quote:

Originally posted by Harry Selby:

In my opinion you have not only an exceptionally beautiful rifle there but an entirely practical one as well. In my fifty five years of professional hunting my respect for the .375 H&H cartridge has increased each time I saw it used. In my opinion the greatest cartridge ever developed. I would prefer to see a visiting hunter arrive for his safari with such a rifle than with a double of any caliber. Good luck on your hunt.

Harry Selby.

Wow! You can't get a better endorsement than that.

No, Harry only has 55 years of being a professional hunter, what does he know compared to those who brag about "bigger is better"?

Or may be Harry has had plenty of experience seeing proper hunters use a proper caliber for their hunts.

They did not have "if my shot is marginal, the bigger caliber will make all the difference" in their minds!

quote:

Originally posted by Harry Selby:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Been planning this trip for over a year now. Anyone can search my profile and past posts and figure out that I started by looking at RSA and moved on to plains game in Namibia. Problem is I read far too much on this forum and now I’ve gotten a Buffalo bug. I’ve read many reports where the addiction starts and people return looking for Buff and other DG. I have decided to not wait for a return and include Buffalo in the 2010 trip. I’m still planning the location, etc.

But the reason I am starting this post is I wanted to share images of a beautiful partner I will be taking with me. Of course I will be taking my wife but this is not a picture of her. This is a series of shots of the .375 I have just acquired to comply with the minimum caliber requirement for Buffalo.

This gun was just passed on to me by a very generous man who felt a hunter should not travel on safari without a fitting firearm.

This is a Hoffman Arms barrel fitted to a Winchester M-70 action from 1938. The stock I have learned had been added later. The generous individual I made mention of owned this gun since 1984 (give or take by his memory). He has hunted Africa many times yet this gun has never made the trip.

It will in 2010!!

I did not know how to do it justice in just one image so please excuse the multiple close ups.

In my opinion you have not only an exceptionally beautiful rifle there but an entirely practical one as well. In my fifty five years of professional hunting my respect for the .375 H&H cartridge has increased each time I saw it used. In my opinion the greatest cartridge ever developed. I would prefer to see a visiting hunter arrive for his safari with such a rifle than with a double of any caliber. Good luck on your hunt.

Harry Selby.

Mr. Selby,

I thank you for the words of encouragement. I am glad you like both the looks and the function of this beautiful rifle. We have already bonded and I assure you any mistakes in accuracy made in Africa will not be this rifle's fault.

Best regards
Jim

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by Harry Selby:

In my opinion you have not only an exceptionally beautiful rifle there but an entirely practical one as well. In my fifty five years of professional hunting my respect for the .375 H&H cartridge has increased each time I saw it used. In my opinion the greatest cartridge ever developed. I would prefer to see a visiting hunter arrive for his safari with such a rifle than with a double of any caliber. Good luck on your hunt.

Harry Selby.

Wow! You can't get a better endorsement than that.

Hi Jason.
I could hardly have been blamed for the truck problems.. It belonged to the Safari company Ker & Downey. It was my mechanical ability which got it through. Ruasrk knew this and also that new vehiocles were vertually unobtainable for yerars after the war.. We all had to make do with mostly Ex military vehicles. You are so right though about Bob's philosophical outlook on things that cannot be avoided. He enjoyed everey minute of the whole experience. Wish more people did likewise.
Cheers,
'Harry.

Mr. Selby

Please let me say that you are a hero to me and many others on this forum. I even took a photo of your headquarters when I visited Maun in 2005.

I wrote my signature-line before your became a member of this forum and it appears at the end of all my posts. I have considered removing it because I would be horrified if you misunderstood my intent. I wrote my signature-line as a response to some of the current negative reports in which clients were blaming their PH for their "bad hunts".

I am of the firm belief that the client's attitude is the most important factor in whether they enjoy the hunt. Some of my most treasured experiences in Africa, both hunting and non-hunting, have come as a result of some mishap. Often these mishaps are of the mechanical nature.

I have spent nearly a year hunting and traveling in Southern Africa over the past decade and I have enjoyed nearly every minute. I owe a lot to my "rose colored glasses".

