Need a new custom for Africa!

[Huvius]

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.

Well, Mauser thought enough of the 30’06 that they offered it in, I believe, all of their sporting models way pre WW2.
Here’s my square bridge TypeA in 30’06 (middle rifle) along with a 10.75X68 top and a 6.5 Portugese below.
A good 30’06 with a twist that will handle 200gr bullets would be not only an ideal African plains game rifle but an ideal rifle for about 90% of all non DG game the world over.

 

[Russ16]

Well, Mauser thought enough of the 30’06 that they offered it in, I believe, all of their sporting models way pre WW2.
Here’s my square bridge TypeA in 30’06 (middle rifle) along with a 10.75X68 top and a 6.5 Portuguese below.
A good 30’06 with a twist that will handle 200gr bullets would be not only an ideal African plains game rifle but an ideal rifle for about 90% of all non DG game the world over.

Don’t have to convince me. I just took my chamois with my great-grandfathers 1948 vintage Model 70 in 30-06. Despite the scorn heaped upon it by my Romanian guides.

Hunt report to follow.

 

[Wyfox]

That Bolliger 338 you had would've been my perfect choice.

The new Highland Stalker in 300 winmag or 338 winmag. There is a used Joe Smithson in 275 Rigby on GI that is amazing too.

 

[DaddyFlip]

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.

I seconded you; you can't pull back now! Look at OP's descriptors; I love the '06 as much as anyone, but this build deserves a little something extra! The Super 30!

• high end custom
• incredible wood
• very prominent gunmaker
• considerable amount of money

 

[Huvius]

I may add, that the photo I posted above shows how Mauser styled/scaled their TypeA’s.
The stocking tailored for each rifle according to caliber.
Modern Rigbys are cookie cutter rifles in comparison.
If a Highland Stalker is of interest, do yourself a favor and search out an original TypeA which will cost you less and is a much finer rifle.

 

[Russ16]

I seconded you; you can't pull back now! Look at OP's descriptors; I love the '06 as much as anyone, but this build deserves a little something extra! The Super 30!

• high end custom
• incredible wood
• very prominent gunmaker
• considerable amount of money

LOL

Like I said for me it would be 30-06. But for what the OP seems to want the 300 H&H hits the sweet spot!

 

[Tgood1]

7x57, 3006, 375 h and h

 

[wildwilderness]

What’s your preference for cartridge? Will you buy factory or reload? Would a wildcat interest you? Or only the classics? Does country of origin matter? Military or non?

I would lean to the 275 Rigby/7x57/7 mauser since it is so versatile, historical, and way more fun to shoot than the bigger magnums


Or maybe 303 British as a real historic UK round if the rifle is made there?

 

[wildwilderness]

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.

Had to look up that list some esoteric choices that would work

 

[dogcat1]

I don’t know if a prominent gunmaker who could deliver a true custom rifle by the end of 2027.
What do you have up your sleeve?

$$$$

 

[dogcat1]

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.

Not $$ contrained but want to stay under 6 figures.

 

[Wyfox]

I would order a take-down Westley Richards if I had your budget, I don't believe you would get it by 2027 though.

Have Matt Roberts build a 300 PRC off of the Prechtl 375 Ruger action he has in the vault. You just need a Krieger blank with integral sights( @Jefferry404 ) and a killer turkish stock blank to round out a pretty nice rifle in a great caliber.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

7MM REM MAG if for PG…

 

[Rafiki]

243 Winchester

 

[Rare Breed]

I would order a take-down Westley Richards if I had your budget, I don't believe you would get it by 2027 though.

Have Matt Roberts build a 300 PRC off of the Prechtl 375 Ruger action he has in the vault. You just need a Krieger blank with integral sights( @Jefferry404 ) and a killer turkish stock blank to round out a pretty nice rifle in a great caliber.

nothing in Westley Richards under 4 years

 

[SWS1]

I got my Lancaster .375 London best in about 16 months which I thought was incredibly quick! My 470 from them will be around 3 years.. so yes it’s definitely possible for some of the top makers to perform to a set timescale.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Hmmm, what a pleasure to be able to have such a choice to make, it is a chance to go to town.
Ruger No1, 30-06, fine wood, red pad, kudu engraving.
Dakota 10, 270.
Westley Richards, 318 WR (from their gun room?)
Rigby Highland Stalker, 275 Rigby
Holland and Holland, 300 H&H (from their gun room?)
Purdey, 303 British ( they may have one?)

 

[Elkeater]

If we are voting on cartridge choice only I’d vote 7x57. Very classic and mild to shoot.

If we are voting on the rifle too then I would vote for a rigby highland stalker in 7x57

 

[JD Noblin]

For a "heavy" plains game rifle, I recommend the 338 Norma. I have one in a Granite Mountain Action with a 24" barrel and it pushes a 250gr Northfork soft right over 3000fps. When I hunted Africa with the 338 Norma, 99% of plains game hit with it literally dropped straight down. The sole exception was a large Eland which staggered about 10 feet before falling.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

If dropping big coin on a top end maker, exhibition wood, all the bells and whistles...easy, 300 H&H...wait, nope 275 Rigby.

Wait, not saying this is what you should do, but I would almost certainly talk myself into the logic of both, a matched pair in 275 Rigby or 7x57 (whichever you preferred on the barrel) and 300H&H.

If only time or funds to have one spun up in time, I would want to find the bookend walnut blanks, so I could complete the pair when the time was right. And then depending on the size of the smallest and largest plains game on the 2027 trip, pick which I preferred now. I think double pairs are sexy, see no reason bolt guns cannot join in some of that class as well.