Big gun help

marley

Very Active Member
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I have an itch to build a Cape buffalo rifle. I don't have a hunt lined up but I want to in the near future. I want a big boy rifle. I want to build this as a beautiful display piece for the safe room as well. I'm hung up on caliber. I'm thinking .375 H&H, .404 Jeffrey, .416 Rigby, or a .416 Ruger. I know that the Two .416s have more energy than the .404 using the same bullet but I like the history behind the .404 so I'm leaning that way. The .375 is probably more versatile and can be used for more hunts than I would probably use the .404 for but I still go back to the nostalgia of the .404.

Please share any of your thoughts on these calibers or others
 
I don't think there is anything "practical" about owning a big bore African rifle so do what the hell you want and build it to what turns your crank.

With that said, I'm in the middle of a custom build on a fabulous piece of Turkish walnut in 416 rem on a Montana action. It will have NECG sights and no scope and I'll shoot 350 or 400 gr TSX Barnes out of it and have a ball! There's nothing practical about that rifle but it'll be simply damn cool and a real beauty when done.

Have fun.

Zeke
 
One question you might ask yourself:

If I get to someplace and need some ammo (because crap happens), what can I likely buy that will match up and shoot in my gun?

I know I'm leaning on the practical side but somebody got to do it! :D
 
...also think about the 40 cal rule and that might eliminate your 375 option. I don't know if the place you'll hunt cape buffalo is one of those countries but might be worth a check.

Zeke
 
I'd build the nostalgia gun...for sure.

a couple of years ago...for no particular reason I built a 375 ruger...it shoots great and all I've killed with it is paper and a marauding pitbull....

I have a winchester 1895 in 405 wcf.....if I ever hunt cape buffalo that is what I am using.....
 
>I'd build the nostalgia gun...for sure.
>
>
>a couple of years ago...for no
>particular reason I built a
>375 ruger...it shoots great and
>all I've killed with it
>is paper and a marauding
>pitbull....
>
>I have a winchester 1895 in
>405 wcf.....if I ever hunt
>cape buffalo that is what
>I am using.....
Homer was that a one shot kill on that bull?
 
Since I have one, M70, Stanless, composite stock), I lean towards a 375H&H but a 375 Ruger would do.

As far as I know, 375'S are legal for buffalo in all African Countries.

I have killed 2 buff in Africa, both with 1 shot. Used 300gr Swift Aframes.

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"
 
I have a 375 h&h in a Ruger #1. It's a fantastic gun. Killed a couple elk with it as well as a deer just for kicks.

I have also shot this caliber in a Browning x-bolt, and Winchester model 70.

All of these rifles shot sub MOA. The cartridge is known for being inherently accurate. Not sure why you would do a custom build. Though the Ruger I have is now a collectors item and would cost you about $2,000.

Either way that is the caliber I would go with. As far as I know .375 is minimum for dangerous game in any African country. Plus you can find the ammo about anywhere you go.
 
I've owned two .404 jeffries. The original jeffrey was actually .423 diameter but bullets aren't as abundant for that one. The modern version is usually .416 diameter.

If I were starting from scratch I'd go with the .416 ruger and not think twice. Other than that I would go .416 rigby or .416 rem. I don't own any .416 at the moment but am shooting a .375 ackley. Eventually I would like to own a double in .470 but that'll probably be a while.
 
People build custom rifles because they WANT to, not because they have to, or need to justify the caliber and cost. Build what you want, and if it is nostalgia you want go for the 404 or 416 Rigby. Booking a DG hunt with a reputable outfitter, he is more likely to have spare 375 H&H, 416 Rigby, 416 Rem, or 470 NE laying around anyway. I have only been over 5 times, but have been fortunate enough to go to a bunch of gun shops in both Joburg and Windhoek, and never seen a caliber they did not have. Yoour rifle is more likely to not make it than your ammo anyway, then what?

I personally shoot a 416 Ruger with 1.75-6X Leupold for DG because I wanted the kick ass performance with 400's in a shorter action, stainless synthetic rifle. It sees more use over here on this side of the pond for elk with 350 gr Barnes TSX in the cold of winter than it does over there, but has accounted for elephant, buffalo, and assorted plains game.

A good friend just finished his custom 400 H&H, and it is a thing of beauty. His cancer is probably going to get him before he gets to use it on Cape buffalo, but he did see it built and completed. Makes him smile!
 
Whichever you decide to go with, just make sure it's accurate. Not all your shots will be at 20 yards on charging buffalo! :)

35202img1838.jpg
 
Fair enough on the WANT to build a custom rifle. I guess I just WANT to out shoot all you goof balls with an out of the box rifle.

Happy hunting and shooting.
 
I've always liked the big Weatherbys. A .378 Weatherby mag would be an awesome elk gun shooting 300 grain Accubonds! Great for cape buff with some of the heavier solids and you can still use it effectively on plains game. The .416 and .460 Weatherbys are pretty awesome too if you really wanna fling some lead.
 

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