Let's talk about cape buffalo hunting with a handgun. I am in the very early planning stages of a cape buffalo handgun hunt. I hope to be able to make it happen in 2013 or 2014. What countries allow cape buffalo handgun hunting? Any recommended outfitters? Those who have been there, done that please share your experiences. Those handgun hunters who are like myself and aspire to be a cape buffalo hunter in the future, please share your thoughts on guns, loads, and any research that you may have done. Let's have some discussion on all things cape buffalo related!

1. O.K.: Zimbabwe, Zambia (sometimes), Mozambique, South Africa.
2. No handguns: Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana (although a friend of mine, Mohammed Tobah, did get permission a few years ago to take an elephant with one).

Outfitters: Tshabezi Safaris, Dudley Rogers, owner, in Zim.
Jannie Otto, RSA
Guns: .375 JDJ & up; .475 Linebaugh & up.

Mark Hampton and Dr. Larry Rogers would be your most current authorities. I believe you know or have corresponded with both on other matters.

Thanks Ken! What were the shot distances on the cape buffalo that you have taken? What outfitters/countries did you hunt them in? Aren't most shot opportunities at 100 yards or less? If so, this seems like a perfect opportunity to use a big-bore revolver.

I have indeed corresponded with Mark H. and Dr. Rogers before and I value their input. Hopefully they will see this post and chime in as well.

100 yards! Are you kidding! You gotta get up close and personal to get the juices flowing. Did mine at 30 yards with a .416 Taylor Encore. He was watching me, slobbering like a fool, and wanting a piece of my a--. Got it all on DVD no less. The big 'uns don't respect you. They only understand caliber and weight!!! Give me a call.

LOL, wvhitman...I'd certainly like to get the juices flowing, I just don't want those "juices" to be brown!

I'll give you a call soon after the Thanksgiving holiday, thanks!

I would suggest that you get to within 50 yards and use a heavy soft point for the first shot if you're using a ctg. like the 416. Those things are tough beyond anything.

Yeah he was shooting something like a 460 Weatherby shortened out of an XP. He showed me the recovered slug and I think you could have reloaded it and shot it again. Does he hunt any more. I haven't talked to him in several years and my impression that he had sort of moved on to other things.

1. O.K.: Zimbabwe, Zambia (sometimes), Mozambique, South Africa.
2. No handguns: Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana (although a friend of mine, Mohammed Tobah, did get permission a few years ago to take an elephant with one).

Outfitters: Tshabezi Safaris, Dudley Rogers, owner, in Zim.
Jannie Otto, RSA
Guns: .375 JDJ & up; .475 Linebaugh & up.

Mark Hampton and Dr. Larry Rogers would be your most current authorities. I believe you know or have corresponded with both on other matters.



so does the above mean that those are the calibers he uses or they are the minimum. i hope not cuz i'm using my 454 in africa.

In most of the African countries 375 is the minimum cal and I know of several people who've used the 454 including Ed Folmar on his recent elephant hunt in South Africa. I think if I ever get the time and money to go I'll take my 458 Win Mag barrel with 500gr Partitions and 500gr Nosler monolithich solids unless it works out better when I lengthen the chamber to 458 Lott. In that case I'd take the lott with the same bullets. For a revolver I'd probably take my 500 Linebaugh with 400gr Hawks and 460gr Punch bullets.

Darrell asked for my recommendation for cape buffalo, and that's what I gave him. I also used a .454 FA on 4 safaris, but not on buffalo. I have used the .375 JDJ on buff, and it's fine.

Darrell,
Yes, your shots will be under 100 yards. The average is probably about 50.

recommendations, great, i was just curious if they were rules, just wondering, thanks for clarifying.

Thanks for all of the comments guys, keep 'em coming...



Ken what bullet did you use in the 375 JDJ?

What months of the year do these hunts typically take place? Does anyone recommend one country over the other?

270 horn Spire. June thru Oct.

Correction: Ed Folmar killed his elephant in Zimbabwe with a .450 Marlin Encore that I sold him and 500 gr. Hornady FMJs that I loaded for him. One shot in the ear hole.

I think you are right Doc, but which one did he take with his 454? I thought he shot his last bull with his revolver, but It could be influenced from the fumes of the bullets I have been casting...LOL

Ed shot the bull once w/ the 450 and then finished it with a head shot from the 454.

yep I've got the video of it, the bull was still alive when he hit it with the 454 while it was down. That's why you pay your insurance premium.

This crew is the best for sharing info.

