Rifles for Cape Buffalo

[Selous]

A friend (you know who you are!!) has raised the possibility of an Africa trip with the aim of hunting Cape Buffalo. My initial thought was to borrow a rifle out there but this would mean using an unfamiliar tool in a potentially critical situation. This got me thinking about obtaining a suitable rifle so that I (or we) we can have a few hundred rounds of experience before the trip.
my initial thoughts were to look for a 375 H&H or 416 and top it with a low range (1-4x) scope. The CZ 550 was the obvious choice as a controlled round feed robust actioned rifle. Do you think that this would be a sensible route to go down? Are there any rifles that are best avoided (Holt’s have two Sauer 90s in 375)? Would the 416 (or 458) be much better than the 375? With a new or barely used rifle is it advisable to have any work done to slick up the action, ensure reliable feeding etc.
If anyone knows of any local gun shops with such a big boomer gathering dust on the shelves, please let me know.

 

[CarlW]

CZ550 is an excellent choice. You can bet your life on that action any day of the week.

If new, it is worth sitting with it on your lap each evening, repeatedly cycling the bolt (perhaps with a spot of valve-grinding paste) in order to smooth out the finish. They get even better as they get older.

Either .375 or .416 is fine. Whichever one you shoot best (which will probably be the .375). I would steer clear of the .458: they are a great 'stopper' for your PH but no fun for you (and generally used un-scoped for obvious reasons).

Scope-wise, any low-power scope that can handle the recoil will do. 1-4, 1-6, or 1-8. Spend lots on your mounts as they will get shaken about. Also worth considering quick-detatch, in case you wound the buff and need to go looking for it in thick jess.

Enjoy your hunt!

Kind regards,

Carl

 

[Lateral]

I got a variation for a 375 for when I went to SA, but the trip was for plains game, so I held off. Now, having spoken to a lot of people, and done Johns DG simulation weekend, people are recommending 416 minimum, 458Lott preferable.

I guess it will come down to how recoil tolerant someone is, and how good the stock is at absorbing it ? I'd want the biggest punch I could handle.

 

[CarlW]

I got a variation for a 375 for when I went to SA, but the trip was for plains game, so I held off. Now, having spoken to a lot of people, and done Johns DG simulation weekend, people are recommending 416 minimum, 458Lott preferable.

I guess it will come down to how recoil tolerant someone is, and how good the stock is at absorbing it ? I'd want the biggest punch I could handle.

We get more people wounding stuff with the monster calibres than we do with the lowly .375.

 

[Lateral]

We get more people wounding stuff with the monster calibres than we do with the lowly .375.

I believe you, which is why I said the "biggest punch I could handle" I have no idea what that is, it may well be a 375

It took me a while to get used to the 9.3's I shoot, especially the very light Chapius SxS. Practise, practise, and make sure no "flinching"

 

[Hanechdene]

I use .375 Ruger and have taken a couple of Buff with it. A small sample I know but both were one shots.

I practiced and then practiced some more. Get hold of the Buff targets from Safari Press.

 

[Selous]

Thanks both, reassuring that I am not far off track. I have shot a 375 many years ago and from standing found it quite comfortable but this was with handloads that could be softer than usual. I will try to seek out a big bore to try locally.

 

[Caseprep]

Wouldn’t say it’s gathering dust but I have a very nice CZ550 in 416 Rigby on the shelf!

 

[CarlW]

I believe you, which is why I said the "biggest punch I could handle" I have no idea what that is, it may well be a 375

It took me a while to get used to the 9.3's I shoot, especially the very light Chapius SxS. Practise, practise, and make sure no "flinching"

Who on earth is recommending '.416 minimum, .458 preferable' to you? Forget 'the biggest punch I can handle' as any kind of plan. That is someone's ego rather than sense talking.

Wouldn’t say it’s gathering dust but I have a very nice CZ550 in 416 Rigby on the shelf!

That would be worth buying.

 

[deerstalker.308]

It’s worth bearing in mind that you still stand a chance of getting .375 conditioned for U.K. use, anything bigger and you won’t, this for me was the decider as I was able to get out actually stalking with the rifle and not simply putting rounds down range before going to namibia with it.
CZ is a good rifle, but for sustained range use (practice) I found the stock shape left a lot to be desired, but I’d be amazed if you put anything like the hundreds of rounds down range you suggest, you can get very familiar with the rifle without pulling the trigger, and that many shots will probably cause you to develop bad habits....and cost a small fortune....!
most secondhand 375’s and above will be lucky to have fired more than a hundred rounds in normal use.... most are cabinet queens dusted off for special trips....

