New to this forum and am interested in some opinions on the .470 Nitro as a caliber for Buffalo hunting.

Thanks,

JW

Subject to the user's ability to use the rifle (usually a double), it is more than capable, whether for a first shot at a "calm" animal, or if a wounded Mbogo decides to stomp you.

That being said, a .375 with a premium bullet and a 2.5x scope is usually recommended for a first-time buff hunter for several reasons:

Low recoil
Low cost
Muti-use (for plains game)
Long range accuracy
and so on....

.470 ammo is probably the most easily available double rifle fodder. .470's have the best resale value, too. Most modern double gun makers feature .470's and you can find a used Merkel for $6.5K or so if you're lucky. A new Searcy is $9.5k... and H&H about $150K. So, you can by a .375 and have enough for a plains game hunt left over.... or even a house???... different strokes, I guess.

Thankyou JudgeG you just made my Day. I really enjoy when someone reminds me of how adequate 375H&H is, because that is the only DG caliber I have.


Hamdeni

As a double rifle round the 470 is the round that all others are judged by. It has been there, kicked ass, and bought the T-Shirt!

You will pay for that with a bunch of recoil!
It is to much for me and that is why I opted for the 450/400 3 inch.

The .375 is probably the best all around African cartirdge. Legal in most places for Dangerous game, and still a legitimate long range round.

You can load it hot or tone it down.

Guys,

I have shot a 458Win Mag and was comfortable with the recoil. I was using a 400 grain TBBC.
Is the recoil same as the .470 nitro?

Hamdeni

I've taken buff with different calibers but have settled on the 470 as best. thee is just something about that big frontal area that seems to be more effective than smaller ones

You will probably be firing the .470 in a heavier rifle as I have and find the recoil less violent than the .458.
One thing not mentioned--its a double!! And the hunt will be up close and personal--the true essence of a buffalo hunt. I have hunted buf both ways; long distance with .375 with a scope and up close with a double. For me, there is no comparison between the experiences.
However, any buffalo hunting experience is one that you will not forget.
Jim

You will find the 470 a great comfort when facing Mbogo in the long grass.

On a cull hunt I had two Buff jump out of the grass at a distance of 50'. Each one received a 500 grain Woodleigh out of my Krieghoff. Both were hit where the V of the neck and chest come together. The results were instant.

I have found that well placed shots from my 416 Rem Mag, while not as dramatic, certainly does the job. I load the 416 with 350 grain Swift A Frames at 2600 fps. This load works well on plains game out to 250 yds while giving some security if any dangerous stuff is in the area.

A 400 grain pill may be better in the 416 for dangerous stuff, but then the 375 loaded with 300 grain premiums bullets is considered more than adequate. So many choices.......

nothing says die like a 700 nitro express!

The 470 N.E. is argueably the best of the double rifle calibers from most standpoints...I would be glad to discuss each point with anyone who would question that..

quote:

---

Originally posted by 700 nitro:
nothing says die like a 700 nitro express!

---

Then why sell it?

If it wre me, I could not bear to carry the rifle or put up with the recoil as I am not a young stud. So I would sell it.

why sell you say........i just dont want 40+k invested in 1 rifle but with my current job and the money im making i just may keep the 700 and buy a 577 as my back up.

the other idea is im going to buy a 577 nitro and a 500 nitro if i sell the 700

I have to throw my two cents worth in here. I have killed my one and only buffalo with a .375 and I think it did just fine. Large calibers like the 458 and 470 are great powerful weapons with much more pure stopping power than the 375. However, if you can't hit what you are shooting at, all of the stopping power in the world isn't going to help. If someone doesn't take the time and effort to learn to shoot the heavier rifles, then they lose their effectiveness. IMHO

Dale, I agree with you 110%... being able to shoot is better... then a big boomer and not being able to hit cow in the butt with a snow shovel...
I shoot a 458 Lott but I practice with it and am not worried about the recoil...
As for 700 who wants to carry around a 18 pound rifle...If I had the money I would spend it on a 470 or a 500 and a smaller double 450/400..

Mike

He who can pack more than 10.5 lbs. of rifle all day long in 100 degree plus heat has been either overdosed with Testosterone or bull shit.

If anyone thinks a 500 kills any better than a 416 then he will have to prove that to me. I have used both and it seems to me that you shoot a buffalo and he runs a bit and dies regardless of the caliber from 375 on up...

In a charge you probably need to head shoot up close and the size of the hole in the brain is of little sugnificance..

The "knockdown theory" may hold some truth, I don't know.... I have stopped two charges, maybe 3, but only with a 404 and 416 Rem...That third maybe charge was a beginning charge I am sure, and a center chest shot with a 416 using a Northfork cup point stopped it before it got much more than a few feet...

However, the more game I shoot the more I change my mind about many things, so who knows what opinnions any of us will hold 6 months from now.

ray just because some of us are in far better shape than other's dosnt mean were all jacked up on testosterone.

i love my 700 dont get me wong the only reason i am contemplating its sale is to buy 2 rifles in stead of having just one.

im 5/10 210 pounds my dead lift is 475lbs bench is 360lbs i am no little man i have gained massive streagth and size since my return from africa and can easyly carry my 700 nitro all day its not for every one but some of us are capable.

700 Nitro!

I'm impressed! My 10lb. 465 is more then enough for me to carry all day in the hot African sun. I've even been known to turn it over to a tracker on the usual death march back to the Cruiser!

465H&H,
"the usual death march back to the Cruiser". Touche! Very accurate description.

Mike