the three seven five...is it a valid one gun choice for africa?

this site probably has more african hunters...NOT typers...lol on the web.

so my question, can the .375 h&h be considered a valid one gun choice?

Yes, in terms of versatility. I would never go to Africa with just one gun. However, it would not be imprudent to go with a pair of .375s.

George

I spoke with a very well spoken older English gentleman at one of the local stores as he was picking up a pair of rifles he had ordered for his African safari. It was about a year or so ago, we exchanged business cards and he agreed to share his stories and pictures afterward over coffee.

He let me hold and inspect the rifles (CZ 550 and Ruger M77 safaris) and I noticed they were both .375H&H, I thought it odd to bring two of the same gun.

He explained that originally he wanted to buy the CZ in .458 Lott and the Ruger in .30-06, but then he realized that with a pair of .375's, his "other" gun was sufficient back up in case anything happened to his primary.

I spoke with him upon his return and the Ruger never needed to be uncased, but he slept much more soundly knowing that should Something Very Bad happen to his CZ, his hunt would be far from over.

He scored many one shot kills, including a beautiful 40" buffalo. Both rifles are apparently consistent shooters with Remington 300-grain ammunition topped with A-Frames. You really can't go wrong with a .375H&H over there, and a well-designed stock with reasonable weight makes for controllable recoil and repeatable accuracy compared to larger big bores for average shooters.

I really tried to get him to sell me the Ruger!

The old-caliber English friend of mine, plays, go to where it complies leads proving to be effective from the year 1912. But I want to point out that it is effective in large under certain conditions and that of course does not go far enough to stop a load of a large buffalo, elephant or any of the other major injuries. For these tasks better go to the size 40, but as in the current anger you ever Safaris backed by a professional hunter, with his 375 catch everything I can hunt.

Greetings,

Oscar.

Not all african trips are equal nor require the same gun.

If it was plainsgame only, from an eland on down...I would take a 30 to 33 caliber magnum and get going.

If, say, buff and plainsgame, then I think a 375 of some breeding is ideal.

If dangerous game only, then I want something bigger than any 375.

I would choose to Buffalo also something more, if there is a burden do you think the 375 H & H Magnum stop their burden?, I think that it has no energy for such a task.

Oscar.

In conclusion, I would leave the 375 for large antelope such as eland, the oryx, the sable, etc ...

Oscar.

The .375 H&H has likely been responsible for more dead buffalo than any other caliber. I'll hunt buff with it all day long.

quote:

The .375 H&H has likely been responsible for more dead buffalo than any other caliber. I'll hunt buff with it all day long.

I know, I know, but that does not mean it is the most appropriate (I have a 375 H & H Magnum), surely to shoot a buffalo to be quiet if it is effective, but an animal of that size, furious and full Adrenaline, is not the best.

Oscar.

I had to walk six days before shooting a buffalo. I appreciate a light weight rifle, and it's easier to shoot a lighter weight .375 than a heavier caliber. That might be why the .375 has such a good reputation.

quote:

is not the best.

I beg to differ. More clients acheive one shot kills on buffalo with .375s and 9.3s than with all other calibers in my experience. This is simply because they shoot it so much better, IMO.
The .375 H&H will be a great one gun safari companion if you stay clear of the more open spaces. It can of course albe be used there, you might just loose some longer range chances if you do not practice at longer ranges as well.

I think a .375 H&H is a great cartridge. However, it's not near as light and handy as a 9.3X62

I think that the CZ458 Lott and the 375 H&H would be a better choise for Dangerious game. If its just plains game the 375 H&H and a rifle like the 338 or 300 would do.

quote:

Originally posted by jro45:
I think that the CZ458 Lott and the 375 H&H would be a better choise for Dangerious game. If its just plains game the 375 H&H and a rifle like the 338 or 300 would do.

This is the combination that I would take my dealer, because I already have a Remington 700 caliber 338 Winchester Magnum , I also have a 550 Magnum on Ceska 375 H & H Magnum, and now I'm saving to buy a Ceska 458 Lott. With this I'm already served.

A greeting,

Oscar.

I have killed too many buffalo with the .375 to ever doubt its ability..I would hunt elephant with it and never bat an eye. I have seen a lot of elephants shot with the .375 and it always seemed to work...Those that expell negative gas on the .375 simply have not used it and are just repeating something another gasser told them!

In the words of Johan Calitz, the .375 is an excellent elephant caliber if the client can shoot. I will add to that if the client cannot shoot then the .577 is not enough gun..

But Atkinson, I think it is worth taking a little more power, as a size 40. or 45. for if there is a compromised state with one of these dangerous animals. In this case I tend to a 458 Lott.

A greeting,

Oscar.

About shooting well, I think it is all in what you are used too. I have not shot that much big bore, and only recently have started using my 375's regularly. My first is a Ruger #1 and acutally the stock is too short, so I added a limbsaver pre fit( did the same on my #1 458 Win mag) and have not tried it yet, but if results are similar to the 458 I will be pleased as extra lenght has always helped me The #1 came back too fast for me and I was dodging the scope.

Last weekend I had my second outing with a new CZ 550 Safari Classic and find it a dream to shoot. My son who has never fired a big bore enjoyed it using most of my box of 50 reloads.
The longer lop and slightly heavier weight make it a dream to shoot.

After years of 30-06 as my biggest caliber, then 45-70 I think I am ready for more extended sessions with the 458. It seems to me it's like a friend who shot these big bores for his first time a few weeks ago, then went dove hunting said the 12 ga was nothing anymore.

