Hi all, Just how big is big enough for a trip to Africa? I've been to Africa only once. I was in the Navy, we were supprting troups off of Somalia and pulled into Mombasa to resupply. I talked the Ops Boss into leaving me behind for a week and went on a photo safari. It was great, but I wished it was the real thing. Maybe after I finish my Engineering degree I'll be able to afford a trip back for the real thing. I'm going to get one of those EAA doubles in 45-70, but I'm looking at a 50BMG case that I've opened up to 70 cal thinking that this could be a poor mans 700NE built on a lined 12ga double. It's probably completely impracticle. I've read about Cape Buffalo taken with a 22Hornet, and Elephants being taken with the 7x57, 475Linebaugh, 600NE and several inbetween. So is there such a thing as Too much gun?

Lar,

I have a .585 Nyati but it is heavy. In reality I think that the .416 Rigby or the .458 lott would probably be ideal, light and recoil level still allowing good placement of shot. I would however like to take a buff with my .585 one day. Breaked up with weight it's fine, but it's heavy.

500 gr has taken an elephant with his .585.

Lar45!

The .50 BMG case opened up to caliber .70 is a .700 BMG IMPRROVED and it have much more energy than the .700 NE.Think about a 1000 grain bullet at 3000 Fps. Not the ideal load for buffalo but how about a 1200 grain premium bullet at 2500-2600 FPS?

I have always wanted a real Big Bore. So I am going to buy a .585 .600 or a .700 one day if I get money.

Lars:
This group will tell you all kind of nasty stuff about how unsporting the 50 BMG based round are, and, I think they are right.

375 H&H is enough for anything. What are you hunting for?

That said, what size rifle are you using, barrel length, weight etc. and what kind of ballistics are you expecting?

And, finally, can you hit anything with this?

Also, are you entering a country, like Mugabis, where the powers that are are concerned that you might take your BMG based round, and use it as a sniper weapon, on them? In other words, check the laws of the country you are going to hunt in, first.

Dr S

I don't have a rifle built around this 700BMG. I was reading an article about the 700NE and how they were selling a single round for around $100. I have a pile of 50BMG brass and thought I'd open one up to see what it looked like is all. IF it ever did happen, I think it would be best as a large cased low pressure round pushing a 100gn slug around 2000fps. I have shot a 375H&H and found it rather pleasant. I normally don't have a problem with recoil, but I haven't shot anything really huge yet. I hunt Deer, Elk, and Antelope in Idaho. I have taken Deer at around 500yds with my 25-06. The last one was around 80yds with an open sighted .357mag revolver. I worked up a load this past year for my son's Rem 721 30-06 that shot .32" at 100yds, the next group went .37". So I can pull the trigger on moderate rounds without flinching. I've never hunted Africa, but It's a dream of mine. I've been wanting a 375H&H for awhile, it would seem to be a very versitle round that I could use here in Idaho and then be familiar with it by the time I end up in Africa. I just get to thinking that if a 375 is good, then why not just step up to a 416 Rigby, but if your at a 416, then why not a 458Lott, but then that 500A-Square looks really interesting.....

Lar,

you won't regret getting a cz 550 .375 H&H 11 rounds into my .375 career and I am sold.

I have never hunted Africa, I simple have a love for African rifles, especially the larger bores, and do have some experience with them.

The best honest answer to your question is shoot the biggest gun you shoot well, and shoot it well. Most anyone can shoot a 375 H&H as well as a 30-06, from all field positions. Moving up to a 40 caliber, and not everyone can shoot the gun the w/o considering the recoil.

After putting quote a few rounds through a 458 lott, and selling it to fund a 500 Jeffrey, as well as a second Lott, I assure you that the lotts level of recoil, and larger guns as well, is on a different plane. You can shoot the gun w/o flinching, you can shoot it w/o getting hurt, but you can never shoot it w/o first considering the recoil. It takes an extra amount of mental concentration when shooting a large gun.

I'm hoping my replacement guns, which will be heavier and better stocked will be easier to shoot then the previous gun. That said, I have no illusions that large bore guns are more difficult to shoot well then medium and small bore guns. That said, you need to consider the whole African experience when planning your hunt, and gun.

Very few hunters are so methodical about there hunting that they will choose a round solely on paper balistics and ease of finding ammo in country. Every round, and rifle style, has an allure that will add to your hunting experience. For instacne, if I were to go on a plains game + buff safari tomorrow, I'd take my 350 Rigby for general purpose, and pick up a 416 Rigby as my heavy.

You are unlikely in your lifetime to hunt enough dangerous game to see the pro's and con's of various rounds. So, figure out what will best match how you want your memories of Africa to be, then shoot enough so that your memories are of good shots and quick kills.