How do I survive a lion hunt?

[Silky]

Title. I've died every time.

A .338 from 30 yards away doesn't drop them and they kill me.

.470 is too slow to aim and they kill me.

200 yards away can barely penetrate with a .338.

Are they really this ridiculously strong against bullets in real life?

[Old Goat]

Yes, they are very tough animals. I fell them with the 7mm poly to the lungs (now that spine shots don't work) or the brain. It's not a large enough cal to fell them on the spot (except for brain or heart shots) but it's doable. I've never run across one larger than a level 7 so I might consider moving up to a Class 4 weapon but you are right...the .338 may fall into the Class 4 weapon catagory but in perfomance on Buffs and Lions it's more like a class 3.2

[Phi11]

I have only encountered one, it was at around 240 yards, I pulled up, hit him in the lungs, took off like a shot, only ran around 50 yards or so, and it was down, I was using a .338.

[Hidden Gunman]

IRL generally accepted calibre is .375 express through to .416 Rugby ( or similar). .470 express is way overpowered. .303 (and similar) is capable, but you need to drop them, then kill with a second shot (spine shot in the interest of safety).

I think the current danger behaviour from lion and cape buffalo is a bit overstated. The real life risk is approaching a downed animal and having it jump back up and attack you, hence the rule of thumb practice of putting one more round into the spine or shoulders regardless.

Game wise we are very limited in firearm choice, single shot break action rifles are suicide up close, and if you have to track a wounded lion. Which only leaves the .470, which is slow handling and has shocking recoil recovery for lion.

[mickey1940]

it was said there is a way to be safe from the lion, in game it might be the X key i haven't tested it yet , but trowing it out there for you who may want to test it.

[DanthemanBoone]

I have been using the 338 and have had good success. Side on lung shots at long range, 100 yards plus are working fine for me. I walk around the water holes until I find Lion sign and then go set up an ambush overlooking a clear area and wait. the lions will circle the water holes several times so they show up sooner or later. Dont go into the scrub looking for them. Let them come to you across an open area. The bigger the better.

[Freedom_exp(-1)]

i shot one at +/- 100m with a .270... placement is the key.

[Knurrli]

if he attacks rhino is your friend. alternatively, you get 100% integrity with the king (for whatever reason). however, the main thing is not the gun but to keep cool and really make the shot count. if you panic you will die.

[☠djb204☠]

Bullet placement is key. .338 double lung (broadside) and it’s game over.