Renting Buffalo Rifle

dmyers

dmyers

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I'm slowly working my way toward affording a buffalo hunt but costs (I'm a working class guy), are an issue. I'm thinking renting a rifle (375, 416) would be the way to go but would like any input from people who have rented rifles for buffalo hunts before. The gun I use is less important to me then affording the hunt. Any recommendations?
 
I think there are two ways to look at this:

First would be straight math. For example, 10 day hunt x $50 per day rental = $500. now for one hunt in a lifetime it is probably cheaper to rent. But what if you do a second hunt or a bear hunt etc?

Second is personal. Are you comfortable shooting DG with a rifle you've never used and would you want to look at that rifle in the future for the memories it might bring you?

Personally, I trained a lot with the rifle I used for my buffalo and am very comfortable with it. I'd sure hate to mess up taking the rifle off safety because I wasn't familiar with it during a buffalo hunt. And when you consider you can get into a CZ with a decent scope for probably $1500 how much are you really saving by renting in the grand scheme of things?
 
I have borrowed excellent rifles.
Any PH taking you after a Buffalo is not going to be giving you junk to shoot. It's the skin too.

I shot a Buffalo with a rifle I had previously fired once.
The safety was not an issue because it was never needed. :)

That is was not the best suggested course of action, but renting a rifle is not a bad alternative.

If you are that close to affording the hunt that the purchase of a new rifle will set you back then rent.

It's your hunt.
 
Quite a few hunters use my rifles. You will anyway get opportunity to familiarise yourself with your outfitters rifle. No need to use your own.
 
I would not worry about what gun the outfitter will let you use if you go that way. But here is somethings you could look at in ways to get a rifle with not much cost by the end of the hunt.

You could buy one and then resell it when back from hunt. Just do the gun with out scope as buff will be close up hunting.

Could see if anyone you know has a 375 or larger you can borrow to take with you. Lets you be able to practice with gun before you go if you feel you need to.

Can also try and get that fee waved by the outfitter and just pay for ammo you use. Some will do that if you ask and they know that will get the hunt sold.

Or use a outfitter like pieter at paw print who only charges for ammo from the start with no charge for using the gun.

If I had the cash to go and the only thing stopping me was needing to use someone gun I would be buying the plane ticket.
 
Some outfitters guns are terrific, but others not so much. I would ask the outfitter what the camp rifle is and see if its to your liking. I would buy a nice used 375 H&H and practice.
 
I don't think I'd have an issue with using a camp rifle either, but I'd ask about what is available to get a feel for the condition of the rifle. I have heard the odd story of clients being handed junk for camp rifles.

My bigger concern is that you take the time to get accustomed to the recoil of a .375HH. if you've not shot anything that large before, you could be a bit mentally distracted from the task at hand. You don't want to be even subconsciously concerned about the recoil of the gun, can cause big problems. I've watched guys shoot that either wouldn't admit or were truly unaware that the recoil of their .375's was bothering them. But it without question was affecting their accuracy, and this was while hunting paper.

So yeah, picking up a less expensive, used rifle to at least practice with is something I'd recommend.
 
There are other fees attached to taking your own rifles with you, especially for the first time. The guys that have been several times usually avoid some of these because they know what they are doing. A first timer not so much. I agree with Brickburn, if the cost of a rifle is holding you back, then rent, or use Paw Print with no rental charge. If you rent, regardless of who you hunt with, know what rifle of theirs you will be using. Beg or borrow the same type to practice with, (such as a M70), even if the caliber is different, then the location of the safety will not be an issue. Have a great hunt!
 
Great advice, thank you.
I have shot 338's and one 375 from the bench and found the recoil tolerable. The guns that I fear to shoot are 12g slugs for deer. Does anyone know how say a 416 Rigby would compare to a 12 gauge slug gun as I'd likely never get a chance to shoot a 416 until I get to Africa.

Again, thanks for the advice you have already posted.
 
Dmyers, I shot this giraffe last year using Marius's .416 Rigby in a CZ 550 with KMG last year. I did not find the recoil bad at all and if you have no difficulties with a 12 gauge slug you will have no problems with the .416. I borrow my rifles when I hunt with Marius and don't see any problem with borrowing one as long as it is a reputable outfitter. I see you are from the Great White North as well and if you ever feel the need to get some big bore practice in I have a .375 CZ 550 you can always take out for a test drive at the range one day, provided we actually live close enough (Ottawa?)
DSC_0333_zpsdze1u3vs.jpg
 
A loaded to its potential .416 Rigby will give a stout kick. This requires hand loads however. Factory rounds will likely be far less hot as they could be loaded in very old rifles which can't handle the pressure.
 
Hard to compare, I think the .416 Rigby is quit powerful compared to a 3 inch 12 gauge slug.
 
enysse said:
Hard to compare, I think the .416 Rigby is quit powerful compared to a 3 inch 12 gauge slug.
Click to expand...
We're not talking about power, but about felt recoil. If I recall my old calculations correctly, the 3" 12ga slug is at least equivalent to a 375 H&H for recoil energy.

Rifle weight, stock shape, recoil pad all affect how we perceive recoil.

I think I am mangling some terms. My apologies.
 
I agree I think a 12 gauge is similiar in recoil to a 375 H&H.
 
Thanks I will take a look at JimP.
 
I have rented a rifle for Buffalo hunting.

The PH asked what gun i wanted to rent/use.

The selections were bolt (3 different makes)or double rifle (1 choice)...
All rifles were in excellent condition.

i went with the double rifle. One that probably cost as much as my hunt.

Make sure you ask the question on open sight or a scope for the rifle you will be using...
 
adgunner said:
Dmyers, I shot this giraffe last year using Marius's .416 Rigby in a CZ 550 with KMG last year. I did not find the recoil bad at all and if you have no difficulties with a 12 gauge slug you will have no problems with the .416. I borrow my rifles when I hunt with Marius and don't see any problem with borrowing one as long as it is a reputable outfitter. I see you are from the Great White North as well and if you ever feel the need to get some big bore practice in I have a .375 CZ 550 you can always take out for a test drive at the range one day, provided we actually live close enough (Ottawa?)
View attachment 53895
Click to expand...

Thanks for the Offer. I lived in Ottawa for 6 years, went to Carleton and still have friends there. I might just look you up next time I'm in town.
 
I have been to southern Africa five times, hunted three times and two of those hunters were commercial products ie: paid hunts. If I go again I would rent a rifle and save the time, expense and paper work of buying, testing and taking your own.

Go as a tourist and travel with less hassle.
 
My mate and I both hired rifles when we went to Zim as I didn't want the hassle of carting fire arms around. Used the PH 375 for plains game and 500 double for the buffalo and would do it again.We were not charged for the hire or ammunition anyway.
 
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