These animals deserve their own rifle

[franzfmdavis]

In contrast to the threads seeking one do it all rifle, I think each of these “big ticket” animals deserves their own rifle and optic:

1. Elephant
2. Hippo
3. Lion
4. Cape Buffalo
5. Leopard
6. Crocodile
7. Brown Bear
8. Moose
9. Mountain Lion/Cougar

Im curious, what nine gun battery would you put together (regardless of cost)?

 

[Tom Leoni]

Franz, you're as bad as me: a rifle battery is like a golfbag--each shot deserves its own specialized tool!

Here's what I would use:

1. Elephant: a Westley Richards .577 double rifle
2. Hippo: a Jeffery .500 magazine rifle
3. Lion: a .375 H&H (double or magazine) loaded with 270-grainers
4. Cape buffalo: a Rigby Mauser in .416
5. Leopard: a .318 WR, double or magazine
6. Crocodile: a nice .30-06
7. Brown bear: a .404 Jeffery magazine
8. Moose: a .405 Winchester 1895
9. Mountain lion: a 7x57 like the one I just got
10. Cougar: a Margarita heavy on the tequila

How does that sound?

 

[franzfmdavis]

Franz, you're as bad as me: a rifle battery is like a golfbag--each shot deserves its own specialized tool!

Agreed! Thats why I usually carry 29 clubs! Though, considering my handicap, I should carry 93.

 

[CBH Australia]

Elephant .458 Lott
Hippo .425express
Lion .375H&H
Buffalo .425 Schade
Leopard .35 Whelen
Crocodile 7x64
Brown Bear .338wm
Moose .9.3x64
Mountain lion .280a.i

 

[dchamp]

1. Elephant__________________.458 Lott
2. Hippo____________________.416Rigby
3. Lion______________________.375H&H
4. Cape Buffalo______________.416 Rem Mag
5. Leopard___________________8X57
6. Crocodile__________________9.3x62
7. Brown Bear________________340Wby
8. Moose____________________35 Whelen
9. Mountain Lion/Cougar______30-30

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

In contrast to the threads seeking one do it all rifle, I think each of these “big ticket” animals deserves their own rifle and optic:

1. Elephant
2. Hippo
3. Lion
4. Cape Buffalo
5. Leopard
6. Crocodile
7. Brown Bear
8. Moose
9. Mountain Lion/Cougar

Im curious, what nine gun battery would you put together (regardless of cost)?

I really hate to bore you but here goes.

1. Elephant I shot mine with a 375 H&H but I would say a 416 Rem mag is just fine.
2. Hippo I shot mine with a 375 H&H but a 338 win mag will work fine for head shots in the water a 300 win mag will work fine head shot in Barnes bullets
3. Shot mine with a 416 Rem Mag
4. Shot 2 of them absolutely no problem 375 H&H actually the stalk was exciting but both kill shots were pretty blah.
5. Leopard a good 30.06 180 bullet Barnes TTSX not the TSX but the TTSX for thin skin will kill any leopard on earth
6. Again you can go with a 300 win mag, 325 WSM, or 375 H&H shoot behind the smile forget a brain shot
7. 338 Win Mag but I would prefer 375 H&H with Swift A Frames
8. 8mm Rem Mag or 325 WSM
9. 280 Remington

 

[HankBuck]

In contrast to the threads seeking one do it all rifle, I think each of these “big ticket” animals deserves their own rifle and optic:

1. Elephant
2. Hippo
3. Lion
4. Cape Buffalo
5. Leopard
6. Crocodile
7. Brown Bear
8. Moose
9. Mountain Lion/Cougar

Im curious, what nine gun battery would you put together (regardless of cost)?

