The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Scope or iron sights for Cape BuffaloGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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| One of Us |
I have been to Namibia twice for plains game and I am contemplating a cape buffalo hunt in a couple of years. Since the range for shooting buffalo is short, is it necessary to use a scope of would iron sights be a better choice, in the event of a charge. I would appreciate any comments and any observations you have had from actual hunts. Thanks | ||
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I prefer a low power scope....something like a 1.5x5 sometimes they end up farther than what is ideal . And even more often in deep shadow, a scope can really make for much better shot placement in the shadows. A 1.5 power, you can still shoot with both eyes open as well. . | |||
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I think Jtex has nailed it with his scope advice. A quality brand with 1 - 6 X or 2 - 8 X at most is probably all you need. I have never used open sights but wonder if they would be as fast for my ageing eyes. I would guess open sights would be fine if you get VERY close to Buff but this is not easy in practise. More likely is a shot anywhere from say 30 to 100 yds where speed of acquisition and accurate shot placement for most hunters is more achieveable with a good scope. Hunting.... it's not everything, it's the only thing. | |||
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What JTex said. | |||
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A receiver mounted peep sight worked for me. NRA Life Benefactor Member, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center,Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/ | |||
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I'm headed for a cap buff hunt next week. My 375 Ruger is wearing Leupold VarX-III 2.5x8. Shooting 300 grain Nolser Partitions same as my Grizzly hunt last year. | |||
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It really depends on your eyesight. Over 50 and you will need a ghost ring or peep, if not a scope. I will say that iron sights help you to keep the buff in sight after the shot, and probably make a faster second shot. Sometimes it's necessary to thread a bullet through the brush in which case a scope can be comforting. But shooting a buff with irons is somehow more satisfying. And if following up, a scope is not as fast as irons in a tight situation. Either way, you probably won't be making any long shots. Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC BigfiveHQ.com, Large Calibers and African Safaris Doublegunhq.com, Fine English, American and German Double Rifles and Shotguns VH2Q.com, Varmint Rifles and Gear | |||
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Based on multiple buff hunts in multiple countries and terrain at various times of the year....I agree on the above regarding lower-power scopes, and mount my DG scopes on quick detach rings just in case of follow-up in the thick stuff. Nnever had to detach, although for the charges I had (not buffalo) I was thankful to be carrying an open-sited Lott. Open sites off the shoulder can be fun as it requires one to get close, if you shoot them well, especially if taking a heavy rifle or double in addition to perhaps a scoped .375 or .416, and determine which to use based on the opportunity. | |||
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Scopes of the proper power for the type hunt you're doing. Are just as fast as any irons. All it requires is enough practice. IF you have a problem with scopes, you need a lot more practice with them is all. Planning on having charges and basing your sights for such. Best leave that part to Saeed!! George "Gun Control is NOT about Guns' "It's about Control!!" Join the NRA today!" LM: NRA, DAV, George L. Dwight | |||
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Should you prefer open sights, go for it or, as an alternative, you could consider a less encumbering but very effective aim point. One just has to consider how well their eyes adjust on focusing irons which requires lining the the intended impact point of the target to bead to the V. If your eyes are "tired" you may very likely lose one of the 3 - this is where the red dot comes into play: Dot to point of impact and if it has been properly regulated to a given/expected shooting distance it is on the button every time. I was among the first to fit one on my DR many years ago much to the disgust of many in the crowd that refused to break with tradition (who have since also adopted it) and never turned back. | |||
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| Administrator |
Open sights will limit your chances of a shot if the buffalo is not in the open. I have a Leupold 2.5-8x on my rifles. I prefer these to low power scopes. Definitely gives you a better chance of placing your shot if you only see part of the buffalo in the bush. | |||
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I have switched to using iron sights for hogs, I like to hunt close. One thing that would be similar with a Cape Buffalo is black front sights are difficult to see against a black or dark target. I switched to a fiber optic front with great success. I like a rear peep. Many stocks the comb is to high for irons, a file or belt sander is your friend. Practice is everything even if a smaller cartridge or dry firing is used. Get the motion of bringing the gun up and on target as a reflex. | |||
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I have done both. It isn't shooting straight with open sights that would be the main problem but this:
Even picking out a single animal in the group can be chalenging with open sights, then comes the proper part under proper angle... Use open sights by all means (it is a great sport), but be ready for passing opportunities...and perhaps even coming home empty handed. | |||
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I have the same scope as Saeed on my 404 Jeffery - but with Warne QD rings. Its quick to remove the scope if the perfect opportunity presents itself to use the cocking-piece mounted ghost ring. Holding the zero is not an issue | |||
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There is no doubt in my mind that a low powered scope is an advantage to locate point of aim on a dark coloured beat in amongst the typical brush. However, there is nothing like hunting big game with an open sigted big bore. Just expect to miss some opportunities. | |||
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I’m inclined to use an Aimpoint for my next cape buff for the best of both worlds. Previously used a 1-4x Kahles. Formerly Gun Barrel Ecologist | |||
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. What do you do when you see that monster buff at 150 yards across an open river bed and you are shooting open sights? A scope certainly gives you more options and flexibility in various circumstances - especially last light conditions. But it sure is fun taking a buff with an open sighted double !! My 2 cents. And ps I am over 50 and still shooting open sights so I guess I have lucky eyes ! . "Up the ladders and down the snakes!" | |||
