I need a "Use Enough Gun" Gun. Suggestions?

[Azklmsr]

You are right, recoil is straight physics.

The way that each shooter deals with the recoil is different.

For example, do you resist it or welcome it? We learn this in different ways, maybe through martial arts ( boxing) or maybe through mediation. (Welcoming it)

This is not new or esoteric knowledge. Anyone can learn to enjoy the recoil of a big bore if they want to. Same as how do you get rid of a flinch. It's much easier that some people think.

Handling recoil is mental thing, first thing that I suggest is forget about the science.
I have taught people how many times. Ask an accomplished magnum handgun shooter.

One of the best summaries of recoil I've ever read.

Bit of an adventure and I'll let everyone know how it goes.

 

[Azklmsr]

dont do a 375 wby, your ph will no longer like you and u will have no friends at the range
375HH kills more dang game every year than any other calibre

Oh Crap, Now I HAVE to do the conversion!
Or would a 378 Weatherby be a better choice? (That hurts just thinking about it!)

True story: I shoot at Rio Salado near my home in Mesa AZ. Well run, safe range and been shooting there (mostly handguns and sighting in the occasional rifle) for decades. I bring in my 375 and a box of my handloads, bench scope, chrono, rests. RO asks - Brake or no brake - No brake, but its a 375. He puts me by the guys shooting brakes, but mostly little stuff. (why do guys put brakes on 6.5 crapmors?)

I do my thing and look up and 3 ROs behind me. All want to know what I'm shooting that makes so much noise without a brake and pushes me back so far.

Too much fun.

Recoil at the range I'm not afraid of. Looking forward to seeing if Bryan films me pooping myself when a Buff comes a calling. I doubt I will remember the recoil!

 

[375Fox]

You are right, recoil is straight physics.

The way that each shooter deals with the recoil is different.

For example, do you resist it or welcome it? We learn this in different ways, maybe through martial arts ( boxing) or maybe through mediation. (Welcoming it)

This is not new or esoteric knowledge. Anyone can learn to enjoy the recoil of a big bore if they want to. Same as how do you get rid of a flinch. It's much easier that some people think.

Handling recoil is mental thing, first thing that I suggest is forget about the science.
I have taught people how many times. Ask an accomplished magnum handgun shooter.

Pulling the trigger and not flinching is mental. Everything after that trigger breaks is physical. You reach a point where the recoil becomes unsafe. Some shooters can learn to manage it with stock design, rifle weight, shooting style, etc but everyone of those is a physical attribute. Make a mistake on form on something with 70, 80, 90 lbs of felt recoil you can hurt yourself in a way something with 30 lbs of recoil just can’t do.

 

[375Fox]

One of the best summaries of recoil I've ever read.

Bit of an adventure and I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Except it isn’t. There is a point recoil becomes unsafe on dangerous game rifles and isn’t for every shooter. I compared the first time shooting my 458 to whiplash in a car accident because I had improper form for 90 lbs of felt recoil. Up to 375 I think everyone can shoot. Beyond that is on an individual basis both shooter and the particular rifle/stock design.

 

[Azklmsr]

dont do a 375 wby, your ph will no longer like you and u will have no friends at the range
375HH kills more dang game every year than any other calibre

Somehow, I feel WBY has gained a reputation that is funny. But they look so cool!

BTW, I fly a Duke

Feel like there has to be a parallel out there for WBYs

 

[Fordy]

Gday

Here’s a simple question to all
What’s the % of ph using a 375 or do they step up in caliber size ???
So what’s the reason???
& why shouldn’t we expect to achieve the same results as they do or should say why can’t we get those ???

Practice being pretty high on that list & range of shot another along with cost but are we dancing around those as to make our individual case feel better


Overall the 375 will get the job done most times & we all know why shot placement is of utmost importance along with bullet selection

Now I may start a bit of a hornet nest erupting but hey let’s not get to wound up & just discuss the potential situations

So why is there some uproar on the 243 elk thread ?? & guessing you guys know about the shooting some have done with the 223 on bears & elk & a huge variety of critters
Or even a giraffe shot with a 6mm ???

