Best Rifle for Wife’s 1st African Safari?

[AZDAVE]

Well like most have already said 6.5 creedmore/6.5x55/270/7x57/7-08/308/30/06 all of them will work. Take her to a knowledgeable shop that knows how to fit a rifle. Have them show her what is available (IE YOU GO GET A CUP OF COFFEE) and let her decide on what rifle she wants, (Not what you think she needs) and then put GOOD glass on it even if you have to take one off your rifle and take her to the range allott. You can look at using recoil past type pad on the bench. Just get her comfortable and confident in her rifle and shooting. Once she get where she can setup her own bench and all she asks you to do is spot for her. You are there

The look on her face when she is touching her first african animal and her happiness will reap you a hunting partner for the rest of your lives.

Would also recommend that she shoot 5 times more 22LR than her hunting rifle to just really get and maintain the basic shooting skills.

there is my .02 worth

 

[rookhawk]

Another point of order on this topic that AZDave's post made me think about. I'm not sure how busty your wife is, but generally speaking, women hate hunting because 99.99% of guns fit for absolute crap on women.

The one "economy" gun out there is the Savage Lady Hunter. It comes in 7mm-08 as the ideal option. Women have a smaller shoulder pocket. Women have longer necks. Women have shorter length of pull. Women have breasts. All that results in: Women need an extremely high comb. Women need a gun that is "toe-out", not just cast off more than men. (or the toe punches them in the bust) Women need more cast than men and cast increase causes a LOT more felt recoil.

If she was buying a vintage double rifle or a vintage shotgun, this is all easy stuff because you can get a deal on high comb guns and $250 later you can bend them to fit a woman beautifully. On a non-bespoke economical rifle your choices are miserable. If you want to make sure she never hunts again, give her a man's rifle in any caliber and that'll shut it down pretty quick. Savage Lady-Hunter is the only sub-$1000 gun I know of that will fit most women out of the box.

 

[mdwest]

to add to @AZDAVE and @rookhawk ... another reasonably affordable "ladies" option is the Weatherby Camilla.. its made specifically for women, comes in .243, 6.5 creed, 7-08, and 308... and I've seen them as low as $620 NIB from some of the bigger online retailers..

http://www.weatherby.com/vanguardr-camilla.html

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/24411

 

[Daga Boy]

It all depends on where you are going to be hunting and what species you intend to pursue.
Note in this regard that our terrain varies from sand or stony desserts to think bush. Also some serious mountainous terrain i places.
If you are planning to shoot in open/dessert areas then a .270 or any similar calibre will serve well.
If you are planning to hunt in heavily bushed areas then look at a bigger calibre with a heavier bullet and less speed. I usually advise a .308, especially for youths and women as they come in compact packages, don't recoil heavily and don't need to weigh much. 6.5 x 55 or 7 x 57 are also very viable options.
All of these calibres are OK for all plains game except eland bulls - for which you want something in the 338-375 class .
If she is not at all recoil shy then look at a 9.3 x 62. Not the greatest long range calibre, but it makes a great bush gun capable of taking any animal. Actual recoil is less than a 338; however felt recoil can be quite severe as they frequently come in short, lightweight versions.

 

[Odinsraven]

One point ask your outfitter what suppressor you can borrow = free float the barrel and thread it before you go -

Suppressor will be waiting for you when you arrive

 

[Dwight Beagle]

Having handled both I believe the Camilla is better quality than the Lady Savage. The Sub-MOA guarantee doesn’t hurt either.

 

[Bill Bunn III]

I would have to vote the 270, I have killed coyotes, wild hogs, whitetail deer, and elk with my 270. The elk was shot at 410 yrds using a 165gr barnes x. In my opinion the 270 is so versitle and plenty of gun for most African plains game, and the recoil is minimal.

 

[Savage Hunter]

Having handled both I believe the Camilla is better quality than the Lady Savage. The Sub-MOA guarantee doesn’t hurt either.

My wife’s Savage Lady-Hunter. Shoots one ragged hole at 100 yards.
But that Camilla looks sweet too.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I am taking my wife and son on their first African Plains Game Safari next year and would like to hear what everyone thinks about the best rifle options for them. I want to make sure I don’t get too much gun and create flinching problems but also I want enough gun to handle most plains game.

Thanks

My sugestion - old classic .275Rigby / 7 x 57 / and 9,3 x 62.
Witold

 

[Dwight Beagle]

My wife’s Savage Lady-Hunter. Shoots one ragged hole at 100 yards.
But that Camilla looks sweet too.

Savages are generally very accurate no doubt. For the same amount of money I feel the Camilla is just as accurate, much nicer looking and better made. There’s no doubt a Lady Savage will do the job though