I have a Model 70 375 H&H custom from Hill Country Rifles. Shoots like a dream and I wouldn't trade it, well at least not yet!!
What would you say would be the next "logical" step up in caliber? I plan on a Hippo/Croc hunt next year in Mozambique.

"Logical" would be to use your 375.

I have a couple of 375s but, being illogical, also have a 458 Lott. Some day, being even more illogical, I may acquire a 460 Weatherby Magnum or a 577 T-Rex.

Your next "step up" might be a step down. A .300 or .338 will take both hippo and croc. You don't need a stopping gun; that's the PH's responsibility. From a practical standpoint, your .375 is fine.

No question about it, the .500 Jeffery.

loucfir

For a hippo/croc you definitely do not need larger caliber.

Mark

quote:

No question about it, the .500 Jeffery.

Yep.....500 Jeff with 535's at about 2300 fps.

Good call.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

Perhaps a CZ in the new chambering: .450 Dakota? Or, two "Captain May I giant steps" up to a .505 Gibbs?

Rich
Gibbs Man

One of the great things about the 500 Jeff or the 505 Gibbs is that once you get used to them, when you shoot your 375 H&H it will feel like a 243 ...



Chuck

quote:

What would you say would be the next "logical" step up in caliber?

I am surprised to hear all these recommendations for 50 caliber guns as a next step after the 375?

Speaking from my own experience, when I got the newly introduce Ruger 416 rigby and I felt that was a significant step up after years with my M70 in 375HH. A bigger push. Thats a step up, 400 grain bullets.

More years and I get wind of the legendary 505 gibbs being offered by CZ and I buy both a 458Lott and a 505Gibbs.

The 458 Lott, although easy to manage is a definite step up from the 416. And, its crosses a threshold from pure fun to a more rude recoil. I was surprised the Lott was not nearly as bad as I was led to expect, but its gone from big push to a nasty impulse. Another step, 500 grain bullets.

I think many would stop at a 458 and if not at one of the 40s.

Next, the Gibbs - I fired my first shot and bruised my shoulder! Got a Past shoulder pad and re-thinking gun weight. Thats a step up from the Lott, 600 grain bullets.

I still plan to take another incremental step up based on lesson learned and experience. We will see where this journey ends. But, now I am way beyond any hunting application, IMHO.

.375 is all the gun you would need for both hippo and croc.

Go for the .458 Lott. Then you'd have one. .458 Win. or Lott are the most popular DG calibers in Africa.

You could kill a croc and a hippo with a 223 and a shot to the head...Im pretty sure your 375 has more than enough man juice to wax those animals.

The 416 is a great gun for 200 yds shots. Its a heavy duty rifle. You would have to sight it in at 150 yds. Then it would be 200yds also.
I had some long shots when I was over there. Like My Zebra That shot was 280 yds. All the rest were long shots too 200yds and above

If you wait long enough just about every caliber out there will be recommended. It's all a matter of personal choice.
But since you already have a .375, add a .243 and you can do it all. If your hunting anything where bigger would be better, your guide should have that covered anyway. I would tackle anything, anywhere, anytime with my .375. And since I can shoot the .375 as easily and accurately as my .243, I'm better off with it then a heavy, slower handling, harderkicking .400 something.
But, that's just me.
What do YOU want?

Thanks all!
Purchase a 416 from WVFred...

Yep, the .375's the ticket for both croc and hippo in my book. Killed both of them on the same safari with the same Model 70 using .300 grain Federal Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer Solids.