Sometimes we clients forget that we are on vacation and are there to relax.



We are all indebted to you for enriching this forum with your presence and for giving Ruark the introduction to Africa that inspired the greatest "first safari" book.

Take care,

@JBrown: I have admired your tag since I first read it, and share that same sentiment on safari.

@Mr. Selby, Allow me to tell you that I only wish I get to experience 1/100th of the Africa you've seen, and to wish you many more years of health and happiness as a PH, retired or not. You and Mr. Ruark inspired this man to not only purchase a 375H&H, but tske the financial plunge (and ensuing addiction) of hunting Africa.

Cheers and much respect, Philip P. Massaro,PLS

First I love the lines, stock, and butt plate on your beautiful aquisition on your rifle.

I have the Z6 Swarofski 1.7x10 on my AHR 375H&H and love it. It has the illuminated 4A reticle and is good for close shots as well as out to 300 yards. Having the extra magnification is nice for long shots, precise shots or aging eyes. Just got back from a plains game hunt in Namibia and used the 375H&H to take Kudu, Black and Blue Wildebeast, and Warthog.

Both Gun and scope worked great

The scope is also great for low light and the illuminated dot makes it easy to place an accurate shot on a dark colored animal or if the animal is standing in the shade.

The scope is mounted with Talley Q/R 30 MM rings and returns to zero when remounted. The 42 MM objective is not a problem and mounts low to the bore line.

Am contemplating putting this scope ( Or 1X6) on a 416 Rigby that is being built.

OK Now I've seen everything!

quote:

Harry Selby
new member

A man amongst men a "new" member on AR?

This, the GREATEST forum for our sport & love has stepped up to even greater heights with your arrival, sir.

Thank you, and thank you Saeed for supplying the means......

Frostbit,

Deffinately keep the soft case and carry your rifle in it which will be in a rifle rack in the back of your pick up truck on safari.

It will keep it clean, the stock undamaged, and keep the blueing on the barrel.

Andy

quote:

Hmmmm . . . I would say that you need to spend a little more time studying anatomy . . . there is no "bone" in a buffalo's heart.

Most older buffalo (as well as older domestic cattle) DO have a bone in their hearts. It is called the ossa cordis.

That is one outstanding rifle! Never part with it because I am sure you would live to regret it. I used a 375H&H with the same scope to take a huge buff as well as a blue wildebeest, waterbuck & nyala and all became very dead from one well placed shot. That rifle will be fine for any game you choose if you do your part and get enough practice. I use Barnes 300 gr, TSX as well as Barnes banded solids in 300 gr. All work very well ( and even print together in a tight group ) Good luck on safari !

quote:

Posted 14 September 2009 20:06 Hide Post
OK Now I've seen everything!

quote:
Harry Selby
new member



A man amongst men a "new" member on AR?

This, the GREATEST forum for our sport & love has stepped up to even greater heights with your arrival, sir.

Thank you, and thank you Saeed for supplying the means......

Saeed,
I agree with the above. Would you please consider granting Mr. Selby "member emeritus" status?
kh

Anyone have "a lot" of experience shooting ele with a .375 H&H??? I would expect it to be great for a good brain shot but what about heart/lung shots and raking shots on brain shots missed???

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Anyone have "a lot" of experience shooting ele with a .375 H&H??? I would expect it to be great for a good brain shot but what about heart/lung shots and raking shots on brain shots missed???

Harry Manners killed quite a few(hundred) using the 375 H&H. I took the heart/lung shot almost exclusively.
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I want to beat Will to the punch.... Manners did have a tracker killed by an elephant.

John Taylor also killed over 100 elephant with the 375 H&H. Its what my PH carried in the Selous, and we were into elephants every day while tracking Buffalo. I wouldnt hesitate to use one.

Not planning on taking any solids on the trip nor do I plan on needing to shoot an Elephant. That being said, how's that saying go about all good plans etc. Do you think a 300 gr. Barnes TSX (my present bullet of choice) would penetrate far enough for a frontal brain shot in a worse case situation?