So why the uproar As the job got done right ????

Well I’m not a job getting done type of person & the only issue is on the stunt shooting above as I call it & have also “stunt “ shot asiatic buff & even have seen the 223 used very well on them but it will when things go wrong give you a way greater headache than a for sake of conversation a above minimum caliber used

Minimum on the whole have been set for a good reason but that was also with the ideas of different states &/or countries deciding those minimums so who is right or wrong????

No one really as if we come from a position of when things go right or most of the time
We are all correct

Now add in the what ifs

Angles
Environment
Critter behaviour
& most of all human
Then how ea pill preforms under those circumstances & if one expects a ph to pick up the pieces also has some bearing

That’s the part that’s a individual thing & I guess the debate will continue lol

Bullet technology is producing some pretty good results on when the things go right & recently I’ve tested a 30 cal that on the results gained so far it is producing better overall wounds than any 338 pill I’ve tested & passes a lot of 375 cal bullets also
That’s penertration length & width over a wider velocity window but in no way would i consider it DG capable as the best 375 do it better as the better 4 plus calibers will again if a apples to apples comparison on pills is done or able to be reproduced but here lies the problem what’s also considered good is great for some & others go that’s no good

So around we go again

Yes the debate will continue & the part I think back to on my very first centrefire I owned a skk 7.62x39 & I absolutely $hit myself on yanking the trigger yes know squeeze lol
But overtime & many many rounds of practice I become pretty proficient with it as best as I could & overall this has been the route traveled from my first shotgun to graduation of 3in magnum on cape Barron geese that done the same of shocking me with recoil & bruised but once you get past that it’s actually pretty easy to fire over a case & not have a issue ( old case not the newer 1/2 cases of today )

So now elephant is on the menu why would one want to go into battle with the minimum or heaven forbid go without a solid although I don’t know the sentiment here on that but on other conversations I’ve had it’s come up & once again I’m not when things go right so I’m a solid believer in solids elephant yet I guarantee some will continue to shoot softs or expanding & tell us all the things great
Yep where back to the 223 on bears & elk & those are minimum calibers in certain countries or states so why do some swallow that as you keep going & someone’s in for a world of hurt or punched a tag with no meat in the freezer .

On asiatic buff it’s shown dropping weight increasing speed as long as the pill can handle it the buff go down quicker or don’t go as far & also a difference between Arnhamland & floodplain on toughness

But one must choose carefully as big calibers don’t guarantee that will be the outcome as here’s a buff that as here’s a .510 , 456 gr pill that was a mono being absolutely useless @ securing them quickly

This small bull was followed up & 2&1/2 minutes later dispatched with a 375 cal

Yes we are all different as some believe that’s ok others will say it’s poor

Me I’m a watch a better pill not require the backup shot & results in bang wobble flop
Yes I need to do my part as I’m the weakest link & trying to cover as many bases as I can is what I endeavour to accomplish


Cheers

 

[375Fox]

Gday

Here’s a simple question to all
What’s the % of ph using a 375 or do they step up in caliber size ???
So what’s the reason???
& why shouldn’t we expect to achieve the same results as they do or should say why can’t we get those ???

Practice being pretty high on that list & range of shot another along with cost but are we dancing around those as to make our individual case feel better


Overall the 375 will get the job done most times & we all know why shot placement is of utmost importance along with bullet selection

Now I may start a bit of a hornet nest erupting but hey let’s not get to wound up & just discuss the potential situations

So why is there some uproar on the 243 elk thread ?? & guessing you guys know about the shooting some have done with the 223 on bears & elk & a huge variety of critters
Or even a giraffe shot with a 6mm ???

So why the uproar As the job got done right ????

