Which one or botb?

[TStensatter]

I have the option to take one or both rifles to hunt buffalo..The first is a CZ 550 in 375 H&H. Ammo is available in the US. The other is a Ruger in 416 Ruger. Hornady hasn't made ammo in 2+ years but I have enough 300 grain dgx or dgs for either rifle. One and done with the 375? I am hunting plains game in addition to the Buffalo.

 

[AimSmall]

Just as easy to take 2.

Stuff happens.

 

[USMA84DAB]

This is the perfect conundrum for a hunter:
- Either will do the job just fine, therefor, no "wrong" choice
- Two is one, and one is none, so a spare could save your hunt - does the PH have spares there?
- Carrying 2 is more weight (potential charges of overweight) and hassle, two types of cartridges to split the 11 pound ammo allowance between
- Can you shoot each equally well? If the .416 is too much recoil, take the .375 - I would take a well-place shot from .375 over a shit shot from a .416 every day of the week and 7 times on Sunday! If you are fine with .416 recoil, I am with Napoleon - God is on the side of the larger battalion! Bigger amount of energy transfer, bigger diameter bleeding channel, bigger exit wound = easier tracking, quicker blood loss, quicker lung collapse, etc.
- Do you have "rifle love" considerations? My Ruger Alaskan in .375 Ruger is my Goldilocks rifle, but I would like to take my .495 A-Square to blood it as well. Illogical to take both as they overlap a great deal in capabilities, but it doesn't have to be logical - just make YOU happy.

You just have to feel your way through the pros and cons of each side of the choices, you lucky bastard! Have a great time!!!!!!

 

[IvW]

Take both.....
If you are hunting their 9000 hectare property close to Botswana it is thick stuff there and for the buff you would want to use the 416 instead of the 375....
You dont want to be hunting buff with 300gr bullets in the 416(unless I misunderstand your post).....

If it was me I would not be using Hornady bullets either......

Other option is 350gr bullets for the 375.....

It is thick bush there and shots will be close.....

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Either will work but the limited ammo options for the 416 Ruger is an issue to me. I am not a fan of the Hornady ammo for Africa. I know it will work but I would put on a full court press to find a box of Barnes TSX ammo for it. Call Hendershots and see if they will load it up for you? With that caveat, I would take both. Two rifles in one case will still be under the 50lb limit. One thing to think of is this: Statistically the 375HH has the best record of one shot stops on Buffalo. But, in my estimation that is because it is easy to shoot well and most of the other bigger stuff is an acquired taste. Take the bigger gun too but make sure you shoot it well off sticks and are not intimidated by it.

 

[TStensatter]

This is the perfect conundrum for a hunter:
- Either will do the job just fine, therefor, no "wrong" choice
- Two is one, and one is none, so a spare could save your hunt - does the PH have spares there?
- Carrying 2 is more weight (potential charges of overweight) and hassle, two types of cartridges to split the 11 pound ammo allowance between
- Can you shoot each equally well? If the .416 is too much recoil, take the .375 - I would take a well-place shot from .375 over a shit shot from a .416 every day of the week and 7 times on Sunday! If you are fine with .416 recoil, I am with Napoleon - God is on the side of the larger battalion! Bigger amount of energy transfer, bigger diameter bleeding channel, bigger exit wound = easier tracking, quicker blood loss, quicker lung collapse, etc.
- Do you have "rifle love" considerations? My Ruger Alaskan in .375 Ruger is my Goldilocks rifle, but I would like to take my .495 A-Square to blood it as well. Illogical to take both as they overlap a great deal in capabilities, but it doesn't have to be logical - just make YOU happy.

You just have to feel your way through the pros and cons of each side of the choices, you lucky bastard! Have a great time!!!!!!

Recoil is no problem for me. I shoot both well. My original choice was to take the Ruger and my 338 Win mag. Use the ruger on Buffalo and the 338 on the plains game. I will weigh both in all three paired to see which is the lightest. For the trip. You make valid points. Thank you

 

[TStensatter]

Take both.....
If you are hunting their 9000 hectare property close to Botswana it is thick stuff there and for the buff you would want to use the 416 instead of the 375....
You dont want to be hunting buff with 300gr bullets in the 416(unless I misunderstand your post).....

