Need a new custom for Africa!

dogcat1

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Looking for suggestions for calibers for a plains game high end custom bolt rifle for a trip in 2027!
It will have incredible wood and built by a very prominent gunmaker.

What caliber would you spend a considerable amount of money on????
 
IMHO - you can't go past one of the 'forgotten' classic '3 somethings'.

.318 Westley Richards
.333 Jeffery
.350 Rigby

Very much looking forward to hearing about your project.
 
Hard to go wrong with a Rigby Highland Stalker in 275RIGBY or their London Best in a 416RIGBY. Other very viable options would be a Heym Express Magnum Bolt Action in 375H&H or the Mauser M98 Magnum Diplomat in 375H&H.

Of course my first love would be a Blaser R8 Selous in 416RM or 458LOTT.
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Looking for suggestions for calibers for a plains game high end custom bolt rifle for a trip in 2027!
It will have incredible wood and built by a very prominent gunmaker.

What caliber would you spend a considerable amount of money on????
Without question just my POV is a Rigby Highland Stalker in either 275 Rigby or 9.3x62
 
300 H&H or 30-06


My intro to Africa was teddy and hem…
So the 30-06 cant be left out as an option ever!

So many safari camps have an old 30-06 laying around that has killed piles and piles of game.
 
Looking for suggestions for calibers for a plains game high end custom bolt rifle for a trip in 2027!
It will have incredible wood and built by a very prominent gunmaker.

What caliber would you spend a considerable amount of money on????

I’d be calling Bailey Bradshaw and asking for him to build me a 318 WR…
 
Looking for suggestions for calibers for a plains game high end custom bolt rifle for a trip in 2027!
It will have incredible wood and built by a very prominent gunmaker.

What caliber would you spend a considerable amount of money on????
Good question — but the answer is relative. Not trying to get philosophical here, but what one person calls “high-end,” another might casually label “mid-tier.” It really depends on the wallet… and the ego attached to it.

So the real question becomes: what’s a considerable amount to you?

Are we talking bespoke, where someone measures your trigger finger like a tailor fitting a tuxedo?
Or off-the-shelf, where you grab the one that speaks to you (or at least doesn’t insult your bank account)?

For example, you’ve got brands that will happily separate you from $200K or more, others in the $60–80K range, and plenty far below that. The choice — and the level of financial pain — is entirely yours.

And that’s before you even factor in caliber choices. You can stay with the venerable .30-06, wander into the 9.3s, the classic .275, and on and on… the menu is long, and it can get expensive in a hurry.

Finally, which side of the pond are we talking about? Some gunmakers come with an accent, some don’t — but it’s helpful to know before anyone launches the next brand-loyalty crusade.
 
.280 Ackley. Way better than 7x57 not so much recoil as a 300 Win Mag. Only makes sense!!!
.280 Ackley is a good cartridge but nothing really special about it inside 250yds.
I think that all of the attributes of the 280AI are well covered by the 338WM with the benefit of a heavier projectile delivered at similar ranges.
I wouldn’t choose the 338WM either for an ultimate custom build but for me it would rank higher than any of the sub 30cal options.
 
30-06. I built my 404J on 8mm military 98 Mauser in less than four months. Did everything but put on the barrel, open the bolt face, and bluing. Turned out okay. I think a respectable gunsmith could get the job done in two years. Might not be a big name guy but it will still be a gun made for you.
20240420_112851_resized_6.jpg
 
300 H&H or 30-06


My intro to Africa was teddy and hem…
So the 30-06 cant be left out as an option ever!

So many safari camps have an old 30-06 laying around that has killed piles and piles of game.
I said 300 H&H but if it was me it would probably be a 30-06. I just didn’t mention it because so many don’t think of it as an “Africa” caliber.
 

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bigrich wrote on Bob Nelson 35Whelen's profile.
thanks for your reply bob , is it feasible to build a 444 on a P14/M17 , or is the no4 enfield easier to build? i know where i can buy a lothar walther barrel in 44, 1-38 twist , but i think with a barrel crown of .650" the profile is too light .
Duke1966 wrote on Flanders357's profile.
ok $120 plus shipping
teklanika_ray wrote on MShort's profile.
I have quite a bit of 458 win mag brass, most of it new. How much are you looking for?

Ray H
bigrich wrote on Bob Nelson 35Whelen's profile.
hey bob , new on here. i specifically joined to enquire about a 444 you built on a Enfield 4-1 you built . who did the barrel and what was the twist and profile specs ? look foward to your reply . cheers
 
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