Best rifle companies and calibers for dangerous game?

[Joshua Blosgov]

hey guys, I'm new here. So I'm planning a trip to Africa within the next year or two. I would like to get a nice bolt action rifle for the journey. I would like to hear your recommendations and why. Some guns I have been looking at include but are not limited to, the Winchester m70 Safari, Mauser 98 magnum, weatherby in .460, and cz550. I would like the gun to be either in in .375 h&h, 416 rugby, 458 Lott, or 404 Jeffery. Thanks guys!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Well......welcome to AH first and you're about to get a load of replies.

Likely the most popular two in your list are the CZ550 and M70. Mauser certainly makes a great rifle but you will pay big dollars for them.

Personally I love my M70 and only plan to depart with it when I make my final departure from this earth. Still there are others who feel the same about their CZ's.

The first question I'd ask to help you is how much experience with .375 and larger calibers do you have?

 

[cpr0312]

Welcome Aboard! There are lots of guys on here with lots of experience with these larger calibers. I drew from the knowledge on this site and just bought a .375 myself. Out of your choices, like Phil said the most popular would the M70 and CZ. I don't have experience but both have lots of people ho will vouch for them. I personally just picked up a Kimber in .375 and love it. Best of luck!

 

[Red Leg]

So to narrow things down a bit - what do you intend to hunt?

 

[wesheltonj]

Depends on what you want to spend. I like SAKO, but if I want to spend more I would buy a Merkel.

 

[Joshua Blosgov]

So to narrow things down a bit - what do you intend to hunt?

I intend on hunting Cape buffalo

 

[Joshua Blosgov]

Well......welcome to AH first and you're about to get a load of replies.

Likely the most popular two in your list are the CZ550 and M70. Mauser certainly makes a great rifle but you will pay big dollars for them.

Personally I love my M70 and only plan to depart with it when I make my final departure from this earth. Still there are others who feel the same about their CZ's.

The first question I'd ask to help you is how much experience with .375 and larger calibers do you have?

I don't have any expierience with any of the 40 calibers. Although I have shot and own a 30-06

 

[spike.t]

hi welcome aboard . as has been asked whats your budget ? the difference between a $900.00 DG rifle and a $90,000.00 DG rifle are considerable......there are a serious amount of choices out there and the limit is how much you wish to spend....

 

[Joshua Blosgov]

hi welcome aboard . as has been asked whats your budget ? the difference between a $900.00 DG rifle and a $90,000.00 DG rifle are considerable......there are a serious amount of choices out there and the limit is how much you wish to spend....

I plan on spending no more than $3,000

 

[Spooksar]

Is that $3000 just for the rifle or rifle and scope

 

[Red Leg]

.375/ 300gr. Can't go wrong.

 

[wesheltonj]

That could buy you a SAKO Classic 375 H&H, with about 800 left over for a scope. Around May, I understand that American made Leica scopes will be available and that would just about use up your 3k.

 

[CAustin]

Welcome to AH. If money is no object get a Merkel. But if you want bang for you Buck get a Ruger Guide Gun in 416 Ruger.

If you want a 458 Lott shoulder crusher then get a Ruger Model #1 or one in 450/400. They are still out there at reasonable prices.

The CZs are nice and the Winchester M70 is a great Rifle! Just make sure it feels good to you when you shoulder it!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

With no experience with the larger calibers, I'd recommend either the .375H&H or the .404J. The .458's and particularly the 460Wby is stout kickers. The .416 Rigby loaded to potential in modern rifles will kick you in the head too.

 

[Gemsbok Gangsta]

CZ in 375 with experience I will deliver this message clearly that 460 WBY will whip you're butt!!

 

[Joshua Blosgov]

The 3k budget is only for the rifle, discluding optics

 

[Joshua Blosgov]

So what would you guys say is the ultimate dangerous game cartridge ?

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

My sugestion 375H&h magnum or 404Jeffery.
Good luck in Africa.
Witold

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Joshua: Do NOT get a 460 Weatherby would be my recommendation. Looking at the recoil charts will tell you that it's going to be a painful experience to shoot and a gun that not many are really capable of handling.

What is the biggest rifle you have shot? What type of hunt (PG, DG or both) are you planning? A 375 H&H or a 375 Ruger would my recommendation. The Ruger will cost a lot less than the H&H and they are ballistically no different. You can set up a 375 Ruger (or a 416 Ruger for that matter) with a great scope for ~$1500.

BTW, in your original post, you listed a 416 rugby: Is that the much anticipated rifle collaboration between Ruger and Rigby?

 

[Pheroze]

You have a budget for a great rifle! Have fun. I moved up from 30-06 to 375 H&H and found it a very reasonable step. Personally, I am not sure I will ever go bigger because the 375 is such a flexible caliber without being uncomfortable. However, it will let you know if you haven't shouldered it properly. Also, the cartridge does not need a very heavy rifle so it remains a nice handling rig.