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What rifle and caliber comnination wouls be the best for an lion hunt exclusively done on FOOT If your parents didn't have any children chances are you won't either. | ||
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I used a light Blaser Attache in 9.3x62 and think it was about perfect. Light, fast handling, fast reloading, accurate and well balanced. The hunt was in extremely hot conditions with many miles of tracking each day. | |||
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Never hunted lion, but what the hell. I would suggest a Blaser as well, but in 375H&H, which just happens to be one of the barrel combinations that I have!!! I suggest the Blaser because it is fast handling, certainly faster than my CZ 550 in identical caliber. Peter. Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong; | |||
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a nice light 9.3x74 o/u would be my choice | |||
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For "tracking" lion? One with good eyes! Andrew | |||
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the best rifle will be one that you are completely familiar with fitted with a low magnification scope . as usual , it will be your first shot that counts ...getting a good second shot will be a mater of luck... a good friend of mine fitted his air rifle with a scope and shot it for 15 to 20 minutes every day in his backyard offhand for 3 weeks prior to coming and i have to say he was very very quick at target aquisition , it made all the difference and on one safari he collected at least four animals that were a result of fast accurate shooting... "The greatest threat to our wildlife is the thought that someone else will save it” www.facebook.com/ivancartersafrica www.ivancarterwca.org www.ivancarter.com ivan@ivancarter.com | |||
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Calibre and action type doesn't really matter a whole lot, but I'd recommend something like a 375 with short barrel for fast target acquisition and at least as importantly, the right bullets. Go for a fast opening soft point, something like a Woodleigh SP, rather than the PSP. As Ivan says, you need to be very familiar with the rifle. | |||
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My rifle is a .416 Rem. with a detachable 2x4 Leupold. My latest has a 20" tube and a rather heavy barrel to make it settle fast, but a standard weight 26" barrel also points extremely well. Barrel length is not an issue with me as long as the rifle is a tad barrel heavy and hangs like a rock. As to caliber, a 375 H&H, .416, 404 etc. works well indeed, any big bore is fine. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Steve, What is your current favorite gun and bullet? | |||
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This is something that most people (including PHs) do not have a lot of experience with. Personally, I have zero experience with African lions. However, I found it interesting that 3 different PHs in Zim (Myles McCallum, Alan Shearing and a Spanish PH) stated they would like to have my 50 Alaskan levergun for lion including followup. It handles very fast, shoots big softpoints and cycles very fast. Truthfully, all 3 of them saying that while handling it kind of surprised me but that's what they said.  _______________________________  | |||
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Dogcat, My favourite rifle is the one I carry whenever I'm hunting, which is a custom built .500 Jeffery on a left handed weatherby action. The rifle has a 19 inch barrel with a shallow vee rearsight and a (large) red fibre optic foresight. The rifle points and shoots like a dream and was made for me by Sabi Rifles in Nelspruit. (www.sabirifles.co.za) As to bullets, I use Woodleigh SP for cats and occasionally for the coup de grace on Buff, Woodleigh PSP for heavier game and GS Custom flat nose solids for follow ups, and elephant etc. - I love the rifle and all the bullets to bits. We also have company loaners built by the same rifle maker in (mauser action) .404 Jeffery and they have Swarovski 1.5 -6 scopes with QD mounts on 'em. - We use the same bullet manufacturers for the 404s as I do on in my 500. | |||
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I used my Pre'64 Model 70 .375 H&H Magnum for my lion hunt. It is a early 50's standard model. I have a Pecar 4X which features a heavy German style deuplex. This is mounted in a Q.D. claw mount. The Nosler Partition 300 grain bullet worked well. I did not use a sling. The area was to thick, and I didn't want to get it caught on a thorn branch. | |||
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I HAVE A RIFLE IN 458 Lott and 375 H&H what you use? If your parents didn't have any children chances are you won't either. | |||
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I used a .375 w/300 grain A-Frames. However, unless you make a killing or break down shot, better hope your PH is using a stopping rifle if a charge is made. Lion's are not the toughest animal to kill by any means, but careless or off target shots can get one into serious trouble in a hurry. There are no flies on a Lion. They cover ground in an instant and once fixed on their target, your aim best be true. If your in close quarters, I'd take the Lott, especially if your comfortable with it. Best of luck on your quest, LDK Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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The best rifle for tracking lion would be furnished with one of those electronic stabilization devices - you know, like the ones the Japanese put in their high end cameras? I'm not sure how it would work on a rifle, but it would have to keep the thing steady even when the operator is shaking like a palm tree in a hurricane. That would be best, IMHO. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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I think a double rifle with a good QD system, like claw mounts woulf be perfect. 9.3x74r through 450/400 would seem perfect. The double would make the second shot a reality instead of a prayer. Same rifle for follow up too. JPK  Free 500grains | |||
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I would use a short barreled 458 with 400 grain bullets. I would use a 1x4 scope with a bold reticle. | |||
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I will be using a .416 Rem. Mag with a QD system, 1.5-5X scope and 400 grain Woodleigh soft point bullets. I hope the lion cooperates this time. Aziz  | |||
