Magazine capacity

[bigborelover]

I am posting this thread to know about some preferences in magazine capacity in a DG rifle. For me it is atleast 6 + 1 rounds .

 

[mdwest]

I’m perfectly comfortable with a 3+1 (Winchester 70)… the likelihood of me getting off 4 shots and going empty in an emergency / charge situation is almost non existent… more than 4 is definitely non existent…

I do keep additional rounds on me.. so, assume I put a couple into a buff that has now run into the bush, I can certainly top off and be back up to 4 rounds rapidly.. and then be back in pursuit..

But I’ve never felt a need for more than 4 to start the hunt…

 

[mark-hunter]

I am posting this thread to know about some preferences in magazine capacity in a DG rifle. For me it is atleast 6 + 1 rounds .

Which rifle will have that?

Bergara b14 in 375 has 2-round capacity.
Winchester and Zastava will have 3, as most of modern factory production rifles.
New DWM Mauser 98 will have 5.

To cut the story short, ZKK 602 has capacity 6 + 1, and that's about it.
6+1 is rarity. And ZKK is phased out from production long ago. Good old times.

But I agree, firepower for DG is important. And I have ZKK rifle.

 

[SafariCurious]

I am admittedly not an expert, but I doubt most people using a heavy recoiling bolt action could get more than 3 shots off at a charging animal.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

My Remington Model 700 Kevlar Stock Custom holds four rounds of .375 Holland & Holland Magnum (three in the magazine and one in the chamber). It has always been perfectly adequate for all my dangerous game hunting purposes.

 

[mark-hunter]

I am admittedly not an expert, but I doubt most people using a heavy recoiling bolt action could get more than 3 shots off at a charging animal.

Why do you raise the status immediately on charging?
My buffalo took three shots, in 31 seconds to drop, without a charge and I found quite convenient to have extra rounds in mag for insurance shot (actually I made two insurance shots, just for the measure). So total 5 shots, without topping up.

 

[grand veneur]

I am posting this thread to know about some preferences in magazine capacity in a DG rifle. For me it is at least 6 + 1 rounds .

Depends primarily on the cartridge used. With big bore cartridges, the capacity is usually limited to 3+1, but that is sufficient.

 

[pilar]

My Remington clone 375 ruger is 1 in the pipe +3 down the hole ( 300gr TSX and 2 grand slam tungsten solid)
+ I usually tell everyone after the first shot, shoot it again if they have a clear spot and I don’t & don’t blow off my ear doing it

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I agree, 3+1 is sufficient. Both my buffalo were dead or nearly dead after one well placed 375 round into each. The issue that can come up is dealing with more than one charging animal. Cape buffalo are typically herd animals and sometimes the herd can take offense at having one of their number taken down. Just last night I was watching a Nova production on PBS where a large pride of lions (very large!) hauled down a straggling old bull with broomed horns. They couldn't quite finish him before the herd showed up to rescue the old fella. What a battle. Several lions went flying. I think they all survived okay but very surprised some didn't get killed. Old buffalo escorted away safely.

Apparently it is more common for cows in a herd to engage hunters after one of them has been culled. I culled a cow my first safari and the herd did come for us three times. I was very thankful she was taken at 100 yards and not thirty! Anyway, if culling a herd, I think I'd prefer more guns in play ... like three. I would not care to be packing around a thumper gun with five rounds in the box. Too bulky. I definitely would not own a DG rifle that wasn't capable of snap over (or similarly push feed). In the unlikely event my gun gets empty during a buffalo herd firefight, I want to be able to drop a round in the chamber, close the bolt, and fire. I DO NOT want to be trying to shove rounds into the magazine. I see no advantage to CRF over push feed if its extractor won't snap over. In that case I would definitely prefer push feed.

 

[grand veneur]

I am admittedly not an expert, but I doubt most people using a heavy recoiling bolt action could get more than 3 shots off at a charging animal.

Why do you think that?

 

[Dinsdale]

Custom 375hh with 4 down plus one.

I have been able to top off before running out, and never used them.

Needing 6+1? At that point I would think the PH better be firing too.

 

[coreydb]

The most I ever had to shoot taking DG was four rounds. If you have a magazine fed DG rifle, consider buying another mag. If I ever encounter a scenario like Ontario Hunter described, just call me Forrest......Run Forrest, Run!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I don't understand what you mean by that and also I don't know why what should stop someone from firing more than three shots with a heavy recoiling rifle at a charging animal, unless you missed it three times and it did not miss you.

