Planning a hunt for a lioness, buffalo, hippo and croc and seeking the input of the group on the battery for the hunt. Looking to take two rifles, a primary and a backup, but they both need to be capable of handling the full bag.

Question:
What would your weapon of choice be for a combination lioness, buffalo, hippo and croc hunt?

Choices:
.375 H&H (Win 70) with a Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20mm Illum Reticle (300 grain Barnes TSX)
.450/.400 (Searcy) Double with a Trijicon AccuPoint 1.25-4X24 (400 grain Woodleigh SP)
.416 Rigby (CZ/AHR) with a Swarovski PH 1.25-4x24 (400 grain Woodleigh SP)
.416 Taylor (1909 Mauser) with a Zeiss Conquest 1.8-5.5x38 (350 grain Swift A Frame)

 

I voted for .375 H&H but if it is a two rifle battery then the poll should allow the choice of the second rifle.

My second choice would be the Rigby. A pair hard to beat.

A .416 and a .338 are just about perfect. For one gun, a .375 splits the difference.

I would never go to Africa with only a double.

Depends on how accurate the above are and how you intend to hunt. If you are shooting the Hippo and Croc in the water, you need maximum accuracy. If you are doing dry land hippo, max stopping power.

All of your choices (as you well know... ) are more than adequate for the job.

Yeah, shoot banks at the lioness.

375H&H

I wouldn't want to have to make a head shot on a Croc or Hippo with a double so I'd take the .375 and the .416, you could do head shots to Buffalo with both although I'd rather have a .338 or .300 for the head shots.

Blanks?

I have fewer options at my disposal than you Mike, but have selected my Lott + a .375 w/2.5-8 for a similar hunt this year (croc + possibilities when backpacking on elephant, buffalo, sable, camp meat), slated for May.

This is assuming of course, that ozhunter and his band of routy Aussie hunters don't chase all of the game out of the area beforehand.

Will the lioness be out of a blind, or tracked?

Somewhat related and regarding the Dande portion of the hunt, word is that is has been a pretty dry rainy season in Zim, so expect the bush to thin out quicker than last year.

Assuming you are taking one of your heavies along as well, I would think the .375 or either .416 (might be just possible to find ammo for the Rigby if needed). I can't shoot as well as you, so for croc the one thing I would consider is a scope with a little more on the top end. 2.5x8 maybe?

I stuck a 3x9 Trijicon on a .375 on the theory it may someday get to shoot a leopard. I have a 1.5-5 on another .375 and could occasionally use a little more mag. Couldn't get the regular Leup in illum. (can get the tac. version) so went with the Trij.

Mike,
I voted for .375 H&H because that is what I have and would take if going with you. (hint: I said 'if I were going with you')

Have fun.

Since you're going to take 2 of the above I would take the .416 Rigby (primary) and the .375 H&H (backup).

The best choice was not listed. A Model 70 in .416 Remington Magnum.

416 & 375. Great all-around big game battery...or 458 & 375

The 416 Rigby is all you need for anything.
Larry