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George would be in a better position to confirm this.  | |||
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THIS!! Open sights for me. Preferably with a double rifle. | |||
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I take both. | |||
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A red dot is another option. Easy and fast to acquire. "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
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I take a small light Zeiss pair of binocs along when hunting.I do so especially if I need to take a shot when the target is difficult to see.Once I have seen it through the binocs I can get a better idea of where to hold.The binocs are very important.Lately I've been taking them along to the shooting range and keeping them around my neck.That way I can get used to them. | |||
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Shoot with whatever you are comfortable with but as others have pointed out, with irons you are limiting yourself. My best buff was well past sunset in deep mopane. It was so dark we had the lights on on the cruiser. No way I even think of taking that shot with irons. Low power variables for me because that's what I have on all of my rifles and I am comfortable with them for all of my hunting. As a senior citizen, irons just aren't the best option for me. Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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Since, the first shot is the most important, I always have used a low power scope (1.5-5 Leo) on both my DG rifles. I have also used detachable mounts JIC I have to go into thick stuff for a wounded buff. Never had to remove the scope so far, but it is a nice-to-have feature. JMO BH63 Hunting buff is better than sex! | |||
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Got git 'em, Mr MaGoo! :-) | |||
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A friend hunted w9th us fir buffalo with open sights on his rifle. Never managed to get a shot, eventually borrowed my scoped rifle and shot 2 buffalo in no time at all. Next time he put a scope on his rifle! | |||
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The thrill of shooting a buff with a scope is peanuts compared to the thrill of learning to shoot with open sights. | |||
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Guns and hunting | |||
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S.K. Snyder An alternative might be to carry your open sighted rifle and have one of the crew carry a scoped rifle. That is what I recommend my clients do that want to take their open sighted doubles. If your taking only one rifle do make it a scoped one. Personally I prefer something in the 2x7 or 2.5x8 range on a 375 or 416. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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If you want to hunt with open sights and understand you are limiting yourself, that is one thing... do it and enjoy yourself. As I recall, Finn Aagaard did a rather comprehensive job looking in to this and said that contrary to public opinion, scopes are faster as well as more accurate than irons, and he was using folks who knew how to shoot as his test subjects. I’ve had QD mounts on all my DG rifles since I started, and I have yet to pull them off while hunting. I have changed the scope off my double to a Trijicon RMR as I never liked the balance, but I also noticed that with straight iron express sights my groups on paper could be relatively good, but I was not shooting as well as I would like to on game. I’m still learning with the red dot, but it’s sure better than the irons were. There is a nostalgia to hunting with an iron sighted rifle to me, but I am obligated to go to scopes (and red dot) on game if I want to have ethical kills at any distance personally. That I can hit anything out to 400 yards is a bonus there (that’s my self imposed maximum unwounded range for game) but I have to say that I have never felt that a scope ever hindered my shooting, despite the claims of the iron sight crowd about situational awareness. I do shoot enough iron sighted handguns that it’s not an issue of unfamiliarity either. A low power scope just works well, and with the developments in technology there, I would venture to say they are as reliable as irons. | |||
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I can still see that double rifle and that sight. | |||
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Low power variable scope is a BIG PLUS. It will enable you to get precise shots in many more instances. Best set up is a rifle with irons and a quick detachable scope which gives the best of both worlds. All my DG rifles are now set up that way and also have RMR sight as a third option. Since using this set up I have stopped looking for the best set up because I feel I have found it. | |||
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Because of my eye sight I went scopes about 6 years ago. I use a Trijicon 1x4 with the green triangle, keep both eyes open and it works. Shot 2 buffalo with this setup. Last year 40 yards out. Member NRA, NFA,CSSA,DSC,SCI,AFGA | |||
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Same here. At 1x it is like an aperture sight. With the lighted sight I shot a bull last year at last light. USMC Retired DSC Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member | |||
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I know a gent who is lethal with iron sights out to 300 (he shoots a Ruger no 1 in 375 with the NECG aperture) but he can't shoot worth a damn with a scope. Seeing that crosshair wobbling all over the place causes target panic in some folks. Also a scoped rifle is more likely to cause you to shut your eye at the shot due to the sudden motion which triggers the blinking reflex. And if you have ever been "scoped", your ability to shoot with a scope will forever be compromised. I like to see the dust fly off my buffalo when the bullet hits. Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC BigfiveHQ.com, Large Calibers and African Safaris Doublegunhq.com, Fine English, American and German Double Rifles and Shotguns VH2Q.com, Varmint Rifles and Gear | |||
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Every Cape Buffalo I’ve shot has been with a scoped bolt action rifle. I just got back from Australia where I used my double and iron sights on 3 water buffalo and a big boar, it was a blast. I will say I’ve killed some Cape buffalo that I would not have taken the shot with irons, primarily due to low light not because of range. | |||
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Agreed! I always use a 2.5 - 10 on buffalo! I've shot plenty over 100 yards, much more than under 40 for example. The only reason a charge is remotely likely, is that the initial shot/s were not well placed. | |||
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The pleasure is the struggle | |||
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I wasn't worried about making a killing shot on a buffalo...but was more concerned with missing the branches. I will always use a scope, in the thick stuff, just so I know its clear to my target. Andy#3 | |||
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