Classic plains game rifles and cartridges

spike.t said:

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

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+1

Everyone knows what I recommend: the "classic" sleeper - Springfield 1903 in original 30-06. I hunt plains game with the military surplus 03A3 Dad first dolled up for me in 1962. I have "tinkered" with it many times over the years to the point that nothing is original but bolt and receiver. Even the barrel had to be changed (but only to another military one - the original 2-land barrel had a corroded spot in the bore that occasionally affected accuracy). The Springfield action is by far the smoothest cycling of the military rifles and beats out many commercial varieties (a close run thing with Sako). My DGR is a Czech 98 Mauser I built three years ago. A great slick working action but not as slick as the Springfield. My Springfield holds five down and bolt locks securely on safe ... now. Formerly it had a Dayton-Traister scope relief safety that could disengage if the bolt handle was rattled. It now wears an aftermarket left side wing safety (commercial Mauser style) that stays locked. I had to cut off the Springfield signature striker knob to access the new safety and now everyone thinks the gun is a Mauser. I just point them to the bolt release. The only "downside" to building a Springfield is no one makes custom bottom metal for them. The original 1903 had machined bottom metal with a detachable floorplate, similar to military Mausers. I'm on the hunt for one of those as my late production model is stamped on-piece. Drop plate is easier to keep clean ... the only real advantage. Hinged floorplates on fancy rifles are simply cosmetic stuff to get broken or accidentally unload the rifle. I only have one modification left to finish. I'm changing the safety again ... to a Winchester Model 70 safety. Literally. The Model 70 bolt sleeve/safety will screw onto Springfield bolt. I will have to fabricate a new striker. Will be doing that this spring. Sorry for the derailment but you did say you like to tinker.

I strongly suggest you build your own plains game rifle rather than buying something off the shelf. It's really YOUR gun then. Something much more meaningful as an heirloom.

Here's the Springfield war horse. I was always going to get it checkered ... but what for? I hunt hard which has necessitated replacing or refinishing the stock at least three times. Checkering just gets in the way.


And here is the 404 Jeffery I built on 8mm Czech military 98 Mauser ... in four months. Quite a bit of "tinkering" involved in that project.

30-06s will be the easiest to find. Lots of options of old custom mausers, FNs, Winchester, kimbers, etc..

The older BRNO 7x57s and 8x57s are a lot of rifle for the $$. A model 22 or 21 are quintessential old world steel and walnut rifles.

if you look, you can find a 9.3x62. Husqvarnas come up often. They may need bedding and a timney trigger, but would be good for another 60-80 years at that point. I included a link to a CZ 550, 9.3. Mine is a tack driver.

Good luck!

Since you have time, consider going to the Kelbly.com site and peruse their products. They offer complete custom build "package rifles" in every caliber you listed for pre-determined prices. Kelbly is a world leader in high precision competition and hunting actions that also offer completed rifle packages for set pricing.

coreydb said:

Since you have time, consider going to the Kelbly.com site and peruse their products. They offer complete custom build "package rifles" in every caliber you listed for pre-determined prices. Kelbly is a world leader in high precision competition and hunting actions that also offer completed rifle packages for set pricing.

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After reading the articles in American Rifleman about the Remington 721 used by Harry Selby and Joe Coogan on many safaris, I found one in 300 H&H from 1953 and added a 1954 Lyman All American 4x scope t be period correct. Pretty classic.

@Wyit76 ... That 3rd link is a 7x57 BRNO posted by @foxtrot1 looks like near perfection. I'd bid on it and start planning the rest of my trip if I were in your shoes.

This one is coming up at auction.
The rear scope base is odd but I be they’d provide better photos.


Type in 7X57 in the search and a couple more pop up. The Kettner is a nice rifle.

type B mauser in 30.06 is a classic way there are a few out there for sale from 1500 to 3500 most finished as good as best English makers ,,check MNR custom or dismal river armory they get them from time to time

Wyit76 said:

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!

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@Wyit76
My son took a 308 (pre 60s cartridge) loaded with 150gn accubonds and shit all his of PG uncle zebra and gemsbok without an issue.

I took my 35 Whelen loaded with 225gn accubonds and Woodleigh PPSP as well as Hornady 259 gn RNSP. Flattened everything and suitable far ALL PG
Bod great rounds.
Bob

Huvius said:

This one is coming up at auction.
The rear scope base is odd but I be they’d provide better photos.

CZ Commercial Mauser 7x57 Rifle | Proxibid

Bid in a Proxibid online auction to acquire a CZ Commercial Mauser 7x57 Rifle from Connecticut Firearms Auction.

www.proxibid.com

Type in 7X57 in the search and a couple more pop up. The Kettner is a nice rifle.

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That rifle has done seriously understated old school class about it.

Maybe a Brno 602/CZ 550 in 300 win mag or a Brno 21 in 7x57, heres mine with a Khales 2-7 of the same period. Or if youd like a older classic, a Oberndorf type s mauser in 7x57.(other rifle is a Sako Safari in 450 Rigby)

My pick would be a good quality rifle in .300 Win Mag

BryceM said:

A pre-64 Winchester in .300 H&H, if you can find one.

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There seem to be a few online at any given time, and prices usually are not too bad. I see them pop up locally from time to time (can be great prices as getting ammo for them around here is very difficult), which is how I got mine. A pre-‘64 M70 .300 H&H Magnum may be as close to perfection as any gun can ever be.

Badboymelvin said:

My pick would be a good quality rifle in .300 Win Mag

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Per the OP in post #1:


The .300 Win Mag was introduced by Winchester in 1963. Also, the 7mm Rem Mag was introduced by Remington in 1962.

