Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa double or bolt?

Using double gun in 470, 500, 577 Nitro Express is all about close encounters, skill and thrill. That’s fine for the journeyman hunter that has repeated the thrill several times. I’ll bet they started DG hunting on scoped turn bolts from 150 yards out until they were seasoned enough on game and habits. Just an observation.

Between the hayseed camo, plastic bolt rifles with huge scopes, maybe the buffalo was trying to thin out the herd on our side of the evolutionary ladder. At least the JRT gave them some warning

https://www.reddit.com/r/Hunting/comments/civnu8/they_dont_call_cape_buffalo_black_death_for/

Bolt. But only Blaser.

Had an interesting experience reloading for a friend’s 375 H&H Blaser barrel for a trip to Zim about 12 years ago. The rifle appeared to go completely into battery with the reloaded cartridges, except it wouldn’t fire when the trigger was pulled. Visually the bolt was fully closed and no indication of any problem was identifiable.

When I measured headspace of those cartridges, it became obvious the cases, once fired in another rifle were slightly long for the Blaser chamber. Easy adjustment with a body bump die. However, had this happened in the field when my friend was facing a Cape buffalo, it could have ended poorly. In contrast with conventional Mauser or Winchester M-70 type of bolt action rifle, the bolt would have obviously not locked into battery and an easily identified visual cue would have alerted the shooter to the problem.

I am not arguing about the use of the straight pull Blaser mechanism, but it would clearly not be my choice for a true DGR bolt. I disclose that I personally use Win M-70 and Ruger M-77 CRF bolts preferentially for DGRs so I have a bias for that mechanism. It’s never let me down. I’m just relating my experience and acknowledge that YMMV.

BTW, I resolved the reloading error I made and my friend used his Blaser with the 375 H&H bbl for a nice Cape buff and his 300 Win Mag bbl for several PG & a leopard.

A Blaser would be just about the last rifle I'd want to hunt DG with except maybe a 700.

My action preference is 98 Mausers

I would be hard pressed to improve upon my 416 Rem M70 as a dangerous game rifle. Not too heavy, balances where I like it and is accurate enough for anything I will and have hunted with it. A McM Winchester Express stock, Williams extractor, bolt handle welded and Jim Wisner's front and rear sights, the latter being a copy of the pre-64 M70 Express sight. It's 100% reliable.

Nice set up for sure, EdM. If I ever feel the need to step up from my 375 H&H's (don't currently), I would set up a 416 Rem in a similar fashion.

EdM,

Your 416 inspired mine. At the smith's right now getting cerakoted. Got a load all dialed in for 350 TSX's. Waiting to post pics until I get it completely finished.

Then to book another buffalo hunt.

Love it!

Here is my only buffalo. With a 404 J

There are innumerable stories and examples of hunters who were saved by the instantly available second shot from a double.
And probably just as many examples of where a third or fourth shot from a bolt action saved their life.

The shooter's familiarity and capability with their weapon is paramount, but there is always an element of luck.

That is why I am bolt action trash. Intimately familiar with that action.

Under stress you instinctively revert to the familiar.

Hmmm...do they make 760's in .375?

I am feeling that I want a rifle whose shots will strike where I can predict they will strike all the time.That is the most important requirement-even at longer ranges.That I get with a solidly built rifle with a good barrel.A brand new m70 in 375H&H will answer that call.The recoil on that gun is not enough to knock iron sights around.I shot one my PH received as a gift in Africa.It was really accurate and pleasant to shoot offhand.

That's something I'd not ever heard before. Must be alot of 458+ iron sights lying around in the dirt around the place.

Never ever had iron sight knocked around.

Anything can work loose, but a modicum diligence takes care of that.

" modicum diligence" Does Brownell's carry that glue?

You can get it a most hardware stores.