If it was me I would not be using Hornady bullets either......

Other option is 350gr bullets for the 375.....

It is thick bush there and shots will be close.....

With the 416 I would be shooting 400 grain bullets. Unfortunately, with the Ruger 416 I have no other option currently.

 

[Papa72]

Buffalo Bore has 400gr TSX loaded in their 416 Ruger @2400 fps. That would be the ticket, if you can find them in stock. Hornady just released some 416 brass so maybe BB will load more soon.

 

[Green Chile]

Personally I like the benefit of .416 bullets being 100 grains heavier than the .375s on buff. However, you could take the 375 and cover everything with 300 TSX. I've done exactly that with perfect results on DG and PG. Whatever you take, just be prepared for any shot with what you are carrying at the time. You don't often have time to switch rifles in the middle of a quick opportunity.

 

[TStensatter]

Buffalo Bore has 400gr TSX loaded in their 416 Ruger @2400 fps. That would be the ticket, if you can find them in stock. Hornady just released some 416 brass so maybe BB will load more soon.

The 400 grain is out of stock currently according to the website. I did purchase two boxes of the 350 grain tsx cartridges.

 

[Green Chile]

The 400 grain is out of stock currently according to the website. I did purchase two boxes of the 350 grain tsx cartridges.

Tim has suggested to me switching from the 400's to the faster 350. Basically, that is taking a 416 into the super 375 do anything category. The 416 in that context becomes very capable out to 300 yards. I'm going to test some 350 grain loads for my Rigby.

 

[TStensatter]

Tim has suggested to me switching from the 400's to the faster 350. Basically, that is taking a 416 into the super 375 do anything category. The 416 in that context becomes very capable out to 300 yards. I'm going to test some 350 grain loads for my Rigby.

I will be shooting them aa soon as they arrive. I like the potential of the 416 Ruger. The ammo difficulty is the issue. I use them sparingly.

 

[IvW]

Tim has suggested to me switching from the 400's to the faster 350. Basically, that is taking a 416 into the super 375 do anything category. The 416 in that context becomes very capable out to 300 yards. I'm going to test some 350 grain loads for my Rigby.

I cannot see shots past 50 yards in that area on buffalo so the light weight high speed setup is definately not what I would recommend.....

 

[Green Chile]

The classics are always a good idea...400 grains in 416...300 grains in 375, etc. The bullet is the only thing that makes a difference in the end. Good bullet in the right place.

 

[franzfmdavis]

Take both!

 

[TStensatter]

I cannot see shots past 50 yards in that area on buffalo so the light weight high speed setup is definately not what I would recommend.....

The Ruger is fast handling and i am still inclined with DGS 400 grain solids for Buffalo. That may change but for now It is my go to choice.

 

[meigsbucks]

A .375 HH and .416 Ruger are what I took on my first safari. Ended up shooting my buff and seven animals with the .416. Only used the the .375 on two impala and a bushbuck. A good combo.

 

[ftrovato]

Tim has suggested to me switching from the 400's to the faster 350. Basically, that is taking a 416 into the super 375 do anything category. The 416 in that context becomes very capable out to 300 yards. I'm going to test some 350 grain loads for my Rigby.

I too am testing the 350 Barnes TTSX for my Rigby and my next trip to African in 2026. I agree it makes the further shots a little easier and I enjoy using my 416 for plans game and the Tiny 10.

Thus far I did very well with 400 grain bullets.

Certainly I/we don't need a 416 for those animals. But I own magnums and where better to shoot them then in Africa on safari!

 

[TStensatter]

A .375 HH and .416 Ruger are what I took on my first safari. Ended up shooting my buff and seven animals with the .416. Only used the the .375 on two impala and a bushbuck. A good combo.

What seven besides the buffalo did you harvest? I am going for buffalo, Sable, Gemsbuck, Kudu, Nyala and possibly Roan. If the distance is under 150 yards the 416 sould be fine I think. Beyond that I would choose the 375 H&H. Realistically, whatever the bush gives you will be dealt with by whatever is in my hand at the time.

 

[wesheltonj]

Buy some Norma African PH 375 H&H in 350g Woodleigh and take one gun.