Advise on my upcoming trip to Zimbabwe

[Philip Glass]

I would probably take the .416 and use it for PG as well. You should ask your PH what distance you should expect to be shooting. I believe much of Matetsi is open country and shots may be not be that close. I am excited for you and your new double though! You have good taste in scopes.
Best of luck,
Philip

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

My advice to you...... not really but I couldn't help myself:

 

[fourfive8]

Been there- done that more than once. Instead of taking two rifles on combination PG-DG hunts I have taken only one- the DG rifle. I just avoided the extra hassle of the extra rifle. I figured if I couldn't shoot the DG rifle well enough for PG then maybe I don't need to be hunting big game of any variety anyway. I have taken exactly what you have- a Win 70 in 416 Rem with a Leupold 1-6. Left it on about 3X and took only one type ammo with tough bullets for the buffalo... worked great for all PG from eland on down. Didn't change anything with the gun, scope or ammo. Probably the best advice is to learn to shoot the 416 well, practice off the sticks and don't over-think it.

 

[MMAL]

Practice with double and take the double. My first buffalo was with a double and red dot. It was taken at 100 yards. My eyes suck at 49 and I haven’t yet gotten glasses or contacts. Quite honestly it makes you work for the buffalo. Should not take it at 150+. A double is made for buffalo, elephant, rhino(tough to do). That is it. Yes you can kill everything else with it but you are going to Africa to shoot a buffalo and a place that is free range. Do it proper if you have the double. No offense to people that take buffalo without a double.

 

[Mekaniks]

Take the your new double hunting! There is no replacement for building confidence with a new rifle like using it. Take it for a weekend hog hunting in Texas or Florida or maybe some exotics somewhere.
Taking It to the range is all good and necessary to start, but take it and hunt with it before you make up your mind if you want to hunt buff with it in Africa. My 2c....

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Your wife bought you a double rifle, if you do not at least take it with you. You will regret it! Take both! Leave one in camp or the cruiser!

 

[Lancaster]

Maybe put a scope on the double?

 

[Ed Hawkins]

Maybe put a scope on the double?

I’m thinking of putting a Trijicon rmr on it.

 

[Milehighshooter]

Take the 416 and double. Northfork 370gr 416's are on sale. Seems like a fair balance of PG/DG capable in one load, if needed.

 

[JakeH]

Consult your PH, but I couldn’t imagine having a double and NOT bringing it to Africa. And let it eat before you go, take some hogs or a bear with it. That double may have been born in Italy but it was made for Africa...

 

[Milehighshooter]

Not to mention your wife bought it, for you to USE in Africa.... really want to go making her angry leaving her gift at home?

 

[JakeH]

Not to mention your wife bought it, for you to USE in Africa.... really want to go making her angry leaving her gift at home?

As a side note, have her call my wife and explain to her why it’s necessary that I acquire one as well.