South Africa 2028

[deer_shooter]

I attended a local SCI Banquet this past weekend and somehow managed to be the high bidder on a South Africa Cape buffalo hunt. I got it at a truly amazing price so I’m still in shock to some degree as I never thought I’d be able to pull of a hunt like this. I am planning on going April of 2028 and have the option to add plains game for the price of the trophy fees so I’ll most likely take advantage of that while I’m there. I have a 375 Ruger that I plan to take and will be spending the time between now and then practicing. I intend to load up some 270gr TTSX and 270gr or 300gr solids. The rifle right now wears a VX3 2.5-10x36 but I may upgrade to a Trijicon Credo 1-10x28 and take the Leupold as an emergency backup. Any critique of my rifle, bullet choice and scope?

For those who have hunted buffalo, any suggestions or advice? I welcome any and all feedback as this is a bucket list hunt for me.

 

[Chase0109]

Congratulations on winning your bucket list Hunt!

Now you have to wait, but it’s an exciting time as you research and learn lots of new things.

To answer your questions. 270 grain Barnes will be just fine for your Buffalo. I like to use 300 grain Barnes in my 375 H&H. You could also use swift bullets as well. You won’t need solids. These days you really only need solids if you’re doing elephant or hippo.

Your current scope will be just fine for both your Buffalo and Plains game. But if you’re feeling the itch to pick up another scope, then go for it. I do recommend whatever scope you run with has a lighted reticle. If you’re gonna run a scope and carry a back up then you’ll want to get 2 good sets of QD rings. I like talley personally, but I’ve heard good things about Leopold and Warne rings also.

If this is your first time going to Africa, you might wanna work with Gracy Travel to let them handle all the logistics. It’s pretty straightforward booking your own flights into Johannesburg. But they’ll help walk you through the process for your South African firearms permit and be able to set up a meet and greet as you get off the plane. It’s $300 for their service, $150 for the rifle permit, and usually another $100 or so for the meet and greet. I used them on my first trip to Africa and highly recommended. Now I do all my own arrangements having made multiple trips.

Spend your practice time shooting off sticks. That’s how you’re going to shoot all of your game in Africa. Your Buffalo is going to be close. 80 yards or less, possibly much closer. Plains game is probably gonna be a little longer. If your proficient to 200–300 yards of sticks you’ll be good to go.

Chase

 

[Salmonchaser]

Congratulations. I agree with Chase based on my experience. I’ve used the 2.5 x 8 to great effect out to 500 on my Kudu, on a 300 HH. I think for a one rifle trip it will be fine for your 375. Save the money you would use for a new scope to put towards a Nyala, Bushbuck or Kudu. I have Leupolds that have gone from Alaska to Oregon, Montana, Wyoming and Africa and back again with out issue. If something bad happens your outfitter will have a rifle you can use.
My 375s love the 260 gr partitions and Accubonds as well as the 300gr partitions. It’s a great cartridge, even the Ruger variant, perfectly suited to an African hunt. You could end up shooting an eland (the size of a quarter horse), kudu and an impala all while looking for a buffalo on the same day!
Have a great trip.

 

[BobT1105]

I’ve never hunted South Africa but I have hunted Tanzania. Your .375 Ruger should serve you well. For my buffalo I loaded 300 grain Swift A-Frames and 300 grain Cutting Edge solids. You probably won’t need the solids for the buff but they will come in handy for the smaller species. The Cape Buffalo can take a lot of killing, if he’s still on his feet, keep shooting. Practice all you can afford to, once you have your loads developed and your rifle sighted in get off the bench and practice from field positions. I fired over 300 rounds of full power ammunition in practice for my first safari and it paid off. Make sure you practice off of shooting sticks, my goal was to be able to get an accurate shot off within 2 seconds of my rifle hitting the sticks. If your rifle has open sights make sure you fire a few shots with them also. I would either begin my range session with irons or end with them. I used a 2.5-8 Leupold for everything I shot and would make the same choice again. Don’t get too hung up on a trophy list, take what Africa gives you. Enjoy the hunt and enjoy the planning.

 

[BobT1105]

This old bull was a warrior, hardly any hair left, lion scars, broken boss and a fresh chunk bitten out of his ass. If you zoom in, just to the left of the scopes objective bell you can see where 3 of those Cutting Edge solids went through his heart.

 

[deer_shooter]

Thanks for the replies gents, much appreciated. I was a bit like a dog who caught the car, so your reassurances were welcomed. I had the option of adding up to 3 days to the hunt so I already extended it by 2. I'm planning on putting 200-300 rounds of practice in and most of that will be off sticks. My rifle really likes 270's but I'll see how 300's shoot.
The outfit I'm going with works with a company that handles rifle permits and meets you at the airport but I'll definitely check out Gracy as suggested above.
Any advice on tipping?

 

[BobT1105]

There’s a long thread on tipping on the African hunting forum. It’s a personal decision and there are many variables. I would check with the PH or the outfitter and go from there. There can be unforeseen circumstances that may merit a higher tip, for instance, a tracker may save your life.

 

[jpc01101]

Congrats, read the details of that hunt very very closely and make sure you understand size limits, trophy fees, etc. I bid on a lot of those types of auctions (mainly looking for lowball situations) and can't overstate the importance of reading the entirety of the auction listing and what it includes and excludes. This year will make my second trip to Africa (last year was my first) it will be me, my wife and our 9 year old. We are going to hunt some trophies (Cape Kudu, bush buck, blue Wildebeest) but for the most part the hunt will be culls/females. I just don't want to ship a bunch of stuff back to the US again (at roughly the same cost of the hunt). Either way, you are in for an amazing adventure so do like folks said and practice off of sticks. Tipping is a tough deal, I normally talk to the outfitter about it and last year we talked to the PH about tipping out skinners/trackers, etc.