Ok, I knew I was missing something........ LOL

Darrel,
maybe you are interested, here is a link to an short article about the Gunsite instructor Il Ling's cape buffalo hunt with her Ruger Super Redhawk in 454 casull using a 325 gr Barnes buster

http://onthewildside.com/category/hunts/

it was first published in sports afield

BB, I have read that story before...thanks! That lady can apparently shoot a revolver!

For those who are familiar with South African regulations...are there any caliber/and or other restrictions on handguns? For example, are my .475 Linebaugh and 500 S&W legal for cape buffalo in South Africa?

Thanks for everyone's input!

all I know of is you cannot import two firearms of the same chambering.

Your calibers are O.K., but with revolvers, they have to have a scope mounted on it. I take mine off over there and put the back sight on (the .475) or I've taken SuperReds and take the scope off.

So theoretically - any handgun over 45 caliber is not allowed in RSA. However, if you get you're gun permit ahead of time you should not have any troubles since the SAPS in J'berg no longer have authority to approve or deny your permit from what I've been told recently. The same is true with a scope sort of. I'm not sure how the law reads but there was apparently some wiggle room when arriving and I've heard some stories about folks having to have a scope mounted. However, I've also heard that some duct tape solved the problem and the hunter was allowed to continue (hey it's Africa). Get your permits approved ahead of time is the best advise then there isn't much that will be said about it.

Thanks Hitman and Gary, I had heard that the .45 caliber was the largest handgun caliber allowed at one time. Thanks for clearing that up!

I assume that a red dot sight such as a 30mm Ultradot would qualify as a "scope"?

I know having a little cash in hand helps in Africa too

, but I guess I wouldn't want it to come down to that lol

When I made my first trip over to RSA in Sept. '09, I took a rifle, a .308 Encore and a .480 SRH. Scopes were mounted to the rifle and Encore but I simply had a scope for the SRH stuck in the case (and I actually never heard that a scope was needed for the revolver). I had no problems getting through SAP with the guns. I'd definitely recommend using a service that will handle getting your permits and will meet you when you arrive plus they'll take you to the front of the line to check the guns. I bet I didn't spend 5 minutes w/ SAP before we were leaving the airport.

Good to hear that you're going to try a Cape Buffalo with your .480. That's my plan in a few years.

Many thanks for all of your suggestions! I am booked for a July, 2013 cape buffalo hunt with Kei River Hunting Safaris. The hunt was booked by Wade Derby of Crosshair Consulting

I'm still waiting for my cape buffalo gun to be finished. Jack Huntington is putting together a .500 JRH Super Redhawk for me and I plan to top it with an Ultradot. I spoke to Jack a couple of weeks ago and we are getting close. Per Andrew Renton of Kei River Safaris, the .50 caliber revolver is fine as long as it has a red-dot or scope attached.

I'm trying not to wish my life away, but I'm really looking forward to July, 2013.

Congratulations, Darrell!!!!!! This is exciting news, my friend!

That is awesome Darrell! I'll start working on a cardboard cutout of Mbogo to go around the steel swinger targets...

KeiRiver is the tops. Free range. SuperPH. Great hunt for me last year. Will be going back.

that's awesome. a true dream hunt. anything else on the kill list?

Thanks guys! Tradmark, buffalo is the only species that I have planned but if a target of opportunity presents itself then I can't make any promises!

My wife will be accompanying me on this trip so hopefully I can kill a respectable bull and then spend some time sight-seeing with her. A cape buffalo is at the very top of my African "wish list" but I would love to be able to hunt plains game in the future.

I'm building up to a cape buffalo whereas you're starting at the top. We're heading for our second plains game hunt in about 4 weeks. The main guns are an SRH in .480 and an Encore in .308 w/ a .30-06 rifle as the last resort.

Good for you Darrell! I will live vicariously through you on your adventure... Cape Buffalo with a big bore wheelgun... how awesome is that?!

Thats exactly how id like to do africa. Really debating hard on whether i want cape buff. Or a brown bear first. Consider a go pro and get some footage. Id love to see it then i can truly live thru you. Haha.

Congrats, Darrell!!! It's gonna be a long winter....

Best of luck to you on your plains game hunt Rick! What species are you targeting on this trip? My thinking on hunting cape buffalo first is that I may only get to go to Africa once so I want to hunt the species that interests me the most.



I can't speak for Cape Buffalo yet, but brown bear certainly makes for an exciting hunt. I've had the pleasure of hunting them twice and I'd still love to hunt another one. They are awesome creatures and the life cycle of the Pacific salmon is fascinating to me. I've never been on a spring hunt because I love to witness the bears fishing for spawning salmon. They're fun to catch too!



Best of luck to you, I hope that you get to do both!