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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles
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bipbigbore
.224 member


Reged: 06/10/05
Posts: 42
Loc: USA
Best 40 Caliber Choice
      #115609 - 27/09/08 03:34 AM

All,

I am going on a mixed bag hunt in the Selous next year and I plan on bringing only one rifle. The bag will include Buffalo, Waterbuck, Impala, Warthog etc. I expect shooting distances to be up to 100 paces for buff and up to 200 for everything else.

I am very torn on rifle selection. I am not comfortable with a .375 on Buff, so i am looking bigger. I have a great 458 Lott, but that seems nuts for the plains game. I also have a 416 remington, but I have heard about actions sticking in the hot weather.

I have a Brno 602 magnum mauser that I can build a gun on for the hunt. I am considering basically any of the 40 calibers. I have toyed with 400 H&H, 416 Rigby (though it requires a lot of gunsmithing), 404 dakota, 404 jeffrey, 425 express etc, and I cannot make up my mind.

Any guidance or suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks

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TerryR
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Reged: 13/07/04
Posts: 42
Loc: Greensburg, Pa.
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: bipbigbore]
      #115625 - 27/09/08 06:00 AM

I wouldn't hesitate to take the 416 Rem, but if you want to build a gun I would suggest a 404 Jeffery. The recoil is lighter than the 416 Rem or Rigby, yet it hits harder than the 375. The only downside is that factory ammo is not readily available. When I bought mine I had to learn how to reload.

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bigmaxx
.375 member


Reged: 13/06/07
Posts: 660
Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: bipbigbore]
      #115626 - 27/09/08 06:01 AM

I just returned from a mixed bag safari in Zimbabwe. I took a .458 lott and the .375 ruger. I would have been comfortable doing it all with either rifle. I shot 500 grain handloads in the .458 and 300 grain in the .375 ruger. I took Swift A-Frames and Hornady Solids. I shot a buffalo and a big bull hippo on land with the .458 lott, and plains game with the .375 ruger. I would not hesitate to have used the .458 for everything. It would have been very doable. I like the idea of having two rifles that are capable of crossing over. I also dislike the idea of a rifle that lacks the ability to stop dangerous game for hunting plains game in an area where dangerous game is present. If you shoot your .458 well, it should do a 200 pace shot with ease. In my case, I would have to pick the .458 over the .375 if I had to choose one. I liked having two rifles in the event one failed. Highly unlikely with M77 Rugers, but possible. Africa is hard on equiptment of all kinds.

--------------------
One day at a time...

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hoppdoc
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Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: bigmaxx]
      #115629 - 27/09/08 06:13 AM

I would think the 458 Lott would be great for anything you might run into!!

My suggestion would be to take the Lott if you shoot it well!! It would make your plains game hunting/shooting more interesting!!

--------------------
An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.

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bigmaxx
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Reged: 13/06/07
Posts: 660
Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: hoppdoc]
      #115639 - 27/09/08 07:37 AM

I have two scopes in Warne QDs for my Hawkeye African zeroed for different loads. A low power leupold with heavy reticles for the big stuff, and a Zeiss 2.5-8 for plains game. It gives me a spare scope too, in case of failure. Recoil is tough on scopes, all brands! I have a 1.5-5 VXIII heavy duplex on the .458 lott in QDs for quick change from glass to open express sights. You could do that for two seperate loads with a .458 too like I did for the Hawkeye.

--------------------
One day at a time...

Edited by bigmaxx (27/09/08 07:39 AM)

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NE450No2
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Reged: 10/01/03
Posts: 942
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: bipbigbore]
      #115659 - 27/09/08 01:51 PM

I would recommend you take your TWO favorite rifles.

If you must take only one take the 416 Rem Mag. Just load your 400gr bullets at 2250 to 2300fps.

You also might try to see if you can get a 325-350 gr bullet to print in line with your 400gr loads for the longer range plains game shots.

