment that recoil is manageable having them both fire of 400 green projectile at the same recoil as that test was done. Can anyone shed line on that for me?

I know from theory only that ammo can get lost, or arrive by separate plane.
It is force majeure.

But many things in Africa are force majeure. Some hunts are not 100% guaranteed. Force majeure
Trophies getting lost on the way home, is also a possibility. Force majeure.
Rifle getting damaged under way, can happen. Force majeure
Trophies can get damaged or spoiled, during shipping. Force majeure
You can get home a trophy that is not yours. Wrong animal. Force majeure.
etc, etc...
But all in all, all above possible mentioned complications happen in less then 1% of cases, judging by reports on the forum.
So, accept the risk that in 1% of the cases, something can get complicated, and go for a hunt.

I am not sure how popular 404 Jef is on African continent, I suspect that 416 Rigby is more popular. I would consider 375 H&H or 416 Rigby for that reason.
You can check with your outfitter availability of Ammo in the camp as well.

Regarding a recoil:
My experience is up to 375 H&H. But I can shoot it all day long. In my defense I can say that generally 30-06 is considered as the hardest kicking caliber still acceptable for average shooter.
But, with training I shoot often 9.3x62 and 375 H&H.
In my opinion, averagely built man, can get himself trained to accept high recoil. You just need time.
Various tables show recoil energy per caliber, and that is just theory. BS. Use semiauto rifle, and recoil with same caliber will be less - and I never saw mathematics to calculate recoil on semi auto for example. So, leave the math for theory only. Another thing, in a heat and adrenaline of a hunt, I never notice recoil.

Practical part is what matters: do enough training and you will be good to go.
404 Jef is not 505 Gibbs or 700 NE, or 460 Weatherby, although I think, even for those average shooter can get trained.
My evolution from 308 to 30-06 to 9.3 and 375 was not overly dramatic. What I focused on was my stance, and proper grip, and shoulder rest and everything worked out well. I shoot 9.3 and 375 equally good as 308 or 223. I try to shoot my 375 as often as possible, at least few shots during range session.
Do the same, and you will manage just as well.

And, yes, welcome on the forum!