Well I’m not a job getting done type of person & the only issue is on the stunt shooting above as I call it & have also “stunt “ shot asiatic buff & even have seen the 223 used very well on them but it will when things go wrong give you a way greater headache than a for sake of conversation a above minimum caliber used

Minimum on the whole have been set for a good reason but that was also with the ideas of different states &/or countries deciding those minimums so who is right or wrong????

No one really as if we come from a position of when things go right or most of the time
We are all correct

Now add in the what ifs

Angles
Environment
Critter behaviour
& most of all human
Then how ea pill preforms under those circumstances & if one expects a ph to pick up the pieces also has some bearing

That’s the part that’s a individual thing & I guess the debate will continue lol

Bullet technology is producing some pretty good results on when the things go right & recently I’ve tested a 30 cal that on the results gained so far it is producing better overall wounds than any 338 pill I’ve tested & passes a lot of 375 cal bullets also
That’s penertration length & width over a wider velocity window but in no way would i consider it DG capable as the best 375 do it better as the better 4 plus calibers will again if a apples to apples comparison on pills is done or able to be reproduced but here lies the problem what’s also considered good is great for some & others go that’s no good

So around we go again

Yes the debate will continue & the part I think back to on my very first centrefire I owned a skk 7.62x39 & I absolutely $hit myself on yanking the trigger yes know squeeze lol
But overtime & many many rounds of practice I become pretty proficient with it as best as I could & overall this has been the route traveled from my first shotgun to graduation of 3in magnum on cape Barron geese that done the same of shocking me with recoil & bruised but once you get past that it’s actually pretty easy to fire over a case & not have a issue ( old case not the newer 1/2 cases of today )

So now elephant is on the menu why would one want to go into battle with the minimum or heaven forbid go without a solid although I don’t know the sentiment here on that but on other conversations I’ve had it’s come up & once again I’m not when things go right so I’m a solid believer in solids elephant yet I guarantee some will continue to shoot softs or expanding & tell us all the things great
Yep where back to the 223 on bears & elk & those are minimum calibers in certain countries or states so why do some swallow that as you keep going & someone’s in for a world of hurt or punched a tag with no meat in the freezer .

On asiatic buff it’s shown dropping weight increasing speed as long as the pill can handle it the buff go down quicker or don’t go as far & also a difference between Arnhamland & floodplain on toughness

But one must choose carefully as big calibers don’t guarantee that will be the outcome as here’s a buff that as here’s a .510 , 456 gr pill that was a mono being absolutely useless @ securing them quickly View attachment 694990
This small bull was followed up & 2&1/2 minutes later dispatched with a 375 cal View attachment 694991

Yes we are all different as some believe that’s ok others will say it’s poor

Me I’m a watch a better pill not require the backup shot & results in bang wobble flop
Yes I need to do my part as I’m the weakest link & trying to cover as many bases as I can is what I endeavour to accomplish


Cheers

Here’s an interesting article you can read.

Thread 'Is Bigger Always Better?'

Dec 7, 2020

I thought this group may enjoy this article I wrote in the latest African Gazette.
A link to that particular issue (of which Divan Labuschagne, one of our great PHs, also took the cover picture):

Let me know your thoughts....

• ndumo HUNTING SAFARIS
• Replies: 62
• Forum: Articles

• 

 

[AZDAVE]

I would take your 375 H&H and use it on your first DG hunt. @Green Chile will have his 416 there and would be a good time to shoot it an get a feeling for the Difference in recoil and say hunt a eland with it.

The 375 Weatherby is the only weatherby round I like. The benefits is you can fire standard 375 H&H in it, and you don't have to trim cases as often a the H&H. The minuses is that you HAVE to use premium bullets to not have them fail if you load for the speeds the 375W are capable. (And not really needed)

@Brian and several others have laid out recoil differences of proper shooting technique to lessen the perceived recoil.

I will describe in a american football kinda way DG rifle recoil levels.

