Question for Dangerous Game Professional Hunters

tarbe

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Ok, if you are a PH and have experience guiding hunters for Cape Buffalo in particular, this question is for you!

Would you consider guiding a hunter for Cape Buffalo if that hunter was carrying a single shot 375 H&H (assuming appropriate loads, and the hunter is experienced with the rifle).

How about if it was his first buff?

Knowing all the uncertainties that come with hunting DG, tell me if you'd consider this, and under what conditions would you say no.

Thanks!


Tim
 
I'm not a PH but a single shot would be less desirable or be prepared for your PH to finish off your buffalo for you. More often then not even a perfect shot won't drop them right away and you still want to be able to stop them from running off or charging. Plus if your first shot isn't a perfect heart/lung shot you wont have time to take more shots to finish them off and you still are charged the trophy fee. I wouldn't go with a single shot, you at least need a double.
 
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I see no problem with it, you are still going to reload faster than a bow or muzzleloader, both which have been used for Buff. As Bsums says you may however find extra bullet holes in your Buff that you did not put there if at any stage your PH feels that your shot was poor and or the buff may get away or be a danger to you or any other member of the hunting party.
 
Tim

While not a PH...

There have been many Cape Buffalo taken by single shot rifles. As you indicated, proper bullet selection is a must. Shot placement is the one thing every hunter needs to be able to make.

Ruger makes single shots rifles and they have been successful taken to Africa.

And another thing to remember, the black powder group that take dangerous game in Africa, how quickly do you think they reload?
 
I took a No. 1 in 375 hunting for the first time in 1987.

Seems like a shame to leave it home when I finally get to make a buff hunt. Plus a double rifle could pay for much of a buff hunt. I really get the itch for a double...trying to get some data points one way or the other, regarding the No. 1. I figure if the majority of PHs would say no way jose, then I can take that info to my wife and tell her I just HAVE to get a double! :)

I get the extra hole thing...the PH has a job to do and that might well mean him sending an insurance shot into "my" buff. I figure if a guy can't deal with that possibility, he probably ought not to hunt DG?
 
I wouldn't go with a single shot, you at least need a double.

By "you at least need a double" are you suggesting a bolt is superior to a double for buff?

Uh oh....this might start a you-know-what storm!
 
While not ideal, the first and second buffalo I killed were both shot with a Ruger No. 1 in a 416 Remington. No backup from the PH.

You are better of with a scoped bolt gun, however it is your hunt use what makes you happy.
 
By "you at least need a double" are you suggesting a bolt is superior to a double for buff?

Uh oh....this might start a you-know-what storm!
I'll try not to haha. Doubles have style and bolts have a more reasonable price point. I'll leave it at that.

If someone wants to hunt with a single shot, muzzleloader, etc they just need to know their is a much more likely their PH is going to have to use their rifle.
 
Very interesting question to pose! Are you saying that if every one were to say no your wife would let you get a double? Wonder if thus could work at my house? Ha!
 
Very interesting question to pose! Are you saying that if every one were to say no your wife would let you get a double? Wonder if thus could work at my house? Ha!

I guess I am saying that without a whole lot of help from you folks here, I probably don't stand a chance talking my wife into an $18k Heym!

So please, answer carefully! ;)
 
I dont see any problem with it at all, its all about the first shot, i do feel that one should be aware that your PH might need to help you out, if things go a little pear shaped (in the unlikely event)

From a personal perspective and this is just my opinion, i would handle it the same as any other rifle hunt, I for one have a very relaxed and measured approach, so i dont have an "OK coral" situation and a blaze of gun fire on every hunt.

I reckon she'll be fine.

My best always
 
Sorry i did not see it NO WAY a double is the only way to go!

My best always
 
I will have no problem with it. I also do not believe in putting in back up shots after the first shot. A double is definitely not the only way to go. Make sure of that first shot and it will be the same as hunting with any other rifle.
 
Tim,
I will second what Jaco has written. People seem to think that Buffalo are blood thirsty killers looking to charge at any opportune moment. Experience from your PH is key, as he should be able to tell from the animal's reaction, where the impact was, and whether to take action or not. Also, which type of terrain will you be hunting? Will it allow for a safe follow up etc. (How thick is the vegetation?)
A calm approach on a healthy Buffalo, allowing you to make a one shot kill, will be all she wrote. Unless you choose a brain or spine shot as your first, neither which I recommend, don't expect your Buff to drop on your first shot. Speaking on my own experience, I have never had a Buffalo charge after the first shot.
This year though, we pulled out of a stalk, because we could see that the Buffalo bull that we had stalked was injured in the neck. We were between him and his escape route. We were 50yds away, looking at him under the brush, he, looking back at us. There was really only going to be one outcome.
Get in nice and close, and we look forward to seeing the photo.....

