POLL / You are going on a cape buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe... which caliber do you choose? And Why?

[Azklmsr]

Thank you Toby458

I'm preparing for my first DG hunt (Buffalo) next year and I try to get to the range every week and shoot 20 rounds with the 375. I'm comfortable with the rifle and feel confident I can put the bullet where it needs to go. 2027, we are setting up for Elephant and I will likely get a 416 of one flavor or another and have enough time to get ready. My PH has been fairly direct in saying, "if you're good with the 375, use the 375". That said, he will back me with a bigger club for sure.

I appreciate the follow up.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

500 Jeffery, 535 grain Woodleigh RNSN at 2300fps. I just took 3 cape buffalo with this load a month ago. You don't need to use something this big but I highly recommend it if you can handle it, the internal damage it causes is unbelievable.

 

[SCmackey]

416 Rigby because it performs great, recoil is manageable and ammo is readily available. I used barnes 400 tsx facory because my mauser 98 diplomat shoots sub 1" groups with it at 100. Also, the PH I hunted with in Namibia is a huge fan of Barnes TSX for Buff and had me load the mag full with them (i.e., no solids needed) The only buffalo I have taken was a 40 yd shot with follow-ups. Also used it on hippo (solids), roan, blue wildebeest and zebra. Saved my 458 Lott for elephant. Great cartridge but added recoil is not necessary on buff. Not an expert, but my opinion.

 

[OneGearhead]

I’d personally opt for a .505 Gibbs built on a Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum Mauser action by Ryan Breeding, Reto Buehller or Joe Smithson. Loaded with South African 600Gr Rhino Solid Shank premium grade expanding bullets at a modest velocity of 2150 feet per second.

Now, that said… I’ve actually shot most of my Cape buffalo over the years (so far) with .375 Holland & Holland Magnums over the years (mostly camp rental rifles until I was gifted a Remington Model 700 Kevlar Stock Custom in this caliber by my son-in-law).
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Also one with a .458 Winchester Magnum.
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Ranges are between 35 yards-95 yards. Ammunition has been (in a chronological order):
1) RWS 300Gr Kegelspitze Cone points (for the initial shot) & RWS 300Gr round nosed nickel jacketed FMJ solids (for backup shots)

2) RWS 300Gr Kegelspitze Cone points (for the initial shot) & Remington 300Gr Hornady round nosed steel jacketed FMJ solids (for backup shots)

3) Federal Premium 300Gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claws

4) Remington 300Gr Swift A Frames

5) Rhino 300Gr Solid Shanks (hand loaded)

6) Barnes 300Gr TSX

For the .458 Winchester Magnum, I had used:
Hand loaded Hornady 500Gr soft point (in the first barrel) and 500Gr round nosed steel jacketed FMJ solid (in the second barrel). Chronographed velocity was 2125 FPS in fresh ammunition.

I haven't been here long, but this post alone makes me believe that you have MASSIVE amounts of stories that could be told and enjoyed!

 

[zephyr]

How do you like that 400 H&H? H&H had high hopes that it would fill a niche nicely. I read that it feeds like a dream, as well. What rifle houses it?

Really enjoy the cartridge .. Re-barreled a Win Mod 70 375 ..it pushes a 400gr bullet at 2400fps .. .411 Bullets can be found, proper Head Stamped cases can be hard to find

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I haven't been here long, but this post alone makes me believe that you have MASSIVE amounts of stories that could be told and enjoyed!

Nothing of the sort. Just a few misadventures and a substandard autobiography book.

 

[AZDAVE]

In looking in my safe the two I would have to decide between is my 500/416 double or my 458 B&M bolt gun with the 416 rigby and 500 Jeff tie for 3rd.

 

[dlmac]

.375 H7H, 416 Taylor, 450/400.....because that is what I have.

 

[Bejane]

I know this has probably been said before, but whatever calibre you going with, make sure you can shoot off sticks properly. I've used the standard 3 stick types and and a quad setup with 5th leg. The quad with 5th leg takes more time to setup, but once your on the sticks you rest if dead still and helps alot. The standard 3 stick setup leaves room for error because there is no brace at the rear of the rifle. If that makes sense. Either way, spend time shooting off sticks to get comfortable with shooting

 

[grand veneur]

It is sure that a brace on the rear for rest is an advantage over a 3 sticks type, but you need a too long time to setup it, what can be, as you have writing it, a problem. I am also not a big fan of the 3-sticks and try to do without it whenever possible. I have hunted worldwide and anyway saw this device for shooting only in Africa. I much prefer in all cases natural rests options provided by the environment. In Africa, I mean tree trunks, rocks or termite mounds if available. These often offer the opportunity to rest additionally the rifle on a jacket or a backpack, which provides the best stability for an accurate shooting. When hunting dangerous game, shooting off hand is also an option that must be trained.

 

[HoosierHunter]

I will be taking of 404 J. on a buffalo hunt in the Timbavati next year. Half of the 404 J "cool factor" is the history. It is much forgotten about from people who do not hunt internationally, but it holds a special place in African history.