9.3-375 I like getting tackled by a quaterback or two of the cheerleaders.
416-404 I like getting tackled by the strong saftey .
458-470 Is like getting tackled by a pissed off linebacker
500-505 I like getting tackled by the big defensive tackle.
577-4 bore is like getting hit by the whole defensive front line.

 

[Green Chile]

Of course there are mental aspects to recoil management but make no mistake...there are physical consequences for having bad form or lack of recoil control experience. I despise the videos online of people handing a big gun to a novice (or worse, women or kids) and then laughing as it climbs all over them. There are guns and loads that can damage you physically.

Anyone can be taught to shoot a properly setup 375. To go beyond that requires some commitment and understanding of recoil management. It's a combination of mental and physical. Statements of it's all mental...or all physical...are leaving out major parts of the formula.

 

[sgt_zim]

Howdy Gents/Ladies,

I'm set for my 1st safari next June. Dieter Prinsloo at Mattanjasafaris has graciously agreed to teach me to hunt DG along with a few others in Limpopo next year, placing him in same courageous as the fellow that taught me to fly some 15 years ago. I'm pursuing a Buff and some plains game and will likely get talked into a hippo. I've picked up a 375 H&H in a Model 70 that is shooting 1-hole groups for me with heavy loads.

Dieter is working with me to plan a 2027 Zim hunt for Trophy Elephant, Buff, and a Leopard. While he as assured me the 375 will do the job, I'm considering a power upgrade and would love experienced input. On my list are pushing the 375 to 375 WBY. I cannot find a person that has actually done that that speaks negatively. Plenty that speculate, but none with experience. Next on the list would be a 416. I really like both the Ruger and CZ in 416 Rigby. Terrific classic. A 416 Rem on a model 70 makes more sense of course. If brass were available, the 416 Ruger would be in the discussion mix. I do not shoot factory rounds in any of my guns. Any experience with 416 vs 458 win performance on Elephant? love to hear real world experiences. Same with 375 WBY.

I'm not generally recoil sensitive with 20 round bench sessions with the 375 being a norm. That said, I don't want to go too big and become the guy that flinches.

Looking forward to thoughts and thanks for the input

Kurt

If you're going to step up, a 375 Wby mag doesn't make a lot of sense. It would be better than an H&H for a 400 yard shot on PG, but not practically any better from 20 or 30 yards.

A 9# rifle firing a 300 gr bullet at 2700 fps thumps with about 50 ft lbs of recoil, and the extra 200 fps of MV over an H&H doesn't improve your odds as well as stepping up to a 400 gr 416 bullet at 2300 - 2400 fps does, though a 416 is going to be about 60 ft lbs of recoil, give or take a little.

If you stick with 375, give a thought to a 350 gr Barnes banded solid for the ele. I've never used them, but a few guys here have and provided good field reports.

As much as I like my 404 Jeffery, ammo and reloading components, especially brass, are hard to come by, and have been for a couple years.

If you want to step up from 375 H&H, might as well go with 416 Rem mag or 458 Lott.

 

[Brian]

Good posts! Brian

 

[Azklmsr]

The Article 375Fox posted is really interesting and gets at what I was looking for. Enough statistical experience to help me understand benefits of the extra power. I conclude from it (particularly the authors highly successful use of his loaner 375 loaded at 2450 fps with 300 gr TSX) that on a buff, 4000 ftlbs in a medium bore has sufficient energy to consistently bring down a bull buff if bullet quality and placement are proper, and that more energy does not make a significant difference. In addition, he concludes the more powerful weapons were not more and perhaps actually less effective for a variety of reasons, mostly it seems related to the hunter, not the weapon system.


I think I'm very comfortable with my 375 and can put bullets where I want to within reasonable hunting ranges and that continues to come back to being the best answer for me, for now, for buff. Hope to get a few under my belt next year to see how that progresses, but I don't feel under-gunned

In 2027, when I'm blessed to go after an elephant, the story might change a bit.