Don't beat me up....I'm just asking.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Frostbit:
Not planning on taking any solids on the trip nor do I plan on needing to shoot an Elephant. That being said, how's that saying go about all good plans etc. Do you think a 300 gr. Barnes TSX (my present bullet of choice) would penetrate far enough for a frontal brain shot in a worse case situation?

Don't beat me up....I'm just asking. [/QUOTE
]
I have had no experience with the Barnes TSK bullet. However if you are not planning to hunt elephant there would be no purpose having a solid in your magazine. In a worse case situation a TSk in the face of a charging elephant might turn him or her. If you will be hunting with a PH perhaps you could leavev that problem to him..
Cheers,

Harry Selby.

quote:

Originally posted by Harry Selby:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Frostbit:
Not planning on taking any solids on the trip nor do I plan on needing to shoot an Elephant. That being said, how's that saying go about all good plans etc. Do you think a 300 gr. Barnes TSX (my present bullet of choice) would penetrate far enough for a frontal brain shot in a worse case situation?

Don't beat me up....I'm just asking. [/QUOTE
]
I have had no experience with the Barnes TSK bullet. However if you are not planning to hunt elephant there would be no purpose having a solid in your magazine. In a worse case situation a TSk in the face of a charging elephant might turn him or her. If you will be hunting with a PH perhaps you could leavev that problem to him..
Cheers,

Harry Selby.

Trust me!! I would plan on leaving that problem to the PH. That being said, I was just wondering about the TSX in a worst case scenario with the Elephant.

What a wicked rifle. We just purchased a 375 for walking on the farm. (Big Five area) gotta have the tools for handling a dangerouse situation.

Enjoy your buffalo hunt. i'm sure that your rifle will do the job brilliantly.

Hi Frostbit, this is for general information and not a recommendation in anyway. I shot a young bull elephant this year (about the size of a large cow) frontal brain shot with a 458 win.mag loaded with a TSX. I found the bullet lodged in the skull behind the brain. I'm sure the .375 would have as much penetration if not more. However I would not try this on a mature bull unless it was the last means of defense.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Hmmmm . . . I would say that you need to spend a little more time studying anatomy . . . there is no "bone" in a buffalo's heart.

Most older buffalo (as well as older domestic cattle) DO have a bone in their hearts. It is called the ossa cordis.

............
........................GOT CHA!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Shangaan:
Hi Frostbit, this is for general information and not a recommendation in anyway. I shot a young bull elephant this year (about the size of a large cow) frontal brain shot with a 458 win.mag loaded with a TSX. I found the bullet lodged in the skull behind the brain. I'm sure the .375 would have as much penetration if not more. However I would not try this on a mature bull unless it was the last means of defense.

Thank you!!

You will never improve on that scope and mounts for that rifle. V-III Leupold 1.5-5 is a very good and tough scope as well as optimal for a 3-7-5 in African Bush! Those mount are also quality. They are either older Talley's or older Warne's.

Frostbit, you are most fortunate, thank you for sharing.

I have to admit that I am prejudiced in favor of the 375 Holland & Holland -as you can see from my user name. I only made one hunt to Africa (Zimbabwe)and in 1963 -for buff. Being determined at age 63 not to disgrace myself (yeah, I was not going to use "aiming sticks" for DG), I practiced offhand shooting for over 6 months and had fired over 1500 rounds from a 375 before I ever arrived in Africa. For anyone interested, I was practicing at 50 yards on a range in America -and found myself shooting at a buff turning at me at something between 30-35 yards. I was just a lucky hunter to have such an "easy" shot!) I got into the SCI record book with him ( curl of horns foremost in scoring) The first hit told me that he was a dead animal. Fact. I had never shot at a buff, of course, before , but his stagger to his knees told me that the 375 solid had hit home. I know from first hand experience that the 375 kills. ( BTW, it has the great virtue of being a cartridge that does't knock your back eye teeth out - In plain words, it is a cartridge easily handled by anyone accustomed to moderate 30 calibre recoil. In a long ago time when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I was a rifle instructor and well knew the effects of recoil on trying to teach guys how to shoot. Recoil scares many shooters - and I have always thought that the 375 H&H is a very happy compromise in the problem of how to effectively stop truly dangerous - and quite big animals in Africa. (BTW, I hasten to say, that while I'm proud of my beloved 375 and have read of its effectiveness on elephant, I really would prefer a bazooka on elephant!

