Going to Mozambique in the fall, and while at Reno convinced my wife we should do the hunt as 2 x 1, both of us after buffalo.

I've a very light 375 Wby that will do nicely for me in a sloppy (at times) environment. Looking for suggestions for a rifle for her.

She shoot a 338 now, does OK in the field without a muzzle brake, but I ALWAYS have her use the muzzle brake when practicing. So, no recoil affliction yet.

Not looking to spend a fortun - and the shots are likely to be long enough that she'll need a scope... suggestions?

Mozambique, congratulations!

Your wife is a wonderful woman so don’t go messing her up with a heavy kicking rifle.

You’ve got the right idea with having her practice with the break on. How about a moderate weight rifle in 9.3x62 or .376 Steyr?

If something goes wrong you shoot as well as most PH’s so I’m sure you can get it “sorted outâ€.

All the best,
Kyler

Nice compliment. Exaggeration, but appreciated !!

Thanks, Kyler - the 376 has some appeal. Not necessarily easy to find. Kind of thought a 375 H&H for her. I can shoot 375 H&H in my Wby and that way we could share ammo - at least hers - in case everything doesn't show up. And I can load it down to match the 376 or 9.3. Should still have plenty of penetration with the right bullet.

Thoughts on a brand of rifle or stock shape??

another vote for 9,3x62...or downloaded .375 H&H

375 H&H downloaded to 375 flaged velocities. Also, consider a mercury recoil reducer. I put one in my 375 more as a matter of interest than because of heavy recoil (I shoot an 8lb 458 Win Mag) and was very pleasantly surprised at the change in nature of the recoil, much more of a soft shove.

mike

is 9.3x62 legal there ??

It is in most of Africa. Contact your PH and see what he thinks. My wife can shoot my 416 Taylor with full power loads easily but my 375's seem to kick the hell out of her??? Go figure! She loves the 9.3x62 and shoots it well. It will also work well on the other plains game that are on license. I don't think the recoil will be as bad as her 338 with muzzle break and on the 9.3 she won't need the break!

IMHO,If she can handle 338 she can handle 375 You know the drill, Light loads at first,not much bench shooting, work up to load she can handle.

My fiance started with a .270 wsm and has worked her way up to a .375 H&H with full loads and no muzzle break. She is going to use it in August for buffalo. She does not shoot it off the bench, all her shooting is off hand or from the sticks.

My wife accompanied me to Zim last year(05) and shot a 375H&H, a medium weight Sako. She practiced off sticks standing, never off a benchrest. Killed a wilderbeast and impala with the 375. Also a bushpig and impala with a 264WinMag. The wilderbeast isn't as big as it looks...she only 4'11''

Try the 375HH with a brake. It is very useful. In the field take it off. Alternatively, the 9.3x62 well fitted with a heavy short barrel. Kudude

.375 H&H in a 10 lb rifle is very nice to shoot.
good hunting

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by PC:
is 9.3x62 legal there ??

A few months ago someone quotes Moz game laws on calibers and it was very open ended, saying something like .243 and above for hunting. Also, the concept of law in Moz is a bit ambiguous. When I entered Moz, the border guy was puzzled by my visa. He had never seen a Moz visa before! Apparently every who had ever entered through that border post has (illegally) entered without a visa. I attracted undue attention to myself by complying with the law.

Hello there

A downloaded 375 ?, Why not get her one of these new ruger 375 rifles , looked at one in Reno and hell they certainly are looking good.

If I can sort the import permits out my anti poaching teams in Moz will defintely be getting those Alaskans of Ruger.

Mozambique also requires 375 minimum, on paper but have not seen it enforced

ps still have a buffalo package or two available in Moz

Since you will be using a 375 WBY a down loaded 375 H&H would be a good choice for her.
I would load 300gr Woodleigh softs and Solids at 2200 to 2250fps.

Be sure the stock fits her and the barrel is not too long.

Be sure her scope has plenty of eye relif and is mounted far enough foward that it will not hit her in the face.

I use a 19 3/4" barreled Blaser R 93 quite a bit. It is light short and handy, a joy to carry.

I recommend a well fitted .375H&H. Put a Decelerator on it, make sure the LOP fits HER and give it a light trigger.

NO muzzle brake!

Practice with a lot of dry firing and have her switch back and forth between something light like a .22 when practicing with live rounds.

Dry firing really helps! Have her concentrate on a target and tell her to pay attention to how much, if at all, her trigger pull moves her cross hairs off her intended target. This should help teach trigger control.

She will have more comfort when shooting live rounds off of sticks, if on a bench pad her elbows. I take some small towels and fold them up so the wooden bench doesn't rip my elbows up.

Light stocks make for harder kicking guns, I'd rather carry a heavy rifle all day than suffer the bruises from being punched by a light weight rifle.

Also I would have her shoot the rifle a lot with Hornady 220gr bullets at around 2200 to 2500fps.