 

[Green Chile]

I'm really glad that @375Fox posted that article. It was written by a very respected PH who has a LOT of real world DG experience. I remember when that article came out and called out some important research/experience. Bigger is not always better.

Like some of you, I talk to PHs on a regular basis. I'm on WhatsApp daily with the pros in several countries/regions who are doing a lot of DG with clients. They see the whole range of experience (or lack of) and they have a lot of professional opinions on this topic. They would far rather see a client show up with a used scoped 375 than a new bigger caliber that seems to intimidate the client. When you show up with a used scoped 375...and boots that are broken in...and you are a relaxed client...and you handle your rifle at the sight in target with safety and some sense of comfort level...the PH has a better outlook for the week to come. It's a great start to the week and shows the PH that you are prepared to do your part.

 

[Brian]

Yogi Berra said something like "90% of baseball is mental, the other half is physical."

 

[sgt_zim]

The Article 375Fox posted is really interesting and gets at what I was looking for. Enough statistical experience to help me understand benefits of the extra power. I conclude from it (particularly the authors highly successful use of his loaner 375 loaded at 2450 fps with 300 gr TSX) that on a buff, 4000 ftlbs in a medium bore has sufficient energy to consistently bring down a bull buff if bullet quality and placement are proper, and that more energy does not make a significant difference. In addition, he concludes the more powerful weapons were not more and perhaps actually less effective for a variety of reasons, mostly it seems related to the hunter, not the weapon system.


I think I'm very comfortable with my 375 and can put bullets where I want to within reasonable hunting ranges and that continues to come back to being the best answer for me, for now, for buff. Hope to get a few under my belt next year to see how that progresses, but I don't feel under-gunned

In 2027, when I'm blessed to go after an elephant, the story might change a bit.

Famed (now retired) PH and wildlife veterinarian Kevin Robertson asserts that 2400 fps is about the ideal MV for 300 gr .375 and 286 gr 9.3 - think expansion relative to penetration.

One of my favorite hunting bloggers did a side-by-side gel test with a 375 TSX 300 gr at about 2475 vs a 9.3 TSX at around 2325. The 9.3 out-penetrated the 375 by 4 or 5 inches, as I recall. 375 just expanded faster/sooner and the wider frontal area caused more rapid deceleration.

That isn't to suggest that 9.3x62 is a better buffalo round, only to illustrate the point that a higher MV doesn't always produce the sort of results we'd be inclined to expect.

 

[Tex .416]

Here’s an interesting article you can read.

Thread 'Is Bigger Always Better?'

Dec 7, 2020

I thought this group may enjoy this article I wrote in the latest African Gazette.
A link to that particular issue (of which Divan Labuschagne, one of our great PHs, also took the cover picture):

Let me know your thoughts....

• ndumo HUNTING SAFARIS
• Replies: 62
• Forum: Articles

• 

Wonder what the results would look like if the study also analyzed iron sights vs scope/red dot and also analyzed bolt action vs double?

Both of those variables affect accuracy.

 

[Red Leg]

Gday

Here’s a simple question to all
What’s the % of ph using a 375 or do they step up in caliber size ???
So what’s the reason???
& why shouldn’t we expect to achieve the same results as they do or should say why can’t we get those ???

Practice being pretty high on that list & range of shot another along with cost but are we dancing around those as to make our individual case feel better


Overall the 375 will get the job done most times & we all know why shot placement is of utmost importance along with bullet selection

Now I may start a bit of a hornet nest erupting but hey let’s not get to wound up & just discuss the potential situations

So why is there some uproar on the 243 elk thread ?? & guessing you guys know about the shooting some have done with the 223 on bears & elk & a huge variety of critters
Or even a giraffe shot with a 6mm ???

So why the uproar As the job got done right ????

