I'm "tenatively" planning my fifth trip to Africa in September. In a moment of mind-numbing weakness, I sold both my .458 Lott and .375 H&H. It's a long story but aren't they all?

Anyway, now I'm planning to make another trip for buffalo. I am thinking about taking my T/C Encore with either a .375 H&H barrel or a .416 Rigby. I'm leaning toward the old standby, the .375 H&H. Do you think I'm making the right decision? I've killed one buffalo with the .375, one with the .458 WM and four with the .458 Lott (damn, that was a killing machine!). I don't give a flip about plains game, so the rifle will only have one purpose.

And, honestly, I don't need a lot of grief about selling my other two rifles. I've already punished myself enough.

Bull1

No questions in my mind what I would take - 416 Rigby.

416 Rigby, with 350 TSX or GS Custom bullets.

Rigby. I own both, and really like the 375H&H, but Buffalo; as Robert Ruark said about fifty years ago: "...they look at you as if you owe them money...".

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

Surely you would have room for two barrels and ammo to take both if that's all you're taking. You can then decide on the spot. I'd certainly pick the 416, particularly with a single shot... you've got more huevos than I hunting cape buff with a single shot (that or you're just a lot better shot).

What a thread it would be if we could somehow correlate shooting ability with scrotal circumferance. DR.C

quote:

Originally posted by doccash:
What a thread it would be if we could somehow correlate shooting ability with scrotal circumferance. DR.C

Make it a tri-variate analysis which includes cranial circumferance as well!!

quote:

Originally posted by doccash:
What a thread it would be if we could somehow correlate shooting ability with scrotal circumferance. DR.C

Is that a direct or inverse correlation?

How about an individual with a hernia long neglected, who has a volleyball-sized mass of intestines in his scrotum?


Regardless of scrotal circumference, between .375 H&H and .416 Rigby, the choice is clearly .416 Rigby.

For eunuchs: 9.3x62

quote:

Originally posted by RIP

For eunuchs: 9.3x62

F you!

What's a 9.3 x 62? Is that one of those old Euro-plinker rounds they made in the 19th century for varmint control?

Yeah! That's it! A SxS Varmint Rig!

ozhunter,
Hit a nerve did I? Little sensitive there, eh?
Doccash will see you now.
Please turn your head away from him, not towards him, when he tells you to "turn your head and cough."

Glad you appreciated the jokes.

If you were concerned with plains game, I could see more of a case for the .375 being made. For buff only, the Rigby wins hands down.

The 375 was designed as an all rounder ie a unicorn rifle, the 416 was designed as a big game rifle, the animals to be hunted are big game ergo the 416 is the right choice

Between calibers 416 Rigby; I've used one on all my trips and over the US. The real answer for you, is my opinion, is the one YOU can shoot the best. No sense using the Rigby if you can't handle the extra recoil! Have a Great Hunt!

I have never warmed up to the contender/encore guns-they seem to be neither fish nor fowl in the realm of rifles.

I did however, like a friends encore (pistol) in 358JDJ....

I would tote a 416 Righy in a Ruger No.1 (my favorite all around rifle).

........If you had ,used and enjoyed the Lott why not get another ......If you shop around you can get a factory rifle for 900 or less .......A friend has an Encore in 9.3x74 , and aside from it,s compactness and pretty good trigger pull I see not alot of use for it .............Maybe as a moose or elk rifle ...ect but NOT a dangerous game rifle .........I saw a video of a guy who went and shot a C Buffalo with a 375 Encore ,,His shot wasn,t the best and the party had to follow up for a while ,, when the guy put in a finisher they were charged by a different bull and the Professional [ who was armed with a shortish barreled bolt rifle] had to kill it , which he did ...........???????????????

You have enough buffalo experience to know the answer. Bigger bullets are always better when after DG.

550...

quote:

Originally posted by 500 Fan:
No sense using the Rigby if you can't handle the extra recoil!

The porting on the T/C Rigby barrel makes it a real puddy-tat to shoot.

I just don't think I'd be real comfortable with a single shot for DG in ANY caliber.

Me, either, but I'm still a novice.

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
Me, either, but I'm still a novice.

Bellm has built some nice .375 H&Hs on Encore Pistol frames that are truly shootable and people hunt with them. In a rifle you may as well go bigger.

As far as single shots: lots of things have fallen to Martinis, W Richards Rifles, No. 1s, and others of the breed. Lots of people can't reload their bolt magnum rifles they don't regularly shoot 1/4 as fast as people reload single shots they shoot regularly.

Just saying

Dunno.