Take Care,
Marius Goosen
 
In short and this is only my way of thinking and what I have experienced. There are those that will differ with me but that is why we all have our own point of view and please don't crucify me for that.
I am not a double fan at all, for the simple reason, It's double the weight, its double the price and you are limited to distance.
The most important reason of all is that I can't even hit the side of a barn at 50 yards with a double. I shoot a compound bow better at long distance than with a double. But that is just me.

I guided Dr Chric Heil from Germany two years ago and he used a 375 H&H single shot Blazer. I was so amazed by the accuracy of this gun you could not believe. The gun was very light as well. Chris hunted 2 Eland bulls with me and on both bulls he took with 1 shot each, the first bull was lying down and after 15 minutes or so the bull stood up, never know we were there, the shot was through some thick brush but still the shot was perfect at about 75 yards.

The second bull was from a group of about 6 bulls, they new we were after them and we bumped them twice, this bull came running out into a clearing and stopped for a second, the shot rang at about 85 yards and the bull dropped in its tracks with a perfect shot to the shoulder.
DSCF5088.JPG

The first bull
DSCF5094.JPG

The second bull

I have no problem with a single shot rifle, although I have not guide anyone on a Buffalo using a single shot I can't see any problem doing so.

Make sure of the first shot.
Take caution on the followup (AS ALWAYS)
Be ready to take a second shot if needed.

The PH is only there if something goes wrong and if he feels comfortable with what he uses then you should be fine.
 
The PH that put me on my one and only buffalo so far, told me that he is particularly fond of the Ruger #1 single shot rifles including, for all of the "Dangerous-7".

It's because Clients who carry such rifles, tend to be exceptionally competent, when delivering that all-important first shot.
 
In short and this is only my way of thinking and what I have experienced. There are those that will differ with me but that is why we all have our own point of view and please don't crucify me for that.
I am not a double fan at all, for the simple reason, It's double the weight, its double the price and you are limited to distance.
The most important reason of all is that I can't even hit the side of a barn at 50 yards with a double. I shoot a compound bow better at long distance than with a double. But that is just me.

I guided Dr Chric Heil from Germany two years ago and he used a 375 H&H single shot Blazer. I was so amazed by the accuracy of this gun you could not believe. The gun was very light as well. Chris hunted 2 Eland bulls with me and on both bulls he took with 1 shot each, the first bull was lying down and after 15 minutes or so the bull stood up, never know we were there, the shot was through some thick brush but still the shot was perfect at about 75 yards.

The second bull was from a group of about 6 bulls, they new we were after them and we bumped them twice, this bull came running out into a clearing and stopped for a second, the shot rang at about 85 yards and the bull dropped in its tracks with a perfect shot to the shoulder.
View attachment 33778
The first bull
View attachment 33779
The second bull

I have no problem with a single shot rifle, although I have not guide anyone on a Buffalo using a single shot I can't see any problem doing so.

Make sure of the first shot.
Take caution on the followup (AS ALWAYS)
Be ready to take a second shot if needed.

The PH is only there if something goes wrong and if he feels comfortable with what he uses then you should be fine.

I am not a PH, but I have hunted both Eland and Buffalo. To my way of thinking the smallest Eland bull will start in body weight were the biggest buff will end. Also Eland are well known to be able to soak up lead if shot poorly with the first shot.
 
im obsessed in singles. cool looking 500NE single on nitro forum made in oz.. would be cool for buff.. good luck.
 
The PH that put me on my one and only buffalo so far, told me that he is particularly fond of the Ruger #1 single shot rifles including, for all of the "Dangerous-7".

It's because Clients who carry such rifles, tend to be exceptionally competent, when delivering that all-important first shot.

Sure does create a motivation to use firearm well.
 
Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

I am a Ruger No 1 lover for sure, having owned a half- dozen and currently 1 each in 300 and 375 H&H.

Having never hunted Cape buffalo but only reading about it, I figured it would be foolish for me to just assume I would be welcomed to hunt the beast with my one-shooter.

Hunting with a rifle that is special means more to me than probably makes sense...and I would really love to stalk a buff with my No 1!

Thanks again to all for your thoughts.

Tim
 

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