Just a footnote to my last post about shooting at elephant with a 375 - I was constantly awed by elephant in my month or so in the bush. (I saw them every day -and, ironically, I was not hunting them. (Zimbabwe, in my time in 1963 in the Chirisa safari district had so many elephants you couldn't count them) I truly respect elephant hunters because I saw any number of "mock charges" and the very first one (near sundown in my first sundown in the bush and closing to about 40 yards) scared me. After the PH told me that was a "mock charge", I told him I never wanted to see the real thing! Typing this, as an old man, Lord!, how I wish I could be back in Africa again!

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew McLaren:

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
Superb! Use a premium bullet, get close and shoot for bone! Congrats and best of luck on safari!

Yes. Go for the "bone" in the buffalo's heart!

Hmmmm . . . I would say that you need to spend a little more time studying anatomy . . . there is no "bone" in a buffalo's heart.

Still, just to be clear, one can shoot for bone and the heart at the same time and be assured of hitting both.

This can be done by placing your bullet so that it strikes the buff at a point that is one third up his body from the brisket and on a vertical line that extends up from his front leg.

This shot will break his shoulder and destroy the top of his heart and the aorta where it enters the heart. It will also seriously damage the lungs.

With a good bullet, this shot is always fatal, and since it breaks the shoulder, it will break the buff down as well, which is always a good thing. Not always necessary, but certainly always good.

Shot placement is key, of course.

Oh yes, I almost forgot to add: Bigger is definitely better!

Sorry for the hijack, Frostbit. That rifle is a peach and I would not hesitate to use it on buffalo. Your friend is a friend indeed!

mrlexma:

"Hmmmm . . . I would say that you need to spend a little more time studying anatomy . . . there is no "bone" in a buffalo's heart."

There sure is a bone, approx. 1 inch long with a crescent-like shape and if you score a direct hit on that bone you will have
have blown the Aorta to kingdom come.
BTW it also makes for a nice trinket to hang on a keychain.

quote:

Originally posted by kibokolambogo:

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew McLaren:

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
Superb! Use a premium bullet, get close and shoot for bone! Congrats and best of luck on safari!

Yes. Go for the "bone" in the buffalo's heart!

Hmmmm . . . I would say that you need to spend a little more time studying anatomy . . . there is no "bone" in a buffalo's heart.

Still, just to be clear, one can shoot for bone and the heart at the same time and be assured of hitting both.

This can be done by placing your bullet so that it strikes the buff at a point that is one third up his body from the brisket and on a vertical line that extends up from his front leg.

This shot will break his shoulder and destroy the top of his heart and the aorta where it enters the heart. It will also seriously damage the lungs.

With a good bullet, this shot is always fatal, and since it breaks the shoulder, it will break the buff down as well, which is always a good thing. Not always necessary, but certainly always good.

Shot placement is key, of course.

Oh yes, I almost forgot to add: Bigger is definitely better!

Sorry for the hijack, Frostbit. That rifle is a peach and I would not hesitate to use it on buffalo. Your friend is a friend indeed!

mrlexma:

"Hmmmm . . . I would say that you need to spend a little more time studying anatomy . . . there is no "bone" in a buffalo's heart."

There sure is a bone, approx. 1 inch long with a crescent-like shape and if you score a direct hit on that bone you will have
have blown the Aorta to kingdom come.
BTW it also makes for a nice trinket to hang on a keychain.

Fulvio Gianola showed me this bone as well. I had never known this, although the buff he dissected was not my first.

quote:

Most older buffalo (as well as older domestic cattle) DO have a bone in their hearts. It is called the ossa cordis.

Again!