@franzfmdavis - while I disagree with the premise (a rifle for “each” animal) the number 9 must be a Misprint? A special rifle just for Mountain Lion/Cougar?? As though anything from .223 - .243 - .30-30 and UNDER wouldn’t handle that Cat?….95% of them are shot out of a tree at 50 to 75 feet, don’t carry much lead —-they ain’t No Leopard!— (my guide in Idaho used a .223 or .357 handgun). Also #8 Moose = just about any deer rifle.
But you raise a Fun topic and I agree Africa’s Big 5 (the real Big 5 and Not the brain shot asassinations on Croc & Hippo) require much more thought and (except for Leopard) the .375 H&H seems entry level. I am interested in others opinions especially those that have taken multiple animals of each species

 

[375er]

1. 470 NE
2 through 8. .375 H&H
9. .30-06

 

[RR 314]

I killed my mountain lion with a .30 WCF TC. I think a .22 hornet would be adequate as long as we are talking about treed cats. Any ol’ gun will do.

 

[franzfmdavis]

@franzfmdavis - while I disagree with the premise (a rifle for “each” animal) the number 9 must be a Misprint? A special rifle just for Mountain Lion/Cougar?? As though anything from .223 - .243 - .30-30 and UNDER wouldn’t handle that Cat?….95% of them are shot out of a tree at 50 to 75 feet, don’t carry much lead —-they ain’t No Leopard!— (my guide in Idaho used a .223 or .357 handgun). Also #8 Moose = just about any deer rifle.
But you raise a Fun topic and I agree Africa’s Big 5 (the real Big 5 and Not the brain shot asassinations on Croc & Hippo) require much more thought and (except for Leopard) the .375 H&H seems entry level. I am interested in others opinions especially those that have taken multiple animals of each species

My idea was based on the concept that I like to keep a rifle that I shoot a special animal with. For example, I still have my first deer rifle, and my first shotgun with which I went and duck and grouse hunting. Neither are necessarily guns I would have chosen today, but they are special to me nonetheless, and I would not sell them.

The animals I listed above would also be special hunts for me so I would love to have the opportunity to have a rifle for each one and then keep that rifle indefinitely. That is not to say I wouldn’t use the rifle for other things, but that it would remain the rifle with which I harvested a special animal first.

While it is unlikely I will have the means to buy my dream rifle for each hunt, I certainly think about what I would dream of having, and that was the impetus for the question on this thread. I am certainly interested in the calibers that people select, but I am also if not more interested in the actual gun they would select. I have learned a great deal from people on this forum, which has expanded my taste and appreciation for unique guns.

In short, just an organized dream list

 

[dneaster3]

Well since you’re buying I’ll be happy to provide my shopping list!

1. Elephant
Holland & Holland round action double .470 NE

2. Hippo
Westley Richard’s droplock double .450/400

3. Lion
Pre-64 Winchester M70 Super Grade .375 H&H

4. Cape Buffalo
Rigby Big Game .416 Rigby

5. Leopard
Weatherby Mark V Deluxe .300 Wby

6. Crocodile
Remington 700 custom clone .25-06

7. Brown Bear
Brown Precision Pro Hunter .375 H&H

8. Moose
Paul Jaeger / Dietrich Apel custom Mauser in .35 Whelen

9. Mountain Lion/Cougar
Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 Mag….. and some really great hounds

 

[Mauser3000]

1. Elephant…..Heym 88B 500 Nitro Express
2. Hippo…….winchester model 70 .458 Lott
3. Lion………..Winchester model 1886 .50 B&M Alaskan
4. Cape Buffalo..Winchester model 70 .458 win mag
5. Leopard……..marlin 1895 .45-70
6. Crocodile……Winchester model 70 .338 win mag
7. Brown Bear…Winchester model 70 .416 Taylor
8. Moose………Winchester model 71 .348 WCF
9. Mountain Lion/Cougar…..Freedom Arms model 83 .454 Casull

 

[R eight]

R8 with barrels in.416 RM, 375 H&H, 9.3x62 and 30/06.