Well I’m not a job getting done type of person & the only issue is on the stunt shooting above as I call it & have also “stunt “ shot asiatic buff & even have seen the 223 used very well on them but it will when things go wrong give you a way greater headache than a for sake of conversation a above minimum caliber used

Minimum on the whole have been set for a good reason but that was also with the ideas of different states &/or countries deciding those minimums so who is right or wrong????

No one really as if we come from a position of when things go right or most of the time
We are all correct

Now add in the what ifs

Angles
Environment
Critter behaviour
& most of all human
Then how ea pill preforms under those circumstances & if one expects a ph to pick up the pieces also has some bearing

That’s the part that’s a individual thing & I guess the debate will continue lol

Bullet technology is producing some pretty good results on when the things go right & recently I’ve tested a 30 cal that on the results gained so far it is producing better overall wounds than any 338 pill I’ve tested & passes a lot of 375 cal bullets also
That’s penertration length & width over a wider velocity window but in no way would i consider it DG capable as the best 375 do it better as the better 4 plus calibers will again if a apples to apples comparison on pills is done or able to be reproduced but here lies the problem what’s also considered good is great for some & others go that’s no good

So around we go again

Yes the debate will continue & the part I think back to on my very first centrefire I owned a skk 7.62x39 & I absolutely $hit myself on yanking the trigger yes know squeeze lol
But overtime & many many rounds of practice I become pretty proficient with it as best as I could & overall this has been the route traveled from my first shotgun to graduation of 3in magnum on cape Barron geese that done the same of shocking me with recoil & bruised but once you get past that it’s actually pretty easy to fire over a case & not have a issue ( old case not the newer 1/2 cases of today )

So now elephant is on the menu why would one want to go into battle with the minimum or heaven forbid go without a solid although I don’t know the sentiment here on that but on other conversations I’ve had it’s come up & once again I’m not when things go right so I’m a solid believer in solids elephant yet I guarantee some will continue to shoot softs or expanding & tell us all the things great
Yep where back to the 223 on bears & elk & those are minimum calibers in certain countries or states so why do some swallow that as you keep going & someone’s in for a world of hurt or punched a tag with no meat in the freezer .

On asiatic buff it’s shown dropping weight increasing speed as long as the pill can handle it the buff go down quicker or don’t go as far & also a difference between Arnhamland & floodplain on toughness

But one must choose carefully as big calibers don’t guarantee that will be the outcome as here’s a buff that as here’s a .510 , 456 gr pill that was a mono being absolutely useless @ securing them quickly View attachment 694990
This small bull was followed up & 2&1/2 minutes later dispatched with a 375 cal View attachment 694991

Yes we are all different as some believe that’s ok others will say it’s poor

Me I’m a watch a better pill not require the backup shot & results in bang wobble flop
Yes I need to do my part as I’m the weakest link & trying to cover as many bases as I can is what I endeavour to accomplish


Cheers

I really hate this "going into battle" nonsense the chest beaters like Mark Sullivan love to promote. To quote a reminder from Ivan Carter, a professional hunter I truly admire who also is critical of the machismo angle to dangerous game hunting, "we are the ones with the guns."

Were I a PH and tasked with insuring the safety of everyone in a hunting party, I would likely carry a .500 double if I could afford it. But I am not. I am a client, and I have just one job just like any other client - put the first bullet exactly where it needs to go. Anything I do - any equipment I use - that lessens the likelihood of that happening adds unnecessary risk to the hunting party. And because dangerous game PH's are typically a courageous group, that really means I am increasing the danger to him most of all.

You are correct, we clients are indeed the weakest link. I own and shoot doubles - a lot. I spent a career using open sights before the military went bonkers over red dots and the like. But I know that I can put a 300 gr bullet from a scoped .375 on exactly the right freckle on a buffalo hide far better than I could ever hope to hit a softball-sized target at the same range with a stopping rifle.

 

[Brian]

If I was a PH, I would much rather have a client show up in camp with a .458 WM that he can handle well, instead of a client who shows up with a .375HH that he can handle it well.

