This is a topic that occurs quite frequently on hunting and shooting forums, especially where rifles for dangerous game is the main theme.
Dangerous game, as defined by certain authors who write books on the subject, or articles in particular outdoor magazines, or blogs, usually include the “dangerous five” of Africa: Elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and leopard. Some others would include a sixth: Hippo. The fact of the matter is, however, that hippo apparently is the MOST dangerous if for no other reason than the sheer numbers of fatalities it causes compared to any one of the other aforementioned beasts. Then, on the other hand, crocodile have nabbed more than it’s share of nationals who tread too close to a river’s edge.
And among potential candidates for “dangerous” in North America, there are several nominees: Bears, in consideration of sheer numbers again, are without doubt the worst offenders. They are the most prolific of any particular group, and also have the worst record of imposing fatal attacks. Others to be included would be certain ungulates and then cats. Wolves, and their cousins, must also be taken into account since we are talking “potentially dangerous” as well.
All, or any, of these are dangerous under particular sets of circumstances. A wolf should be considered a potential treat anytime we may meet one in the wild, but a pack of wolves encountered in the wild must be regarded as a real present danger! Bears, on the other hand, don’t run in packs, but a single bear following you in a wilderness area IS a dangerous situation.
The variety of possible scenarios in any planned or chance meeting with potentially dangerous wildlife is impossible to describe in a few books, let alone a few paragraphs. So, to summarize to the best of our ability, we’ll break it down to usual hunting situations.
In Africa, true big-bore rifles are usually reserved to the Dangerous Five, or Six. Yet, in reality, there’s little hunting left for the rhino, or even lion, and leopard hunting is severely restricted and may be disappearing as well. That leaves buffalo, hippo and elephant in certain areas. Cape buffalo is the most plentiful, and perhaps the premier choice for the first or second time hunter of DG. From my reading I would guess that elephant is second choice, and more costly. But, there are elephant, and then, there are ELEPHANT!! It’s obvious, I think, that any cartridge/caliber that’ll work on elephant will also readily take care of the other four or five when properly loaded for the species in mind. No arguments there.
Next comes the main issue: Handling, aiming and hitting with the Big Bore of choice.
Handling a Big Bore, that may go 11 lbs, is a challenge to physical strength. After toiling with it’s weight for several hours, exposed to tropical heat that may soar to 120* by early afternoon, a western, out-of-shape 60+ year-old will have difficulty holding the rifle steady unless aided by shooting sticks.
The next reality to be dealt with is it’s recoil. If there is fear or anticipation of big recoil, the trembling of arms and legs due to weariness will only be exaggerated. The consequence of all this is antipathy toward the rifle which detracts from full concentration on placing the bullet with precision.
What’s the answer to this dilemma? Some would suggest going to a lighter load for the rifle, or a lighter rifle shooting a lighter load. Others say practice, practice, practice… That’s the key to placing the bullet where it needs to go. It also is supposed to toughen you up so that you don’t notice the pain. All that’s well and good, and sometimes some of it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. How come, you ask? Good advice from blogs, books and experts on the other side of the world don’t always take into account the individual hunter’s age, psyche, sex, physical condition, financial status, expectations, goals, size or shape. Or, perhaps some other issues, like not having any qualified person to train or monitor them.
Nonetheless, only two issues are involved: First (and foremost), getting into shape for the hunt, and Secondly: Choosing a rifle that fits, that you can handle reasonably well and that has ballistics adequate for the anticipated hunt. Don’t choose a 12 lb .505 Gibbs, in other words, when you only NEED a 9 lb .375 H&H or an 8 lb 9.3 X 62. Don’t be foolish in trying to prove you are a “real HE-man” by choosing a rifle you’re unfamiliar with, that you’ve shot nothing but enough holes in paper at 50 yards with to determine it’s zero!
Yet, there is great pressure on some of the forums, and in other literature, and possibly from friends, to choose a rifle based on nothing more than the notion that “bigger is better”!
These blogs are found at http://www.bigbores.ca, which says, in effect, that what you will find here is what the domain name implies you will read about. And that’s correct… to a point. Also, the header reads” Lovin’ the Big Bang”. Actually, my son, Phil, chose that, and I’ve just left it that way. And I do love Big Bores! However, I’m not silly about it. I know that mediums work very well on particular game, including some of the dangerous sort! I’m also a fan of the 300 Win Mag. In smaller calibers, I like .25s. Other than that, I like the .223 Rem and .22 LR.
That said, this is about handling recoil from the big ones! How big? No one… yes, NO ONE NEEDS a “12-gauge from hell” or even a 600 Overkill! They might be interesting to a small number of shooters… or even “fun” for a short time, but, sooner or later these “novelties” will wear very thin, and never will they become anything other than excessive extravagance for those who are looking for “kicks”, and that beyond any reasoned reason. It’s guaranteed… they will NEVER replace reasonable Big Bores due to their massive recoil and mind-numming ballistics!
No, we’re talking about acceptable recoil and reasoned ballistics. Among other things, Don Heath (aka Ganyana) has shown that the “lowly” 9.3 X 62 is adequate for elephant in expert hands, and with correct loads. Don Heath is an expert PH in Zimbabwe. He’s killed many with his 9.3 X 62, and many Cape buff, and lion too. Maybe that’s not his first choice for all situations, but it works… and works as well as a .570 NE when loaded and aimed correctly. You can go up from there if wanted.
Managing recoil of the Big Bores? Get in shape physically, however that works for you. Then, choose a Medium over a Big Bore as a place to start. Load it right, practice with it until it becomes part of who you are… until you can’t miss under the worst of stressful conditions. By the way, a .375 H&H and .375 Ruger are mediums as well.
“Not enough gun”, you say? Well, if it really matters that much in providing a bit more comfort and confidence, move on up to a forty-something-or-other! Still not enough? Then I have nothing to add! GOOD BYE!!! (C’mon, be patient with slow learners, Bob!). OK, here are some simple steps:
1) Practice!
2) Practice!
3) Practice!
…and if it still hurts, go to a medium that doesn’t, and learn to shoot it well!
More next time…
Shalom
BOB MITCHELL