African Rifle

[Desert Fox]

I'm planning a trip to the black continent for the first time, hopefully next June. I need help in deciding what would be an ideal African Plains Game Rifle. No dangerous game on the menu. I'm contemplating on building a custom rifle for it. I kind of mulling between 375 RUM or 416 Remington Magnum since I already have a Model 700 or Model 70 action on hand. What do you think guys?

 

[bullet]

Either one is a bit to much for plains game but if you want the extra I would go with the 375 Rum so you can reach out. I would think a 300Rum or 300Wby Mag would be more suited to your cause. In fact a 30-06 would be a great cartridge for plains game.

 

[6ppcar]

I've never been to Africa but my vote goes to the 416 Rem. Mag. The 416 shoots flat enough for any plains game and would also be perfect for dangerous game.
I have a 416 mag in a Ruger #1 that shoots very good.

 

[Big Squeeze]

I'm planning a trip to the black continent for the first time, hopefully next June. I need help in deciding what would be an ideal African Plains Game Rifle. No dangerous game on the menu. I contemplating on building a custom rifle for it. I kind of mulling between 375 RUM or 416 Remington Magnum since I already have a Model 700 or Model 70 action on hand. What do you think guys?

...................................Dangerous game or not, the .375 is the best all around caliber for Africa. I would take it over a .416 because the 375 is a flatter shooter at the longer ranges if needed for the plains game, while certainly providing enough down range stopping power.

Loaded up with the right bullet, like a 260 gr. A/B, I wouldn`t hesitate to take a 300-400 yard shot with my own 375 Ruger. The 375 RUM will provide even more icing on the cake, and more recoil as well.

 

[Wally]

For Plains Game I'd go with a 300 Weatherby and 200 Partitions or Accubonds, whichever the rifle preferred. Oh yeah, there is also the 180 E-tip. Nearly forgot that one. Good Luck!

Steve

 

[Desert Fox]

I'm planning to bring only one rifle so I kind of leaning towards 375 RUM.

 

[bullet]

I'm planning to bring only one rifle so I kind of leaning towards 375 RUM.

If you are only going to hunt plains game and you will hunt back home, why not just go for a 300Rum or 300Wby. The recoil on a 375Rum is the kind of recoil that actually could cause you to miss or miss place your shot. Really, the 375Rum really hurts on both ends. It will beat you to death at the bench just getting it sighted in much less practice. Now I am not recoil shy but I am here to tell you that he 375 Rum not only punishes the animal down range but will punish your shoulder.

I would have a fine custom built in a rifle that I would use not only in Africa which I have been but also here in the states. You surely ought to consider choosing a 300 mag of some kind.

 

[Desert Fox]

How about the 280 Remington. Do you think it's enough gun?

 

[Guy Miner]

DF - I've never hunted Africa, but yes, I'd think the .280 is plenty of gun for plains game!

Out of my rifles, I'd like to take the .25-06 but it might be a tad on the small side, so I'd likely just take my .30-06 or the .300 WSM... Don't see much point in going for a great big bullet and great big recoil for shooting stuff the size of elk and mule deer. A buddy of mine has made a few trips now. He shot pretty much everything with a .300 Win mag (my old rifle that I sold him) or his bow... Yes, his bow... Except for Cape Buff. For that he borrowed the guide's .375 H&H mag.

Regards, Guy

 

[Wally]

GM is right on the money........about everything! The 280 with good bullets is plenty for plains game. Good bullets and proper placement are the essential combination. A 300 Win mag, Weatherby, or WSM, take your pick, would be plenty of horsepower for the game you'll be hunting. They will also have tolerable recoil, allowing you to place the bullets correctly. That is the most important thing.

I'll take everybody's word about the 375 RUM's recoil. I have recently been shooting a 375 Ruger. I've also had experience with some 375 H&H's, a 378 with a brake, an 8.5 lb. 416 Rem, and a 458 Win. The recoil of the Ruger is at the top of my personal comfort level. A 458 went too far........it hurt! Recoil is a personal thing, and stock fit is very important. But still, heavy recoil is heavy recoil!

