Safari number two next year but the first for dg. I am heading to SA for a 14 day lioness hunt. So the dilema I am having is, do I take my 375 ruger with 300 gr A frames or a 458 lott with 400 gr A frames? The 375 is a ruger african and the lott is a no1. Both wear identicle scopes with qd rings. I am quite confident and comfortable with both rifles so I really want to boil this question down to a caliber/bullet weight discussion.
Lioness hunt
- Thread starter suits me
- Start date
The .375. You’re going to have a lot of time to fill with plains game. The only reason to use the .458 on a lioness is if you simply want to use it. Thats all the reason you need though. Take it along too, its no harder to bring two rifles than one. The A-Frames are a good all around choice.
Either one will do.
I used a 400 grain A-Frame (404 Jeffrey) for mine. One shot (heart shot) and she piled up after a 20-foot dash.
My friend shot a gorgeous lion with a 30-06 (165 grain Triple Shocks). Took 3 or 4 shots, but lethal result.
So... choose the one you're most comfortable with. (I would have no hesitation to use the .375). Your choice of bullet (A-Frame) is excellent.
I used a 400 grain A-Frame (404 Jeffrey) for mine. One shot (heart shot) and she piled up after a 20-foot dash.
My friend shot a gorgeous lion with a 30-06 (165 grain Triple Shocks). Took 3 or 4 shots, but lethal result.
So... choose the one you're most comfortable with. (I would have no hesitation to use the .375). Your choice of bullet (A-Frame) is excellent.
Doc Rainbow
CGN Regular
- Location
- Beautiful B.C.
I know very little , have not tried lion hunting in Africa. Only a bit in Canada ( tag last 2 years). I am however an avid reader and reading both "Maneaters" at home and "The African Adventurers ( A Return to the silent places) " at work during lunch both books by Peter Hathaway Capstick. Suggest 375 Ruger or H&H is plenty but I personally would want to have an option for a fast second shot. And practice a lot during the year. Sometimes that first shot goes high.
As always, shot placement is key, but things tend to happen, and in such circumstances, having the repeater for a quicker follow up shot if needed would get my vote.
Yes, the PH is there to provide back up as necessary, and that extra level of safety and security. But for me, I would want the repeater for DG. JMO
But, if you are well skilled and practiced, and have better coordination than I, then the single shot may work well quickly for you for a possible follow up. Have seen videos of skilled single shot shooters that carry extra rounds between their fingers perform very quick follow up shots on moving targets. It can be done.
Yes, the PH is there to provide back up as necessary, and that extra level of safety and security. But for me, I would want the repeater for DG. JMO
But, if you are well skilled and practiced, and have better coordination than I, then the single shot may work well quickly for you for a possible follow up. Have seen videos of skilled single shot shooters that carry extra rounds between their fingers perform very quick follow up shots on moving targets. It can be done.
KMG Canada
CGN Regular
- Location
- Alfred, Ontario
Lots of good advice above. I used a .375 for my own hunt and paired with any good quality softpoint (i do like the swift A-Frames) you are in business. Id stick with the .375 as you will undoubtedly get into some plains game on that long of a hunt and it is much more versatile. Which area are you hunting in RSA for lioness, we do most of our hunting in the east cape but move up north for lion.
Got my lioness back last year.
Got my lioness back last year.
billbmcleod
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Back very close to Bruce County
I don't know about lions but I have seen a few kitty cats dispatched with a .22 due to age, illness, or other and unless it was a clean head shot there can be a fair bit of activity for a few seconds.
A gut shot lion can go on for days but i can assure you that you don't need a .375 caliber to kill a lion cleanly.
Personally when i think of a .375 i'm thinking of buffalos not thin skinned lions even though there's absolutely nothing wrong using a .375 caliber or bigger on lions.
KMG Canada
CGN Regular
- Location
- Alfred, Ontario
It can also be a matter of law for some countries with regards to calibre.
fastest lion kill i have seen was with a 460 wea, seems they did not like the speed of the impact.
Having a big enough gun it's never a bad idea.
Don't doubt it at all, my experience is a bit diferente, don't think i have seen a lion killed with anything bigger than a 9.3.
Most of them was with a 30.06 or similar inclusive a couple that were shot and killed with SSGs
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Treat lion like hunting bear, they’re really no different except there is a slightly higher chance of excitement. So not overly tough bullets at faster velocities (2,500fps+). Partitions, Accubonds, Raptors all excellent for the job. I used a .375 on my lion hunt in the Kalahari but would have been equally happy with a 7x57 or .30-06 if permitted where you’re hunting. Just like everything shoot accurately, the .458 is frankly way overkill and won’t necessarily be more impressive in effect on something soft like lion. On buffalo, sure, but cats it really has no benefit unless you just want to.
