Hunt booked tonight in the Selous!!!

[Jager Waffen74]

Well it is 2:00am... and I am like a kid on Christmas eve that can't sleep, ready to dive into presents!!
Just booked a hunt in the infamous Selous reserve in Tanzania tonight at the SCI banquet..

This is my second trip to Africa, and 1st buffalo hunt. I am looking for any suggestions, and expectations on hunting the Selous. I am planning on being there the first week of July. Fotunately I will making a short flight from Joburg due to being on a safari in S. Africa.
So back to back safaris!

One question I have aside from any advice is. I am planning on taking my .416 Rem. Has any used this on plains game and at what distance? I have EAW base and rings on my gun, so I figure I can set it up with 2 scopes, one for 400gr and another for .350's or less for plains game. Most likely a z6 with BT to adjust up and down. In South Africa I am targeting a big Kudu, eland, zebra, Heartabeest, possibly a roan and another Gemsbok, and black wildabeast. Mostly larger stuff. In Tanzania will be 2 buffs, and some plains animals probably. My only concern is reaching out, thats it.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

No advise for you. But congratulations on a double safari that dreams are made of. Best of luck.

 

[WAB]

Nice, who did you book with?

 

[gillettehunter]

Congrats! Sounds like a lot of fun. I'd likely think about taking a second rifle in some sort of a 6.5 or 7mm for longer shots and smaller animals. Your choice of course. Will look forward to the report.
Bruce

 

[cls]

Congrats on booking your hunt. I would also do the 2 gun battery. What ever you decide good luck and shoot straight.

 

[CAustin]

Well it is 2:00am... and I am like a kid on Christmas eve that can't sleep, ready to dive into presents!!
Just booked a hunt in the infamous Selous reserve in Tanzania tonight at the SCI banquet..

This is my second trip to Africa, and 1st buffalo hunt. I am looking for any suggestions, and expectations on hunting the Selous. I am planning on being there the first week of July. Fotunately I will making a short flight from Joburg due to being on a safari in S. Africa.
So back to back safaris!

One question I have aside from any advice is. I am planning on taking my .416 Rem. Has any used this on plains game and at what distance? I have EAW base and rings on my gun, so I figure I can set it up with 2 scopes, one for 400gr and another for .350's or less for plains game. Most likely a z6 with BT to adjust up and down. In South Africa I am targeting a big Kudu, eland, zebra, Heartabeest, possibly a roan and another Gemsbok, and black wildabeast. Mostly larger stuff. In Tanzania will be 2 buffs, and some plains animals probably. My only concern is reaching out, thats it.

Have used my 416 Ruger on plains game to great effect! The Rem is not that much different. If you are comfortable with the rifle go for it. Just practice a lot before going and at appropriate ranges. Just go with the 400 grain buckets and consider a custom dial scope made for the round and particul rifle. I have taken several African game species with the 416 from thin skinned lion and wart hog to buff and elephant with a 400 grain 416 projectile.
Congrats on booking a great hunt.

 

[Red Leg]

Can't urge you enough not to do the two bullet weights and two scopes thing. Murphy will ensure that you have the wrong set up at the wrong time or the wrong bullet with the wrong scope, etc. A quality 400 gr SP from that rifle will cleanly take your buffalo and any plains game you come across at any practical range you or your PH will be comfortable shooting in either location. Getting up close and personal with your first buffalo should entail no potential complications. I do the same with my .375 and 300 gr bullets. Trajectories aren't that much different. Be sure and consider adding a sable to your Selous list. They are a completely different animal outside a game ranch.

 

[sierraone]

Can't urge you enough not to do the two bullet weights and two scopes thing. Murphy will ensure that you have the wrong set up at the wrong time or the wrong bullet with the wrong scope, etc. A quality 400 gr SP from that rifle will cleanly take your buffalo and any plains game you come across at any practical range you or your PH will be comfortable shooting in either location. Getting up close and personal with your first buffalo should entail no potential complications. I do the same with my .375 and 300 gr bullets. Trajectories aren't that much different. Be sure and consider adding a sable to your Selous list. They are a completely different animal outside a game ranch.

Red Leg, I had considered advising the same to Jager Waffen74 this morning. But I figured (correctly) that you would give this advice, unless you were out of town. And since you do it much better than I, I am glad to have waited!!! Now if he will just take it!!!

 

[Wheels]

KISS

As Red Leg said.

Don't over-complicate things. Seriously doubt PH will have you shooting over 200 yards in Selous. Decent chance you won't have a shot beyond 125 yards, maybe 100. Set up for buff and pg won't be a problem.

FYI, if your taking two buff, your on a 10 day license and sable is not available on ten day license only longer licenses. If you want sable you might want to clarify with outfitter what the difference in cost would be.

Look forward to reading your report.

 

[Martin Rodriguez]

Have a great trip

 

[MBaugh]

Congrats. I took my 416 Rem Mag and shot my buffalo, a Nyala, Impala and a sable all with 400 gr TBBC. Longest shot was 125 yards but the rifle and bullets performed flawlessly. I took 350 gr. A-frames but did not use them. The Impala is the only one than ran off when shot. He was shot at less than 50 yards and ran approximately 70 yards. I believe he was dead on his feet he just didn't know it. No regrets taking just the 416 Rem Mag. Good luck.

 

[Royal27]

Congrats!!!!

What a dream hunt that is for most of us.

Another vote for KISS.

Never would I personally use two Scopes and two bullets of different weights, although taking a second scope as a backup in case of a failure isn't a bad idea.

The only way I will take two bullets though is a soft/solid combo with the same POI.

 

[meigsbucks]

WOW! Great news. That is a dream hunt.