African Rifle

[russ808]

DF, Any 300 should be plenty enough. A 325 is nice also. Your PH's should get you in close. I feel shot placement is more important. Practice, practice, practice some more. Then practice on sticks as they use them a lot over there. (Its not that easy) When your there is not the time to practice on them. A lady hunter prior to our hunt shot 15 animals with her 243 and all were one shot kills. The PH's got her in close and she practiced a lot.

 

[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?

I SHOULD HAVE ASKED BEFORE.

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

Pop, I'm talking about the action to build on. I have both the Model 700, action only, and the Model 70, which right now is chambered for 300 Winchester Magnum but contemplating on rebarelling. I have an Argentine Mauser chambered for the 280 Remington that I could bring also if I have to.

As of the moment, my buddy and I are still on the planning stage. We plan on a cool hunt in June, in South Africa. If we can get a deal going we might include the Buff on the package. I want versatility in case I bring only one rifle.

 

[FOTIS]

If cape buff is on the menu then the bigger the better . My opinion.

 

[russ808]

DF, If the buff is in the package the 300's are out. They are very mean tempered and tough. They are also very sneaky. I think in south africa the 375 is the minimum you can hunt with, so go from there. But that is a bit much for most plains game. I saw what a 416 did to an impala and it wasn't a pretty sight.

 

[6ppcar]

If cape buff is on the menu then the bigger the better . My opinion.

That's why i voted for the 416. Shoots flat an hits like the hammer of Thor.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

+1 6ppc.
You should pick your rifle based on the most dangerous game you intend to hunt. I wouldn't be too afraid of a gazelle...but a Cape Buffalo is a different matter.

 

[FOTIS]

Let us know what you decide.

 

[jmad_81]

WOW all of these suggestions and not one mention of a 338WM I'm kina hurt. I've been on an African plains game hunt and never had a shot at anything over 250 yards. Dropped a kudu, blue wildabeast, impala, and warthog all with one 225gr AB. Given your two choices I would go with the 375. The more I hunt with my 375 ruger (dumped a spike elk on sat with it) the more impressed I am with the cal. Any 375 would do you good in my mind.

 

[Richracer1]

Dropped a kudu, blue wildabeast, impala, and warthog all with one 225gr AB.

:shock: :shock: :shock: WOW, you dropped 4 animals with just one bullet. The planets must have been aligned that day.

For real, I know what you meant. Just have some fun. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Big Squeeze]

WOW all of these suggestions and not one mention of a 338WM I'm kina hurt. I've been on an African plains game hunt and never had a shot at anything over 250 yards. Dropped a kudu, blue wildabeast, impala, and warthog all with one 225gr AB. Given your two choices I would go with the 375. The more I hunt with my 375 ruger (dumped a spike elk on sat with it) the more impressed I am with the cal. Any 375 would do you good in my mind.

................JMAD 81,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Which rifle do you have in the .375 Ruger; the M77 African, M77 Alaskan or a custom job?

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Plains critters only, no Cape Buffalo, sure, I'd take my .338 Win.

 

[Desert Fox]

My buddy will be bringing 378 Weatherby. I might settle on 375 RUM. I already have the action to build on.

 

[jmad_81]

Richracer1

WOW, you dropped 4 animals with just one bullet. The planets must have been aligned that day.

For real, I know what you meant. Just have some fun.

LOL yeah cause I'm almost that good :lol:

DF If your bulding a custom, go big or go home, your not going to overkill anything :twisted: And you could get charged by anything and just have to stop it right there. I hear that those arfican mice can be flat out mean as well, rumor has it they even scare elephants.

 

[FOTIS]

My buddy will be bringing 378 Weatherby. I might settle on 375 RUM. I already have the action to build on.

Ahh the 378 Bee. Man I know that caliber better than my wife. SAD!

 

[Woodycreek]

Ahh the 378 Bee. Man I know that caliber better than my wife. SAD!

Easy POP! You may want to kick it back a gear and not let your wife see that post :lol:

 

[FOTIS]

Ahh the 378 Bee. Man I know that caliber better than my wife. SAD!

Easy POP! You may want to kick it back a gear and not let your wife see that post :lol:

You may be right!!!!!!!!!!! :twisted:

 

[russ808]

POP, the war department might cut off funds for FY-09 :lol: :lol:

 

[Richracer1]

POP, the war department might cut off funds for FY-09 :lol: :lol:

I think the appropriate title for POP's wife would be the "Executive Branch". As well all know, just about all things need to go through this for final approval. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[FOTIS]

Everything but my Nosler forum posts! 8) :lol: