Suitable calibre for Lion?
- Thread starter libensvolenspotens
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Southernfairy
Well-Known Member
I think you'd enjoy a buff hunt a lot more.......... rather than sitting in a blind for nights on end unable to fart you hunt the things with your feet (depending on where you are........)
That aside, Lions are soft. Well constructed bullet (by Africa standards) is probably the last thing you want, especially in .375. Cheapo PMP works nicely, nice soft bullet that sets up well and will actually expand, for christ's sake stay away from the Barnes offerings in .375 for Lion- someone will get scratched.....
If it was me I'd look at .338 Win Mag or similar and be far more concerned that I could shoot it accurately and comfortably rather than dicking about with anything much larger and less comfortable to shoot.
Can't remember off the top of my head but few places have a minimum of .375 for lion other than maybe Bots.... and a couple of provinces in RSA. They usually do things right in Zim and i think min calibre there for Lion is 7mm but don't quote me on that.
That aside, Lions are soft. Well constructed bullet (by Africa standards) is probably the last thing you want, especially in .375. Cheapo PMP works nicely, nice soft bullet that sets up well and will actually expand, for christ's sake stay away from the Barnes offerings in .375 for Lion- someone will get scratched.....
If it was me I'd look at .338 Win Mag or similar and be far more concerned that I could shoot it accurately and comfortably rather than dicking about with anything much larger and less comfortable to shoot.
Can't remember off the top of my head but few places have a minimum of .375 for lion other than maybe Bots.... and a couple of provinces in RSA. They usually do things right in Zim and i think min calibre there for Lion is 7mm but don't quote me on that.
I'll be hunting my Lioness as walk and stalk, not entertaining sitting in a blind, too boring. We will be looking for tracks first thing in the morning and then following. Hopefully not going to get eaten but will still be using a .375 as that is the minimum allowed by law in RSA.
I would recommend either something in .375, .404 or .416 any design but Weatherby with a readily expanding soft point bullet.
I've never hunted Lion but I have hunted in Africa and know folks who do go after the big cat's, it's just not my cup of tea.
IMHO I'd stay away from anything larger than the .400's as recoil get's a bit stiff and the bullets get tougher by their very nature of being large and you want to dump all the energy into animal quickly on game like Lion that's not terribly thick skinned but quite lethal.
I think it was John Taylor who said the .416 was ideal Lion medicine and that's probably what I'd choose with a 400 gr copper jacketed soft point.
regards
Snag
I've never hunted Lion but I have hunted in Africa and know folks who do go after the big cat's, it's just not my cup of tea.
IMHO I'd stay away from anything larger than the .400's as recoil get's a bit stiff and the bullets get tougher by their very nature of being large and you want to dump all the energy into animal quickly on game like Lion that's not terribly thick skinned but quite lethal.
I think it was John Taylor who said the .416 was ideal Lion medicine and that's probably what I'd choose with a 400 gr copper jacketed soft point.
regards
Snag
libensvolenspotens
Well-Known Member
That's certainly what I had in mind rather than sitting in a hide somewhere.
Southernfairy
Well-Known Member
There's no minimum calibre law for RSA I am afraid, it's set at a provincial level by the local Parks Board and in many cases it is certainly not .375 either.
I would ask a lot of questions of any outfit offering you "walk and stalk" lions in RSA, specifically how long the lion you'll be hunting has been on the particular bit of ground you'll be hunting it on. Sadly RSA is renowned for canned lion hunts and in the past a number of animals have been shot whilst still sedated..... Doesn't mean to say its all like that of course and if you're looking to stalk an animal then good luck to you! Whilst personally not my thing, I can't think of anything much more exciting.
I would ask a lot of questions of any outfit offering you "walk and stalk" lions in RSA, specifically how long the lion you'll be hunting has been on the particular bit of ground you'll be hunting it on. Sadly RSA is renowned for canned lion hunts and in the past a number of animals have been shot whilst still sedated..... Doesn't mean to say its all like that of course and if you're looking to stalk an animal then good luck to you! Whilst personally not my thing, I can't think of anything much more exciting.
.375 is definately the minimum dangerous game calibre in SA. I have hunted there many times and any reputable outfitter will confirm this. Also being an agent for a SA outfitter does have it's advantages of knowing where to go and the pitfalls. You are right about previous canned hunting going on but I will not be getting involved with that, it is now not as widespread as it used to be. We hunt Lions in the Kalahari near the Botswana border as Botswana have now banned it and have taken 3 so far this year. I'm planning mine in September as my personal opinion is SA will ban it eventually.
All things being well the Shootingshow.tv will be there to film it unless I get eaten!!
Cheers
Adrian
All things being well the Shootingshow.tv will be there to film it unless I get eaten!!
Cheers
Adrian
Southernfairy
Well-Known Member
Sorry but there is no minimum calibre RSA wide, it is set at provincial level. I don't know a PH who doesn't suggest .375 as minimum but this is not law in a number of the provinces. Western Cape for instance has some very peculiar regs. in its ordinance relating to minimum calibres. Trying to dig out the Limpopo ordinance that I have here somewhere.
So to answer the original poster's question..... .338 is fantastic lion medicine with the right bullets as is .375 if that turns out to be min. in the province you're looking at. Sure your PH will advise accordingly but stick to something like a 250 grn Nosler partition in .338 or the PMP standard in .375. Absolutely no need to go bigger for the first shot and indeed it can be hard to find appropriate ammo in .416 etc. as it tends to be loaded with super-premium bullets for penetration on buff/ele.
You're right about the provinces. I checked mine and 375 is the minimum. This is from Africa Hunting:
Most provinces do not have a minimum equipment requirement for rifle hunting and rely on common sense.
• Some provinces require a minimum of .375 caliber for dangerous or big game hunting.
• No provinces require a minimum energy (Eo - muzzle velocity) for calibers used.
Most provinces do not have a minimum equipment requirement for rifle hunting and rely on common sense.
• Some provinces require a minimum of .375 caliber for dangerous or big game hunting.
• No provinces require a minimum energy (Eo - muzzle velocity) for calibers used.
I have two contacts in mozambique if you are genuinely interested. This beauty was taken a couple of months ago. 375 h&h is fine. just make sure whatever you decide to take, you can shoot it accurately and use soft bullets.
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Cumbrian 1
Well-Known Member
9.3 or 375 is as large as you need to go, lion are thin skinned at the end of the day. I personally think a 9.3 x 74r round bodied sbs from Verney Carron is the ideal weapon.
Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
That's not a brand you hear mentioned much in the UK! Not sure why though because they're really good guns. Very popular indeed back in France.
I. Farticus
Well-Known Member
Just to clarify, that's your BSA SuperTen
tackb
Well-Known Member
many lions in france?
Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
Not as many as in Essex.
tackb
Well-Known Member
well i'll get myself a 9.3 and head on down to essex then !
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
It was about that time that I was applying for my .375 and justifying UK use, god I was tempted to use that as a good justification, not sure that the plods sense of humour would have agreed though!
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