From the Hornady Book:

220gr FP 39.4gr of SR4759 2200fps.

I have used this bullet over 60gr of IMR 3031 to take several deer with excellent results.
Have her practice off of sticks, and off hand.You sight the rifle in off of the bench for her, have her check it, adjust if necessary then go to field practice.

LISTEN TO ANN FROM ASPEN HILL - SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!

HT:

Ditto Ann!!! As a woman hunter myself,I have taken several buffalo with my .375 H&H. It is my favorite rifle and I love shooting it. I find it much easier to handle than my .338.

Congratulations to you and your wife!

D. Nelson

There is absolutely no reason whay a woman cannot shoot a 375H&H with a 300 gr bullet. All the women in my family shoot full loads of 3" 12ga goose loads in a 6.5 pound shotgun, and I was shooting a singleshot 12 ga shotgun at the age of 6 yrs,when I weighed only about 60 pounds! Shoot buffalo with a buffalo rifles, what ever your gender!

The 9.3x74R in a double rifle is a DG rifle made in heaven for a woman. We sell the FinnClassic 512S for $1850. You can add a set of 12 ga bbls for about $650.

In a bolt rifle I would consider a 35 Whelen.

A 338 Win Mag with the right bullets works fine too. This caliber has a nasty kick though, probably because the factory rifles in this cal are light and have too much drop.

I would agree that the 375 is the ticket. The recoil, especially if you handload, will be very managable.

Here is a Whitworth 375 that has been in the classifieds. It has a removable break. This is not mine.

If she can handle a .338 Win. Mag., then a 9.3x62mm or a .375 H&H Mag. should be no trouble, and either will do the job, with good bullets and proper shot placement, of course.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:
The 9.3x74R in a double rifle is a DG rifle made in heaven for a woman. We sell the FinnClassic 512S for $1850. You can add a set of 12 ga bbls for about $650.

In a bolt rifle I would consider a 35 Whelen.

A 338 Win Mag with the right bullets works fine too. This caliber has a nasty kick though, probably because the factory rifles in this cal are light and have too much drop.

The 9.3X74R double is the ticket, but the 338, and 35 Whelen are illegal for buffalo! She might get by with it but I'd not count on it!

A 9.3X74R,double or 9.3X62 bolt with both soft, and solids from Woodliegh will do the job! Good luck, and good hunting!

H T

My 2 cents worth of advise as a concession owner that is based on actual experience of hunting buffalo in Mozambique since 1994.

There is no reason to make the initial shot on any buffalo at a distance over 80 meters most shoots are taken on shorter distances 30 to 60 meters. Any 9.3 or a mild loaded (2200 fps) 375 will break the near shoulder and penetrate in to the far shoulder. But you have to use a “ premium bullet†also remember that 99.99% of time spend with your rifle hunting is to carry it so weight does matter. Here the 9.3 x 62 can be build on a Mauser action together with a light synthetic stock which is very pleasant to carry the whole day and recoil is about the same as a 30/06. Add a good scope 1-4 x20 (Zeiss, S&B) in quick detachable mounts on top and fit good iron sights. Alternatively use one of the better reflex sights. Have good premium soft points and a few mono solids and you set for whatever you run in to.
Buffalo seldom fall over dead even with a perfect shot usually they run of for 100 to 200 meters and then stop. If you wait and follow / approach after 15 minutes he is most properly expired. Quick follow-up shot’s a only recommended if you not sure if the first shot was good and if you can make the follow up shots count. Buffalo do not run from the actual noise of the first shot but from any noises / movements made by the hunting party as long they cant see movement. hear or smell you are fine to follow up after a wile.

The whole fun on buff hunting is to get close, take your time, add some extra 2 days to the hunt this is money well spend.

In which area you going to hunt?

I don’t have to tell you that shot placement and the right bullet is more important then any other factor besides common sense. feel free to ask for aditional info.

Have a good hunt.


Kwan

Quote: Mozambique also requires 375 minimum, on paper but have not seen it enforced

ps still have a buffalo package or two available in Moz



It never fails to amaze me how people can operate in a country bringing in clients and don’t know the law??

The 9.3 is legal for all game!

The relevant paragraph regarding minimum firearms requirements FYI


ARTICLE 48
Firearms for use in hunting
1) A hunter is permitted to use the following firearms for hunting
a) Smooth bore shotgun/rifle in the case of small game
b) Rifled bore shotgun/rifle, repeating karabiner with chamber larger than 40mm larger than 6mm calibre can use sights, either open, front or telescopic
c) Rifles, either pump action, repeating or semi automatic
d) Mixed shotguns with over a 40mm chamber and 6mm calibre
e) Tranquilliser and dart guns for the capture of wild animals in terms of the present legislation
f) Other fire arms as established by a separate diploma
2) Automatic or semi automatic weapons must be modified so as to permit the introduction of only two rounds
3) The use of weapons for hunting requires a licence from the Ministry of the Interior

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:

quote:

Originally posted by PC:
is 9.3x62 legal there ??

