Parkwest Arms

Dirty_Dave95 · Oct 5, 2026

Second post here. I recently got back from my first safari in SA and am toting an old model safari express model 70 in 375h&h. I had no issue taking buff, eland, and zebra with the Trijicon rmr I topped it with-the zebra was at least 150 yards out. With that said, two of my brothers and I will be visiting Parkwest in November (I live about 25 minutes from their store) to have some rifles built for a 2028 safari where we are planning on taking hippo and buff, and a lion for myself. I am undecided on caliber but will be going larger than a 375. I was thinking a 416 rem mag due to cost difference in ammo from the Rigby and the ability to be able to use a somewhat smaller action. Any input on caliber choice that I may be missing? I could always step up to a 458 of sorts but I am unsure if that's what I need out of a rifle.

LimbNoMo · Oct 5, 2026

With the current popularity of .404j and the premium rifles of that caliber command, that is where I would put my $.

Throwback · Oct 5, 2026

I would go 404J myself, with 416 Rigby or Rem Mag being my second choice. Cant really go wrong with either but 404J is top choice. Cheers

dogcat1 · Oct 5, 2026

The Parkwest guys are super to work with. You can trust what they do and tell you they will do.
As to caliber - your .375 HH will be fine for what you are after. If you just want an excuse to get a new build, then go with .416 Rigby - heavier and less felt recoil than the .416 Rem Mag. The 404 Jeff is very nice as well. None of these are a bad choice.

Dirty_Dave95 · Oct 5, 2026

dogcat1 said:
The Parkwest guys are super to work with. You can trust what they do and tell you they will do.
As to caliber - your .375 HH will be fine for what you are after. If you just want an excuse to get a new build, then go with .416 Rigby - heavier and less felt recoil than the .416 Rem Mag. The 404 Jeff is very nice as well. None of these are a bad choice.

Odds are the rifles will be expensed in some way shape or form so I'm getting a new rifle LOL

I like to shoot my rifles so the cost to shoot them usually plays a role in what I shop for.

Jhsmith · Oct 5, 2026

I thought about a 416 Remington also and you’re right ammunition is significantly cheaper
Felt recoil may be less, although that’s a function of Gun fit.
Bolt throw is gonna be shorter on a Remington than a Rigby, which may be a consideration.
It would be interesting to check the inventories of some of the African gun shops to see if they have Remington and Rigby ammo in stock in case your ammo doesn’t arrive.
Worst case you get a 416 Remington, shoot it for a while then decide you want a Rigby in addition.
He who dies with the most toys wins.

TOBY458 · Oct 5, 2026

Being practical, the 416 Rem Mag would be the obvious choice. Ammo is readily available, and as you stated, you would have a bit smaller action size.

As for re-sell value, the 404 Jeffery is probably the best option. For some reason it’s very popular with the Safari crowd. Even though it does absolutely nothing that can’t be done with the 416 Rem Mag.

Red Leg · Oct 5, 2026

Or get a beautifully balanced .375 that will hunt a number of places besides Africa.

Dirty_Dave95 · Oct 5, 2026

Red Leg said:
Or get a beautifully balanced .375 that will hunt a number of places besides Africa.

A 375 from them will do nothing my current one cannot do. I actually quite like this rifle a lot.

Dirty_Dave95 · Oct 5, 2026

TOBY458 said:
Being practical, the 416 Rem Mag would be the obvious choice. Ammo is readily available, and as you stated, you would have a bit smaller action size.

As for re-sell value, the 404 Jeffery is probably the best option. For some reason it’s very popular with the Safari crowd. Even though it does absolutely nothing that can’t be done with the 416 Rem Mag.

I do have a friend who works for hornady and said he can just swipe up to 200 pieces of Jeffrey brass and send them in the mail if I choose to go that route.

Red Leg · Oct 5, 2026

Dirty_Dave95 said:
A 375 from them will do nothing my current one cannot do. I actually quite like this rifle a lot. View attachment 797535

Then you are making a great case for also not buying a Parkwest in .416. Your .375 will do anything the .416 will, and frankly quite a little bit more. From my perspective, you (or someone) are investing in an heirloom quality firearm. I have several such in chamberings which I hardly ever shoot. My .404 is a magnificent custom job by Craig Libhart. I have owned it for almost twenty years and it has never been to Africa because a .375 has always been a so much more practical choice. I would simply suggest considering something that will have the potential for a great deal of use.

