An African Dilemma......Hmmm....What to Use?

[8x68]

One of these days before I get to the point of being non functional I would like to hunt Africa. Here is my dilemma....I have too many choices of rifle. I want to hug them all and bring them all but that would be most silly and expensive. Hunt choice would be a plains game safari, and then a DG hunt.
So what would you bring?
From top to bottom we have the following buffet of choices.
#1 BRNO 600 in 7x57
#2 BRNO 602 in 8x68S
#3 CZ 550 FS in 9.3x62
#4 BRNO 602 in 375 H&H (yes recoil pad will be replaced)
#5 CZ 550 in 416 Rigby
#6 Custom M70 in 404 Jeffery
#7 CZ 550 in 450 Rigby
#8 BRNO 602 in 458 Lott (again recoil pad will be replaced)
Not built yet but almost...Custom CZ 550 in 358 Norma Mag.

 

[cpr0312]

Take #1 for plains game and #4 for dangerous game. That would be my choice anyways, all nice looking choices!

 

[sierraone]

Have to agree with reedy for classic African! They worked 100 years ago and they will work now!

 

[ActionBob]

Wow you are screwed Too many great choices!

Depends what you prioritize? If you are serious about a DG hunt for a cat, take the 375. If going after buff or elephant.. Take one of the .40 cailber and up.... Rhino or hippo on land, take the biggest heavy hitter you can shoot accurately. Croc, accuaracy will be number one consideration, perhaps the 375?

Then depending upon what PG you plan to hunt... If it will be real thick and close, take the 9.3x62 just for the short quick handling. For more normal PG hunting, the 8x68 because it is your handle it must mean something to you. If you want to take lots of small stuff, the 7x57 or just use the 375 with solids.

Take two. If DG is a main thing, consider a over .40 cal and the 375 for backup and PG.

You can't go wrong taking two with the 375 as the pivot point... If only taking one gun it has to be the 375

 

[spike.t]

no 1 and no 3, and then either no 5 or no 6. at least you get to play with 3 of them then and well as you taking 3 you might as well take 4 so go get a 500 jeff

 

[greyfox]

By your screen name, take #2 and the #3 - #8 Your choice.
Given your name and choices I'd go with #2 and #3.
.....or 8, 6, 5, 7 .... LOL

 

[EDELWEISS]

The 375H&H will handle everything. My PG hunt combo was a bolt action 375H&H and a 407NE SxS. Now Im going back for Lion with the 470NE and Im wondering if the 375H&H wouldnt be better (It would but heck I wanna use the 470!)

You could go with the 9.3x62 if its legal for DG where youre hunting.

 

[sierraone]

Wow you are screwed Too many great choices!

Depends what you prioritize? If you are serious about a DG hunt for a cat, take the 375. If going after buff or elephant.. Take one of the .40 cailber and up.... Rhino or hippo on land, take the biggest heavy hitter you can shoot accurately. Croc, accuaracy will be number one consideration, perhaps the 375?

Then depending upon what PG you plan to hunt... If it will be real thick and close, take the 9.3x62 just for the short quick handling. For more normal PG hunting, the 8x68 because it is your handle it must mean something to you. If you want to take lots of small stuff, the 7x57 or just use the 375 with solids.

Take two. If DG is a main thing, consider a over .40 cal and the 375 for backup and PG.

You can't go wrong taking two with the 375 as the pivot point... If only taking one gun it has to be the 375

Each of your paragraphs end with a .375! What does that tell you?

 

[caddman]

As dilemmas go - this is a very good and enviable one. Decisions, decisions..........
Even more important however is make sure you GO regardless of rifle selection.

 

[sierraone]

This thread has become very confusing for someone not good with numbers!!!

 

[sestoppelman]

For plains game and buffalo, or lion 1 and 4. For all others refer to previous statement.

 

[Von Gruff]

I cant help but recomend #1 and #6 as the 7x57 and the 404 jeffery are quintesentually African in thier historic use.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I cant help but recomend #1 and #6 as the 7x57 and the 404 jeffery are quintesentually African in thier historic use.

+1

 

[Code4]

#3 and #5 and buy a .243W for most of the small plains game. There is an awful lot you can hunt with a .243W in Africa.

 

[Divernhunter]

That is not a problem. You will just need to make several trips

 

[PeteG]

Your best combination of calibers here is No. 2 and No. 5.

 

[Scrumbag]

Some great choices! I'm currently having a similar dilemma on a smaller scale

Got a 7x64 and 9.3x62 and trying to work out what would be a good dangerous game rifle...

Of your choices I'd probably go No. 1 and No. 6

No.1 as a Brno 7x57 is just a total classic and very effective (plus easier to get ammo for that 8x68)
No.6 As I am developing a soft spot for 404 Jeff and if taking a Brno surely the other thing you should take is a Winchester M70

(Cheeky question: was the M70 your bear rifle?)

 

[CAustin]

#4&#5 would do everything you want to do! You have a fine collection of rifles sir!

 

[ve7poi]

I'd take 1 and 6
404 Jeffery in Winchester 70 in avatar
7x57 or 3006 for plains game

 

[BobT]

I would take #3 and #7 but the above suggestions I think would work as well. Nice battery of rifles!