I've done some playing around with my 1873 Springfield.....holding loaded rounds between the fingers of my left hand. A guy can run that gun pretty quickly and slickly with some practice. But I never quite grasped the niche T/C was trying to fill with their Encore Rigby barrel. It's a fun one to shoot and really quite easy on the shoulder. I feel that the Encore needs an ejector rather than an extractor to even be considered for a DG hunt.

Just saying.

quote:

Originally posted by Strut10:
Dunno.

...I never quite grasped the niche T/C was trying to fill with their Encore Rigby barrel. It's a fun one to shoot and really quite easy on the shoulder. I feel that the Encore needs an ejector rather than an extractor to even be considered for a DG hunt.

Other gun choices other than Encore weren't a listed option in the question, though. If I was going to chance using an Encore I'd just as soon have the Rigby. Dunno. Probably "just pick whichever one you shoot better" is the best answer. Make sure you have somebody to second you that isn't going to run away.

My guess is they were more aiming for the niche of large North American non-DG like Meeses and Elkers rather than Capes and Hippos.

quote:

Originally posted by tom`:
Make sure you have somebody to second you that isn't going to run away.

Best advice of the day.

.416 Rigby !


(But I choose it because I would love a RSM .416 Rigby!)

Anyone interested in a Browning FN Safari in .458wm?

With your only purpose being dangerous game, I'd go with the biggest thing you can accurately shoot. Since you have done so well with the Lott, it would be my choice. All will do the job with the right bullet and good shot placement. Good luck !

416 Rigby, or live a little and step up to a 416 Weatherby.
Bugle I like the RSM 416 as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
.416 Rigby !


(But I choose it because I would love a RSM .416 Rigby!)

Anyone interested in a Browning FN Safari in .458wm?

............................Bugle ,, do you shoot left hsnd ????????

Well, my delima regarding caliber choices for the Encore is over. Final solution, the Encore won't be making the trip.

I put the .375 H&H barrel on the Encore frame and fired about 10-12 rounds. I think it's capable of pretty good accuracy but it ain't a dangerous game rifle. In some dark recess of my mind, I thought I could make it one. But now I know, it ain't gonna happen.

IMO, a single shot rifle with no ejector is not practical for hunting dangerous game. Nor is it a smart move. After the first shot, it just takes too long for me to remove the spent casing and load another round. With practice, maybe that could be improved upon. But, I ain't willing to take that kind of chance. Not only could you lose a good animal, you could soil up a perfectly good pair of shorts and maybe even get to use that expensive MedJet Assistance policy. I'm sure it's been done. It just won't be attempted by me.

I've already called my gunsmith and ordered a new barrel in preparation of converting my pet .300 WM to a .375 H&H. I've got too much ".375 stuff" to be switching calibers so that's where I'm going.

Bull1

Almost everyone is avoiding the obvious ... a single shot rifle is not a good DGR. Just one bad break and you could be in a world of hurt.

After seeing the abuse that a buf can take and still keep moving, I'd carry the largest magazine or double rifle I could shoot accurately (within reason ... a Lott is plenty!)

I would take whichever one I could shoot the best..both the .375 and the 416 Rigby are good buffalo calibers..I have used the 375 and 416 Rem for years with perfect results..I like GS Custom flat nose solids and Woodleigh 350 and 450 gr. SP respectively....

As to a single shot, I personally would not hesitate to use one on dangerous game and have. Lots of folks do that every year. So far so good.

quote:

Originally posted by bull1:
I'm "tenatively" planning my fifth trip to Africa in September. In a moment of mind-numbing weakness, I sold both my .458 Lott and .375 H&H. It's a long story but aren't they all?

Anyway, now I'm planning to make another trip for buffalo. I am thinking about taking my T/C Encore with either a .375 H&H barrel or a .416 Rigby. I'm leaning toward the old standby, the .375 H&H. Do you think I'm making the right decision? I've killed one buffalo with the .375, one with the .458 WM and four with the .458 Lott (damn, that was a killing machine!). I don't give a flip about plains game, so the rifle will only have one purpose.

And, honestly, I don't need a lot of grief about selling my other two rifles. I've already punished myself enough.

Bull1

Bull, I sent you a PM.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by 500 Fan:
Between calibers 416 Rigby; I've used one on all my trips and over the US. The real answer for you, is my opinion, is the one YOU can shoot the best. No sense using the Rigby if you can't handle the extra recoil! Have a Great Hunt!

Wait a minute. A .416 Rigby KICKS?!?!?!? I never knew that, and I have TWO of them. I'd grab the Rigby and RUN with it!!!