Handgun hunting Africa plains game - Cape Buffalo (Novice)

[Justhunt]

Check out Brian Pierce articles from Wolf Publishing
Good luck, will be a fun hunt.

 

[RLP]

500 S&W Magnum

 

[RLP]

Check out Brian Pierce articles from Wolf Publishing
Good luck, will be a fun hunt.

Interesting, I follow him on YouTube with his sons.

 

[RLP]

475 lINEBAUGH

 

[RLP]

454 CASULL

 

[Cherokeetracker]

You have a nice selection of tools for you next job. I used to own a S&W 500 w/8-3/8 barrel. Just to heavy to carry, and I never could master it offhand.
The 454 with the Goodyear grips,,, (joke) well they are just too fat for my hands but that is not what I want to address as my point. Similarities and Familiarity.
When I change revolvers I want the grips to at least be similar so that my muscle memory stays pretty much the same. Your grip needs to be installed in brain and hand, so that things are instant. You are not going to get several tries at this.
Make sure you can aquire the red dot or reticle almost instantly. Not knocking choices, but I seem to do better with the Tube type such as Ultra-Dot. Function is important.
Offhand, learn and learn well. This is very important since you may not have time to setup sticks. Heaven forbid a charge, but worse case scenario if it was to happen you had better be prepared to 1 shoot offhand and 2 recover from recoil to make that second shot.
Most likely the PH would have joined in, but be prepared for the worse.
Ammo, I do like CEB, their bullets have been more accurate than Barnes. Swift A frame works too. I have shot a lot of cast but would not use them on Cape Buffalo. There are much better choices.
Practice,,,, Get the revolvers sighted for what you plan to use. Do not shoot long sessions! A short session that keeps you familiar is better than a long session. 2 things
1 long sessions tend to allow room to develop a flinch.
It can take a long time to get over.
2 Starting out you will be concentrating on grip, sight picture, follow through after you squeeze trigger.
My motto is Perfect practice makes perfect.
It would be best after sighting in to be able to practice with reduced loads. Then take 1-3 shots with your hunting load each session. FYI : In the 454 you can buy the Barnes 250gr and use them for practice. They have less recoil than say Hornady or Swift factory loads.
Look for something similar in the 475.
JMHO: I search places like Buds gun shop for sales and buy plenty for practice a search engine will with prices.
Practice sessions. Always start small and step up.
By that I mean start with a small caliber and even a less expensive round to begin with each time. Then pick up the big boys. Also this needs to happen at least once a week better twice a week.
I am going to say this not to upset you but think long and hard about this. I mentioned familiarity before. Leave the S&W alone and stay with the two Single Actions. Grip the two FAs alike. Through familiarity you will shoot better and faster with those two single actions instead of switching back and forth. Partly because of your grip is different on the Double action than the single action revolvers. Size and weight etc.
Hunting. Let's go hunting. That's right. Go hog hunting Deer hunting. Start shooting game asap. This pushes you to concentrate on what you are learning! It creates shooting from field positions. IT BUILDS CONFIDENCE!!!
Confidence in yourself and your equipment and your loads. I enjoy hogs with the large calibers since I can use the same loads as I would take to go after Cape Buffalo
Another animal is an Auodad. They are tough but can be challenging. They are excellent for practice of stalking and shot placement.
Get some good Snap Caps for your freedom arms. Practice dry firing 5-10 minutes each day. Do not dry fire the Freedom arms without Snap caps. I do hope you have the removable firing pin in each FA revolver . If not send the gun back and they will replace it. Purchase an extra firing pin and kit. Take this with you to Africa.
If you could roll your own, then it would help with practice ammo. I shoot lead that has been powder coated, Cleanup is quick and easy. No smoke no leading.

 

[RLP]

You have a nice selection of tools for you next job. I used to own a S&W 500 w/8-3/8 barrel. Just to heavy to carry, and I never could master it offhand.
The 454 with the Goodyear grips,,, (joke) well they are just too fat for my hands but that is not what I want to address as my point. Similarities and Familiarity.
When I change revolvers I want the grips to at least be similar so that my muscle memory stays pretty much the same. Your grip needs to be installed in brain and hand, so that things are instant. You are not going to get several tries at this.
Make sure you can aquire the red dot or reticle almost instantly. Not knocking choices, but I seem to do better with the Tube type such as Ultra-Dot. Function is important.
Offhand, learn and learn well. This is very important since you may not have time to setup sticks. Heaven forbid a charge, but worse case scenario if it was to happen you had better be prepared to 1 shoot offhand and 2 recover from recoil to make that second shot.
Most likely the PH would have joined in, but be prepared for the worse.
Ammo, I do like CEB, their bullets have been more accurate than Barnes. Swift A frame works too. I have shot a lot of cast but would not use them on Cape Buffalo. There are much better choices.
Practice,,,, Get the revolvers sighted for what you plan to use. Do not shoot long sessions! A short session that keeps you familiar is better than a long session. 2 things
1 long sessions tend to allow room to develop a flinch.
It can take a long time to get over.
2 Starting out you will be concentrating on grip, sight picture, follow through after you squeeze trigger.
My motto is Perfect practice makes perfect.
It would be best after sighting in to be able to practice with reduced loads. Then take 1-3 shots with your hunting load each session. FYI : In the 454 you can buy the Barnes 250gr and use them for practice. They have less recoil than say Hornady or Swift factory loads.
Look for something similar in the 475.
JMHO: I search places like Buds gun shop for sales and buy plenty for practice a search engine will with prices.
Practice sessions. Always start small and step up.
By that I mean start with a small caliber and even a less expensive round to begin with each time. Then pick up the big boys. Also this needs to happen at least once a week better twice a week.
I am going to say this not to upset you but think long and hard about this. I mentioned familiarity before. Leave the S&W alone and stay with the two Single Actions. Grip the two FAs alike. Through familiarity you will shoot better and faster with those two single actions instead of switching back and forth. Partly because of your grip is different on the Double action than the single action revolvers. Size and weight etc.
Hunting. Let's go hunting. That's right. Go hog hunting Deer hunting. Start shooting game asap. This pushes you to concentrate on what you are learning! It creates shooting from field positions. IT BUILDS CONFIDENCE!!!
Confidence in yourself and your equipment and your loads. I enjoy hogs with the large calibers since I can use the same loads as I would take to go after Cape Buffalo
Another animal is an Auodad. They are tough but can be challenging. They are excellent for practice of stalking and shot placement.
Get some good Snap Caps for your freedom arms. Practice dry firing 5-10 minutes each day. Do not dry fire the Freedom arms without Snap caps. I do hope you have the removable firing pin in each FA revolver . If not send the gun back and they will replace it. Purchase an extra firing pin and kit. Take this with you to Africa.
If you could roll your own, then it would help with practice ammo. I shoot lead that has been powder coated, Cleanup is quick and easy. No smoke no leading.