Shots at Cape buffalo are typically close range, like less than fifty yards. I'm not sure buffalo can outrun a thoroughbred racehorse but it would be a close run affair. At thirty yards a buffalo, even mortally wounded, can be on you in a flash if it so desires. Could you get off three more rounds in time? I doubt it. On my first safari I was charged (I think) by a gemsbuck cow that broke through the acacia brush at thirty yards (max, maybe less). I put one 30-06 round in her chest but she kept coming. By the time I cycled in the second round she was running past me at twelve yards (PH stepped it off). Both bullets in the heart. Can a buffalo run as fast? I've seen them both run and I'd say they are comparable. Gemsbuck are a bulky desert animal not particularly designed for speed or agility (they can't jump a 4' fence). Fortunately, rarely will a buffalo hit with first round turn and immediately charge the hunter. Typically they will run away. Then the dangerous part follows: tracking a wounded buffalo that usually makes a beeline for the thickest cover it can find. If he doesn't die, then you may be looking at a sudden charge at VERY close range. By then the hunter and PH should be fully reloaded but it's still unlikely more than four shots can be fired by both before buffalo is either dead, stomping on them, or disappears again. Six rounds in one rifle is just a lot of unnecessary weight. Extremely unlikely four rounds could be fired by one hunter during a buffalo encounter without an opportunity to reload.

 

[coreydb]

Shots at Cape buffalo are typically close range, like less than fifty yards. I'm not sure buffalo can outrun a thoroughbred racehorse but it would be a close run affair. At thirty yards a buffalo, even mortally wounded, can be on you in a flash I'd it so desires. Could you get off three rounds in time? I doubt it. On my first safari I was charged (I think) by a gemsbuck cow that broke through the acacia brush at thirty yards (max, maybe less). I put one 30-06 round in her chest but she kept coming. By the time I cycled in the second round she was running past me at twelve yards (PH stepped it off). Both bullets in the heart. Can a buffalo run as fast? I've seen them both run and I'd say they are comparable. Gemsbuck are a bulky desert animal not particularly designed for speed or agility (they can't jump a 4' fence). Fortunately, rarely will a buffalo hit with first round turn and immediately charge the hunter. Typically they will run away. Then the dangerous part follows: tracking a wounded buffalo that usually makes a beeline for the thickest cover it can find. If he doesn't die, then you may be looking at a sudden charge at VERY close range. By then the hunter and PH should be fully reloaded but unlikely more than four shots can be fired by both before buffalo is either dead or disappears again. Six rounds in one rifle is just a lot of unnecessary weight. Unlikely that five rounds could be fired by one hunter during a buffalo encounter without an opportunity to reload.

I agree wholeheartedly.....6 rounds? something is off, but not passing judgement with the original post, if more than one mag is what it takes for that hunter to down an animal w/o being charged, so be it. We've had....what; three deaths this calendar year from charging buffalo?

 

[bigborelover]

Custom 375hh with 4 down plus one.

I have been able to top off before running out, and never used them.

Needing 6+1? At that point I would think the PH better be firing too.

Better not be dependent on someone in a situation like that. Even if it is their job.

 

[coreydb]

Better not be dependent on someone in a situation like that. Even if it is their job.

AMEN Brother! AMEN

 

[BryceM]

My CZ 550 in .416 Rigby will technically hold 4 down + 1, but it feeds better with 3 down and 1 up, so that’s how I carried on my last DG hunt. Seems like plenty for me.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Better not be dependent on someone in a situation like that. Even if it is their job.

You have to depend on the PH in a situation like that ... because two extra rounds in a dangerous game rifle is all but useless. Especially extra rounds in the hands of some guy who has no experience with dangerous game. In most situations no more than two rounds can be effectively fired BY EACH shooter at a charging animal close range ("effectively" being the key word). Remember that Harry Selby and Wally Johnson made their living hunting dangerous game with bolt action 3+1 capacity rifles (Selby's was a 98 Mauser standard action in 416 Rigby and Johnson commercially hunted ivory using only a prewar Model 70 in 375). Both were typically backed up with other rifles in play.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I agree wholeheartedly.....6 rounds? something is off, but not passing judgement with the original post, if more than one mag is what it takes for that hunter to down an animal w/o being charged, so be it. We've had....what; three deaths this calendar year from charging buffalo?

Anybody ever get the full story on that last guy (the rancher/real estate dealer from Texas). Sounded like the party was bushwacked by an unwounded bull they'd been tracking all day. It doubled back and caught them by surprise. Did anyone manage to get off a shot?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

My CZ 550 in .416 Rigby will technically hold 4 down + 1, but it feeds better with 3 down and 1 up, so that’s how I carried on my last DG hunt. Seems like plenty for me.

I wonder if a minor tuning to follower might make that fourth round load better. But I agree, it really doesn't make sense to have more than four in the rifle. However, tuneup to 4+1 might make it sell better if you decided to get rid of it.