Besides, this gives you an excuse to rig up TWO rifles. A plains game gun (300 mag) and a dangerous game gun (375 or 416). You can't let an opportunity like that pass you by! :grin:

Steve

 

[FOTIS]

Given the limitations of your request--- African Plains Game and 375/416----- then 375 rum with 260 ABs or PT's at 2900 fps........

 

[Desert Fox]

DF - I've never hunted Africa, but yes, I'd think the .280 is plenty of gun for plains game!

Out of my rifles, I'd like to take the .25-06 but it might be a tad on the small side, so I'd likely just take my .30-06 or the .300 WSM... Don't see much point in going for a great big bullet and great big recoil for shooting stuff the size of elk and mule deer. A buddy of mine has made a few trips now. He shot pretty much everything with a .300 Win mag (my old rifle that I sold him) or his bow... Yes, his bow... Except for Cape Buff. For that he borrowed the guide's .375 H&H mag.

Regards, Guy

Guy, I probably already have a rifle in my battery that I can use for plains game but I tought I might need a rifle that will gave me that extra oomph!. Heck, I might take my SSG built 338 Lapua Improve. :?

 

[Desert Fox]

Given the limitations of your request--- African Plains Game and 375/416----- then 375 rum with 260 ABs or PT's at 2900 fps........

Pop, I limited it into 2 choices because, First of, I might bring only one rifle. Also, there is a small possibility that I might go for dangerous game (Buff). I could always throttle down the 375 you know.

 

[bullet]

375Wby with 93grs H4831 using a 300gr TSX moving 2880 fps or Nosler Custom ammo 300gr Partition moving 2800fps. Will let you reach out and kill plains game and will knock a buff down.

 

[Big Squeeze]

DF......................Here is an interesting audio/video you can watch!.........."shootingtimes.com",,,,,,,"video section",,,,,,then find,,,,"Big Caliber Hornady Cartridges"..........Steve Hornady and Boddington on the range!

In a Boddington article that I read sometime back, his comments about the 378 Wby and the 375 RUM were very interesting.

He basically stated that both of these cartridges were "needlessly" to fast for the caped buffs, with no realistic advantage in effective stopping power vs the 375 H&H or the 375 Ruger, plus the additional downside of their extremely punishing recoil.

Whether a 300 gr. FMJ bullet is traveling at 2550-2650 fps (H&H or Ruger), or at 2900-2950 fps for the 375 RUM from the muzzle, a broadside shot on a caped buff will still enter and exit out the other side from within any shooting range a PH will have you shoot from, usually within 100 yards and in most cases within 80 yards. A slower bullet during its pass through, has more time to expand and inflict more damage.

Although on paper, the 375 RUM`s #`s in velocity and energy are very impressive, there is no worthwhile advantage gained for caped buff use.

For plains game, no doubt, the 375 RUM is a longer range shooter than the H&H or the .375 Ruger. However, most if not all the kill distances for any African plains game a PH will take you, will be within 300 yards.

In running the downrange energy #`s and using the right bullet, there is more than enough energy in stopping power, even out to 350-400 yards, to stop any plains game animal with either the .375 H&H or the 375 Ruger.

Besides, most of your shooting will be from the bench anyway, so why not enjoy it alot more without getting needlessly punished from a cartridge that offers no additional or realistic hunting advantage!!!

Re-loaded up to the max, or scaled down a little, I personally would not own a rifle, that was not at the very least, enjoyable to shoot from the bench for 20 to 40 rounds.

Great #`s for speed and energy on paper are all well and good. But there are more important and realistic things to consider than just the #`s.

Given the average and realistic shooting distances for the plains game or dangerous game, the 375 H&H or my own 375 Ruger, will be just as effective and with no doubt, certainly more enjoyable to shoot from the bench along the way!

