Big rifle shooters, I have a question

[M29since14]

For you folks who toy around with big rifles, I have a friend who wants to go shoot a buffalo. He is not a rifle hack like some of us and unfortunately his age puts him in the "questionable for iron sights" category.

I think something like an EOTech red dot sight might be a natural for him. (Close, quick shooting, no need for high precision.)

So the questions are,
1. Have any of you used an EOTech or something similar on a rifle that kicks a little, like a .375? I am wondering about the possibility of shearing mount screws because of the weight of the optic, and other possible pitfalls.
2. Any other thoughts/suggestions?

Lest we get into a tirade about rifle marksmanship and everything else, the idea of the red dot is not to use technology as a crutch that ultimately won't be successful because of lack of practice. The main idea with the RDS is to make things "simple" for him.

 

[tomtheturner]

I have a Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70 with a scout mounted Bushnell Holosight, made by Eotech, on it. I also have one mounted on a Marlin 1894 .44 mag. I have had absolutely zero problems with them. The 45/70 has been shot a lot more than the .44, and with some pretty heavy recoiling loads.

Best Wishes,
Tom

 

[poordevil]

I shot my buffalo in 2007 with a .577 cal Enfield Musketoon. My son , on the same trip used a Remington .30-06 with 220 gr bullets and a 3-9 power scope.

I think a scope would be more precise than a red dot. And a .30-06 with premium 180gr bullets would be best for someone who is not a Rifle Guy.

I am no stranger to recoil, but a .45-70 kind of kicks my butt.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I assume you are talking hunting an American Bison, as opposed to Asian or Cape or Water Buffalo. But what I say applies to the non-American varieties also. I know what I would use, but your friend needs to talk to an outfitter. They can control the distance you take your shots at, and that will determine The size of gun/cartridge and the sights he will need. I personally would avoid EOTech type sights and stay with a sight that is "Ring" mounted. It can be 1x or red dot and fired with both eyes open (I use one of these systems on a few of my rifles and they are fast acquiring and fast for second shots. Ivan

 

[GRIZZLYBEAR]

I have a EO Tech mounted on a Smith 500 with problems so far with the recoil.

 

[Doug M.]

Aimpoint. Really.

 

[M29since14]

Aimpoint. Really.

Something like this?

Aimpoint 9000SC Red Dot Sight FREE S&H 11417-KIT, 11417, 11407, 11407-KIT. AimPoint Red Dot Sights.

Any particular reason(s) to prefer this type of sight to the EO Tech?

 

[Doug M.]

I have always gotten mine in a Larue mount, so buying one and getting a mount is foreign to me.

They are more reliable. I have heard of almost none failing for any reason, and that's after seeing them regularly thrown across the range (mounted or not) - no zero shift, etc. Their battery compartment/system is not near as sensitive to recoil as the EOs are, and EOs tend to eat batteries. Relying on one and having it fail at a bad time could be a real issue. I know of at least one OIS that went ... poorly as a result.

 

[leswad]

How about an AR in .308?

 

[M29since14]

Minimum legal "buffalo caliber" in Africa seems to be .375-ish.

 

[Aticus]

I've been around this game for most of my life and worked in the retail industry for several years (I laughingly retired in 01) and I've never heard of a "properly" mounted optical sight coming off a gun under normal conditions. Constant use in competition yes but recoil while hunting? NO.

Check with the PH you'll be working with ask what he recommends. There are plenty of hunters who use low power optics for large caliber rifles with no problems.

 

[Texas Star]

Is this in fact an American bison we're discussing?

 

[M29since14]

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."

 

[LazyKB]

Minimum legal "buffalo caliber" in Africa seems to be .375-ish.

True, or at least in some countries. I used a 1x4 Leopold on a .375 H&H Remington 700 classic. Had no trouble picking up the target on 1x. I was more worried about the stock, which wasn't pinned, cracking than damaging the scope. The rifle came with iron sights which I left on even though they were not very user friendly and I mounted the scope in Leopold's quick release rings. I traded the 1x4 for a 3x9 when we took the buffalo and switched to plains game.

There is a PH, Ivan Carter, on TV that has mounted some type of electronic sight on his big double gun. You might try going to his web site.

 

[Nevada Ed]

375 H&H for hunting "Black Death" as a minimum loading.

The PG will have a "Back up" in case things go wrong but a larger load with more energy is advised...............
IF the shooter is not afraid of the rifle.

This is no time to be scared of the rifle & game !!
Proper shot placement is mandatory........ usually TWO, or even more.

Good Day.

 

[LVSteve]

IIRC they use EOTechs or Aimpoints on 50 cal M2s. If they can survive that treatment then they must be pretty tough.

 

[REM 3200]

Minimum legal "buffalo caliber" in Africa seems to be .375-ish.

I thought it was .400 and up. I have a friend that used a .416 Remington for his Cape Buffalo.

 

[mc5aw]

As far as I've researched, no one simply picks up and goes to Africa on a buffalo hunt. Different safari packages and hosts average moderate to extensive waiting periods, so there's probably quite a bit of downtime to find a good rifle and practice with it before actually getting down yonder to hunt. Reading Capstick or Boddington for expert advice would be a good starting point.

 

[LazyKB]

This gets convoluted pretty quickly. Here is some info from an African outfitter. As said above Boddington gives good advice as does Dr. Kevin Robertson, both write for Sports Afield. I have a buddy that soaks up recoil like an old tire, he carries a .458 Lott. I can't do it. The .375 H&H is all I care to shoot.

Caliber Minimums

 

[leswad]

How about an AR in .308?

Cape Buffalo?.... I retract my suggestion.