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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles

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TOBY458
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Reged: 23/01/14
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Loc: Georgia, USA

Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458?
#241985 - 08/02/14 02:13 PM

I'm in the process of putting together a hunt for either Cape Buffalo, or Water Buffalo in Australia. I currently own three suitable guns. Trying to decide on which one to take.
In Africa, I'm sure there will be more game on the roster than just buffalo, and I plan to take just one gun. In that light I'm sure one of the 375's would be the better choice.
In Australia, I would probably just hunt buffalo. A trophy bull, and several cows or cull bulls.

My choices are....

KImber Caprivi 375 H&H with iron sights, and optional Leupold 1x4x20mm scope in detachable rings.

Ruger Hawkeye African 375 Ruger Caliber. with iron sights and optional scope. Same as above.

Winchester Model 70 Safari Express 458 Win Mag. Iron sights only.

In regards to ammo, I like the Barnes TSX, and banded solids. And the Hornady DGX bullets.

Have any of you actually shot large/dangerous game with these bullets? If so, what are your opinions?

Thoughts?

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DarylS
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: TOBY458]
#241987 - 08/02/14 03:01 PM

I would take the rifle I could shoot with the best accuracy under all shooting conditions - rest - various game positions and offhand - over all ranges I'd likely have to shoot.

I would choose either my .375/06IMP or my 9.3x62mm - not a .458 - probably the 9.3x62mm as it's handier with a 22" bl. and faster on target with it's 2X scope. Ballistically, they are identical - within 50fps.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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TOBY458
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Reged: 23/01/14
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Loc: Georgia, USA

Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: DarylS]
#241990 - 08/02/14 04:02 PM

I am definitely leaning toward the 375 H&H Caprivi. It is a bit on the heavy side, at almost 10lbs with scope and mounts, but it is easy to shoot accurately. I would love to get close enough for a shot with the iron sights, which to me is 100 yds or less on buffalo sized game. The planes game, of course would probably call for the scope. Of course the Ruger is a full pound lighter, but doesn't point as naturally for me. It, however, is much slimmer in the stock, which makes it carry more easily. Ahhhhh.....decisions!

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BB416
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: TOBY458]
#241995 - 08/02/14 11:01 PM

Looks to me as you have already made the decision , reading between the lines, it appears to me that you are favouring the H&H. Not that it is a bad choice by any means and dare I say it ,you feel more confident and are more familiar with it. Confidence in the rifle you carry is more important than the weight and when you are out getting up close and personal with the big stuff, I can assure you ,you won't notice the extra pound. If you intend hunting water buff in Australia, you should be able to get in under a hundred yards for your shot on most occasions as your PH will get you as close as possible. I took mine at around forty yards after several other encounters on unsuitable animals, some as close as twenty yards, some of the best fun you will ever have. You definitely know you are alive when you are that close and they are staring directly at you

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cordite
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: BB416]
#242005 - 09/02/14 02:21 AM

One thing I have done when faced with a "which gun" decision is to have a shoot off. I put up a target for each gun and then shoot them from various field positions and ranges. I see first hand which gun I shoot the best and compare how they feel and handle. Going directly from one gun to the other and comparing the results is fun and good practice as well.

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TOBY458
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: cordite]
#242092 - 10/02/14 05:11 AM

Yes. I'm thinking the Kimber will get the nod on this one. And the Ruger will get the nod if I return to Alaska.

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feinejagdwaffen
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: TOBY458]
#242098 - 10/02/14 05:45 AM

with buffalo i would say - " use enough gun"
i would prefer the 458 over the 375, alsthough .375 is fine when
everything is perfect. but in case he is not down with the first bullit.....
you defintely have a much bigger reserve and security with your 458.

