Best rifle and cartridge for lion hunting

[rugatika]

OK, just because I'm watching The Ghost and the Darkness...what is the best rifle for lion hunting without getting too exotic or custom builds.

I was thinking a Win Model 70 Safari Express in 375?? Leupold 1.5-5X20 with illuminated German reticle??

Now...back to the movie.

[north american hunter]

Model 70 in 375 H&H would wok Nicely, I think any powerful medium bore bore rifle would work just as well.

[boonedocks]

I think that I have watched that movie ( and read the books) too many times, as I now believe that I need that exact rifle/cartridge combo! The chances of me ever making it to Africa are slim but you never know! I suppose I could use it on moose or just shoot at milk jugs in the back forty and pretend they are lions! Everyone knows that I've spent my money on stupider things!

[Twisted Canuck]

I'd take a CZ 550 in .416 Rigby....just because.

[Hunter1602]

.416 !!

[MattSako]

Lion can charge .. i have a 375 h&h 375 rum 416 remington 404 jeffery and 460 weatherby magnum...

Im pretty sure the safe bet would be 416 remington magnum. 404 jeffery would be my backup. Both shooting 400 barnes TSX.

[fordtruckin]

I believe both lions were taken with a 303 brit.... not exactly my go to cartridge if this boy was looking for a kitty!

[petew]

I would feel quite ok with a 9.3 x 62 . it might be an old cal, but it has been proven effective.

[wolf308]

Such a great movie. Yup. Patterson used a sporterized 303. Crazy. I have the book. Can't member much anymore. The lions were actually a mane less sub species I think. Don't know if there around anymore. There was a crazy period of lions hunting humans in and around that area / time. Seperate from the tsavo lions ( I think ).

Would a 300 win mag with a power load and RN 220 grainer be ideal ??? 458 win magnum maybe better ? Guess a bolt gun like you said in the latter calibre id say. And yup the 375 H&H can never be wrong( so I've read ). Would like to shoot one. Have a gorgeous 300 H&H but not the same. The 375 or 300 wm would probably allow you to get quite skilled in it. I fired a 458 win mag with Hornady dangerous game ammo once and wholly crap. Scope ring etched into my glasses. That close to a serious scoping. I'm slight build though but comfortable with recoil. So a big guy likewise can handle all. Food for thought.

Also I think I would want a sxs rifle for the ( super reliable ) follow up shot. Guess those are pricey though and exotic so not what cha want. I know Baikal makes an affordable sxs 4570 ...... Don't think id trust that calibre gainst a ****ed off 500 pound cat though.

[Fowl91]

I believe in SA that the minimum cal required for hunting lion is .375, or any dangerous game for that matter. Id definitely take a .375 H+H as my choice.
However listening to stories of older SA hunters and family friends, it sounds like 30-06 and 7x57 were common cartridges used back in the day.

Great movie by the way!

[rembo]

I'd use a 30-30 Marlin with a red dot sight.......

[edmhunter]

My 300 WSM with Nosler 180 Grain Accubonds would do the job, unless the lion was wearing a Kevlar vest.

[Gilly]

405 winchester! Nuff said


Gilly

[norwestalta]

375 hh.
What would the shot placement crew advise?

[elkdump]

Originally Posted by Gilly

405 winchester! Nuff said


Gilly

Who are you ? Teddy Roosevelt ?

[elkdump]

Originally Posted by norwestalta

375 hh.
What would the shot placement crew advise?

A lot of folks are " Recoil-Challenged " , or have a favourite wildcat caliber,,

Might I suggest a .17 HMR necked up to .22 Caliber,,,,,,

[norwestalta]

Originally Posted by elkdump

A lot of folks are " Recoil-Challenged " , or have a favourite wildcat caliber,,

Might I suggest a .17 HMR necked up to .22 Caliber,,,,,,

Lol.
I know my 375 worked good on the squirrel and yapper dog I shot with it. Both were DOA..If it works on squirrels there is no reason why it wouldn't work on cat.

[fish_e_o]

i've seen that movie i'm thinking this

[Fredo]

Would feel insecure without a .50 BMG and a backup howitzer.

[Cowtown guy]

Another vote for the CZ 550 in .375 H&H. Excellent cartridge and although that is the minimum, lions aren't full of heavy bones and have relatively thin skin. It would be just fine.

Low power scope as they are typically hunted close.

[nelsonob1]

How about a lever in 45/70 with either a low mag scope or open red dot sight. 325 grain bullet.

I spent some time in Africa back in the early 1990's and accompanied a few guided hunts (taking pictures of clients). Lots of guides back then carried a 30-06.

[ProSK-Antiroyalty]

Originally Posted by nelsonob1

How about a lever in 45/70 with either a low mag scope or open red dot sight. 325 grain bullet.

I spent some time in Africa back in the early 1990's and accompanied a few guided hunts (taking pictures of clients). Lots of guides back then carried a 30-06.

The general feeling I get is that anything other than a double rifle or a crf bolt gun is unclassy, unsafe or just not in style in Africa when hunting dangerous game. I have a lever gun as well, I like them but i dont trust the action on it to function flawlessly every time. Nor would I trust a remington like small ejector to pull out a hot expanded cartridge from the chamber and reload while out in the sun in a hot day in africa too. You need a big claw extractor ie model 70's, mausers, rugers, cz's etc not push feeds ie remingtons, sakos, savages that can porpoise or jam

[bat119]

You need what ever this guy was shooting dropped him just in time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIPAuLd-zvw

Might want to pack some extra shorts too!

[recce43]

.50 cal muzzle loader 400 grain bullet and pocket knife for backup

[edmhunter]

Originally Posted by bat119

You need what ever this guy was shooting dropped him just in time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIPAuLd-zvw

Might want to pack some extra shorts too!

That's awesome!

[MagnumMachine]

Shot placement is EVERYTHING!!
My lion died on the spot with just 1 shot from my puny 300 win mag when she decided to charge us.

[rugatika]

Originally Posted by MagnumMachine

Shot placement is EVERYTHING!!
My lion died on the spot with just 1 shot from my puny 300 win mag when she decided to charge us.

Thanks for the pic.

What were you using for boolits? Rifle?

[edmhunter]

Great picture and beautiful lion, looks like your shot was Purrrrrrrrrrfect! Congratulations

[rugatika]

Originally Posted by edmhunter

Great picture and beautiful lion, looks like your shot was Purrrrrrrrrrfect! Congratulations

OH mannnnn...I can't believe I let that pun slip me by. Good one.

[MagnumMachine]

Originally Posted by rugatika

Thanks for the pic.

What were you using for boolits? Rifle?

Custom built 300 win mag based on a Sako AV action.
200 gr Wildcat bonded ULDs