 

[bullet]

Big Squeeze, energy and momentum if I can have more and handle the recoil I certainly would want it in close quarters with a 1600 pound plus Cape Buff any day of the week over less energy and momentum. I am sorry but Boddington is only saying it is enough, he is not saying that the greater power won't kill quicker or better. If he is he is wrong and I have video of him shooting a cape with a 416Wby and he thought it was impressive and the buff went right to the ground and he said in the video that he had never seen a buff dropped like that. I know you own a Ruger 375 but it is not a 375Wby, 378Wby or 375Rum nor a 416Wby or a 416 Rigby. There is a difference or we would not give guys options to use more energy and momentum in more powerful cartridges if there was not a noticeable difference on game as Boddington mentioned in the video.

 

[Big Squeeze]

Big Squeeze, energy and momentum if I can have more and handle the recoil I certainly would want it in close quarters with a 1600 pound plus Cape Buff any day of the week over less energy and momentum. I am sorry but Boddington is only saying it is enough, he is not saying that the greater power won't kill quicker or better. If he is he is wrong and I have video of him shooting a cape with a 416Wby and he thought it was impressive and the buff went right to the ground and he said in the video that he had never seen a buff dropped like that. I know you own a Ruger 375 but it is not a 375Wby, 378Wby or 375Rum nor a 416Wby or a 416 Rigby. There is a difference or we would not give guys options to use more energy and momentum in more powerful cartridges if there was not a noticeable difference on game as Boddington mentioned in the video.

..................I have fired the 375 RUM and the 378 Wby and even for my strength and size, they are no picnic for the average shooter or an experienced one for that matter.

Sorry, but I will disagree with ya here!!....That extra 75-150 fps in MV using the same 300 grainer from your 375 Wby vs my 375 Ruger given the same shot placement into the vitals on a caped buff from the same range, will have no difference in the effectiveness or the outcome. If both can effectively pass through a caped buff from a broadside shot, what in the world does momentum have anything to do with anything? Yes! With enough speed comes the bullet momentum and its needed. But what kills is proper shot placement, bullet expansion during the pass through, which in turn determines the extent of the wound channel, not just speed. The last time I checked buff anatomy, their vitals are located in the body center, not on the other side of a big tree next to where the buff is standing.

The subject matter here was concerning a 375 caliber for all around plains use, not the 416`s. Also, I never stated that the 375 Ruger was comparable in #`s to either the 375 RUM, 378 Wby, the 416 Wby or Rigby.

A few hunters with permission of course, have successfully taken caped buffs with 220 gr. FMJ bullets from 30-06`s. I never did read that Boddington said that the 375`s were just enough to get by for the buffs.

The key here is one caliber, plains game/dangerous game versatilty, balance and shooting (tolerable recoil) enjoyment from the bench. That is where either the 375 H&H or the 375 Ruger has the advantage over the 375 RUM or the 378 Wby. Increased bullet speed means more recoil with less shooting enjoyment from the bench.

If DF can bench shoot at least 20 rounds using 375 RUM factory ammo and enjoy it, then he should get the RUM.
Yes! Of course, the 416`s have the better closer range stopping power than the 375`s. But that wasn`t the issue discussed here. A slower but heavier bullet always has the closer quarters advantage in stopping power.

 

[FOTIS]

I'm planning a trip to the black continent for the first time, hopefully next June. I need help in deciding what would be an ideal African Plains Game Rifle. No dangerous game on the menu. I'm contemplating on building a custom rifle for it. I kind of mulling between 375 RUM or 416 Remington Magnum since I already have a Model 700 or Model 70 action on hand. What do you think guys?

I SHOULD HAVE ASKED BEFORE.

WHAT DO YOU ALREADY HAVE? No USE REINVENTING THE WHEEL HERE.

 

[bullet]

Great question POP?? You are right, there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

 

[Big Squeeze]

I'm planning a trip to the black continent for the first time, hopefully next June. I need help in deciding what would be an ideal African Plains Game Rifle. No dangerous game on the menu. I'm contemplating on building a custom rifle for it. I kind of mulling between 375 RUM or 416 Remington Magnum since I already have a Model 700 or Model 70 action on hand. What do you think guys?

I SHOULD HAVE ASKED BEFORE.

WHAT DO YOU ALREADY HAVE? No USE REINVENTING THE WHEEL HERE.

...............DF mentioned that he already has a .338 Lapua.