--------------------
norbert
www.feine-jagdwaffen.de

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feinejagdwaffen
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: feinejagdwaffen]
#242100 - 10/02/14 05:50 AM

as you only have a scope on the 375 - take the 375.
precision is in this case more important.
i recommend 1. bullit a trophy bonded bear claw and the remaining bullits
solids.
have a great hunt and let us know about your buffalo;-))

--------------------
norbert
www.feine-jagdwaffen.de

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rscott
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: feinejagdwaffen]
#242529 - 17/02/14 02:01 AM

not much of a decision IMO.
if you're proficient with the .458, that is the weapon to use.

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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: TOBY458]
#242543 - 17/02/14 08:57 AM

Quote:

I am definitely leaning toward the 375 H&H Caprivi. It is a bit on the heavy side, at almost 10lbs with scope and mounts, but it is easy to shoot accurately. I would love to get close enough for a shot with the iron sights, which to me is 100 yds or less on buffalo sized game. The planes game, of course would probably call for the scope. Of course the Ruger is a full pound lighter, but doesn't point as naturally for me. It, however, is much slimmer in the stock, which makes it carry more easily. Ahhhhh.....decisions!

Pretty normal to be under 100 yards on buffalo---50-75 might be more like it..

As others on this post have stated..if you are taking only one gun, which I never do when I go to Africa..I would take the .375 with the scope...if not for the buffalo--definitely for the plains game you might take which could be and probably will be longer shots than on the buffalo..and the .375 is plenty for buffalo and anything else that walks over there..

Good luck ...

Ripp

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

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Cazadero
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: Ripp]
#242548 - 17/02/14 09:56 AM

As said above - it's doubtful that you'd be shooting at over 100 yards.

Take the one that you are most familiar and accurate (practiced) with.

But also as stated I wouldn't travel that far with only one rifle.

Some regulations regarding importing into South Africa/Zim used to state only 1 weapon of a particular calibre allowed. If you take the .375 H&H and the .375 Ruger you run the risk that someone won't understand that they are different.

If the regs are still in place this might present some difficulty.

Not insurmountable of course, but it seem an easy choice to take the .375 and the .458

Good luck.

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TOBY458
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Reged: 23/01/14
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: Cazadero]
#242748 - 20/02/14 04:50 AM

That is very good advise. Two guns are always better than one! At this point I'm leaning toward Australia. So I'm not sure what their laws are. I just figured that it would be a major pain to travel with that many guns. Especially with all the layovers. Since there's no plains game to worry about, I may just take the 458 and some 480 gr DGX bullets. That should do.

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Sarg
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: TOBY458]
#242751 - 20/02/14 07:11 AM

Just put a low power scope on the 458Win & take just that, you can easy shoot 200yds even with 500gr slugs, thats for Aussie & Buff, works very well on all game, no so much at 400yd on plains game, paint the Hornady DGX green & throw them in the long grass !

I think the 480Gr is a good idea how ever .

I use the 458Win a LOT !

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Rule303
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: TOBY458]
#242769 - 20/02/14 11:29 AM

Toby go the rifle that points and handles best for you. The 375 will do all you want. The 458 has more oomph. However if it is slower getting on target all the horse power in the world is not going to help you if something goes wrong ang you cant get it on target in time. In Aust you can also chase a few pigs most will be close range but the odd long shot will present so 375 is the front runner.

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tinker
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: Rule303]
#242770 - 20/02/14 11:35 AM

I really like the 458

I have a 2750fps Barnes 350gr TSX load that's very flat shooting.
Still gives 5000ft/lbs at 100yds.
Very accurate.
Total ripper.

Cheers
Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--

"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...

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eagle27
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: tinker]
#242782 - 20/02/14 03:18 PM

Usually this question would provoke a good debate of 4 or 5 pages long involving Bell with his 7mm Rigby all the way up to the boys with their big doubles. That might be yet to come. In the meantime just take what fits in your gun bag best.

Now more seriously, if in Oz on the buffalo where it's a bit more laid back style, why not take the open sighted 458, get up close and enjoy.

