Big rifle shooters, I have a question

[BigBill]

I hunt bear using a 338wm and a Bushnell scope that has the BDC option.
(Bullet Drop Compisation) I can dope the scope from 100yds to 500yds with no error, no guessing and no Kentucky windage is needed. Just use a range finder and adjust the vertical turret for the exact distance. The scope comes with different calibrated rings for the bullet weights. You install the correct ring/dial so it's calibrated for your bullet weight. Zero the scope in at 100yds, set the dial at 100yds and your ready. I use this BDC feature from Bushnell on all my scoped rifles.

For cape buffalo I'd go with a weatherby 460 magnum anything less your bait. Remember the only thing a man can out run is a chicken.
And when your scared you can run as fast as you want too not as fast as you can.

 

[Doug M.]

African dangerous game hunting is even farther out of my lane than most hunting other than bipeds, but my recollection is that for a lot of such hunting, optics are contraindicated due to the close range encounters. Open/Express style seem to be what I recall reading the most about.

That said: Such a safari costs a metric buttload. Planning is not simple or cheap. Research will take quite a while; outfitters and professional hunters are critical and checking them out is likely to require some effort. Once a good one is actually located and confirmed to be available, I would make use of their knowledge and pick their brain, then rely on what they say about equipment.

 

[Sebago Son]

For the past 10 years or so I've had a Leupold 1.5-5.0 on my Model 70 Supergrade in .375 H&H. It just plain works and stays put in it's Leupold QD rings. As a nice added benefit, I also have a 3-9 Leupold also in QD rings which will swap out with the 1.5-5.0 without any adjustments.

 

[Bill Bates]

No. Cape Buffalo I guess they are called. You know, the big black nasty things with the bad temper.

He wants to go to Africa "before it's too late."

If I ever have the chance to go to Africa and chase Cape Buffalo I'm going to take a double rifle with express sights. It will be chambered in a caliber that begins with point four...something like .450/400 3 1/4. I want a gun that is quick and will do the job.

 

[35Rem]

NO BATTERIES for something that will kill you. They WILL fail at the worst time. Ask the PH for recommendations.
I'd a say a QUALITY 1X or variable 1-4X or so Scope. No batteries

 

[Leonard]

Open sights are my favorite 50 yards preferably less was always my goal you want it to be fun. The Leupold 1.5 from my experience has a very narrow field of view making a follow up shot a bit more difficult. If I were to use a scope on jumbo or buff it would be one of the Europeans like a Schmidt & Bender that cranks down to 1.25 power their field of view is exceptional.

These are expensive hunts I would use the best equipment you can afford and an adequate caliber 416 Remington or Rigby are great choices. There is little pride in a trophy killed by your PH.

Just my 2 cents

 

[K1500]

I would use a 1-4 with a German #4 reticle (illuminated if you want) or a Trijicon 1-4x30mm. Trijicon would be my first choice.

 

[Badger Matt]

I used a Nikon 1.5 x 4X on my 458 Win Mag and was quite satisfied. I'd rather not have to depend upon a battery. I would recommend your friend get onto accuratereloading.com and start asking for advice and suggestions. The folks there have a LOT of African hunting experience. Once registered he can look up my, Badger Matt's, trip report. Buffalo are a whole lot of fun!

 

[yaktamer]

Anybody know if you'd run afoul of State Dept. export restricitons trying to take a rifle out of the country with a military-type EOTech? I'm guessing not, but might want to check.

 

[perrazi]

i used a dakota african in 416 rigby with a swarovski 1.5-6. it worked fine and the buffalo was mine. 2 shots at about 35 yds. used a soft nose for first shot and solid for 2nd.

 

[Badger Matt]

Anybody know if you'd run afoul of State Dept. export restricitons trying to take a rifle out of the country with a military-type EOTech? I'm guessing not, but might want to check.

Export Policy and Export Restrictions Information

 

[keith44spl]

A control feed .375 or a .416 with a reflex sight would work for me.

As I shoot that set up pretty often...Both eyes open of course.


.

 

[Sebago Son]

Eyes Open...

"... Both eyes open of course."

I think that is the key to using the lower magnification, small ocular lens scopes.

 

[wbraswell]

I ain't going after one of those critters unless the caliber starts with at least a "4". I think a .416 would be great, but I would want to know about ammo availability in the destination country. 416 Rigby, might be on hand, but I wouldn't know about 416 Remington, or Ruger. I agree with 35Rem, I wouldn't want my life to depend on batteries, or some electronic gizmo.

 

[Leonard]

I ain't going after one of those critters unless the caliber starts with at least a "4". I think a .416 would be great, but I would want to know about ammo availability in the destination country. 416 Rigby, might be on hand, but I wouldn't know about 416 Remington, or Ruger. I agree with 35Rem, I wouldn't want my life to depend on batteries, or some electronic gizmo.

These days your not likely to find any caliber readily available in the big game hunting countries unless the out fitter has some but they almost always have spare guns so if you get separated from your ammo you can still hunt.

As you indicated the KISS principle applies in Africa

 

[rwsmith]

Whoe....

i used a dakota african in 416 rigby with a swarovski 1.5-6. it worked fine and the buffalo was mine. 2 shots at about 35 yds. used a soft nose for first shot and solid for 2nd.

That sounds exciting. I saw a strange buffalo hunt on tv where the party traveled days though very marshy, rough ground. At one point they even had to get their ATV across a creek sort of thingy. Finally they got with a few hundred yards of a small herd. The guy shot and killed one and that was it. It sure didn't sound like a Hemingway or Capstick story. Didn't sound like much fun or excitement to me.

 

[perrazi]

it was exciting. up until then, i had shot a bunch of big rifles and owned several. this dakota was built to my order as to stock length,options, and so on. back up rifle was a weatherby 460 with open sights. used a-square bullets for both rifles.

 

[M29since14]

Thanks, you guys - for the input on sights. For the rest of you, I know it is more fun to talk about rifles than aiming devices. I DO understand.

My friend Steve decided he was going to try to cover all bases, for now, and took a "Cadillac approach" to the problem. (Well, sort of. He prefers to buy American so there will be no Swarovskis or Schmidt-Benders.) He thinks he likes the idea of the red dot sight, but to cover himself he intends to take two sights - a tube-type Aimpoint model designed to be mounted on long-action rifles AND a low-power Leupold variable. He intends to mount both in Talley quick detachable rings so he can exchange them in the field if need should arise. Since he has plenty of time to shoot with both, he should know which one he prefers before he leaves on his trip - and whether the Aimpoint was a waste of his money or not. We shall see.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

For the past 10 years or so I've had a Leupold 1.5-5.0 on my Model 70 Supergrade in .375 H&H. It just plain works and stays put in it's Leupold QD rings. As a nice added benefit, I also have a 3-9 Leupold also in QD rings which will swap out with the 1.5-5.0 without any adjustments.

A good beaver gun indeed!!
Ya know someone is missing a bet by not bringing over some cape buffalo and putting them on a ranch in Texas. Now THAT would be fun.

 

[M29since14]

You could always buy an old, retired rodeo bull, tie him to a fence post along the bayou somewhere and then sneak up on him and shoot him. Probably would be less expensive and less trouble than making the trip to Africa. Think of the money you'd save.