Three of the "new kids on the block" pre 1960 would be the Winchester 1956-1958 trio of the:

Cheers! Bob F.

Chase that nostalgia with a Sako 90 Hunter in 6.5x55 $2,000-$2,500 new, walnut stock, CRF bolt locks on safe pre 1960 Swedish classic, laser accurate for PG like your elk deer shots, brass everywhere Norma, mild recoil. Perfect Namibia min .284 cal, handles kudu eland gemsbok no sweat. Or Ruger Hawkeye African in .35 Whelen Lipsey's $1,300-$1,500 pre1960 chambering, ebony capped walnut, built for safari vibes.

Hunt GunBroker for preowned Win M70 in 7x57 $1,500-$2,500 iconic Mauser roots, PG legend Bell vibes, brass easy. Skip 300 H&H scarce under budget. .270 .30-06 are solid too but less wild Africa. For custom Gunsmith like Ralf Martini Martinigunmakers on Mauser 98 in 9.3x62 $3k build true heirloom, but new off shelf wins for time $. Any'll outshine your CF plastic rigs for memories.

I recommend using heavy for caliber bullets in whatever rifle you choose. There was a good reason that hunters of the golden age used 175 grain in 7x57, and 180 grain or 220 grain in 30-06 and 286 grain in the 9.3x62. Just one old hunters experience.

MS 9x56 said:

I recommend using heavy for caliber bullets in whatever rifle you choose. There was a good reason that hunters of the golden age used 175 grain in 7x57, and 180 grain or 220 grain in 30-06 and 286 grain in the 9.3x62. Just one old hunters experience.

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That is definitely the plan with whatever I choose. I am not looking for extended range, I can do that at home. Part of me wants to go iorn sights and round nose bullets just for step back in time.

Gaj356 said:

Chase that nostalgia with a Sako 90 Hunter in 6.5x55 $2,000-$2,500 new, walnut stock, CRF bolt locks on safe pre 1960 Swedish classic, laser accurate for PG like your elk deer shots, brass everywhere Norma, mild recoil. Perfect Namibia min .284 cal, handles kudu eland gemsbok no sweat. Or Ruger Hawkeye African in .35 Whelen Lipsey's $1,300-$1,500 pre1960 chambering, ebony capped walnut, built for safari vibes.

Hunt GunBroker for preowned Win M70 in 7x57 $1,500-$2,500 iconic Mauser roots, PG legend Bell vibes, brass easy. Skip 300 H&H scarce under budget. .270 .30-06 are solid too but less wild Africa. For custom Gunsmith like Ralf Martini Martinigunmakers on Mauser 98 in 9.3x62 $3k build true heirloom, but new off shelf wins for time $. Any'll outshine your CF plastic rigs for memories.

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Boy I looking into that martini gunmaker you mentioned and those aren't rifles, they are ART! Definitely got me thinking about having my Africa specific rifles done up over time to personalize them!

You mentioned something about Namibia minimum .284 cal, could you elaborate on that? From what I have found they do not have caliber restrictions just energy restrictions. I saw 2700 joules, roughly 2000 foot pounds, as the minimum energy for larger plains game but my info maybe dated.

Wyit76 said:

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.

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@Wyit76
Having recently fired a couple of Ruger No1 I personally can't see what all the who ha is about when it comes to recoil mitigation with these beautiful rifles. One was in 375 H&H the other in 458 Lott with full power 500gn loads. I found both these rifles quite pleasant to shoot despite being just a bit less than 10#
They were quite a surprise after all the build up about being hard kickers in the bigger calibres.
I just can't see the problem unless the rifle doesn't fit properly.
Bob

Wyit76 said:

That is definitely the plan with whatever I choose. I am not looking for extended range, I can do that at home. Part of me wants to go iorn sights and round nose bullets just for step back in time.

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Up close and personal was always my style, primarily tracking deer, elk, and moose in snow. Shot many in their beds. Once had a cow moose feeding so close I could almost read the blue lettering on the biologists tag in her ear. When I went Africa the first time I took one box of 190 gr Hornady Interlock for kudu in heavy cover and a box of 165 gr Partitions for open country game. Well, glad I took the long range ammo. First, getting a close shot at kudu in Eastern Cape mountains is truly a serendipity affair! Very difficult. Many animals like impala or gemsbuck that transition from open plains to bush can be taken with closer shots if desired. But for that special animal that pops out at 300+ yards it's better not to be lobbing bullets. At least have a couple of 165 gr in your pocket and a rifle that can snap over on one when dropped in an empty chamber. For springbuck, blesbuck, or black wildebeest I'd load up entirely with 165 gr. They are primarily wide open spaces and tough to get close to them. I shot my second black wildebeest at 100 yards but it was an accidental encounter coming over a rise while stalking another bull. Required a fast shot. Dropped instantly. First black wildebeest was 370 yards (borrowed my PH's 270 WSM) dead in its tracks. Two days later I shot my second kudu with that rifle at 439 yards (earlier I missed him running at 100 yards - a rare missed running shot for me). I don't know what weight bullet he was using but doubt it was heavier than 165 gr. I guess the point I'm making is it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for a couple of scenarios: heavy for close bulky animals (e.g. zebra, gemsbuck, blue wildebeest) and lighter bullet than can reach out. I usually paint the rim of one weight loads with a colored Sharpie (e.g. red for 190 gr and no paint for 165 gr). 190 gr at 100 yards shot through the same scope setting as 250 yards for 165 gr. Close enough to kill anyway. I stopped bringing 190 gr after first safari. 165 gr Partitions and Barnes have done the job (Partitions dried up during COVID).