Can't speak for Africa really but I would prefer a scope for PG and perhaps for threading a longer shot on Buff through some intervening scrub if you can't get close so perhaps a 375. Then again as said here, you could always scope the 458.

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Ripp
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: eagle27]
#242811 - 21/02/14 01:34 AM

Quote:

Can't speak for Africa really but I would prefer a scope for PG and perhaps for threading a longer shot on Buff through some intervening scrub if you can't get close so perhaps a 375. Then again as said here, you could always scope the 458.

AND, depending on where you are hunting in Africa, you may want the .375 to be your "small caliber rifle"...as you will look really stupid walking through the bush when suddenly you get charged by a buff, elephant or whatever with a .270 in your hand...

It happened to me once while slowly working our way into a blind for hyena..tuskless cow with calf come out of nowhere in the dark..finally stopped at 8 yards...didnt need much coffee after that..

Ripp

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

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TOBY458
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: Ripp]
#243072 - 27/02/14 12:05 AM

I have been meaning to give the Barnes 350 tsx bullets a try in the 458. I was thinking of scoping the gun and sighting in with those. Then leaving the iron sights sighted in with 480 or 500 grainers. Looks like that tsx should be fairly flat shooting enough for 200-250 yds at least.
My biggest problem with the Hornady 480 grain bullets, is that the crimp grove is in the wrong place for 458 win. It actually takes up more powder space than the 500's. My gun doesn't feed well with uncrimped ammo. I'm using H4895 powder, so maybe i could swap powder and have enough room in the case without undue compression. Anyone ever run into that problem?

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ozhunter
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: TOBY458]
#243087 - 27/02/14 08:43 AM

For Africa I would take the Ruger if it was lighter than the kimber.
For Aus I would use the open sighted 458

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Postman
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: ozhunter]
#243091 - 27/02/14 12:04 PM

It's been said before: bring what you shoot best.

Me, I'm bringing a .500 NE and a .375H&H this June. The H&H is a Sako Alaskan. Semi heavy 20" barrel. It is vey light, balances well in spite of the short barrel, and is VERY accurate. Most importantly, I shoot it very well.

I expect to end up lugging around my 11 pound double most of the time 'cause it's kinda cool, and I've been playing / practicing with doubles for going on 10 years now whilst dreaming / waiting for my 1st buffalo hunt in Africa. I'm totally comfortable with shooting either gun. Once the buffalo is in the salt assuming I am lucky enough to get one, I plan to switch to the light rifle for plains game but in a pinch either rifle will work for me whatever I'm hunting aka plains game vs buff.

Again: bring what you are most comfortable with.

Wrt to the hassles of bringing more than 1 rifle, I can't imagine the aggravation level goes up much at all. Other than lugging the extra weight in your gun case, you gotta fill out the permits anyhow, so who cares if you need to fill in a couple of extra lines on the permit application? A spare gun is really nice to have in case the land cruiser runs over your stock and turns it into firewood - you'll be a loong way from home. Just sayin'

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DarylS
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Re: Choosing Which Rifle To Take On Buff Hunt. 375 or 458? [Re: Postman]
#243095 - 27/02/14 01:08 PM

Friend of mine for 35 years, a guide and co-worker for 20 years is planning a trip with his wife to Africa for plains game as well as probably a hippo and Cape Buffalo.

He was asked which guns he favours most of the time for is moose hunting at home. His response was his wife's .243 Browning lever gun using 85gr. TSX for moose, deer and elk, with which she is deadly. His usual rifles include, the .303/.308groove P-14 I chambered up for him but his preference his new .375 Ruger and his old standby, a 1917 custom in 8x68S.

He was asked if he was comfortable with the .375 - and the reply was about 2,000 rounds a year from his several .375's usually H&H (Savage and BRNO) except for the new .375 in the Ruger chambering, which he really liked. He was told, the .375 and 8x68S along with the .243 will do just fine!

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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