Input for 2-Rifle Battery

[gxsr-sarge]

Hello All,

The time has finally come to start planning my hunt in 2016. Heck, that's half the fun! My last hunt was in 2013 (Leopard, Buffalo, Hippo and plains game). All I took and used for that hunt was my 375H&H. It worked magnificently on baboon/impala all the way up to hippo/buffalo.

For my next hunt, I thought I'd change things up a bit. In store for 2016 is Buffalo, Crocodile, Giraffe and more plains game (big and small).

Here is a list of some of the calibers that I have and am considering:

404 Jeffery
375 H&H
45-70 Gov.
300 Wby Mag
300 Win. Mag.
30-06
270 Wby Mag.

I'm also thinking about acquiring a 416 Rigby but would have to also "acquire" brass, bullets, dies, etc. which would bump up the start-up cost. I also thinking that the Rigby may be a bit redundant. I would LOVE to take my Marlin 1895 GG for non-DG but feel that the slower bullets may place a limit on range.

Need to consider the DG rifle for the buffalo (375 or 404); the precise but anchoring brain shot of the croc; the not-so-easy-to-take down goliath that's the giraffe; plus a range of plains game from Dukier or such (I'm still looking!) all the way through Zebra or Wildebeest.

So which two would you pick based on your experience in the field...

 

[Royal27]

Howdy Sarge!!!!

Good to see you on here again! Did you decide against tuskless? Assuming you are going to Nuanetsi based on the giraffe?

I'd take the Jeffery for buff and giraffe and which ever of the small bores you like the best. if I recall correctly I think you had that win mag shooting .25 groups or so and you can certainly use that on croc.

Planning is half the fun!

 

[gxsr-sarge]

Royal!

Yeah man. Had to take some time off as we had twins last year.

I was back and forth with the tuskless. I finally decided to drop it for this next trip in favor of going to Nuanetsi. A buddy of mine is accompanying us but only to hunt plains game.

Thanks for your input. The unknowns for me are the croc and giraffe.

It's the 300 Wby that I finally tamed....

I'll give you a ring next week.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

A .300Win or .300Wby along with a .404J and I'd think you'd be set for any and everything.

 

[Royal27]

Sounds good. I actually thought about you last week and had it on my list to call you. I did hear from Richie today. I'd sent him a note after Ian's death. Sounds like all are hanging in there, but tough as you can imagine.

I think the Jeff would be a hoot with the giraffe.

Heading to SA in two weeks, then no more Africa for me fpr a while!

 

[CAustin]

Sarge it seems like you already have the answer. That 375 will do you proud. I have in the past taken a 300 win mag and the 45-70 Marlin with a scope that compensates for drop at distance. The Marlin is fine for plains game and is a lot of fun. Loaded with a 325 grain bullet you can take most anything. On the animals you mentioned I would be concerned unless I was shooting 300 yards because by then it will be really slow.

 

[Velo Dog]

Hi Gxsr-sarge,

Sell the .300 Wby, sell the .300 Wnchstr and sell the .270 Wby.

Then put some of the money into an Austro-German 4x scope (Swarovski, or Schmidt & Bender, etc.) and have it claw mounted onto your .404 Jeffery.

With the rest of the money left over, consider more animals or, some side trips for fly fishing or scuba diving or whatever.

Bring only your .404, claw mounted with the scope described, for everything you plan to hunt.

Then you'll have more room and weight leeway for bringing back local carvings and such.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[stug]

I reckon 404 Jeff and 3006, two classic cartridges.

 

[gxsr-sarge]

All

Keep 'em coming! I think this will utlimately be a tough (and fun) decision.

I must also say that I had never considered bringing only the 404 but that's now on the table....

 

[johnvdw]

Welcome!

 

[zephyr]

Take the 404 and the 375.
The 375 will make a good backup for the 404 and will be more than adequate for the rest of your intended quarry.

 

[Spooksar]

Take the 404 and the 375.
The 375 will make a good backup for the 404 and will be more than adequate for the rest of your intended quarry.

This the 375 will do anything you want as long as you do your part. The 404 because it just calls for Africa

 

[Brent in Az]

Off of your list I would pick the .404 , and the .375. Both legal for dangerous game, and if one failed, you would still have a legal minimum caliber as your backup rifle.. you can always use lighter bullets in the .375 for plainsgame and Leopard.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Definitely .275Rigby and 404Jeffery.