Classic plains game rifles and cartridges

Howdy all. I am currently on the hunt for a dedicated PG rifle for my fist trip to Namibia in 2027. I am a mountain hunter, mainly mule deer and elk. So all of my rifle set ups are modern styled, newer chamberings lighter weight and a lot of carbon fiber and plastic. I am wanting a classic rifle to take to Africa, something worthy of being passed off through the generations to continue making those memories. I know similar questions have been asked both nothing specific to what I am after. Let's be honest also, the only thing more fun than buying a new gun is debating the best gun!

Here are some of my requirements. A wood stock, chambered in a cartridge pre 1960, capable of the majority of PG (I will likel put a 22 hornet or similar together for the tiny 10), properly head stamped brass must be available factory loaded ammunition is not a requirement, a bolt that locks on safe, and sub $3500 for the rifle not including optic. Unfortunately I am in the wrong tax bracket for a new Mauser or Rigby. New rifles I am currently looking at are the Sako 90 series in 6.5x55 or 30-06, Ruger Hawkeye Africa in 270 or 35 whelen, Winchester M70 in 270 280 rem or 30-06, and the Weatherby Mark V in 257 weatherby mag. I have also been looking online and at local gun shows for either a ruger or winchester in 7x57 or some sort of 300 H&H but have not found one I fancy, yet. I am open to other considerations for rifles and chambering to look into. I am also open to building a rifle if someone has recommendations for a gunsmith who specializes in classic style rifles.

I know that any of my current hunting rifles would work for what I intend to do but that isn't the point. Africa has always been romanticized to me from the writings of a bygone era. I want something that capitalizes on the nostalgia of wild Africa. Please feel free to bring up your favorite cartridge I may have overlooked and make suggestions on rifles worth looking into!

Winchester model 70 Pre-64 in 7x57 (7mm Mauser)

Classic cartridge in a classic rifle that you should be able to find in your price point

My son used a Bergara .270, The .270 loaded with 150 gr speer Hot Cors worked better than I anticipated it would on warthog, wildebeest and blesbok.

So my vote goes to the M70 in .270 win

One of those new ruger 9.3x62......

Mekaniks said:

Winchester model 70 Pre-64 in 7x57 (7mm Mauser)

Classic cartridge in a classic rifle that you should be able to find in your price point

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One that I have been looking for going on 2 years now. They are rather hard to find in good condition and when they can be found they demand a premium. It is absolutely at the top of my list though.

You could go the 375 H&H route. The 375’s are wonderful do all cartridges.
A 450-400 NE in a Ruger No.1 can be a decent do all cartridge.
I have a Ruger African in 375 Ruger and have had zero issues with it.
A 35 Wheelen or 9.3X62 in a Ruger African would a great set up.
I would own one if it came in a left handed version.

pc3 said:

My son used a Bergara .270, The .270 loaded with 150 gr speer Hot Cors worked better than I anticipated it would on warthog, wildebeest and blesbok.

So my vote goes to the M70 in .270 win

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My wife is taking her Sako 85 in 270, I am still playing with what load to take but have no doubt it will work excellent.
I have always had a love for the M70 high grade Maple and it is currently in the numer 2 seat. It is likely what I will choose if I can't find a pre 64 in 7x57

spike.t said:

One of those new ruger 9.3x62......

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An option I considered but I simply do not like the laminate style stock. If they add the 9.3 to the African line one will undoubtedly find its way into my safe.

The original “classic” Mauser 98 commercial in either 7x57 , 8x57, or 9.3x62. Or any of the British large bores built on Mauser actions. Kudos for half octagon, half round barrels, and any Mannlicher Schoenauer. Used rifles that fit these descriptions can be generally had for $2-3000.

Bandera said:

You could go the 375 H&H route. The 375’s are wonderful do all cartridges.
A 450-400 NE in a Ruger No.1 can be a decent do all cartridge.
I have a Ruger African in 375 Ruger and have had zero issues with it.
A 35 Wheelen or 9.3X62 in a Ruger African would a great set up.
I would own one if it came in a left handed version.

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I plan to add a 375 H&H to my collection for DG and some of the bigger PG like eland. I know it is a favorite for the do all rifle of Africa but I've never been the one gun type.
As much as I love the No. 1 I have a hard time bringing myself to own one in larger calibers. I currently have one in 270wby and it is quite possibly the most unpleasant rifle I've fired. It may be better with rifle that have a slower recoil impulse but it does not put a good taste in your mouth for similar rifles.
I really wish ruger would add the 9.3 to their African line like they did the 35 whelen. That is a rifle that would undoubtedly find its way into my safe and on safari.

