Big Game Hunting Rifles and Ammo

Hi,

I'm new to the Africa Big game hunting and I need a "starter kit" information.

For buffalo: what kind of rifle do I need and what kind of rifles should I avoid?

For Shotguns - what kind of ammo do I need and what kind of ammo should I avoid?

For Bolt action - what kind of ammo do I need and what kind of ammo should I avoid?
?

Would you please send me a link where to shop?

Thank you,

AS Zek

Zek,

Welcome to the ADDICTION!

If you are new to shooting as well... get yourself a .375 H&H in a Ruger, CZ bolt gun or a few others would be OK as well. Get a low power 1-5 or 2-7 variX-2 or 3 Leupold scope. Other brands are fine just check here before you buy. I would avoid expensive rifles unless money is no object. Then get a custom rifle made at about $5000.

Shotgun? What are you shooting? Probably get an Remington 870 pump. match your ammo to your game.

For you bolt action get ammo matched again to your game. What are you hunting with it?

Having said all that I shoot a semi-custom husqvarna in 9.3X62 and I prefer double shotguns... but as a beginner I would buy the basic and as time goes and you learn more you may want to upgrade to something else. The .375 is about the minimum for Buff - for everything else i would say go for a 30-06 or just use the .375 for everything.

Aaron

buy a CZ 550 safari magnum in 458lott!

a scope 1.25x4x24 trijicon!

Talley rings detachable!

ammunition honardy DGS and DGX! 500gr.

I use it! and has worked for everything from deer to buffalo!

in preference to the Benelli shotguns!

use ammunition of 2.3 / 4" and 3" with lead 5 and 3T!

with that you will hunt almost anything that can be in Africa or the world!

I have a CZ 458LOTT, a CZ 375 H&H, and a CZ 338 Lapua magnum, with all stocks of the HS precision kevlar, TALLEY rings and Leupold scopes (I change all LEUPOLDS by Trijicon and Zeiss), with all that I can hunt in this above the earth!

As with anything in hunting or shooting buy the best equipment you can afford.
On forums you will receive many opinions on what works and what does not and since you asked I will offer mine.

If you are planning a buffalo hunt with plainsgame and want to carry only one rifle a 375 H & H or Ruger is tough to beat. I feel Controlled Round Feed in a bolt gun is a must for Dangerous Game. I have no experience with the Ruger rifle, but it seems people who own one do like them. I have a CZ 550 in a 375 H&H with upgrades from American Hunting Rifles and would recommend it to anybody, however you will spend $1000 more than the factory Ruger. It can hold 5 down and one in the chamber, so it gives you some firepower. Make certain the rifle has quality iron sights and learn how to use them. A good low power scope such 1.75 by 6 or 2.5 by 8 scope will work fine, I like Leupold. Use quick detachable mounts. There is nothing you cannot kill with a 375.

If you want two rifles an upgrade in firepower is never a bad thing. Ruger is offering the 416 but my comments are the same as the Ruger 375. I have a 416 Remington and it definitely hits harded than a .375 and recoil is manageable. The .458 Lott is another option (especially loaded with 500 grain bullets at 2150 FPS) but you have an increase in recoil over the 416. I have a Montana Rifle Company 458 lott. It seems to be a good rifle but I have not put it through the trials yet.
My second rifle on a two rifle hunt would be at least a 300 Win mag, preferably a 338 Win Mag especially if you are hunting where dangerous game is present.

As far as ammo if you are buying factory rounds any of the premium lines will work. I like TSX or Swift bullets.

Learn how to shoot the rifle from position. Get it sighted in on a bench and practice standing, kneeling, sitting, from sticks, leaning against a tree (you get the picture).

Now if money is no option there is nothing like a fine double

Good luck, opinions will vary, find what you like and enjoy the whole experience.

...I agree with Aaron a 375 H&H and a 30/06 are great!! THat's what I take to Africa. Mikes suggestion for a 300 Win Mag is great also I just don't own one yet!!
...As far as a shot gun??? with the weight of 2 guns I'd consider renting a gun over there!! Unless you want to pay extra - then a good pump or double should fill the bill!!
888Ammo if you reload anythings possible - Nozler,Hornady, barnes Etc.
but the choices in the store is staggering & any of the good premium brands should fit the bill!!!

