5 Rifles To Consider When Safari Hunting In Africa

By Ready to Fire News Last updated Apr 24, 2019

So, you are about to make that trek into Africa to big game hunt. Maybe you have been before (lucky you!), or this might be the trip of a lifetime that you have been looking forward to for decades. This is quite different from your usual hunting trips. Just know that ahead of time. Which is why you need to be properly outfitted with the right rifles for safari hunting the open plains of Africa. This promises to be a trip you’ll always remember so being prepared will help it go smoothly for you and your travel companions.

In Africa, the point of big game hunting is to go after the “Big 5.” These are the leopard, the lion, the Cape Buffalo, the rhinoceros, and of course the elephant. There are also a variety of smaller to mid-sized animals like the impala, various antelopes, and the wildebeest. Your options are endless for the hunter who is ready to roam the plains of Africa with the right firearms at the ready.

An African big game hunting rifle needs to be large enough to get the job done. The minimum caliber of rifle you need is a .375 H&H Magnum. Some other rifles that are good choices are the following:

Ruger Hawkeye African .30-06: A very precise rifle that makes it an excellent choice for Africa big game hunting. This rifle is also a crossover that can shoot smaller game such as zebras or wildebeest with ease. This is probably why it’s one of the top choices to bring along on your safari.

The CZ 550 .375 H&H: Great for large game with a controlled round feed action that is perfect for precision hunts. It also holds six bullets so that dangerous game doesn’t stand a chance of getting away.

Mauser M98 Magnum: Also has the proper round feed action with a strength that can penetrate tough animal skin of the larger game like elephants and rhinos.

Remington Magnum .416: This is a great rifle and caliber to shoot the Cape Buffalo. This beast is considered one of the hardest to kill in the world, and you might need nine to eleven shots to get the job done.

Winchester M70 “Safari Express Model”.416: A great budget option that will still be an excellent hunting companion in Africa, you can’t go wrong with this rifle. An iconic choice in sport hunting that will allow you to experience a new trigger system called the “MOA” trigger. This is to reduce the feel of the pressure, but still gives you the accurate feel of the shot you’ll need to take.

No matter what rifle you go with on the big hunt, you’re going to have the time of your life on your first African safari. You’ll probably be anxious to go back again and again. It’s really the experience of a lifetime that is so different from hunting in America.

~ Ready to Fire News