Stopping Rifles Vs. Hunting Rifles
Key Takeaways
SHIT HAS TO WORK!
Various hunting rifles
a. 416 Rigby-Verney Corron Rifle, Mauser style action
b. 30-06 - Winchester Model 70, Mauser style action
c. 375 H&H - Dakota Model 76, Mauser style action
Various stopping rifles
a. 12 Ga. slug — Remington Model 870, pump action
b. 45-70 - Marlin Model 1895 - Lever action
c. 9.3X62 - Sauer & Sohn, Mauser style action
d. 577 Nitro Express - Johan Outschar, double rifle
Transcript
Hi folks, we’re at our Idaho office again. I’ll ask my camera woman to pan around and show you where we’re located—no neighbors, just a few horse trailers out there. Today, we’re talking about the differences between a hunting rifle and a stopping rifle for dangerous game.
I’ve pulled a few rifles out of the vault to demonstrate. If you’ve seen our gun vault video, you know I have hundreds to choose from, and these are rifles I’ve used extensively for different hunting purposes. Let’s go over some key distinctions.
Hunting vs. Stopping When hunting, you’re sneaking up on the animal, taking your time to aim and place your shot exactly where you want it. For instance, when I took down my first Cape buffalo, my PH instructed me to aim through the shoulder. But I saw the buffalo’s heart exposed and went for that shot instead. Hunting rifles are designed for these precise shots at a distance, where the animal doesn’t know you’re there.
A hunting rifle, like my favorite African hunting rifle, a 416 Rigby by Verney-Carron, is equipped with optics for precision at longer distances (200–400 yards). It’s controlled-round feed with a sturdy Mauser action, great for deliberate hunting scenarios.
Stopping Rifle Essentials A stopping rifle is for when an animal is charging at you. There’s no time for precise aiming with a scope; you need quick, open sights to respond at close range. Shotguns loaded with heavy, hard slugs, like a 3-inch Magnum with Brenneke Black Magic slugs, can also serve as stopping firearms for animals like Cape buffalo or grizzly bears.
Here’s a 30-06 I’ve used for hunting, but it’s not ideal as a stopping rifle. I’d prefer something larger for bear stopping. However, if I’m aiming at an unaware bear, a 30-06 can still take it down with a clean heart or lung shot.
Examples of Hunting and Stopping Rifles Another hunting rifle I keep around is a 375 H&H, an old Dakota model. It’s great for hunting in the lower 48 states, but it’s not a dedicated stopping rifle. For that purpose, I rely on my Marlin 45-70 with Buffalo Bore ammo. It’s incredibly effective on bears, with a shorter barrel that’s easy to maneuver in brushy areas.
For larger North American wildlife or moose, I have a 9.3x62, which is powerful by local standards and equipped with an aperture sight. It’s accurate, fast, and reliable in a bear encounter, which we occasionally experience out here.
For Africa, I sometimes use a 577 Nitro Express double rifle for stopping purposes. It’s designed for shots at 50 yards or less and has big, fast, open sights ideal for close encounters with dangerous animals.
Using a Scoped Rifle in a Stopping Scenario If you need to stop a charge with a scoped rifle, you can look down the side of the barrel rather than using the scope, especially if you’ve trained for this. I learned this technique from master guide Kenny Schoonover, who would use it in close-range bear encounters.
Closing Thoughts In summary, hunting rifles and stopping rifles are designed for different purposes, but they can overlap with some adaptation. Hunting rifles often feature optics and are used for precision shots, while stopping rifles are built for rapid response, often with larger calibers and open sights. Both types have their place, depending on the situation.
Remember, it’s important to have the right tool for the job. Thanks for watching, stay safe, and have fun in the outdoors. God bless, and we’ll see you in the next video.
