About to go on Cape buffalo hunt, guns and calibers?

[Aleksandar]

hey guys, I'm new here. In fact I just joined today. So I was wondering on what gun and caliber to hunt Cape buffalo with. It's going to be my first time going to Africa to hunt. I was think about a CZ 550...is that a good choice? I've also heard about Dakota arms. And last but not least for the caliber? I was thinking a .458 Lott, too much or too little? Thanks!

 

[Royal27]

Welcome!!!

For caliber I would say .375 and up. Whatever you shoot well. A .458 Lott is certainly not too much, but only if you are comfortable with it and can shoot it well. Shot placement is the key. That cannot be stressed enough.

CZ makes a good rifle and my .375 is one, but there are a lot of good ones out there. Read a lot here and keep asking questions as you do so.

 

[spike.t]

hi welcome aboard where and when are you going to hunt your buff? as for calibre it depends totally what you are comfortable with shooting. if you havent fired any bigger cals a .458lott will give you something to think about..... but its a vgood cal for any of the DG species.

 

[Aleksandar]

Welcome!!!

For caliber I would say .375 and up. Whatever you shoot well. A .458 Lott is certainly not too much, but only if you are comfortable with it and can shoot it well. Shot placement is the key. That cannot be stressed enough.

CZ makes a good rifle and my .375 is one, but there are a lot of good ones out there. Read a lot here and keep asking questions as you do so.

Thank you for replying! I saw some of your trophies in your photo gallery...my goodNess those are some nice ones. But what caliber did you use for your buffalo and elephant?

 

[Aleksandar]

hi welcome aboard where and when are you going to hunt your buff? as for calibre it depends totally what you are comfortable with shooting. if you havent fired any bigger cals a .458lott will give you something to think about..... but its a vgood cal for any of the DG species.

I plan on going in the summer, such as July. I am planning on going to Zimbabwe. What calibers do you hunt dangerous game with?

 

[spike.t]

i have 2 .458 lotts, 1 .416 rigby, 1 .404 jeffery, 1 .470 dbl. i havent used the .404 yet as i am waiting for it to make its way across the atlantic. the .458lott, .470 and .416 all work very well . for you i would also consider the .416 rigby as it is a bit more versatile than the lott, but still is very very effective on all DG. there of course the other .416 types but i prefer the traditional proper version

 

[ActionBob]

I would second the 416 recommendation.... If limited DG and for the best overall versatility on PG, you cannot beat the 375's, especially the 375 H&H. For a primarily DG rifle that is still a good performer on PG, the 416's would do much better than a 458. If you want a gun only for shorter ranges and only for big nasty critters, the 458 Lott is a great choice if you can shoot it well.

 

[Royal27]

Gladly! And thank you.

.375 H&H for my buff and I haven't taken an elephant.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Welcome to AH Aleksander. I use 9,3 x 62, 375 H&H and 404Jeffery. My recommendation for Buffalo is 404Jeffery.
Witold

 

[Red Leg]

Gladly! And thank you.

.375 H&H for my buff and I haven't taken an elephant.

Depends. If you are going just for buff - or only hunting buff while hunting them - then sure - bring a forty of some persuasion. If, on the other hand, you will be taking PG while in pursuit of a bull, then nothing beats a scoped ,375.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Welcome to the family! Quite honestly a 375 and up is perfect.
A suggestion, find a dealer where you can test fire both, the one that you are most comfortable shooting on the range is the correct one to buy!

Good luck and enjoy it is a incredible hunt, when conducted appropriately!

My best always

 

[James.Grage]

Welcome to AH,

What ever you decide to take, make sure that you are able to shoot it accurately. The first shot, help a bunch, when it is place in the right spot.

As for rifles, anything from 375 on up is capable of putting a cape buffalo in the salt shed.

as for rifle makers, there are many out there to look at and put your hands on to see if it is the right gun for you. Actually you are pushing the time limits on obtaining your rifle for a safari in July of this year. Not saying that it is not possible to do, just make sure you can shoot the rifle accurately that you select to take on your trip.

Take a mix of solids and softs ammunition along to use.

You did not indicate if you plan to take any plains game on this safari. Or if you plan on taking a second rifle along for that purpose.

Now in this is a one rifle, safari, look at the 375 H&H and or the 416 Rigby.

 

[TokkieM]

Welcome to AH,you will find just about everything you need to know about your trip here on the forum.
If you go CZ then I would suggest a 375H&H. Your time frame is pretty short and their 375H&H is probably the most reliable caliber of their rifles. There may not be enough time to sort out any issue with a 458 Lott and they have been known to have some feeding issues.
There is nothing you cannot shoot with a 375H&H or 9,3x62 for that matter. The 375H&H loaded with Swift A Frame bullets will serve you very well on buff if you do your part. Spend more time on the range getting to know your rifle and ammo than worrying if you are under gunned with a 375H&H. No matter how you look at it,if you ever do feel you need to get a 458Lott you will already have a 375H&H and every safe should have one anyway. Good luck and looking forward to a hunt report from you!

 

[thi9elsp]

375 H&H is what I used. I hope you've done a lot of hunting and shooting. Because the most important part is getting the rifle ASAP and running several boxes of ammunition through it so that you are completely comfortable with it when you get to Africa. 6 to 8 weeks to get ready isn't much time. I practiced with my CZ 550 for 6 months before going and could hold a 1 inch group at 100 yards.

 

[bassasdaindia]

welcome , IMHO you should consider either a 375 H&H or 1 of the 416's .

 

[Nyati]

Welcome to AH, Aleksandar, the .375HH was enough for me. Shot placement is essential.

 

[CAustin]

416 Ruger is what I have used so far on DG. Will use it on Elephant later this year but gave a 458 Lott as the backup rifle.

 

[Divernhunter]

If you want sporting use a fly swatter and get real close. Once you have their attention use a pocket knife on the juggler vein

Sorry just in a smart ass mood today

 

[spike.t]

I plan on going in the summer, such as July. I am planning on going to Zimbabwe. What calibers do you hunt dangerous game with?

"I plan on going in the summer, such as July"

if you dont mind me saying but that seems a bit vague, and as its so close to when you want to do your buff hunt you must have made contact with an operator, and be on the verge of booking i would have thought?

 

[ActionBob]

BTW Aleksander... Welcome to the Board!

As others have mentioned, if your going in a couple months, you don't have time to mess around... Check with suppliers and have them check their distributers to see what is available quickly! A 375 H&H may be your best option for right now.

And before you buy, have a good idea of how you will feed the beast! Might be easier to get 375 H&H Ammo than other choices but you will want enough for sight in, both the irons and a scope, to check regulation between softs and solids, lots of practice and of course high quality bonded or copper softs and some solids for hunting...... You have a big challenge ahead of you to accomplish this and do it properly in 2 months.

Did you ask your PH what he recommends and if he has any ammo in camp just in case yours does not arrive?

I did notice as Spike did, you are not really nailing down details and to do this all in a couple months brings up lots of doubt.

Well best of luck to you!