I do add a kick eze leather slip on or lace on pad over the buttstock on the Rugers to add that extra length over the limbsavers extra length, plus increasing size( length and width) of buttplate. The CZ came with a Pachymer decellaterator(sp) and needs nothing more as it is sufficently large, everything about that rifle is man sized , and was really noticable in the racks at the range last Sat, especially when all the "good ole boys" kept saying they were glad they weren not shooting that thing, not realizing that little lightweight 7mm 08 or 300 mag kicked a lot worse.

I have not come to understand all of your post, the google translator is very bad. But speaking of setbacks, when I can buy the rifle I want to put a pad Pachmayr Decelerator and I think that this complement will reduce the recoil of rifle.

Oscar.

Ovny,
I don't disagree with your post entirely, I personally prefer the 416 or 404, but for no particular reason, as I cannot see much difference in effect over the .375...however on any given day I might be of another mind!

Atkinson, I am very fond those two caliber too, and as I have not purchased the rifle yet I can change their minds jejeej. The 416 Rigby I like long, but visiting American pages I have crossed the 458 Lott and has left the 416 in the background. 404 Jeffery also is a cartridge that I like. But I can not buy all jejeej.

A greeting,

Oscar.

With out question the 375 is a valid one gun choice for all African hunting. Is it the best choice for all African hunting? No, but neither is anything else. The 375 has, and continues to, killed every type of huntable game in Africa. Show up in an African safari camp with only a 375 and your PH will have a smile on his face no matter what you are hunting.

TerryR

I recognize that you're right Terry, I have a 375, as you say it is not the ideal choice for some situations. It is also true that if you're backed by a professional hunter with a large caliber.

Oscar.

I just returned from Zambia last week. I took a .450 Dakota and a .375 H&H. The .450 weighs about 11.5 lbs and the .375 a little more than 9 lbs. I carried the .450 the first day and had a problem with the scope which caused me to leave it at camp for the rest of the hunt and use the .375. Carrying the heavy rifle all day caused me to have pain in my hip which was very uncomfortable. I did not experience any of this after switching to the .375 and carrying it for long periods.

I took my buff with the .375 with the 270gr TSX which I had not planned on doing. Had I planned to use the .375 I would have loaded a 300 gr bullet. However, the 270gr bullet penetrated through about 4-5 feet of buffalo and came to rest under the skin on the far side. It worked fine and the buff was dead when we got to him. It killed the smaller animals like lightning. I like the .375 a lot.

Andy

God as I enjoy with your stories, I love to read all your experiences. I said as I got a 375. but I have been stuck in your head a 458 Lott and I will for him, although I have to save years.

Bye

Oscar.

Being a retired working stiff, I only own five rifles, not counting my .22. They range from a great custom 25-06 through 7mm, .300 mag to the .375. Eight out of ten range trips, I take the Mod. 70 .375. I just love that rifle and on my single buff hunt, the .375 provided a one shot kill on a decent animal. I'm going back to Africa next year, all things being equal, and the only rifle I will take is the .375.

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
Being a retired working stiff, I only own five rifles, not counting my .22. They range from a great custom 25-06 through 7mm, .300 mag to the .375. Eight out of ten range trips, I take the Mod. 70 .375. I just love that rifle and on my single buff hunt, the .375 provided a one shot kill on a decent animal. I'm going back to Africa next year, all things being equal, and the only rifle I will take is the .375.

Well, it would be appreciated when you return to your new African adventure, you share it with us.

Thank you,

Oscar.

Sure will, Oscar, if I don't tap out. Looking at August in Masailand for buff and plains game, but with the economy the way it is, the guy who has invited me along may have some problems, so we'll see.

quote:

More clients acheive one shot kills on buffalo with .375s and 9.3s than with all other calibers in my experience. This is simply because they shoot it so much better, IMO.

Once the caliber has been decided, then focus on the bullet that is going to do the killing.
Needless to say the bullet must be placed where it counts.

Warrior

Hey, I think you've got reason, the important thing is to put the shot, what I say is that it is appropriate to use the five large-caliber 416 in a forward. It is my opinion, and many of the companions of this forum jejeje. Well, I'm going to explore a bit.

Greetings,

Oscar.

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
Sure will, Oscar, if I don't tap out. Looking at August in Masailand for buff and plains game, but with the economy the way it is, the guy who has invited me along may have some problems, so we'll see.

Hopefully you can go, I am dying to see those photographs and read the story. I wish you luck and you have great care for Africa.

A greeting,

Oscar.

Thanks, Oscar. It will most probably be my last safari, so I hope it comes off as planned. Rest assured that if I score, or even if I don't, I'll write the story as it happens.

Harry Manners and Wally Johnson,famous ivory hunters and PH's in East Africa some years ago, both used off the shelf Winchester .375's during their extensive careers. Worked for them.

If ever the world had to vote to keep just one single calibre in existence I'd probably vote for the .375 H&H....

But variety is the spice of life and (within reason) each to his own

Guns should be like children; If you have six, they're ALL your favorite one..

You know what I've noticed over the years reading hunt reports in magazines and the African forums right here on AR, outside of elephant, the .40 calibers and up don't seem to kill any faster than a well placed bullet from the 375 H&H. In fact, there are several recent buffalo hunts on AR where the beasts have absorbed numerous rounds from a 416 or whatever. I think it's a combination of shot placement and the fact that buffalo are darn tough. So my conclusion, a good shot from a 375 is much better than a 416 in the brisket. Shoot the biggest caliber necessary to get the job done tempered by what you can shoot most accurately.