Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Second Rifle for a 2-gun Safari

Hard to imagine a safari involving anything bigger than plains game not including a .375 of some sort. I've used the .375 as both the "light" and "heavy" rifle on various safaris and it has never failed to live up to its historical reputation.

John,

I've used the 404-375 Ruger as my medium cartridge, in the role you suggest for the 375. I agree that a 404 is not as flexible as the 375, but it has served me in taking a number of PG animals when the heavier rifle was the 500, or when I used the 404 as my heavy.

Well, the 2-gun battery is set for September. I’ll take the Krieghoff 500 NE 3” with CEB 570 gn BBW #13s at 2165 fps as the primary elephant gun.

As a 2nd rifle, and on the off chance we need to take a longer shot on a tuskless, I’ll have a transitional pre-64 Win M-70 375H&H along. The 375 is fitted with the factory Lyman receiver sight zeroed at 50 yds for the Barnes 300 gn solid at 2700 fps and a G&H side mount with a 1.75-6x Leupold sighted at 100 yds for the Barnes 250 gn TTSX at 2950 fps. The TTSX load is intended for a mature black bull giraffe, if we can close on one.

Getting out to the range 2x a week to make sure I’m up to the task. The rifles and loads are ready, so making sure I’m ready as well. This is my last Africa trip and I will be very fortunate to share the hunt with my son, as we did on my first trip there 13 years ago.

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THIS

Thanks for the advice. Think I've got it.

Awesome!

enjoy your trip!

Good luck on the black giraffe. It's a handsome animal. Be sure to post a picture on FB. (tic)

And an awesome set of two it is!
Best of luck.
Les

Got to the range with my son Friday afternoon. He’s after a sable and a kudu with his Kimber 270WSM. His 1st 2 groups at 100 yds were both under 1”. He’s a very good rifle shot who knows his go-to rifle well.

He also fired the 375H&H with the 300 Barnes Solids, as that’s the rifle he’ll carry when we approach the elephant herds looking for a tuskless. Conditions can change pretty rapidly when up close on a herd and even more so after the shot, so he’ll have the ability to look after himself, if the need arises.

Counting down now as we practice regularly and finalize details.

Sounds like you've got it covered, WC264.

I've taken my 375 to Africa twice, and collected every head of game I wanted there with it, from hyena to Cape buff. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on one or more of the Tiny Ten, for that matter; Craig Boddington, among others, has used a 375 with solids for these little trophies.

There is no such thing as being "overgunned" in Africa, in my opinion. Yes, I may be hunting impala, but lion may be hunting me.

You back, yet?

I am also interested in the outcome of this adventure.

i have never been to Africa yet,but would it be more simple to just take 2 - 375 H&H rifles ? that way you only have to bring one cartridge type ammo. when i go west for deer my son and myself we bring 3 - 257 Weatherby rifles,when we elk hunt we bring 3 - 300 Win. mags.,when we prarie dog shoot we bring mostly 223 rifles and a few cases of 223 ammo. i have a trip planned next year for moose in Alaska my friend who lives up there has 2 - 7 Rem.Mags. so i will bring a 7 mag. too. good luck and have a fun trip,Pete53

Can't do that. For some inane/insane reason, one may not import two or more rifles of the same caliber...

375 H&H and 30-06 went with me...worked well. jmho

He's not going to be hunting jackrabbits Ken.... Damn...

never been but hope to some day. My Winchester 375H&H and ruger no1 30-06 will make the trip if I ever get to go

Haven't been, no plans to go.

But, am helping good buds with their equipment.

Next one up will be taking .416 Rem in a M-70 and a 7RM Sendero, for Cape buff and PG.

DF

You have not seen some of the smaller antelope species there.