 

[BourbonTrail]

1. Elephant. - 500 NE Heym 89B PH
2. Hippo - 505 Gibbs in a pre war Gibbs
3. Lion - 416 Rigby Rigby Big Game
4. Cape Buffalo - 458 Lott Model 70
5. Leopard - My 300 Weatherby Mark V
6. Crocodile - My 30-06 Springfield
7. Brown Bear - 416 Rem Mag Model 70
8. Moose - 340 Weatherby Mark V
9. Mountain Lion/Cougar - 30/30 Winchester 94

Edit: adding in a Bongo with a 318 WR in an original WR magazine rifle.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Franz, you're as bad as me: a rifle battery is like a golfbag--each shot deserves its own specialized tool!

Here's what I would use:

1. Elephant: a Westley Richards .577 double rifle
2. Hippo: a Jeffery .500 magazine rifle
3. Lion: a .375 H&H (double or magazine) loaded with 270-grainers
4. Cape buffalo: a Rigby Mauser in .416
5. Leopard: a .318 WR, double or magazine
6. Crocodile: a nice .30-06
7. Brown bear: a .404 Jeffery magazine
8. Moose: a .405 Winchester 1895
9. Mountain lion: a 7x57 like the one I just got
10. Cougar: a Margarita heavy on the tequila

How does that sound?

Gray goose martinis seem to be the preferred caliber for eastern cougar

 

[Red Leg]

Rapier or broadsword. Both are deadly in the right hands and the former is a lot easier to carry.

Elephant R8 .375
Hippo R8 .375
Lion R8 .375
Buffalo R8 .375
Leopard R8 .300 Win Mag or half a dozen other choices
Croc R8 .375
Brown Bear R8 .375
Moose R8 .300 Win Mag
Cougar Almost anything bigger than a .22 Mag

 

[HankBuck]

My idea was based on the concept that I like to keep a rifle that I shoot a special animal with. For example, I still have my first deer rifle, and my first shotgun with which I went and duck and grouse hunting. Neither are necessarily guns I would have chosen today, but they are special to me nonetheless, and I would not sell them.

The animals I listed above would also be special hunts for me so I would love to have the opportunity to have a rifle for each one and then keep that rifle indefinitely. That is not to say I wouldn’t use the rifle for other things, but that it would remain the rifle with which I harvested a special animal first.

While it is unlikely I will have the means to buy my dream rifle for each hunt, I certainly think about what I would dream of having, and that was the impetus for the question on this thread. I am certainly interested in the calibers that people select, but I am also if not more interested in the actual gun they would select. I have learned a great deal from people on this forum, which has expanded my taste and appreciation for unique guns.

In short, just an organized dream list

@franzfmdavis very Well said !

 

[SoVa]

In contrast to the threads seeking one do it all rifle, I think each of these “big ticket” animals deserves their own rifle and optic:

1. Elephant
2. Hippo
3. Lion
4. Cape Buffalo
5. Leopard
6. Crocodile
7. Brown Bear
8. Moose
9. Mountain Lion/Cougar

Im curious, what nine gun battery would you put together (regardless of cost)?

Elephant- 500NE double rifle
Hippo- 416 rigby bolt gun
Lion- 375 h&h bolt gun
Cape Buffalo- 458 Lott
Leopard- 300wm
Crocodile- 240 wby mag
Brown Bear- 375 ruger
Moose- 338 wm (because I’ve already used the 375s)
Mountain Lion- 5.45x45mm aks74u (I have always thought hunting them with hounds and the shot distance would lend itself to this unusual round and rifle and the photo would be epic)
I would like to add American Bison to my list with a 45/70

 

[PANTHER TRACKERS]

R8 with barrels in.416 RM, 375 H&H, 9.3x62 and 30/06.

The 9.3x62 is MAGIC on cats!

 

[IvW]

Elephant 500Jeff
Hippo 375 H&H in water
Hippo 500 Jeff on land
Lion 375 H&H on bait
Lion 450 No.2 3 1/2" NE double on foot
Cape buffalo 400 Jeff or 450/4003" NE
Cape buffalo wounded 500 Jeff
Leopard bait 7x57R or 7x65R or 375 H&H if legally required
Leopard wounded or over hounds 9.3x74R/12ga brenneke slug
Croc 375 H&H

The rest I cannot comment but I think a drilling 7x57R/9.3×74R/12ga would be a dandy