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Squarebridge
.300 member


Reged: 21/08/08
Posts: 129
Loc: Tennessee
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: NE450No2]
      #115672 - 27/09/08 06:44 PM

I have no African hunting experience personally, but I think you'd have to look very far to find a more useful "large medium" than the 404 Jeffery. I think it would precisely fill the slot you're asking of it - plains game plus buffalo - and do it with style and efficiency.

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Cinghiale
.333 member


Reged: 15/04/08
Posts: 406
Loc: Northern Territory
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: Squarebridge]
      #115675 - 27/09/08 07:35 PM

I love my 404 but if you have the Lott already it is going to be better on Buff and can shoot flat enough for 200 yards.
Familiarity is as important as cartridge choice. Get one good 500 grain load, stick to it and practice, know what 200 yards looks like in the field, use whichever gun on all your game before you go. I used my open sighted 404 on goats in QLD gorge country, not the best choice but familiarity built up there helps when the chips are down and you will develop trust in your gear.

My 404 is pretty much the only gun I have when I go anywhere where there are good concentrations of buffalo. That is how you should be with whichever gun you choose.

Regards,

MOG

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bigmaxx
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Reged: 13/06/07
Posts: 660
Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: NE450No2]
      #115691 - 28/09/08 12:08 AM

I think that it is a good idea to go ahead and take two rifles as well. I did, and was really glad. Lots of things can happen. stocks can crack, sights get damaged, mechanical parts break. And of course you can have each rifle suited to the game you are hunting. Hunting impala with a .458 will work, but kind of like swatting flies with a sledge hammer. I think you said at the start of this post that you had a .458 lott and .375, well thats perfect. I took much the same combination and found it to work very well.

--------------------
One day at a time...

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JabaliHunter
.400 member


Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: bigmaxx]
      #115696 - 28/09/08 01:45 AM

One rifle is a mistake. I take two rifles when I'm only heading to the range and I sure wouldn't fly all the way to Africa with only one! .458 and .375 is perfect in my book!

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rscott
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Reged: 21/03/08
Posts: 328
Loc: wyo., USA
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #115699 - 28/09/08 02:51 AM

just take your 416 Rem. and don't worry about a thing.
through 12 african hunts and at least 700 handloaded rounds through mine, never a problem in the least.

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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: rscott]
      #115795 - 29/09/08 02:21 AM

Quote:

just take your 416 Rem. and don't worry about a thing.
through 12 african hunts and at least 700 handloaded rounds through mine, never a problem in the least.


++++++++++++++++++



Agree totally with the above---I have hunted in Africa 110F heat and more..shooting my .416 Remington caliber rifles with no problems --not even a hint--no sticking and no idication of high pressure limits--all shooting 2400 fps..personally I think a lot of what one reads on the .416 Remington..is a lot to do about nothing...IMHO...Have shot literally hundreds through 416 Remingtons with no problems what so ever..

My last trip a few months ago--3 of the PH's in camp were using a .416 Remington...guessing they all have more experience in one season than most will have in a lifetime...If its good enough for them..good enough for me..

If you sight in around 1.25" high at 100 you will only be around 3.3" low at 200---with a 400 gr slug traveling 2400 fps...should handle anthing you encounter...have shot steinbok to elephant with mine..all with 400 gr A-frames..or Barnes Solids..even the steinbok took a 400 soft and very small entry and exit..

You could, if you felt you needed to, reload using 350gr bullets instead for plains game..little flatter yet---but don't think you would need it.

Having said that--in all reality, your .375 would do just fine for all the game --with the right bullet it will take on anything as well..however the .416 and above does have a more dramatic effect on buff when you hit them with it ...

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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ovny
.375 member


Reged: 19/06/08
Posts: 591
Loc: Spain
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: Ripp]
      #115803 - 29/09/08 04:13 AM

I think the best recipe is the 416 Rigby, he has proved his worth for a long, long time.

Greetings,

Oscar

--------------------
I am Spanish

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JabaliHunter
.400 member


Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
Re: Best 40 Caliber Choice [Re: Ripp]
      #115853 - 29/09/08 10:20 PM

No problem with the .375, .416 or .458 - I'd just prefer my own backup not the PHs client gun. Its a personal thing - I just never shoot as well with an unfamiliar rifle.

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