That's a familiar question on sites like this. This is my answer. The Zambezi Delta region of Mozambique was my ultimate destination after a week on a game farm in SA. Buffalo, two, were the high dollar quarry and my reason for going this past September. SA was to relax and take a couple head of plains game to Africanize my office decor. My rifles, two, had to both be adequate for buffalo. I'm an older boomer and have been shooting belted mags since grandpa's .300 H&H in the early sixties. Mostly Model 70s, pre-64, have occupied the spaces on my rack, along with early German Weatherbys, a.257 and a .300. With that background, my first and light rifle had to be a .375 H&H. This certainly could have been any of several current production rifles like the Win Mod 70 or Kimber. I chose to send off a 1960 vintage mod 70 barreled action to Pacnor for a new light taper, 23 inch barrel in .375 H&H. I found a nice piece of walnut at Calico Hardwoods, a few blocks from my office, and sent both to Glen Morovitz for stock and metal work. At $3,600 plus the action, I got a custom rifle with all the bells that fits and balances like the old English shotguns at 9 lbs scoped. Surprisingly, it wasn't as friendly on running shots as the old Win's 26 inch barrel. The second rifle was always going to be a .416 Rem or .458 Win. Wieland's book pointed me to the .458 Lott and Champlin's had one of last Ruger magnums in stock. They installed a recoil pad and tuned the trigger and I was out the door under $2,000. Ruger is a compromise. The stock is clubish and it's heavy, 11 lbs scoped. I don't like the safety lever and the bolt handle is uncomfortably short with a 30MM VXR scope. But, off the sticks it was a joy to shoot and quickly became my go-to rifle for two buffalo, a sable, reedbuck and warthog in Moz. Recoil, my 500 grain A-frams at 2,250 ft, none at all.
This was my buffalo rifle and the buffalo agreed, but the .375 H&H was there if I need it.

Patrick, welcome to AR. Sounds like you made a good choice.

There is no happier hunter than one with a rifle that he likes! Looks like you are a happy hunter! Congratulations

...................................................................

Welcome Patrick. How about posting a pic or two of that M70? We're all suckers for gun porn

Welcome mate, you must understand that to really fit in, you have to post photos of everything, rifles, animals, the accomodation, everything in the correct places of course.

Pictures, I have some. The first buf, an old bull, was walking straight away when my PH said shoot, he's big, slow him down. The first 500 grain A-frame took out the left hip, he turned a quarter and the second bullet hit behind the left ribs penetrating into the right lung. 30 minutes of good trail and a charge later, he's down. [IMG]2012-10-05 africa phil 135.jpg[/IMG]
The second smaller buf was in a herd, stepped forward to test the wind and look us over, took the first shot center chest, went to his right a couple yards, faced us again and took the final shot center neck below the chin. [IMG]2012-10-05 africa phil 135.jpg[/IMG]
The old bull went 42" tip to tip, the second 37". Both bosses went 16.5".

Sorry chaps, I'm afraid I'll have to ask the boss for some photo software on my work computer. I'll get that request in asap.