A great looking rifle - best of luck on safari - hope you bag a magnificent buff with it !!
I am a huge fan of the 375 - its the first calibre I purchased when starting my career as a young PH, although I own a few other larger calibres,the 375 always seems to be the first one I pack when going on safari.
It's definitely the preferred choice, as the one rifle for Africa brigade.
As always, correct bullet choice and placement is paramount for a successfull kill.
Ballistics is definitely not my field of expertise so obviously I am not even going to try and get into a discussion on what bullet to use,however I have used numerous types of factory ammunition with my 375 over the years, and most of them have performed.
Bullet design and manufacture has come a long way, so I think it will be fair to say the most 300 grain 375 ammo will do the job.
I have recently started using the new Norma African PH - 350 grain ammo in my 375, and have been suitably impressed by its performance - it may also give you a little more confidence and "knock down " power if confronted by a wounded buffalo or an elephant with a sense of humour failure !

quote:

Originally posted by Mark DeWet:
A great looking rifle - best of luck on safari - hope you bag a magnificent buff with it !!
I am a huge fan of the 375 - its the first calibre I purchased when starting my career as a young PH, although I own a few other larger calibres,the 375 always seems to be the first one I pack when going on safari.
It's definitely the preferred choice, as the one rifle for Africa brigade.
As always, correct bullet choice and placement is paramount for a successfull kill.
Ballistics is definitely not my field of expertise so obviously I am not even going to try and get into a discussion on what bullet to use,however I have used numerous types of factory ammunition with my 375 over the years, and most of them have performed.
Bullet design and manufacture has come a long way, so I think it will be fair to say the most 300 grain 375 ammo will do the job.
I have recently started using the new Norma African PH - 350 grain ammo in my 375, and have been suitably impressed by its performance - it may also give you a little more confidence and "knock down " power if confronted by a wounded buffalo or an elephant with a sense of humour failure !

As always,

I appreciate the post!!

Jim,

I just returned from Africa and took everything from red duiker to buffalo with my 375 Weatherby. I did use a solid on the red duiker but otherwise used the 300 TSX on everything with good success. The only change I'd make to your rifle is to add a scope of a little more magnification. For overall use in namibia and Zambia a high end of 6X-8X with good light gathering may come in very handy.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Jim,

I just returned from Africa and took everything from red duiker to buffalo with my 375 Weatherby. I did use a solid on the red duiker but otherwise used the 300 TSX on everything with good success. The only change I'd make to your rifle is to add a scope of a little more magnification. For overall use in namibia and Zambia a high end of 6X-8X with good light gathering may come in very handy.

Mark

Glad you had a good trip Mark.

I already mounted a Swarovski PV Series 30mm 2.5-10x42 with an illuminated reticle. Functions well on the rifle and the optics are outstanding.

Jim,

You really do now have a rifle for duikers, plains game, cats and even elephant.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Jim,

You really do now have a rifle for duikers, plains game, cats and even elephant.

Mark

She looked pretty when she was given to me. Took a little work to make her functional though. I think it was built (stock wise) for looks.

After some trigger work, bedding with pillars, heavier spring in magazine door, new Tally QD rings, and the scope she's jjjjjjjjust right!!

We've bonded.

quote:

Originally posted by Harry Selby:
In my opinion you have not only an exceptionally beautiful rifle there but an entirely practical one as well. In my fifty five years of professional hunting my respect for the .375 H&H cartridge has increased each time I saw it used. In my opinion the greatest cartridge ever developed. I would prefer to see a visiting hunter arrive for his safari with such a rifle than with a double of any caliber. Good luck on your hunt.

Harry Selby.

It does not appear that Mr. Selby has posted here for some time. I recall someone posted a message from him a bit ago about the history of his .416 Rigby.

Whoever that was, could you do me a favor and forward this picture to him.

Silly as it sounds I thought of him when I touched the bosses the first time.

Thanks
Jim

frostbit,

how long is the barrel?

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
frostbit,

how long is the barrel?

24 inches

Hunt report?? Hello, there is no hunt report. Where is the hunt report. The Boss needs to help here.

quote:

Originally posted by Scriptus:
Hunt report?? Hello, there is no hunt report. Where is the hunt report. The Boss needs to help here.

Zambia hunt report

Namibia Hunt Report