Thank you for all the information and sharing your expertise.

 

[LeftySixgun]

First off, Ive never hunted Africa YET!! My first trip is Aug of next year for plains game and I plan to take my 475 Linebaugh Freedom Arms. I’ve shot the 475 Linebaugh for a good while now, in both Ruger custom and now an FA.
In my personal opinion and if it were me, I would use the 475 on a cape without hesitation. And again personally I’d use a cast bullet that I cast myself. And if you don’t cast your own, there are still some great commercial cast bullets available. I’d love to see what my bullet does on a Cape buffalo.
I would use a heavy per caliber in the 475, say 400-440gr. To me mono metal bullets are overkill for penetration, cast will do just fine. Then again, a little overkill isn’t a bad idea given this game can ruin your day also, lol.

My second choice to take would be your FA 454. And with a cast bullet. Lol
The S&W 500 you have a fine gun. But to me the barrel length and the overall size of that gun may be cumbersome if you get in a tight spot.
This is my FA 475 at 100yds, 18/20 shots, 390gr HP cast bullet at 1320fps

 

[RLP]

First off, Ive never hunted Africa YET!! My first trip is Aug of next year for plains game and I plan to take my 475 Linebaugh Freedom Arms. I’ve shot the 475 Linebaugh for a good while now, in both Ruger custom and now an FA.
In my personal opinion and if it were me, I would use the 475 on a cape without hesitation. And again personally I’d use a cast bullet that I cast myself. And if you don’t cast your own, there are still some great commercial cast bullets available. I’d love to see what my bullet does on a Cape buffalo.
I would use a heavy per caliber in the 475, say 400-440gr. To me mono metal bullets are overkill for penetration, cast will do just fine. Then again, a little overkill isn’t a bad idea given this game can ruin your day also, lol.

My second choice to take would be your FA 454. And with a cast bullet. Lol
The S&W 500 you have a fine gun. But to me the barrel length and the overall size of that gun may be cumbersome if you get in a tight spot.
This is my FA 475 at 100yds, 18/20 shots, 390gr HP cast bullet at 1320fps

View attachment 765445

Thank you for the response and information. Love the look of the octagon barrel!!!

 

[Forrest Halley]

First off, Ive never hunted Africa YET!! My first trip is Aug of next year for plains game and I plan to take my 475 Linebaugh Freedom Arms. I’ve shot the 475 Linebaugh for a good while now, in both Ruger custom and now an FA.
In my personal opinion and if it were me, I would use the 475 on a cape without hesitation. And again personally I’d use a cast bullet that I cast myself. And if you don’t cast your own, there are still some great commercial cast bullets available. I’d love to see what my bullet does on a Cape buffalo.
I would use a heavy per caliber in the 475, say 400-440gr. To me mono metal bullets are overkill for penetration, cast will do just fine. Then again, a little overkill isn’t a bad idea given this game can ruin your day also, lol.

My second choice to take would be your FA 454. And with a cast bullet. Lol
The S&W 500 you have a fine gun. But to me the barrel length and the overall size of that gun may be cumbersome if you get in a tight spot.
This is my FA 475 at 100yds, 18/20 shots, 390gr HP cast bullet at 1320fps

View attachment 765445

What do the sharpie marks on the cylinder indicate?

 

[LeftySixgun]

What do the sharpie marks on the cylinder indicate?

hahaha, I was having some issues and trying to keep track of which chambers were giving me issue. No issue now.

 

[Forrest Halley]

hahaha, I was having some issues and trying to keep track of which chambers were giving me issue. No issue now.

I figured it was something important. What was the issue?

 

[LeftySixgun]

Each shot left a lead ring in the chamber. The lead I was using was too soft. Started using a slightly harder alloy and no issue since

 

[Forrest Halley]

Each shot left a lead ring in the chamber. The lead I was using was too soft. Started using a slightly harder alloy and no issue since

I thought it was something neater like these chambers group best at 100 yards.

 

[LeftySixgun]

I thought it was something neater like these chambers group best at 100 yards.

I mean, yep you guessed it correctly, lol

I’m just happy to hit the steel target at 100yds, lol