Guns and Gear for a Cape Buffalo Hunt

by
posted on June 1, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
buffalo_hunt_gear_f.jpg

Editor's note: Author Philip Massaro recently used the following gear to hunt Cape buffalo in Mozambique. You can catch up on that story here.

Double rifles are a special hunting tool, and the Heym Model 89B stands out among doubles. It differs from the famous 88B in that the barrel contour is slimmer, the receiver is rounded, the pistol grip has been opened up a bit and the balance is perfect. Heym makes its rifles to the customer’s desired length of pull, and this rifle fit me perfectly.

Recoil was no issue with the .450/400 3-inch, but the cartridge was extremely effective on buffalo. The Peregrine BushMaster bullets expanded perfectly and gave fantastic penetration. Handloaded to a muzzle velocity of 2075 fps, they provided all the killing power I needed, yet the recoil was acceptable, as is characteristic of the .450/400 NE.

For glass on this hunt, I used a Bushnell Elite 10x42 binocular. Images were crisp and defined, whether we were out in the harsh light of the swamps or in the shadowy forests. Light and rugged, the binocular stood up very well to the day-to-day rigors of safari.

My cartridge belt came from African Sporting Creations, and it worked perfectly. I could withdraw cartridges to reload the double with ease, even under the stress of walking up on a wounded buffalo, and they never rattled or fell out of their loops.

Latest

Gear Lede Image
Gear Lede Image

Junior Hunter Gear: Get Your Kids Into the Field

Looking for ways to get your fields out from behind the screens and into the great outdoors this summer? Check out these great pieces of outdoor kit to help spur the process.

Stealth Cam Adds On-Demand Livestream

Shortly after teasing the launch of its new trail camera functionality at the 2025 SHOT Show, Stealth Cam has announced that On Demand Live Stream is available via the Command Pro app.

#SundayGunday: Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I.

On this week's #SundayGunday, Digital Associate Editor David Herman talks with Benelli Vice President Tim Joseph about Benelli's new Super Black Eagle 3 with A.I. barrel technology.

NRA Foundation Awards $13,500 in College Scholarships

The National Rifle Association is proud to announce the Grand Scholarship winners from the 2024 Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.)—a group of exceptional students selected for their leadership, initiative, and dedication to advancing NRA programs within their communities.

Recipe: Bacon-Rolled Elk Burgers

Brad Fenson whips up his classic Bacon Rolled Elk Burgers in this week's recipe.

First Look: Chiappa Firearms Rhino Revolver

Chiappa Firearms is expanding its Rhino series by introducing two new revolvers chambered in the powerful, versatile 10mm Auto.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.