A First Timers Guide to Buffalo

[towserthemouser]

I can't see the video either.

 

[Doug3006]

Thanks for sharing! Good advice, and well produced.

 

[intj]

Ugghh! I think he changed it again.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

100%

 

[intj]

Thank you for sharing. I'm curious about the recoil training you mentioned in the video.

I had a rifle, a 300 Win Mag, that was just a little uncomfortable at the time. I would load up all the ammo I was going to shoot for load development and go to the range. I would start shooting and when it started to get noticeably uncomfortable I would put on my Past Magnum Recoil shield and finish my session. In a short time I was very comfortable with that rifle.

Nowadays my comfort level is 55-60 ft lbs, about like a 416 Rem. When I finish building my 458 Lott, I will simply start load dev. I will shoot it until I notice I am uncomfortable and then stop. It's important to stop before developing an flinch.

I just accept that the rifle will move me and I don't fight it. I don't hunch over into in the bench. I sit straight, hold it firmly back into my shoulder and firmly down on the rest. It's sort of a relaxed tension. After a while I don't have to put any conscious effort into managing recoil.

For a DR, building a standing bench is a good option. I have had one I built but sold it with the rifle. A DR's big drop at the comb makes those rifles more uncomfortable for me than a bolt gun due to the higher muzzle rise.

Rifle it is also important. You want the correct LOP--not too long or too short. You want a good recoil pad that is on the larger size as well.

 

[matt vejar]

I’d give the video and narrative-Siskel and Eberts two thumbs up!!! You’re pretty much spot on to what I’ve experienced on the several buff I’ve shot with both a 375 H&H and a 416 Remington. The first two I shot with a 416 proved to me it hits a lot harder than the five I shot with a 375-but it kicked me to hard so I stepped down. Shot placement is all that really matters. Having said that for the PH backing me up-I want the biggest gun possible!!!LoL

 

[Major Bonkers]

Very good.

But I always wince inside when I see the casual handling of a rifle (at 17'-18') - swinging the muzzle under the other members of the party's feet, holding it one handed and using it to point out features of the carcass, and then (although I have got used to it) the 'African carry'. Try any of this in Scotland (and, I expect, most of northern Europe) and the very least that you'll get is a stern telling off.

 

[HookMeUpII]

It just says "link is private"

I think this may be the issue. He might have to go into his youtube content and make it "public."

 

[Cotton King]

As a soon to be first time Cape Buffalo hunter, I enjoyed the video and found it to be informative. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Fatback]

That was a well done video. I found it informative and enjoyable to watch. I think the part about being able to manage your emotions in stressful situation and still being able to preform the actions needed to kill a buffalo quickly and cleanly are very important considerations in preparing for a buffalo or any other DG hunt.

I would mention for some first time buffalo hunters that another very popular way to hunt buffalo is not by spotting and stalking, as described in this video, but by finding tracks and tracking the buffalo, sight unseen, until catching up to them. Personally, I prefer this method versus the spot and stalk method. It can be a bit frustrating when you catch up and there isn’t a buff you want to shoot at the end of the track but that’s all part of the adventure.

 

[deewayne2003]

I think this may be the issue. He might have to go into his youtube content and make it "public."

I got it to work last night.... @intj well done on the video content, format and videography.

 

[Red Leg]

Very good.

But I always wince inside when I see the casual handling of a rifle (at 17'-18') - swinging the muzzle under the other members of the party's feet, holding it one handed and using it to point out features of the carcass, and then (although I have got used to it) the 'African carry'. Try any of this in Scotland (and, I expect, most of northern Europe) and the very least that you'll get is a stern telling off.

The same is absolutely true in the States. It is easy to imagine the reception a bird hunter would get on a Georgia plantation if he stepped off with his double on his shoulder gripped by the muzzles. He would be frog marched off after the first couple of steps. Or try that while walking behind your guide in Canada, the Western US, or anywhere in Europe. It incorporates the very worst in gun handling.

 

[Whit]

New Link:

Getting the "video removed by uploader" notification.

 

[sureshot375]

Thanks for making the video. I enjoyed watching. I wonder what I would have said had I had the forethought to make something like this after my first buffalo hunt.

There are some things in the video that I don’t necessarily agree with. Also, I think some of the things may be an accurate reflection of your experience, but not necessarily applicable to buffalo hunting in general.

That being said, the whole point of the video was to give your impressions as a first timer. In that context you can’t be wrong!! I think that is a valuable and important perspective to share.

I look forward to seeing more videos from you. Thanks for sharing.

 

[intj]

Getting the "video removed by uploader" notification.

The video link on post #23, near the top of page two, is working and active. I don't have the ability to edit the other posts

 

[HookMeUpII]

I had a rifle, a 300 Win Mag, that was just a little uncomfortable at the time. I would load up all the ammo I was going to shoot for load development and go to the range. I would start shooting and when it started to get noticeably uncomfortable I would put on my Past Magnum Recoil shield and finish my session. In a short time I was very comfortable with that rifle.

Nowadays my comfort level is 55-60 ft lbs, about like a 416 Rem. When I finish building my 458 Lott, I will simply start load dev. I will shoot it until I notice I am uncomfortable and then stop. It's important to stop before developing an flinch.

I just accept that the rifle will move me and I don't fight it. I don't hunch over into in the bench. I sit straight, hold it firmly back into my shoulder and firmly down on the rest. It's sort of a relaxed tension. After a while I don't have to put any conscious effort into managing recoil.

For a DR, building a standing bench is a good option. I have had one I built but sold it with the rifle. A DR's big drop at the comb makes those rifles more uncomfortable for me than a bolt gun due to the higher muzzle rise.

Rifle it is also important. You want the correct LOP--not too long or too short. You want a good recoil pad that is on the larger size as well.

I thought the video was well-done. My only criticism is I would have liked to see a little more of the final stalk and setup for the shot. That's just strictly from an entertainment standpoint though.

The info provided was helpful and seems to echo everything I've heard. I've never hunted cape buffalo but when I finally do, I'll probably come back and watch the video again.

Just a heads up on the 458 Lott. If your comfort level is 55-60 lbs with the 416 Rem, the Lott is going to be a party. Gun weight is a big factor but my 458WM is about 60-70 lbs and the Lott is even higher. Depending on the gun, you might be looking at 80 lbs on the Lott. I'm no fly weight (5'10" 200 lbs) and the 458WM definitely makes me realize I shot it right after, and for about a day or two more.

 

[intj]

I thought the video was well-done. My only criticism is I would have liked to see a little more of the final stalk and setup for the shot. That's just strictly from an entertainment standpoint though.

The info provided was helpful and seems to echo everything I've heard. I've never hunted cape buffalo but when I finally do, I'll probably come back and watch the video again.

Just a heads up on the 458 Lott. If your comfort level is 55-60 lbs with the 416 Rem, the Lott is going to be a party. Gun weight is a big factor but my 458WM is about 60-70 lbs and the Lott is even higher. Depending on the gun, you might be looking at 80 lbs on the Lott. I'm no fly weight (5'10" 200 lbs) and the 458WM definitely makes me realize I shot it right after, and for about a day or two more.

I have a lot of rounds through rifles with 70+ ft lbs so I am well aware.....and at 5'10 and 162 I easily move with the rifle. I have found that generally, the bigger the guy the more the recoil hurts them.

 

[Javaman]

Well done! Enjoyed it thoroughly!