AUSTRALIAN BUFFALO HUNTERS
Australia's Premium Big Game Hunting Safaris
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Dangerous Game Rifles

The Ultimate - Hunting Dangerous Game with a Fine Double

Here is a selection of quality dangerous game rifles.  The express or double rifle in recent times has seen a huge increase in popularity.  They can be expensive in comparison to a good bolt rifle, however many manufacturers now offer doubles from $8,000-$20,000 allowing some hunters to fullfill their dreams of hunting with a classic large bore double.  Most hunters dont need a heavy 470NE or 500NE which are best suited to elephant hunting or a professional hunters back up rifle.  These big rifles kick hard and many hunters cannot consistently shoot them accurately.  More popular double rifles are the 375 Flanged, 375 H&H, 450/400 NE and 500/416 NE which hunters can use accurately and thus effectively on the likes of Cape Buffalo, Lion and Water Buffalo etc, plus they have the option of using a detachable scope.  Before deciding on a big bore double, I recommend you borrow a rifle and fire 10 rounds, not just 1 or 2, and not to listen to the wishes of others with little or no experience.  Be sure to fire a number of rounds, from a rest, and offhand and kneeling, simulating what you will be doing in the field.  An ethical hunter's responsibility is to shoot well, and take his trophy or game cleanly.

B. Searcy & Co,  Sidelock Double Rifle   www.searcyent.com

The doubles in 375 Flanged, 375 H&H, 450/400 or 500/416 calibers have manegable recoil, and a reasonable carry weight, thus at the end of a long day under the blazing sun, you can shoot straighter.  Correct shot placement is the only answer to clean kills... not volumes of power in the wrong spot.  Keep in mind some hunters with aging eyesight cannot see express open sights well enough to shoot accurately.  The best hunting is often morning and afternoon with low light and shadows, making both the sights and target area hard to identify, if seen at all..!!  This is where a 375 or 400 caliber with a detachable scope and long eye relief is best, making it suitable for low light, more accurate shooting and use on medium and large game.  Personally I would not recommend a scope on a 470 or 500 caliber, as you will very soon be whacked and chopped in the head so damn hard you will never forget it... that $2000 scope may never be attached again... 

    Sauer Hatari  375H&H t/d     www.sauer-waffen.de 

Blaser S-2  Express Double Rifle   500NE         www.blaser.de

We now have a large choice of dangerous game Bolt action rifles available in 9.3x62, 375H&H, 416RM, 416Rigby, 404 Jeffery, 458WM and 458Lott.  Weatherby has a premium lineup of large bore rifles in 378, 416 & 460 Weatherby Magnum, all excelling in their caliber class, and the later 2 generally fitted with a muzzlebrake.. which requires hearing protection.  Specialist bullet makers like Barnes, Swift, Rhino, Nosler, Woodleigh etc, produce very tough projectiles with controlled expansion for thick skinned game.  The Australian made Woodleigh weldcore SP and FMJ bullets are popular worldwide, with a traditional construction made to generally regulate well in double rifles.  Prices of some 375H&H ammunition has recently come down, allowing many hunters to practice more and use their rifles for general shooting of antelope, deer, wild boar etc.  Again detachable scope mounts make a big bore rifle very versatile, and 1x-5x or 2x-7x magnification scopes are most suitable for both close up and longer range use.  If a scope is used on a 416 Rigby, 458 Lott or bigger, this brings a high risk of the scope contacting the shooters head, so a scope with long eye relief is a must.   Porting and/or a recoil reducters in the stock may be required for some shooters.   Again I suggest you test fire a rifle in the caliber that you are concidering, before purchase.

Sako 85 Safari  375H&H        www.sako.fi

WeaWeatherby Dangerous Game Rifle 460WM      www.weatherby.com

Hunters after Australian Water Buffalo will find these large bodied animals have a heavy muscle structure and unbelievably tough skin from 1" to almost 2" thick.  The 375 H&H is a great cartridge if shots are placed correctly in the shoulder, heart, lungs area.  The 404 Jeffery and 416 Rigby are better and deliver more knock down energy, plus give excellent penetration on raking shots if an animal departs.  The 458 WM starts to recoil hard, but is very effective close up, and the 458 Lott cartridge is more effective further out.  Ideally your first shot should be with a quality Expanding bullet placed accurately to do the required job.  However dangerous game animals often regain their footing and will either charge or run away.  Under both circumstance you should have Solid or FMJ bullets in your magazine, and be able to shoot accurately on running game.  So fellow hunters, select a suitable rifle and caliber that you CAN handle, get to the range and practice, plus be 100% sure your ammunition feeds properly.  Good hunting, Graham Williams

HUNT REFERENCES

Exactly as you said... ethical hunting in wild Arnhemland.  This was truely an excellent Australian adventure... the Buffalo bulls were tough monsterous animals...  I estimate we saw over 500 Buffalo. The fact all hunting was on foot made this trip more rewarding than ever before.  We are both thrilled to have excellent guides that helped us get 10 outstanding trophies... some of our best hunting experiences ever... We will be back...
Vicki, and Michel De Dampierre. (28 day safari, 3 regions) (back in 2010)

I would like to thank Graham and his very capable team for the most enjoyable hunt that I have been fortunate and privileged enough to do in all my 61 years.  (using 375H&H double rifle) Arnhem Land is the place to be - picturesque, with plenty of animals being seen each day, with several large specimens on offer.  I will be back to try and improve on the two taken this trip.   Till then, I will always remember your motto " Buffalo hunting is a disease, with no cure.... only treatment".  I'll be back for some more treatment soon.
Jeff Gray. Nowra, NSW.

Extremely professional & pleasant to work with.  I regard this hunting trip as one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences I could wish for - I would like to do it all over again.
Stephan Bellingan. Retired CEO. ( 4 safaris)

There were many good bulls I saw of Trophy quality...  My Buffalo altercations were as good as it gets!  Large calibers and heavy  premium bullets are a MUST!  This is a genuine WILD hunt...  Any real hunter will enjoy this hunt.
David G. Walker. Buckfield USA. ( 2 safaris)

Arnhem Land is where you want to be.... had at least 12 bowhunt stalking opportunities, and crawled to within seven yards of a bull that my guide estimated to score well over 110 (the wind turned and he was gone).  It just doesn't get much better than that..... See you next year.
Patrick OBrien. CO. USA.

The area was abundant in buffalo and wild pigs - there were no surprises - I can only give the highest approval of my experience.
Walter Lew.  Management, Texas.

An experience neither of us will ever forget - (1st hunt) there was certainly hundreds of buffalo and many shootable trophy - I am actually itching to come back to Australia this time with my older son.
Dr Adrian de Villiers. Radiologist. ( now done 3 bow-hunting safaris)

Graham was extremely well organized - I have hunted all over North America and Africa with many different outfitters. I would enjoy hunting with them anytime !!
Jerome C. Deavan. Taxidermist, Michigan.

I have hunted in Africa, England & New Zealand and rate this hunt of an International standard – I can recommend this outfit to any hunter wanting to experience Australian big game hunting at its best.
Richard Browne-Cooper. B.D.Sc Dental Surgeon, Perth.

My expectations were met and even more.... with my last bull on the last day of hunting, when all odds were against us and still Graham was prepared to take the chance.... this second bull scored 104 points in the field, I'll be back.
Dewet Coetzee. International Trader.

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Quality Big Game Hunting Safaris

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