Classic plains game rifles and cartridges

[BFaucett]

...<snip>...

What's the point of having rifles in the various cartridges, if you don't go shoot things with them, know what I mean? Whatever you decide on, practice with it a lot before going and go have a great safari.

Yep!

I've got a few more rifles then I'll ever actually use for taking game, but at least I got to use four of them in South Africa for plains game way back in the 2000s. One British, one American, and two German classic cartridges. Not a bad selection of choices, IMHO.

2000​

.375 H&H - Ruger M77 RSM ● 300 gr Hornady RN @ 2480 fps MV​

​

2002​

.30-06 - Ruger M77 Mk II ● 220 gr Woodleigh RN @ 2460 fps MV​

​

2005​

8x57JS - Rem M700 Classic ● 220 gr Woodleigh RN @ 2400 fps MV​

9.3x62 - CZ 550 American ● 286 gr Woodleigh RN @ 2395 fps MV​

Did I NEED a .375 H&H for plains game? Of course not... but it was my first hunting trip to Africa and I just HAD to take it simply for the romance and nostalgia of it. Heck, I might never have gotten the chance to return.

Just my ramblings and musings ...

In closing, and just for fun of it, here's a little "Wimoweh" (composer lyricist: Solomon Linda) for your nostalgic listening enjoyment and contemplation:

A Swingin' Safari - Conductor, Producer, Composer: Bert Kaempfert
℗ 1962 Universal Music GmbH
Released on: 1962-09-01​

Cheers! Bob F.

 

[coreydb]

I understand Bob. I'm also a Robert!

Wait......"What about Bob"? (the old movie with that title)

 

[375Ruger416]

Wait......"What about Bob"? (the old movie with that title)

Great movie. And, on a completely unrelated note, (other than my brain misfiring) are the ‘Grumpy Old Men’ movies.

 

[HWL]

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

HWL

 

[ve7poi]

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!

270 win 140 gr tsx or 30-06 180gr ttsx

 

[Hififile324]

Winchester, Model 70 Super Grade. .30-06 Springfield

 

['68boy]

go to pre64win.com to see Model 70 calibers and prices available. Lots of choices. If I could offer a suggestion it would be a pre-64 Model 70 in .30-06 or .300 win mag or .338 win mag. Another really good option would be a Weatherby Mark V in .257 wby mag. Fun to think about all this-- more fun to buy and shoot!

 

[Wyit76]

go to pre64win.com to see Model 70 calibers and prices available. Lots of choices. If I could offer a suggestion it would be a pre-64 Model 70 in .30-06 or .300 win mag or .338 win mag. Another really good option would be a Weatherby Mark V in .257 wby mag. Fun to think about all this-- more fun to buy and shoot!

I appreciate the info on the website, I will definitely check it out! I ruled out a 300wm because it is newer than I am looking to go, pre 1960, I had forgotten the 338wm though. A 257 was also something I had debated but I like the idea of a little more thump than velocity

 

[Grandpa Moose]

The 9.3X62 are out there, can be hard to find.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1148178128

I have one of the original left handed 375 Ruger Alaskans set up like the one above.

The African’s pop from time to time.

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gun-review-ruger-m77-hawkeye-african-in-9-3x62mm/

The Ruger No.1’s. I have a 458 Win Mag and a 450-400. Both needed a better recoil pad as do almost all Rugers. I installed a prefit 1” recoil pad and it made a world of difference. The other thing in heavier calibers the No.1 is not forgiving to poor shooting stance and balance. Make a mistake and the rifle lets you know it.

9.3 x62 are more common here in Canada and one can be found on our domestic gun sites; there are services thay will get them stateside foe you. Most are Husqvarna in both 98 and 96 models. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a Carl Gustaf 2000 with a common scope for $517 CA delivered to my door ( thats $374 US). With changing gun laws here, real and perceived, there are bargains and lower prices

 

[Grandpa Moose]

9.3 x62 are more common here in Canada and one can be found on our domestic gun sites; there are services thay will get them stateside foe you. Most are Husqvarna in both 98 and 96 models. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a Carl Gustaf 2000 with a common scope for $517 CA delivered to my door ( thats $374 US). With changing gun laws here, real and perceived, there are bargains and lower prices

Another example of good deals uphere. On another auction site I was able to score an unfired safe queen. A Whitworth in 375 H&H a few storage marks perfectly clear bolt face for $775US taxes and delivery to my door. Take a look up north

 

[Nevada Mike]

Based on what the poseter stated it would be hard to beat a Win .Model 70 in 30-'06 or, perhaps, 7mm Remington Magnum.