I believe that in the cape buffalo hunting culture there is a "glass ceiling" for the limits of recoil tolerance. and it is set too low.
Anyone who says that the 375 HH is at their limit of recoil tolerance is short changing themselves.

There is reason why the .375 is designated the minimum cartridge for cape buffalo in most places..... it has minimum killing power. .... duh.

Any DG hunter can learn to handle the recoil of a .458 WM. It just requires a little mental adjustment.

Cowboy up!

Also, you can load the 458WM down a little bit and it will still give you DRT kills with good bullets. ( 420 CEB Safari Raptors, 450 grain Safari solid. ) Have you thought about installing a muzzle brake? I have always shot my 577NE break open single shot with no muzzle brake but for this last hunt in April I made a "tank" muzzle brake for it. I told my wife that it was a a present to me, from me for my 80th birthday. She said that I was turning into an old sissy. It worked like a charm.

I like this big fat soft Limb Saver Nitro recoil pads. I also epoxy in a little weight in the forend. It helps hold the muzzle down during recoil.

If you feel like your 9-10 pound rifle is a bit too heavy sometimes, there is no shame in getting the tracker to carry it for you and you can carry the shooting sticks.
Thats what I do.

As Robert Ruark said, "Use Enough Gun."

Trust me, I was going to be a doctor.

 

[Red Leg]

If I was a PH, I would much rather have a client show up in camp with a .458 WM that he can handle well, instead of a client who shows up with a .375HH that he can handle it well.

I believe that in the cape buffalo hunting culture there is a "glass ceiling" for the limits of recoil tolerance. and it is set too low.
Anyone who says that the 375 HH is at their limit of recoil tolerance is short changing themselves.

There is reason why the .375 is designated the minimum cartridge for cape buffalo in most places..... it has minimum killing power. .... duh.

Any DG hunter can learn to handle the recoil of a .458 WM. It just requires a little mental adjustment.

Cowboy up!

Also, you can load the 458WM down a little bit and it will still give you DRT kills with good bullets. ( 420 CEB Safari Raptors, 450 grain Safari solid. ) Have you thought about installing a muzzle brake? I have always shot my 577NE break open single shot with no muzzle brake but for this last hunt in April I made a "tank" muzzle brake for it. I told my wife that it was a a present to me, from me for my 80th birthday. She said that I was turning into an old sissy. It worked like a charm.

I like this big fat soft Limb Saver Nitro recoil pads. I also epoxy in a little weight in the forend. It helps hold the muzzle down during recoil.

If you feel like your 9-10 pound rifle is a bit too heavy sometimes, there is no shame in getting the tracker to carry it for you and you can carry the shooting sticks.
Thats what I do.

As Robert Ruark said, "Use Enough Gun."

Trust me, I was going to be a doctor.

I own a 450, 500/416, 470 and a 404. I shoot them all very well. I prefer to use a .375. It is simply a far more versatile option - and I did not say compromise. I have never met a PH that didn't appreciate a client who was competent with his rifle regardless of chambering. I also have never met one that disparaged a .375. Though it is entirely possible you have more experience in more areas of Africa than do I?

I'll repeat my old friend and PH's observation. The only thing that really frightens him is a client hunting buffalo or elephant with his new double - he didn't mention a caliber.

You highlighted your superb shooting with .375 solids on buffalo, but never answered what the first shot was made with on those charges you faced.

I am sure your PH and especially the tracker (not that he has a vote) were thrilled with that muzzle brake.

 

[Happy Myles]

I have observed during decades of very serious dangerous game hunting, individuals who flinch using a 375 attempt to solve the problem by stepping up to a larger caliber. A very illogical approach to solving a flinching issue. If more training at the range does not help, better stick with the 375. It is a tried and true caliber. I should add that i have used many dangerous game calibers because I am a gun nut and they all worked fine as long as I did not flinch. I spent a lot of time training at the range.