Range day, preparing for Namibia safari

[375 Ruger Fan]

I will be going to Namibia later this year and will do two different hunts with two different outfitters. The first hunt is for leopard, with Nick Nolte. I will be taking my 338 WM. I recently pulled the Leica Magnus 1-6.3 illuminated reticle scope off of my 375 Ruger and put it on the 338 WM. I think it will be the ideal rifle/scope combo. I typically shoot my handloads in the 338, which have 225 gr Swift A-Frames. For leopard, I thought a little softer bullet would be beneficial and was thinking about using good old Remington Core-Lokt. However, a couple months ago, I came across a super good deal on Norma factory ammo, with 225 gr Oryx bullets. I finally got to the range today and after a few rounds to zero the scope and the new ammo, I was able to shoot a respectable 3 shot group.

My second hunt will be for cape buffalo, in the Zambezi Region, with AH sponsor @ Ndumo Hunting Safaris (Karl Stumpfe). For that hunt, I will be using my 404 Jeffery. I have hand loads with 400 gr Swift A-Frames, over 84 grains of H4350. I'll be honest with you, the recoil on my Win Mod 70 is pretty substantial. It's not a lot of fun to shoot. I did manage a respectable group at 100 yards, off of sticks. Certainly within the one minute of buffalo.

Alternating back and forth between the 338 and the 404, the difference is very noticeable. The 338 is actually quite tame compared to the 404.

 

[Shootist43]

375 Ruger Fan, while your 404 Jeffery group was within a "minute of Buffalo" we both know it can be much better. Those shooting sticks are a "bit__." More practice with them is the only solution. Were you using "quad" style sticks, a bog pod or the three-legged variety? What scope are you using on the 404? I used an HMR 17 for the vast majority of my "stick" practice. I thought it helped a lot.

 

[dchum]

Awesome plans ahead! I hope to hear all about it in your future hunt reports

Try out the core lokts, I bet you can get that group a little tighter! So you can hit the exact Rosette on that big cat that you are aiming at.

Best of luck my man - jealous of your plans

 

[spike.t]

What's the speed of the 404 loads?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

What's the speed of the 404 loads?

2305 fps. Very similar to Hornady DGX factory load. My 404 has a 23 inch barrel.

 

[spike.t]

2305 fps. Very similar to Hornady DGX factory load. My 404 has a 23 inch barrel.

OK my 404 at those speeds was nasty as well....unpleasant....around 2200 or fraction under was nice....think those were original loads speeds....and with the 450 grn Norma ph was bloody horrible as well.....same 23 inch barrel....my similar 416 rigby for some reason is or was way nicer to shoot..as unfortunately the 404 had to go.....

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

375 Ruger Fan, while your 404 Jeffery group was within a "minute of Buffalo" we both know it can be much better. Those shooting sticks are a "bit__." More practice with them is the only solution. Were you using "quad" style sticks, a bog pod or the three-legged variety? What scope are you using on the 404? I used an HMR 17 for the vast majority of my "stick" practice. I thought it helped a lot.

Art, I have a Swarovski Habicht 1.5-6 x 42 scope on my 404. As for my practice shooting sticks, they are my homemade specials. Three, six foot tall tomato stakes from Home Depot, connected with castration bands from Tractor Supply. A hefty investment of about $20!

I plan to do some more shooting at 50 and 75 yards, with the scope and then remove the scope and repeat with the iron sights. I bought a life size cape buffalo target, so will also give that a try.

Since my 404 is built on a Win Mod 70, I might try using my 7x57, also a Mod 70, for more practice on the sticks.

One other thing I did while at the range yesterday was to cycle all 40 rounds of 404 through the chamber. All went well. Those 40 rounds are set aside for the hunt. I can load 3 in the magazine and then top it off with a 4th round in the chamber.

 

[Luvthunt]

Keep shooting the 404 .The recoil psychology could improve with use.

 

[AZDAVE]

You can also shoot a lite 22LR off the sticks at 75-100 yards and refine your skills off sticks as any small error is magnified big time. In addition dryfire practice with snap caps in your 404 will pay dividends.

 

[Firebird]

Good luck with preparations for your trip. I will be eagerly waiting for your report. I would like to hunt with Ndumo someday, hope your trip goes as expected!

 

[gillettehunter]

Sounds like you'll be ready to go. Should be a great hunt. I'll look forward to your hunt report. At over 2300 fps I understand the recoil of the .404 being snappy.
Bruce

 

[Kristjan Zophoniasson]

I will be going to Namibia later this year and will do two different hunts with two different outfitters. The first hunt is for leopard, with Nick Nolte. I will be taking my 338 WM. I recently pulled the Leica Magnus 1-6.3 illuminated reticle scope off of my 375 Ruger and put it on the 338 WM. I think it will be the ideal rifle/scope combo. I typically shoot my handloads in the 338, which have 225 gr Swift A-Frames. For leopard, I thought a little softer bullet would be beneficial and was thinking about using good old Remington Core-Lokt. However, a couple months ago, I came across a super good deal on Norma factory ammo, with 225 gr Oryx bullets. I finally got to the range today and after a few rounds to zero the scope and the new ammo, I was able to shoot a respectable 3 shot group.

My second hunt will be for cape buffalo, in the Zambezi Region, with AH sponsor @ Ndumo Hunting Safaris (Karl Stumpfe). For that hunt, I will be using my 404 Jeffery. I have hand loads with 400 gr Swift A-Frames, over 84 grains of H4350. I'll be honest with you, the recoil on my Win Mod 70 is pretty substantial. It's not a lot of fun to shoot. I did manage a respectable group at 100 yards, off of sticks. Certainly within the one minute of buffalo.

Alternating back and forth between the 338 and the 404, the difference is very noticeable. The 338 is actually quite tame compared to the 404.


View attachment 678223

 

[Kristjan Zophoniasson]

I'm going for a Leopard and Cheetah- need to choose 375 or 9,3x62? what bullet?

 

[MontanaPat]

Dave, sounds like some awesome hunts upcoming. Good luck, hope to read some good reports when you return home.