Only One Cartridge for Buffalo + Big Antelopes

[bigborelover]

.475 am magnum , good for the buffalo and antelopes. Also it is fairly flat shooting till 300 yards according to some tests.

 

[neckdeep]

The 375 will do it all, no need for anything else. Unless of course you're like most and have to many guns and want to try them all on everything. I have had several well respected PH tell me they love it when a client shows up with a 375 and shoots it where he wants. Most PH's will tell you the bigger the gun the worse the results, barring a few.

 

[HankBuck]

And drive Subarus wearing Birkenstocks with Coexist bumper stickers!

@CJNJ - OK, what is a ‘Birkenstock’ (assume it’s NOT a RifleStock) and what is a ‘Coexist’ bumper sticker?

 

[Tanks]

Birkenstocks are brands of sandals that can be worn inside or outside the house. Derided by those without manners who see no need for them. I keep several pairs for people to change into them at the mudroom of family farm or foyer of my residences as we do not wear street shoes inside the house. I have also worn them at hunt camp in Africa.

Coexist is a sticker supposed to advocate for peace among different religions. A concept that has been futile over the centuries.

 

[KIH]

416 ruger is forgotten, On paper the best 416, only disadvantage is ammo availability. But now day 416 Ruger is available even i Norway.

 

[CJNJ]

Birkenstocks are brands of sandals that can be worn inside or outside the house. Derided by those without manners who see no need for them. I keep several pairs for people to change into them at the mudroom of family farm or foyer of my residences as we do not wear street shoes inside the house. I have also worn them at hunt camp in Africa.

Coexist is a sticker supposed to advocate for peace among different religions. A concept that has been futile over the centuries.

Meant no offense. Was sarcastically referring to hippies not to anyone here. Apologies.

 

[HankBuck]

Birkenstocks are brands of sandals that can be worn inside or outside the house. Derided by those without manners who see no need for them. I keep several pairs for people to change into them at the mudroom of family farm or foyer of my residences as we do not wear street shoes inside the house. I have also worn them at hunt camp in Africa.

Coexist is a sticker supposed to advocate for peace among different religions. A concept that has been futile over the centuries.

@Tanks - thanks, sounds like I’ll Never need or use either

 

[DLSJR]

@analog_peninsula - don’t you think the .338 WinBag is the USELESS middle Brother of the .300 WinBag and it’s idolized Older Brother the REAL DEAL .375 H&H?
I had a ballistic Caliber “Psychologist” tell me that every .30 cal Magnum has a deep rooted desire to be a “.375 H&H”. There are only two “REAL” .30 Caliber cartridges that are respected: .30-06 AND .375 H&H……ALL the rest are pretenders and Wanna Bees.

@HankBuck, you certainly did not ask me but my opinion (opinions are like assholes, everyone has one) is that the .338 Win Mag is what any 300 Mag wants to be when it grows up. It’s damn near perfect for damn near everything.

 

[Kevin375]

I would say the .375 H&H magnum is known for being the most versatile caliber in Africa. It remains a very popular choice for plenty of hunters travelling to Africa, so it is seldom a mistake to take this caliber for hunting such big games. If this caliber was not effective, I'm sure many PH would have banned it, but it is absolutely not the case. Most of PH I met in the past advised it.

I have never killed a buffalo with my .375 H&H mag so far, but I have had the opportunity to hunt a good number of big plains games (elands, girafes, zebras, wildebeest, gemsboks, kudus...etc) and also an elephant and a hippo. I have no complain against this caliber and I hope one day to hunt a buffalo with it.

But I voted for the .458 Lott ! I'm using this caliber for quite a while now and I really like it. I killed my one and only buffalo with my Lott in 2018, but I also took this caliber for plains game hunting in the thick bush. It works perfectly and even sometimes when I had to shoot further, it did the trick perfectly. With the appropriate zero, and a good knowledge of its balistic. It's not a problem to shoot at 200 meters.
I shot with it a good number of elands, zebras, gemsboks, blue wildebeests, kudus, girafes, waterbucks, but also smaller games like warthogs and impalas. I really like this big caliber.

 

[Desperatezulu]

My reasoning(which is always dangerous in a subjective thread like this) is:
1. All of these are adequate for buffalo
2. All of these are ample/overkill for all the antelope species
3. Most/all of the bigger, tougher antelope listed can be taken at close range or bushveld distances
Conclusion: High velocity, flat-shooters are not needed and the intersection between 1 & 2 above is the 9.3.
If it were legal and given as an option, I think the 338WM with appropriate bullets would be a strong candidate too

 

[1972RedNeck]

You missed the 375 Weatherby. Can do everything the H&H can do (even shoot H&H ammo) and then some.

 

[Tau Wilderness]

If you could only choose one cartridge for hunting buffalo and the most robust antelopes (eland, sable, roan, gemsbok, wildebeest, etc.), which one would you choose?

Well you made the criteria much easier by adding Gemsbok and wildebeest. I f you hunt them in their natural enviroments these will be 150 -300meter shots. The .375 Ruger loaded with 250gr bullets can still do good "flat and fast " shooting when needed and then switch over to a 300gr for Buffalo.

I am fortunate to have my own property and live between Namibia and South Africa so my little .375 Ruger gets tested often on all these animals. I will use my on my second Buffalo hunt in October in Zim.

You mentioned very many great calibers and they will work on smaller fenced hunting farms in South Africa where Gemsbok have been introduced, but in their natural habitat hunting a Gemsbok with a Bigbore is very difficult.

 

[Ruraldoc]

Someone already mentioned my choice, the 416 Remington with 400 grain A Frames.

Used it already for kudu, zebra and buffalo.

Take buffalo off the list but include eland and I am happy with a 9.3x62 or a 375 H&H.

 

[Twraska]

@HankBuck, you certainly did not ask me but my opinion (opinions are like assholes, everyone has one) is that the .338 Win Mag is what any 300 Mag wants to be when it grows up. It’s damn near perfect for damn near everything.

Unless you want the real deal, a .338 WBY! LOL
Seriously, the last few days you’d think this was the .375 H&H forum and bash any Weatherby (or other American magnum) forum.

 

[HankBuck]

@HankBuck, you certainly did not ask me but my opinion (opinions are like assholes, everyone has one) is that the .338 Win Mag is what any 300 Mag wants to be when it grows up. It’s damn near perfect for damn near everything.

@DLSJR - I’m just a fan of practical, traditional, and original cartridges and believe some can never be improved upon ie: .30-06 and .375 H&H ….been around for 100+ years and will be around for 100+ more.

 

[Green Chile]

I missed the poll but the 375 has done everything in Africa countless times. With a 300 gr TSX and a 300 gr solid, you can do anything with those 2 loads. It's the minimum in most places for DG and it can be handled by anyone who practices a little bit. Also, the ammo can be found in any gun store in Africa. I often use a 416 Rigby for my own hunts but wouldn't feel limited at all by picking up one of my 375s for any hunt in Africa.