I used my 7MM RM on my recent Tazania hunt and took everything up to zebra and roan efficiently.

 

[WAB]

Based on what the poseter stated it would be hard to beat a Win .Model 70 in 30-'06 or, perhaps, 7mm Remington Magnum.

I used my 7MM RM on my recent Tazania hunt and took everything up to zebra and roan efficiently.

When I lived in Wyoming, the sought after rifle was a M70 in .264 Win Mag. Talk about a classic western rig!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

30-06 dates to ... 1906. Can't get much more "classic" than that and still shoot smokeless powder. The Mauser semi-clone Springfield rifle was introduced three years before the cartridge (originally in "30 govt" but that cartridge was quickly dropped for improved version 30-06). Unlike the 98 Mauser, Springfield 1903 was only made for military production. Sadly, none of its makers ever remade it in a "commercial" version (e.g. Remington converting 1917 Enfields into Model 30 rifles after WWI). But even in its early days the 1903 Springfield was a popular gun in the field. As a cartridge the 30-06 was and still is pretty much unbeatable. Strange how the rifle never made it into commercial production like Mausers and Enfields. Possibly a condition of the famous patent infringement settlement with Mauser? I still think a tastefully sporterized 30-06 1903 Springfield is as classic as it gets.

 

[Wyit76]

Based on what the poseter stated it would be hard to beat a Win .Model 70 in 30-'06 or, perhaps, 7mm Remington Magnum.

I used my 7MM RM on my recent Tazania hunt and took everything up to zebra and roan efficiently.

It is a personal favorite of mine as well, have taken many a game animals throughout the western US. Currently having my main rifle rebarreled from 7 rem mag to 7prc, 1000 plus rounds was where she called it quits

 

[Sailfish9453]

Went to Namibia 2023 with a 300PRC custom rifle w/Barnes 200 gr. TTSX. I Shot a Eland and Oryx.
Then to East Cape SA 2024 and shot a Blesbuck, Roan, Kudu and Blue Wildebeast. This caliber performance was very impressive with 1 shot kills.

 

[Wyit76]

Went to Namibia 2023 with a 300PRC custom rifle w/Barnes 200 gr. TTSX. I Shot a Eland and Oryx.
Then to East Cape SA 2024 and shot a Blesbuck, Roan, Kudu and Blue Wildebeast. This caliber performance was very impressive with 1 shot kills.

I am a huge fan of the 300prc, currently working on one for a designated elk rifle. Just not what I am looking at to take to Africa. Im not worried about extended ranges over there, I want get close

 

[Sailfish9453]

I am a huge fan of the 300prc, currently working on one for a designated elk rifle. Just not what I am looking at to take to Africa. Im not worried about extended ranges over there, I want get close

Will make a great elk rifle !

 

[HunterX]

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.
View attachment 737436
View attachment 737434
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.
View attachment 737435

SunnyHill Enterprise makes custom bottom metal for the 1903 Springfield. FYI. @ontariohunter

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

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

I like your Pre64 M70 suggestion however it’s HIGHLY unlikely the OP finds a Pre64 M70 in 7x57 (7m/m would be what’s engraved on the barrel) within his $3500 budget. Beat-up ones bring $5k, a middle of the road or restored example is $6-7k, and a really nice collector piece is going $8-10k. Winchester chambered less than 1500 Model 70’s in this caliber before 1964. They’ll be priced around the same, but still over the budget are 257 Roberts (might be a little cheaper) and 250 Sav.

For the $3500 budget @Wyit76 established in a Pre64 M70 he’s looking at .270, 30-06, 300 H&H, 264WM, .308, or 338WM as caliber options. He might be able to find a post war 270 or 3006 Super Grade in that budget though.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Springfield bottom metal is not on their products list. Only 98 Mauser, Model 70, and Model 700.

SunnyHill Enterprise makes custom bottom metal for the 1903 Springfield. FYI. @ontariohunter