Mekaniks said:

Winchester model 70 Pre-64 in 7x57 (7mm Mauser)

Classic cartridge in a classic rifle that you should be able to find in your price point

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Certainly a classic American rifle in a classic caliber but just doesn’t bring classic African rifle to mind, at least for me.

MS 9x56 said:

The original “classic” Mauser 98 commercial in either 7x57 , 8x57, or 9.3x57. Or any of the British large bores built on Mauser actions. Kudos for half octagon, half round barrels, and any Mannlicher Schoenauer.

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The Mauser 98 is an action I would love to own but can't seem to find. My grandfather has a beautiful 98 in 338-06 that he used for many many years. I need to do some more digging on the European cartridges admittedly I don't know much about them. The 6.5x55, 7x57, and 9.3x62 are the only ones I have done much study on. I will admit there is something about a half octagon barrel that wows me, same with the mannlicher style stocks.

When a friend of mine suggested we try to plan a trip to Africa when we retire soon, I had picked my Sako 85 Hunter in 30-06 & my Winchester 70 Safari Express in 375 H&H as a possible PG combo. I really like both rifles. They feel great, operate smoothly & shoot accurately.



When I originally went shopping for a Steyr CL II, I wanted to get it in 9.3x62 which is another cartridge that I think you should consider. I found such a great deal on another 30-06 that I decided to make a compromise but I really like the rifle.



If I go PG hunting, these would be the ones I would consider out of my safe.

7x57mm Mauser

Or .30-06 Springfield


If you can find a BRNO ZKK600 rifle in either calibre, you’re gold.


Amongst currently manufactured options, a Ruger Hawkeye in .30-06 Springfield is as good as it gets for the sportsman on a budget.

Wyit76 said:

The Mauser 98 is an action I would love to own but can't seem to find. My grandfather has a beautiful 98 in 338-06 that he used for many many years. I need to do some more digging on the European cartridges admittedly I don't know much about them. The 6.5x55, 7x57, and 9.3x62 are the only ones I have done much study on. I will admit there is something about a half octagon barrel that wows me, same with the mannlicher style stocks.

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Check gun broker or guns America sites on the web. They are not rare by any means. I applaud your sense of classic African guns and hope you have a great safari.

odonata said:

When a friend of mine suggested we try to plan a trip to Africa when we retire soon, I had picked my Sako 85 Hunter in 30-06 & my Winchester 70 Safari Express in 375 H&H as a possible PG combo. I really like both rifles. They feel great, operate smoothly & shoot accurately.

When I originally went shopping for a Steyr CL II, I wanted to get it in 9.3x62 which is another cartridge that I think you should consider. I found such a great deal on another 30-06 that I decided to make a compromise but I really like the rifle.

If I go PG hunting, these would be the ones I would consider out of my safe.

Click to expand...

The 9.3x62 is a cartridge I have definitely considered and should ruger decide to add it to their African line one will find a home in my safe! I purchased a Sako 85 in 270 as a wedding present for my wife and almost immediately started kicking myself for it! It is a phenomenal rifle, smooth as butter and it carries and points beautifully. If I could find a hunter or grizzly model in 30-06 at a reasonable price I would definitely find room for it in my collection. My plan is the 375H&H and whatever rifle I settle on for PH as my go to rifles for Africa.

Hunter-Habib said:

7x57mm Mauser
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Or .30-06 Springfield
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If you can find a BRNO ZKK600 rifle in either calibre, you’re gold.
View attachment 737290

Amongst currently manufactured options, a Ruger Hawkeye in .30-06 Springfield is as good as it gets for the sportsman on a budget.

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Incredible photos! 7x57 is definitely the front runner with 30-06 a close second for what I will choose.

My mauser98 in 7x57, half round, half octagon barrel. Regulated food down open sights for 175 grain bullets. I purchased for under $1000. I plan on taking to Africa in the future.

MS 9x56 said:

Check gun broker or guns America sites on the web. They are not rare by any means. I applaud your sense of classic African guns and hope you have a great safari.

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I will do some checking on guns american, gun broker may as well be a home page for me lately but I haven't looked much at mausers. I appreciate the insight.

Buy a pre64 M70 in 375 HH and go kill everything you can afford.

I may be of a different mindset than many, I don't like having 40 rifles laying around. A 375 does everything well, they aren't big and heavy as some would have you believe, and the versatility between 270 gr and 350 gr takes care of literally everything. The tiny's are a different matter, especially if you want to full body mount, my buddy used a 22 hornet on a trip, but you need to hit them right with that or they will run run run.

I will only add, I have made shots with a 375, that could not have been done with anything smaller, maybe a 338. For example, I shot through a 4" tree limb to disable a blue wildebeest at 90 yards so I could put a second one in him. Had I not been shooting a 375 or larger, I would have went home without a blue, it was the last afternoon.