375 H&H model 70 & Buffalo

[hunting4sanity]

I've hunted plains game once in Africa, but I've been planning to go back for buffalo and plains game. I don't own a big bore, so I'll need to get my first DG rifle. I'm looking at 2019 with a friend who has been to several African countries for both plains and DG. His wife gave him a new rifle for his last trip, 416 Rigby. He has a Winchester model 70 in 375H&H (pre '64 I believe) that he said he's going to sell now. So, I'm looking for input/opinions from the forum members about that caliber and model for buffalo. Also, any recommendations on the 'where' & 'who with' for buffalo would be appreciated. My friend is open to new places/outfitters and I'd like to do some research. Thanks for any advice you care to share.

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I can't comment on the ability of the rifle/caliber to kill buffalo, but I do have a Winchester model 70 in .375 H&H. It does kill paper with power to spare!!!! I do hope to use it someday on buff, but right now I'm shooting for practice, getting used to the rifle, getting the sights on target quickly, coming up with a good handload, etc.
I will say that shooting the rifle (I believe it was made in 1975) is hard on the shoulder when shooting groups from the bench, but when shooting off hand, or off of sticks, the recoil is manageable and the gun is accurate.
.....and this is from someone who spent an afternoon shooting 160 12gauge slugs to check for groups one day........the house smelled like a Ben Gay factory for a week after!!!!

 

[cpr0312]

That Winchester will do just fine!

 

[Boela]

Good day hunting4sanity,

If I may give my input- I recommend that you buy your friends .375H&H for your upcoming trip. It is a rifle that you can start using almost immediately in order to get to know the rifle, to get a feeling for the trigger pull and the trajectory of the bullet. If he reloads- you will save some $ on developing a load for the rifle since he should have it. If he does go on safari with you, you have the person right beside you in camp that has the most background knowledge of the rifle should something come up or go wrong regarding the rifle.

This calibre rifle is also very well suited for the other species of PG that you wish to take during the rest of your trip spent on safari.
I would wish to believe that you can also use the rifle at home hunting without it being a over kill on large game.

Regarding the suitability for buffalo - I will not hesitate in using it. Your first shot is the one that will matter most. Get to know the rifle in order to make sure that you get a good as possible first shot, and let the premium bullet do the rest for you. You will have a PH for back up in any case.
Below is two images of buffalo that was taken with my Winchester Mod70 .375H&H this season. One a bull, the other a management cow. This was the only rifle used on both buffalo.

 

[Barryw]

I have only shot one Cape Buffalo, a management cow, it was a one shot kill. The 375 H&H in a Winchester Model 70 is a deadly combination. Also shot a Black Wildebeest, one shot kill as well. The 375 H&H is to Africa as the 30-06 is to North America.

 

[CAustin]

375 will get the job done for sure!

 

[johnnyblues]

I just killed my buffalo with my 375 Ruger as well as a waterbuck and bushbuck with it. The only question you need to ask is what bullet? I completely recommend 300 grain Swift A frames. They will devastate the buff as long as your shot placement is correct.

 

[hunting4sanity]

Thanks for the replies on the rifle, I'm going to see if I can get a little range time with it soon and then most likely buy it. Any outfitter recommendations for buffalo? I hunted in KwaZulu-Natal SA on my first safari, and as much as I want to hunt that area again, I'm leaning towards somewhere new just to increase my Africa experience.

 

[Velo Dog]

Hello hunting4sanity,

With today's super-tough "premium" type, bullets, I strongly suspect the .375 would let the air out of the largest, toughest buffalo that exists (as it has been doing very consistently these days).
Regarding premium bullets, I'm definitely +1 with johnnyblues on the Swift A-Frame.
If I were using a .375 on buffalo, I'd load the rifle with a 300 grain A-Frame as my first shot.
Likewise, I'd load flat nose solids in the magazine, in case of a follow-up.
That's of course if follow-up is even needed.
My prediction however, is that you will fire your all important first shot into just the right spot on your buffalo and he, although mortally wounded, will turn to run away.
You will have practiced mightily for this scenario and so, you then will fire your 2nd shot into him, from caboose to engine and he will crumple before you can run the bolt for a third shot.

Stay safe and practice much,
Velo Dog.

 

[Ridgewalker]

September I had a grand hunt with PawPrints Safaris taking a Cape buffalo on the DG end of the hunt as well as a tiny duiker on the PG end of it using my 375 H&H. It is a very versatile cartridge if you use the correct bullet for the job.
There are many good PHes advertised on here. The first thing you need to determine is what country you plan to hunt. Do you want a free range hunt, or will you go high fenced? Do you want to hunt swamps or bushveld? How is your budget? Can you go late in the season and wait on the discounts to come around (if any?) What plains game are you wanting and does the PH have them close to the buffalo, or do you want one that is typically in a certain area/province, etc.
Best of luck in your decisions! You are on the right track to have a grand hunt!

 

[neckdeep]

I would suggest you take up your friend's offer on the Winchester. The 375 H&H will be perfect for a DG and PG safari.

 

[Rob404]

Grab that 375HH Winchester, it will definitely do the job on Buff and about anything else out there

 

[Velo Dog]

Thanks for the replies on the rifle, I'm going to see if I can get a little range time with it soon and then most likely buy it. Any outfitter recommendations for buffalo? I hunted in KwaZulu-Natal SA on my first safari, and as much as I want to hunt that area again, I'm leaning towards somewhere new just to increase my Africa experience.

PM sent.

 

[neckdeep]

The conservancies in Zim would be a great place to start looking, many great operator's in the Save and Bubye, plus excellent plains game hunting. Zambia and Mozambique offer excellent buffalo hunting as well in huge area's. Read some report's and do some research, talk to some reference's, go to DSC and SCI and talk to some PH's. All part of the fun!! Good luck.

Gale Johnson

 

[mdwest]

A friend no longer in need of his Win 70 .375 H&H is exactly how I ended up with my "DG rifle". I was made an excellent offer on a nice W70 Classic Stainless that literally had less than a box of ammo through it and had been sitting in a safe for more than a decade. I wasnt sure if I really "needed" it or not, but at the price I was offered ($650) I snatched it up immediately...

a few months later I was toting it around SA and using it on a PG hunt.. I have plans to use it here in NA in 2018 on a couple of "big" critters.. and am in the planning phase of a 2019 buff hunt right now as well..

If you buy it.. the hunts will come

 

[johnnyblues]

I hunted with KMG safaris for my buffalo. Outstanding operation in every regard. They are one of our sponsors. Give Marius a holler, you won't regret it.

 

[Shootist43]

SHAME on your friend for trying to sell you a Pre 64 Model 70 in 375 H&H. He definitely owes you an apology. BTW if he still wants to sell it, would you mind giving him my phone number? LOL If I were you, I wouldn't let anything other than an angry wife hold me back.

 

[Rob404]

SHAME on your friend for trying to sell you a Pre 64 Model 70 in 375 H&H. He definitely owes you an apology. BTW if he still wants to sell it, would you mind giving him my phone number? LOL If I were you, I wouldn't let anything other than an angry wife hold me back.

Angry Wives are easy to come by,,a Pre 64 M70 in 375HH is not

 

[Velo Dog]

Angry Wives are easy to come by,,a Pre 64 M70 in 375HH is not

+1

 

[Heeler75]

You didn't mention the condition of the Model 70 your friend has, but an unmolested Pre-'64 Model 70 in 375 H&H will bring premium $$$$ (Think $3,000 and up). Unless you have the cash, or your friend gives you the 'stupid good friend deal', you might be better off looking at the latest production Model 70s (new or used).