Originally Posted by zek

Hi,

I'm new to the Africa Big game hunting and I need a "starter kit" information.

For buffalo: what kind of rifle do I need and what kind of rifles should I avoid?

For Shotguns - what kind of ammo do I need and what kind of ammo should I avoid?

For Bolt action - what kind of ammo do I need and what kind of ammo should I avoid?
?

Would you please send me a link where to shop?

Thank you,

AS Zek

AS Zek,

Since you asked I'll throw in my two cents worth. Preface it all with I am an a high time Africa hunter, I am a European Game guide and hunter. some of the things I run into here should apply in your situation.

Caliber for game is a preference with the exception of .375 minimum for dangerous game. If you are building a set start with a .375, supplement it with a 30-06 and if you have the money and inclination add a .416 or larger stopping rifle. Winchester, Mauser, and Ruger are all well respected and all make genuine magnum length actions.

Shotgunning is more personal preference unless you are looking for a back up gun for cats. I'd agree with Beto though Bennelli and Remington make solid guns that do what you ask of them. If you are going birding then a classic double is about as good as it gets. Look at Merkel, Krieghoff, or CZ.

Optics for your battery of rifles is tough. No one likes having unused scopes sitting in the safe. Trust me on that, I see dollars lying there every time I open the door. Experiment, borrow, and test extensively. I spend my money on Trijicon Accupoint optics. They are the best for my style of hunting and are readily available overseas.

I strongly suggest that you sight in and tune your rifles to an available factory loading. Nothing is more irritating than having to adjust from what you've trained with because the airlines lost your ammo.

Thats my opinion. Keep it simple and buy the highest quality that you can afford. Good luck and welcome to hunting the world.

Thanks for replies.
My first purchase would be: Krieghoff Classic Double Rifle. (I have no experience but I really like it.)
Now, what ammo do I need and where to buy (link please).

.416 Rigby Federal
.375 Ruger Hornady
450/.400 NE Hornady

What will work with the double rifle that I selected?

I would go with the 450/.400 NE if I was buying a double rifle out of the 3 choices you gave to chose from.

Originally Posted by zek

.416 Rigby Federal
.375 Ruger Hornady
450/.400 NE Hornady

What will work with the double rifle that I selected?

Of the three choices the 450/400 is the only standard chambering for a double rifle. It is a well liked round and has very manageable recoil.

If you serious about a Krieghoff the 500-416 ballistics are very similar to the 416 Rigby. You can also buy a 375 Flanged Magnum in a K-Gun. You want to stay with rimmed cartridges in whatever you choose. I own a Krieghoff in 470 Nitro and like it very much.

This is a link to K-guns site

KRIEGHOFF INTERNATIONAL INC. - Krieghoff Hunting and Sporting Guns - The Krieghoff Classic


Another good option is the Merkel. It is a more traditional double than the K-Gun. There are some guys on here that own Merkels that can weigh in here, but they seem to be a very good gun at a reasonable price.

What rifle should I avoid?

Zek,

Go in for the .416 John Rigby calibre , a very fine bore for your African Expedition !!!

Monish

Since you apparantly have not done a lot of big bore shooting I would suggest a 9.3x62 or a 375 H&H paired with a 7x57 Mauser or .270 win. Practice a lot and place your bullets correctly with the first shot.

The 9.3 or 375 will kill any animal on earth with the proper bullet placed in the right spot.

As you become more efficient and know your recoil limits you may want to go to a .416 or even larger. I can and have used all the big bores up to the 577and I can shoot them but I have to concentrate when shooting the 458 Lott and up. With a 404 or 416 I can shoot either without even giving it a thought, thus my preference for the 40 calibers.

My experience is the 458 Lott and up big bores are too often used by shooters who simply cannot shoot them well and for some reason refuse to admit it. Many are of the opine that they may flinch on targets but when hunting game never flinch..Not so, a flinch is muscle memory.

I agree totally, a flinch is a muscle memory, and something that should be dealt with before you go in the field to hunt.