Grab your Elephant Guns!

[6string]

A friend on another forum shared this link to a pretty fun looking match they run at his club. It's sorta like a defensive pistol match, except instead of "bad guys" you're shooting at "elephants", "rhinos", "lions", etc...and, instead of you're concealed carry pistol, you use your handy Safari rifle!
Looks like there was everything from Ruger #1s and 458 bolt guns, to some pretty fine looking British doubles in various classic Nitro Express chamberings!

Safari Rifle Shoot at PRGC

Pictures from Safari Shoot at PRGC

While I couldn't attend this match, it's inspired me to try something similar at my club soon.

Jim

 

[Badger Matt]

Count me in! I used to own a Merkel 470 NE...twice...but the only remaining big bore for me is my Whitworth 458 Win Mag. That course looked like a lot of fun.

 

[Kurusu]

Well, I have a 1886 Winchester extra light in .45-70.

With judicious reloading it can take an elephant down.

 

[427mach1]

Looks like fun! I like that a few of them appear to have dressed appropriately for a safari!

 

[CajunBass]

I keep telling my wife I NEED an elephant rifle. Suppose someone called me and asked me to go elephant hunting with them.

I'd have to beg off because I don't have an elephant rifle.

Why it would be like a woman saying she doesn't have a little black dress.

 

[2152hq]

I've got a couple double rifles that'd work OK.
A 470NE, and I think the 9.3x74R would qualify.
The other is a 9.3x72R, that's more in the 38-55 power range. In real life that'd just make most of those critters mad. That wouldn't be good.

I'd probably collapse from the heat from the looks of the pics there, but sure looks like fun.
They had a DR shoot set up at the NE SxS (shotgun) shoot in PA last year but wasn't animated like this.

I wonder how long before the animal rights people picket this activity and petition for the removal of those micro aggression targets of animals.
Cape Buffalo and Pachyderms are sure to see it and be offended.

 

[old bear]

For reasons I can't explain, for years I lusted after a double in an "African caliber." Finally started pricing them and realized that was never going to happen.

 

[deadin]

That looks like a lot of fun! How many rounds do you have to fire to complete the course?? My only experience with "elephant" guns is a .458 WM in a Ruger #1. (I don't even know if this would qualify as an elephant gun.)
Anyway, I just remember that it beat the tar out of me and I don't think I could handle more than a half-dozen rounds at a time.

I did notice that no one was shooting prone, or even sitting....

 

[ExRanger714]

I have, just this moment, deluded myself into thinking that a 12 bore double barrel shotgun match with slugs sounds like a good idea. Say, 25 rounds, at varying ranges. Cheaper than double rifle ammo but in the same spirit.

Winner's the one that can move his arm the next day

 

[6string]

From the event organizer:

"I think .366/9.3 is about the minimum, others might start at .375 H&H or .400 Nitro
This is not for classic american big bores like the Sharps, there are other shoots for those.
And its not for pistol caliber rifles, that lever action in .45 LC is NOT an elephant gun!
Nor is it for .416 Cheytac or .338 Lapua or .50 BMG, big bores sure, but not what I had in mind.
We might allow the larger elk calibers, like .338 Win Mag just to expand the pool of available shooters....
Bolt actions, single shots and doubles in the big British Nitro Express calibers, THAT's what this shoot is for!"

If you scroll through the links you'll see some of the guns used listed in the match reports. There's also some great pics of the guns and matches.

Enjoy!
Jim

 

[Drm50]

I have had 458s but never liked them and never kept them long.
I did have a Sako 375H&H that I bought new in 60s and put it
keeper rack. I sold it a couple years ago and as far as big bore
I have only a 45/70 and for power a 30/06 is my max.

 

[Doug M.]

I've been told by people who know more than I do that the 45-70 in a strong action can be loaded to roughly .458 power. The days of being interested in beating my already bad shoulder in that fashion are long over.

 

[deadin]

45-70 in a strong action can be loaded to roughly .458 power.

This is what the guy trying to sell me the .458 kept telling me that I could load the .458 down to 45/70 specs. My thought was, I already have a 45/70, so why would I want a .458.?
Especially after he gave me some full bore 500gr(?) loads to try it out, I decided it was too much for my old bones.....

 

[Tom K]

Sounds like fun to me! Here's me with my .460 Weatherby with Lazermark stock. The picture isn't reversed, it is a left-handed action.

 

[Golddollar]

This brought back memories of an appropriate gun I used to have. Years ago I bought a Remington 700 Safari in 375 H&H and put a Bushnell Elite scope on it. That gun would drive tacks. I had visions of going out west to hunt elk with it. Unfortunately in 2009 I lost my job and I had to sell it. I just saw some similar guns on Gunbroker but since now I'm older, fatter, having cardiac issues and knee surgery I think I'll just stay with the memories and buy some other guns.

 

[steveno]

a Ruger #1S in 45-70 can be loaded to be pretty close to the 458 mag but I can also tell you that it will NOT be fun. even Elmer's 45-70 are NOT fun at all.

 

[ameridaddy]

Looks like fun until I remember firing a friend's .458 Winchester Model 70 rifle once. Only once. I thought the rifle was heavy until I shot it. ~8 lb isn't enough inertia for that cartridge.

A 160 lb. Englishman picks up his 16 lb. rifle and fires it at a 16,000 lb. elephant. The elephant goes down, the Englishman goes down, the rifle goes down. Whoever gets up first is the winner. If no one gets up, their possessions are divided according to the law of the jungle.

 

[Fishinfool]

Sounds like a fun shoot. I once owned a Model 70 in .458 win mag, but eventually sold it. My .375H&H CZ is more than enough for me these days, since Africa is not in my plans.

My Remington 45/70 double rifle sounds like it might be a fun gun for a match like this. With stiff loads, it gets your attention. Its no top quality British double, but an affordable fun gun to shoot.

Larry

 

[RobertJ.]

a Ruger #1S in 45-70 can be loaded to be pretty close to the 458 mag but I can also tell you that it will NOT be fun. even Elmer's 45-70 are NOT fun at all.

Many years ago (early 80's) I had a Ruger #3 carbine, in .45-70. I loaded it not quite as hot as the Hornady book allowed, but still pretty warm. I was pushing a 500 grain SP at about 1700 fps. In that 6 pound rifle, it was brutal! I talked my dad into shooting it, and one shot was good for him.

I killed one deer with it, I hit it with a 300 grain HP at about 2200 fps. Broadside shot, about 30 yards away, and he was dead before he hit the ground.

I find now that the older I get, the less I enjoy recoil.

 

[the ringo kid]

We have two .50 Long Toms. And yes, they are actually marked: "Long Toms." Fire one once-its hurts like hell, fire one twice-you almost wish you hadnt. Fire one thrice-you feel like your shoulder is broke. Fire one 4 times, your shoulder will turn black and blue with bruises. Fire one 5 times, and you could out-do Arnold Schwarzennegger anytime and day.