Rifles for Cape Buffalo

[finnbear270]

Anyone out in the DG country still using the old timer .404 Jeffrey?

 

[Kalahari]

Anyone out in the DG country still using the old timer .404 Jeffrey?

Very underated round and you don't need a magnum action.

David.

 

[zambezi]

Blaser (both barrels had muzzle brakes) was superb in 7mm Mag, but not as good in .375 as I felt the rifle itself was a bit too light

Not my experience. I find the Blaser in .375H&H very easy to shoot accurately and not at all uncomfortable on range days involving tens of rounds in one sitting. That may be in part because I have added a large moderator [SL5] per image below.

Either way, I would definitely go the try-before-you-buy route. Several dealers offer that. In Somerset IvyThornSporting could definitely allow you to compare a few rifles back-to-back.

 

[sh1kar]

Not my experience. I find the Blaser in .375H&H very easy to shoot accurately and not at all uncomfortable on range days involving tens of rounds in one sitting. That may be in part because I have added a large moderator [SL5] per image below.

Either way, I would definitely go the try-before-you-buy route. Several dealers offer that. In Somerset IvyThornSporting could definitely allow you to compare a few rifles back-to-back.

View attachment 149542

Intrigued Where were you to be using a moderator?

S

 

[SDC7x57]

Zambezi - I think I didn't express myself properly........which is a recurrent problem these days! The Blaser recoil was fine, as was the accuracy, but the rifle just didn't suit me 'in the hand' as well as the Ruger did. The option of a moderator wasn't ideal back then, as some countries didn't allow them, so City Guns in Cape Town fitted a muzzle brake instead. It was fine to shoot at the bench, except that nobody would sit within 20m of you, and there were some ripe old epithets in English and Afrikaans when you fired a round!

 

[zambezi]

Where were you to be using a moderator?

I use a moderator on all my rifles, wherever I shoot them. All my range time is with a mod fitted, so it would be unwise to do any different in the field as POI could be different. On all calibres there is a benefit from noise suppression, but I fancy the .375 is also made easier to shoot well [less perceived recoil] with the mod fitted.

 

[Selous]

Are there legal issues with moderators on the “dark continent”?

 

[zambezi]

Are there legal issues with moderators on the “dark continent”?

Fine to use in SA and Namibia as long as they appear on your FAC. I cannot speak for other destinations.

 

[sh1kar]

Fine to use in SA and Namibia as long as they appear on your FAC. I cannot speak for other destinations.

Thats why I asked. Generally not in other Southern Africa countries

S

 

[alberta boy]

I use a moderator on all my rifles, wherever I shoot them. All my range time is with a mod fitted, so it would be unwise to do any different in the field as POI could be different. On all calibres there is a benefit from noise suppression, but I fancy the .375 is also made easier to shoot well [less perceived recoil] with the mod fitted.

I guess you don't shoot here . Our government in its wisdom has declared them a dangerous weapon ( their words ) and prohibited them . Our minister of public safety , a particularly ignorant glue eater at best , went on at length about how someone could shoot a hunting rifle , like a 30/06 , in total silence ........ It's hard to stay reasonable in the face of that type of stupidity . Sorry for the derail , it's a pet peeve of mine , return to your regular program lol .

AB

 

[welshwarrior]

I use a 404 Jeff and love it never let me down and never felt the need for anything else.

 

[BWH]

I would suggest that you are better off with a .375 and in a winchester model 70. The stock shape of teh winchester is better than the CZ for me. The CZ rifles need a bit of work IME. The mag boxes can get beaten out of shape by the bullets and I find the bolt handle too short. The .375 will be more practical if you get the chance to shoot some plains game as well.

 

[zambezi]

The .375 will be more practical if you get the chance to shoot some plains game as well.

Amen to that. It is a GREAT plains game rifle out to at least 250m.

 

[welshwarrior]

Amen to that. It is a GREAT plains game rifle out to at least 250m.

Not just plains game good rifle in general I love mine.

 

[BigPat]

I have a custom build Remy 700 in .375 and it’s a great all round gun for UK and abroad. But I personally find it a bit punchy on the range...so different off sticks when you don’t feel the recoil anywhere nearly as much.

 

[zambezi]

it’s a great all round gun for UK and abroad.

Obviously your Firearms licensing department are aware of that fact

I personally find it a bit punchy on the range...so different off sticks when you don’t feel the recoil anywhere nearly as much.

Yup. Standing and shooting off sticks your body+rifle are free to move and thus dissipate the recoil gently. In the bench shooting scenario, with your body position fairly anchored to the seat, you are far more aware of the recoil, much of which is absorbed by your shoulder as your body does not move. This is a good point to make to anyone shopping for a larger rifle: test it off sticks akin to how you will actually use it. A bench test will give an inflated sense of recoil.

 

[welshwarrior]

Any rifle you shot well is a good rifle IMHO red dot 404J cardboard 375 H&H both do the job well 375 is easier to shoot and makes a good plains game rifle as well (also good for stalking)

 

[BigPat]

Obviously your Firearms licensing department are aware of that fact

Not sure if you’re asking a question? But, if you are then yes, my .375 is open for ALQ in the UK.

 

[Sprocker101]

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

I like the grinding paste. Think I’ll be doing the same with the Mauser M18 I just bought.

 

[N1mr0d]

One thing that I would suggest, regardless of calibre chosen, is to get the trigger fettled so that it is as close as possible to your current stalking rifle. That way you already have brain memory of when it will go bang.