 

[jer]

The advice Carl has given you is spot on, do not get led down the route of biggest is best because you need to be comfortable with the recoil of whatever you are shooting. I have a. CZ 550 in 416 Rigby and have put plenty of rounds through it from300 gn to 410 gn, the more you use it the the better. I would certainly spend time slicking up the action an get some work done on the trigger because they are not the best straight out of the box. A scope with good eye relief takes away the concern with the recoil as well.

 

[Lateral]

Who on earth is recommending '.416 minimum, .458 preferable' to you? Forget 'the biggest punch I can handle' as any kind of plan. That is someone's ego rather than sense talking.

Carl,

Several people have suggested them. I have zero experience, and would look into this much more before committing to anything.

I can't comment whether their gun suggestion was down to ego, but my comment was based purely on the preference of being over, rather than under gunned.

The "I can handle" rules out ego, which couldn't have been further from my mind, as I imagined a buffalo baring down on me !

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Would he be better With a red dot sight?

 

[Hanechdene]

I had a CZ550 and too found the stock shape didn’t suit me especially with a scope. The stock design is for shooting open sights so once you add a scope you may need to lift the comb height.

The other alteration to a CZ is to have the extractor claw opened up slightly so that feeds better when top loading - after you emptied the mag and are in a bit of hurry to push the next round into the chamber apparently it reduces the chances of a jam. This was done by Gunsmith for me when I had the stock drilled for a kick-stop.

I ended up swapping the Cz for a SL rifle as I already had two of them.

 

[finnbear270]

Who on earth is recommending '.416 minimum, .458 preferable' to you? Forget 'the biggest punch I can handle' as any kind of plan. That is someone's ego rather than sense talking.



That would be worth buying.

That Rigby 416 cartridge I found to be similar in recoil to the .300 winMag, I had the pleasure of trying a nicely fitting one @ Diggle, still have the empties on the dresser

 

[CarlW]

Would he be better With a red dot sight?

A 'scope is much more versatile.

 

[Smellydog]

Don't fret over developing flinch.
Get a rifle that fits, comes up nice to your shoulder. Do that and you won't need to practice to much. In fact relentless trigger time is always good but it need not be with a large rifle. Trigger and eye coordination can be achieved with air guns and 22's.
Do that and when you pick up your dangerous game rifle up, as long as it fits and you don't feel awkward it will all come together.

 

[Scotty99]

A friend (you know who you are!!) has raised the possibility of an Africa trip with the aim of hunting Cape Buffalo. My initial thought was to borrow a rifle out there but this would mean using an unfamiliar tool in a potentially critical situation. This got me thinking about obtaining a suitable rifle so that I (or we) we can have a few hundred rounds of experience before the trip.
my initial thoughts were to look for a 375 H&H or 416 and top it with a low range (1-4x) scope. The CZ 550 was the obvious choice as a controlled round feed robust actioned rifle. Do you think that this would be a sensible route to go down? Are there any rifles that are best avoided (Holt’s have two Sauer 90s in 375)? Would the 416 (or 458) be much better than the 375? With a new or barely used rifle is it advisable to have any work done to slick up the action, ensure reliable feeding etc.
If anyone knows of any local gun shops with such a big boomer gathering dust on the shelves, please let me know.

Listen to CarlW's advice he's probably the most experienced BG practitioner on this site.

 

[Selous]

Listen to CarlW's advice he's probably the most experienced BG practitioner on this site.

I will confess I was hoping Carl would chip in when I wrote the original post. Many thanks to all who have contributed so far.

 

[Heym SR20]

The 375 H&H has accounted for very many Buffalo and is the first choice of many many hunters. It is a very capable round.

416 and 458 Lotts are quite a bit more powerful but have substantially heavier recoil. Manageable if you have the time facilities etc to build up to it. But you are better off shooting a rifle well, than having something that has too much recoil.

Big bores take time to get right. Often the cheaper ones need bedding and action fettling to be truly reliable. Rather than new, a well sorted one that has had a good number of rounds through it may be a better bet. CZ and BRNOs are good strong rifles but better with age.

If your destination has a good well sorted big bore rifle that you can use, save yourself the hastle of acquiring traveling with etc and just use their rifle. As for being in a tight situation etc. Forget it. Thats the whole reason you have a PH. Their job is to take over when things go wrong. They will have the big stopping rifle and are there to step in When needed. Most visiting hunters simply do not have the skills or the necessary experience to handle the tricky situations.

and tricky situations happen after a poor first shot. A good PH should be absolutely aware of this and do everything to get you in place for a clean solid first shot. Yes you will likely follow up the first shot on a Buff, but thats more for insurance and good practice, but like on any game its first shot that counts.