A few months ago someone quotes Moz game laws on calibers and it was very open ended, saying something like .243 and above for hunting. Also, the concept of law in Moz is a bit ambiguous. When I entered Moz, the border guy was puzzled by my visa. He had never seen a Moz visa before! Apparently every who had ever entered through that border post has (illegally) entered without a visa. I attracted undue attention to myself by complying with the law.

Truth be told 500 they where probably pissed at you for not having to bribe them

One other thing she (and everyone else) should practice is if you are hunting DBG with a bolt rifle would be to learn to cycle a fresh cartridge immediately with out removing the stock from your shoulder, keeping your eye on your target.

/

I agree Alf. But IF she can shoot a 338 she can shoot a 375, even if downloaded some.

I have not hunted africa but would still recommend a 375. Have her practice with a recoil shield as well. I will say that I have tried decelerators, kick-eze and Limbsaver on rifles from 35 whelen improved up to 458 win. I would rate them in the reverse order, meaning of ones I have tried the limbsaver has been the most significant reducer of felt recoil.

I would probably, if for my wife, put a stock with the straighter design butt on it, send the recoil back, rather than up, giving her more control for the 2nd shot.

I also believe, contrary to what most people think, that smaller people in general tolerate recoil better. My reasoning tells me that a rile going backwards generates the same force regardless of who is holding it, I have at 275lbs. more resistance to this force than someboy at 175 will have. I think that smaller people are able to roll/absorbe the recoil better. but then again, I don't know physics and might be crazy (probably crazy regardless).

Also, if you were to get her a rifle in a lighter caliber with same configuration (preferably identical) to her big gun it would let her practice without the recoil as well, something to switch to.

My 2 cents, probably worth less than that....

Red

I have to support the 9.3x74r concept in a Valmet/FinnClassic double or one of the new Ruger No.1's. With 286gr Woodleigh's or Nosler Partitions she should be well placed to handle plains game or Buff in a compact package with not too much recoil. Add a decellerator and a Mercury butstock recoil arrestor and I think she would be set. In fact I'm describing my No1
and I would have no qualms taking on Buffalo with it.

Another vote for the .375 H&H.

Found what looks like a reasonable rifle for her, considering this is not to be an heirloom firearm. Weatherby synthetic (lightly used) Mark V. And it's in 375 H&H.

Looked real hard at a new Remington XCR and a new Browning A-Bolt II. Both would be good choices, and both have at least one drawback. The drawbacks would keep them from being a good PH rifle, but would still make a good client rifle. Actually, first choice would be a Sako in a synthetic stock, with the stock sized to her. But that was more (a lot) than I thought we needed to spend on this adventure.

I also was impressed at Reno with the new Ruger 375 Alaskan. But it's pretty new, no loading data that I've seen, and H&H ammo might be obtainable in a pinch while in Africa. 376 Ruger - wouldn't think so.

Thanks to the many folks who responded on this one - always appreciate the experience of the people who post on this board.

HAVE NO FEAR I'AM HEAR! She should shoot surely with a 460 Weatherby Mag.

I would still say 9.3x62 if she's not accustomed to a lot of recoil. You can easily load a 286 at 2450-2500 fps which is a .375 H&H with 14 grains less bullet, same sectional density. She whould be able to learn to handle a .375 as well, rifle weight may be more critical to a small person than recoil. I tend to agree with others, I'm 170 pounds and recoil doesn't bother me as much as most any big guys, I just roll with the punch.

Alf and Will
If you are going to down load the 375 why not use the 9.3x62. Kevin Robertson said, and told me in person several times that the 375 should be loaded down to do the best job and that the 9.3 is more than good enough. It isn't a stopping rifle by any means but that is why you have a PH anyway.

Using some of your own logic we should arm her with a 50 cal. I think you wouldn't take a young hunter and have him hunt with a 338 just because in theory it is more powerful and a better tool. I would think that it would be wiser to have a woman hunt dangerous game with the most powerful weapon she feel comfortable with. That just might be in the ball park of the 9.3.

I also think that if Buffalo is the biggest animal on license and there is other game to be had that the 9.3x62 is the perfect rifle for most African big game.
Leonard

On the weekend I set my Husky 9.3 open sights with 320grn Woodleigh solids at 2220fps.
OH what a beauty to shoot.
ozhunter

With a great bit of luck a friend recently shipped a box of model 602 375 H&H to another friend who deals in guns in Africa. He is also a PH with two young sons aged 13 and 12. The first thing that happened when the box was opened over there, was that the wise PH issued his sons one each.

It looks like another generation will grow up with CZs in their hands . If the young ones can handle a .375 then maybe your wife should be able to as well. good luck and good hunting to both of you. cheers, tm