So I have used the search function but haven't found all the answers.
For lion:
What is caliber of choice with bullet design and weight?
What power scope would you use.
What is the usual range for first shot over bait or if tracked?
What are your thoughts on a bolt action 375H&H shooting 300 grain swift A-frames topped with a zeiss 2.5x10x42 illuminated reticle?
Thanks

Bgomez

You have basically answered your own questions with the last line. It will work fine if you shoot him in the right place.

I like a 416 for Lion (personal choice)but .375 works just fine. Bullet choice - any soft nosed or partion bullet that is not going to whistle through the animal is my preference.
Just had a client use the new Cutting Edge type bullet in .375. Shot the Lion facing him and the bullet was stuck under the skin by his tail. Not sure I would be thrilled with this bullet on a side shot as penetration is amazing.

Scope - any quality scope with good light gathering properties and a reticle that you can see in poor or artificial light ( practice at home). You will probably not need anything over 6 x.

Range - usually determined by bait site and terrain but nothing over 80 yards.( at night even closer).

Your choice will work well - like choosing a vehicle - if it works for you - go for it.

Good luck !

I just used a 416 Remington loaded with 400 grain Swift A-Frames topped with a Zeiss 2.5-10x50 illuminated to shoot my lion at 82 yards.

The shot was perfect and he was dead 30 yards from the bait tree.

Your 375 will work just fine and the A Frames are ideal.

I used Mauser98 with 1.5-6x42 Zeiss in .458 Win Mag with Hornady 500grains DGX.
Shot was 70-80yards while tracking.

quote:

Originally posted by bgomez:

What are your thoughts on a bolt action 375H&H shooting 300 grain swift A-frames topped with a zeiss 2.5x10x42 illuminated reticle?

Good choice!

bgomez,

I agree with most everything you've already been told. The 375 is the legal minimum for DG in most of Africa and a good choice for lion and about anything else you'll encounter. Any good soft point will work fine but I think the mono metal bullets might not be ideal but they certainly will work. I'm using the 300 NF myself for lion this year. A giant scope is not necessary but something of at least 6x with an illuminated reticle would work nicely. Ranges in my experience are usually 50-75 yards on a baited hunt. The available blind and bait sights will determine range. Your rig probably is excellent. Good luck!

After my hunt, I think the best thing I could tell you is to shoot straight. Hit him in the right spot and then shoot a few more times.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
After my hunt, I think the best thing I could tell you is to shoot straight. Hit him in the right spot and then shoot a few more times.

What happend?

Legal minimum in zim is a 7mm mag. I would choose anything from .338 win mag up.

Baits- 60 -80 paces. Tracking- say about 25 yards for 1st oportunity but can be anything out to say 125.

Bullet choice probably more important than cal. Bullet must open quickly. If it doesn't expand on a broadside shot on a small whitetail or roe sized animal it is too tough. I still want it to hold together well enogh to face a charge, but that is rare and provided the bullet is a partition or bonded core type it will work.

Personal choise is the Norma Oryx - a bit too soft for buffalo, but opens fast and stays together.

The new MkIII woodleighs have the same internal fulting in the jacket's nose to ensure they open fast but evenly.

Swift is a great bullet. On the tough side for lion, but not too tough.

Scope? An Iluminated reticule is an asset when hunting in national parks safari areas..no lights alowed and no shooting after full dark or before 1st light. It may be 'legal shooting light but ordinary crosshairs can be hard to see. I have a Leupold 1,5-5 on my loaner rifle for clients to use. Good light gathering is important for any hunt from a blind - better quality glass the better things are for you.

If you are using a spotlight it isn't so critical how good the scope is or the ilumination.

If you are primarily hunting in a bait and blind situation a good solid rifle is what the doctor ordered and no Muzzel break. If you are doing a walk and stalk hunt then the ability to snap shoot becomes more important. Lions are not THAT stupid and seldom hang around while you adjust anything, fiddle with the safety, have difficulty finding the animal in the scope...A red dot sight on a lightweight 9,3x74 or .375 double is proably the niche rifle for such work (and there are probably about 50 or so walk and stalk lion hunts a year and they are never in the bottom 80% of the price range- If you can afford one you can probably afford a specialised rifle)

Yes, stick with the .375 and 300 grain Swift A-Frames. Worked for me and I get to see the results every day in my office. Good luck and Good hunting.


Dutch

Your choice is as good as it gets - stick with it.

Next time, I will use a scope whose vertical compensator has not failed.....tracking a wounded Lion is not fun!!! But it ended well.
Your choice shud work fine!

May I also suggest foremost accurate shooting is a must.

Mike

Tracking wounded DG with a scoped rifle is anyhow inviting trouble/disaster, depending on the terrain I guess, though most wounded DG will instinctively seek refuge in thick cover.

Does one really need a vertical compensator for a shot under 100yds?

My scope, required by my eyes, had lost its ability to hold vertical....it slowly , at first creeped down then creeped big time....when we checked the scope after wounding the Lion at 80 yds, it was 8-inches low at 50 yards.....got any other dumb questions? Or are you waiting to get old and lose some of your vision ....and hearing?
BTW azzhole, I have one shot killed a Cape Buffalo, Leopard and Ele....with a scope!

fujotupu, I apoligize for imtemperate use of word "azzhole"
My gunsmith told me it was a vertical compensator failure....I have no clue except the .416Rigby now has a Swarovski which worked quite well for one shot side brain on an Ele from 17 yds....
BTW, what's that thingamyjig on Ivan Carter's double......??