Beginning of November I will be heading for Tanzania with some friends for my (our) first buffalo hunting (hat will also include some plains-game).
On previous plains-game safaris I used either a 30.06 or a 300WinMag but for this one I decided for a .416 Rigby.
Is it a good choice? Can I use the .416 also for plains-game or shall I carry a second rifle?
What would you (more experienced people out there) suggest?

Thanks in advance for your comments on this.

I think that your choiche is exelent!

You could do fine with just the .416, but I can't see that I would hurt bringing the .300 along to!

But the .416 will and can handle anything from grysbok to elephant.

Best Regards

Mads

It's a fine round, but you're not going to just bring one gun, are you?

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

I just returned from Tanzania and used a .416 Rigby with handloads on two Buff and an assortment of plains game. I was extremely impressed with the .416 Rigbys performance on Buff with the 410gr. woodleigh softpoint at about 2450fps. The difference in the reaction of the game to the bullet was SIGNIFICANTLY greater ( with similar bullet placement) than my past experience with a .375 H&H. On shot stops also occured on Wildebeest and Zebra. While you could get by with just one gun, what happens if there is a mechanical failure, which can and does happen? You either have to fix it yourself or try and borrow another gun. I always carry backup on expensive hunts.I brought along a 300 ultramag which also did a great job on everything. Interestingly, a gun bearer dropped it denting and cracking the cheap aluminum triggerguard. Luckily the gun still worked fine, but it exemplifies what can and does go wrong. Bring two guns and don't look back.-Rob

quote:

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Originally posted by GeorgeS:
It's a fine round, but you're not going to just bring one gun, are you?

George

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I was considering just one rifle, has we were strongly advised by the outfitter about not carrying extra weight.

B.martins

b.martins - I would be a little nervous taking only one gun. The .416 is an excellent all around cartridge when buff is on the menu, however, if your gun should fail for any reason, you could be inconvenienced. Obviously you won�t be carrying both guns at the same time. But if you popped a buff on the first day, you could switch to the 300 for a little more reach on plainsgame. You spend all this time and money getting ready, I would hate to have an equipment failure hold you back.

After all this is your money - tell the PH to make the appropriate arrangements - period!

I am a serious gun crank, like most of the people in this forum. I spend a great deal of time working up loads for my various rifles. I

The 416 Rigby will not be lacking for any game you come across. However, it would be nicer to shoot and carry a lighter rifle after you pop the buffalo or you are only after plains game.

You should take a second rifle you have the most experience with and shoot the best. Either the 300 or 30/06 would be a pleasure to shoot.

With all the prep and anticipation that goes into a hunt having the one rifle you took fail would be a real let down.

In my only trip to Africa, so far, I took two rifles that were in the same class (338 and 375)and the one I have used for several years had trigger problems on the next to last day of the hunt. Oh well, I got to use the new rifle I brought along.

Going light to me means staying under 70 lbs in my personal bag plus the gun case.

Good Hunting
Steve

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Every man dies, but not every man really lives!!

I have taken two safaris, one with one gun and one with two. From now on, I'll take two guns, but always have both of them available. I'd carry the .416 at all times but have the tracker carry something else, like your 30/06. Certainly a .416 can do it all, clear up to therapods, if you ever come across any.

Sarge

If you're going on a 21-day Tanzanian blowout, take a light rifle as well as your .416 Rigby. For the vast majority of animals you'll be hunting, you simply don't need a .416 - only for buffalo, hippo, and lion. The idea of carrying and shooting a .416 Rigby for every deer and elk-sized antelope depresses me. Take a .30-06, 7mm magnum,.300 magnum, or .338 magnum for a light, workhorse rifle plus your .416 and enjoy yourself.

The last timer I hunted Tanzania, I took a .458 Winchester as well as a .300 Winchester. I took thirty-six animals, and only three of which were with the .458!

Allen