Dirty_Dave95 · Oct 5, 2026

Red Leg said:
Then you are making a great case for also not buying a Parkwest in .416. Your .375 will do anything the .416 will, and frankly quite a bit more. From my perspective, you (or someone) are investing in an heirloom quality firearm. I have several such in chamberings which I hardly ever shoot. My .404 is a magnificent custom job by Craig Libhart. I have owned it for almost twenty years and it has never been to Africa because a .375 has always been a so much more practical choice. I would simply suggest considering something that will have the potential for a great deal of use.

It’ll see a great deal of use in the states and Africa and wherever else my life lets me hunt. It’s a great caliber. 2030 we are going after elephant as long as nothing catastrophic happens and I’d prefer to have something in the arsenal with a bit more ass. It’s not so much a need as it is a want.

Bush Buck · Oct 5, 2026

The Parkwest (Dakota) guys are knowledgeable and helpful. Depending on the specific action and action size some cartridges are tricker to get the timing right for perfect feeding and ejection. I would talk to one of their gunsmiths about that in choosing a dangerous game rifle.
I suspect that some are more trouble free than others.

Bushog · Oct 5, 2026

I've been considering a switch barrel Traveler in 404 and the cards say no to the 404 as there isn't anything else compatible in a smaller caliber. 416 rem or a 400 H&H are the choices with the 400 H&H having the most "cool" factor.

Monski · Oct 5, 2026

Dirty_Dave95 said:
I do have a friend who works for hornady and said he can just swipe up to 200 pieces of Jeffrey brass and send them in the mail if I choose to go that route.

I would say you have your answer then. A 416 Rem is great and easier to feed, yes, but the more you fall in love with Africa, the more you will want a 404 Jeffery (and/or 416 Rigby).

Red Leg · Oct 5, 2026

Dirty_Dave95 said:
It’ll see a great deal of use in the states and Africa and wherever else my life lets me hunt. It’s a great caliber. 2030 we are going after elephant as long as nothing catastrophic happens and I’d prefer to have something in the arsenal with a bit more ass. It’s not so much a need as it is a want.

Want trumps all logic. It did when I ordered the Libhart. Enjoy the new rifle.

Killo · Oct 5, 2026

Just came back in August from Mozambique
Used my .375 and 300 H&H Parkwest take down for planes game and Leopard
..416 Rigby Dakota on two buffaloes, first time using the .416 and the only thing I can tell you is I will never use another caliber on buffalo again, it is amazing the damage it will do and the recoil is pretty manageable…

migrabill · Oct 5, 2026

I would imagine a guy that can do a Lion Hunt, can do the Ammo. I'd go .404 Jeffery.

Maskell Shotgun academy · Oct 5, 2026

Dirty_Dave95 said:
Second post here. I recently got back from my first safari in SA and am toting an old model safari express model 70 in 375h&h. I had no issue taking buff, eland, and zebra with the Trijicon rmr I topped it with-the zebra was at least 150 yards out. With that said, two of my brothers and I will be visiting Parkwest in November (I live about 25 minutes from their store) to have some rifles built for a 2028 safari where we are planning on taking hippo and buff, and a lion for myself. I am undecided on caliber but will be going larger than a 375. I was thinking a 416 rem mag due to cost difference in ammo from the Rigby and the ability to be able to use a somewhat smaller action. Any input on caliber choice that I may be missing? I could always step up to a 458 of sorts but I am unsure if that's what I need out of a rifle.

I have 2 Parkwest SD 76 in 375 H&H and 404 Jeffrey awesome rifles and great people to deal with, Jason and ward are always available for any questions you might have

Maskell Shotgun academy · Oct 5, 2026

here's a pic of them

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LimbNoMo

Throwback

dogcat1

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Dirty_Dave95

Red Leg

Dirty_Dave95

Bush Buck

Bushog

Monski

Red Leg

Killo

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