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The correct answer is: the hunter who shoots his rifle accurately... | |||
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Custom double barrled M39 grenade launcher loaded with proximity detonation rounds Mike Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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More information required. | |||
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I like my 416 rem mags.I think either my KS safari stainless 416 rem mag or my model 70 winchester.I can shoot both way faster than you think.I do that alot at the range.I see how many offhand shots I can make under 10 seconds.Its the first shot that counts the most.Its when the lion is on top of you that really sucks.I have friends who didnt prepare for a lion running so fast at them.They were use to seeing the lions at rest not running.A friend use to get some one to roll a tire off a hill with a target in the middle to shoot a running target.Its alot better than not practicing .I have shot lots of running deer also with my 338 win mag.I think they are probally as fast as a lion.I would be way more comfortable with my 416 rem mag for lion using a 410 gr woodleigh,400 gr swift or 400 gr nosler.I think the 416 rem mag is an excelent choice for lion. | |||
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100% agreement!  ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith  | |||
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Have always used a Model A Mauser in 9,3x62 Am getting used to my double and it will be my carry rifle for this year .500-.416 - Not that I have ever had to back a client, but will use the Krieghof for PAC as well | |||
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YUP. That's it. Steve "He wins the most, who honour saves. Success is not the test." Ryan "Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything." Stalin Tanzania 06 Argentina08 Argentina Australia06 Argentina 07 Namibia Arnhemland10 Belize2011 Moz04 Moz 09 | |||
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What happened to the kilt and the claymore?  Brian "If you can't go all out, don't go..." | |||
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....My # 1 choice would be the same as for brn bear ......My 458 Win mag Ruger M77mk 2 w 19.5" Shilen barrel w/muzzel brake . ...shooting 300gr moly coated Barnes X bullets @ 2700 fps mv ... My 2nd choice would be my CZ550 in 416 Rem mag . which full up w /1 in the pipe holds 7 rounds . The load would be 300 gr Barnes moly coated X bullets @2830 mv..............The Spruce King [ Ruger 458]  .If it can,t be grown , its gotta be mined .... | |||
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I have two on foot with a 458 WM and one with a .375 H and H. I could not tell any difference in the way any of them acted after the first shot. They all jumped up, spun around and tried to bite at the wound. Then they stalked off about 10 yds. and lay down. From your initial post I took it that you were asking about an initial shot while tracking on foot but not necessarily following up a wounded lion. From my limited experience, if doing it again, I would take a 375 with a low power detachable scope. I think this would be best for the first shot. A scope can be helpful for seeing the lion - especially if it is lying in the shade in some brush. Obviously the rifle should fit well because the time from spotting the lion til the shot might be short. If backing up a friend who was doing the initial shooting I would like my short barreled 450/400 3" double rifle. ALLEN W. JOHNSON - DRSS Into my heart on air that kills From yon far country blows: What are those blue remembered hills, What spires, what farms are those? That is the land of lost content, I see it shining plain, The happy highways where I went And cannot come again. A. E. Housman | |||
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If I was going to use a bolt rifle it would be a Blaser R 93 in 375 H&H, 400 H&H, or 416Rem Mag. However on my first Safari my Lion gun was to be my 9,3x74R Chapuis double with a Swarovski 1.5-6x42 with the circle dot reticle with 286gr Woodleigh Softs. No lion was taken. On my third Safari I used my 450.400 3 1/4" double scoped with a S&B 1-4 with Flash Dot reticle. While we were baiting for lion I actually shot him after spotting hin laying in a dry river bed. I shot him from 90 yards, there was no cover for stalking closer, as he layed down facing us. First shot hit center of chest, he fell over on his side, second shot hit just off center exited behind the shoulder and because of his body angle re-entered the body. I then ran up and from behind his back put in a finisher from point blank range. All bullets were 400gr Woodleigh Softs. None exited, all expanded perfectly. I was glad I had a scoped double, and after seeing how big he was I was glad I had the 450/400. However I would not hesitate to hunt lion with my 9,3x74R. I consider a scoped double the best choice for a lion gun. DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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9.3x74r, 450/400, or a 470's/450's. Basically, a double rifle that handles well and doesn't have too much velocity so as to keep the bullet from blowing through the lion. Always soft points. "Sometimes nothing can be a pretty cool hand." 470 Heym; 9.3x74r Chapuis, Heym 450/400 on it's way | |||
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..  ..............................And doesn,t have too much velocity so as to keep the bullet from blowing thru the lion .....WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ??????????????????????????????????//I have heard this kind of thing before but usually by arm chairs or ignoramuses .....I take it you are refering to the theory that a bullet can go so fast that it won,t do any damage ...Or minimal damage ??? ................................I know lots here really like the 450/400 but if my life were on the line I would just a soon have a 338 RUM as a 450/400 and really prefer a 375 Whby/ RUM or a 378 Whby to a 450/400 or standard velocity 404 ...........................However given my druthers I,ll use my 458 or 416 with fast , tough , bullets.........I definately agree on useing expanding bullets...If it can,t be grown , its gotta be mined .... | |||
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the rifle you can shoot straight Happiness is a warm gun | |||
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