Future One-Rifle PG-DG Setup

[SStomcat]

To directly answer @SStomcat my future one rifle cartridge for dangerous game & plains game safari will be a .375 Weatherby.

Why ?

 

[SStomcat]

I wish that I could get another barrel made for my Traveler!!! It only has a 416 Rem Mag barrel.

I prefer one rifle one calibre 1 bullet 1 scope.... just being me

 

[Tdsmith517]

You could always do this. A .458 win mag and a 7mm Rem mag would be my choice.

 

[SStomcat]

For a one gun safari (where buff or bigger may be on the menu) I'd opt for the .416 Rigby with two scopes in QD rings.

One scope set up for 300gr loads or perhaps a 340 gr woodleigh protected points, this will shoot as flat as a 30/06.

The second scope set up for 410gr or 450gr Woodleigh RNSP's.

In all honest though if your taking 1x gun its not much more efforst to take the second.

I like the performance of the .416 on Buff.

Yes Sir agree to a large extent. Point well taken.. My question on a two scopes rifle with 2 different bullets is: you also run the chance of loosing, not able to shoot while out hunting one over the other.

 

[SStomcat]

hmmmm,

I like mine a lot. i decided on the 404 stone hammer bullet (solid copper) good b.c. shoots well, hits hard. AND you are shooting a 458 caliber hole thru the beast instead of a puny 404/416 cal.

This reminds me of Mark Sullivans quote 470 ne are for pussy's

. I suspect he was only half joking!

 

[SStomcat]

I got a .450/400 NE set of barrels for my Shikari for future DG and PG. It is regulated at 100 yards with 1.7-13x Swarovski scope.

You’re a smart man . Are you planning on shooting a duiker with that too?

 

[SStomcat]

I think you would be hard pressed to beat a Heym martini in 375 H&H, 404 Jeffery, or 416 Rigby with a scope in the 1.5-10 power range.

Sorry, but no brand names, please.

 

[SStomcat]

Option 1: Max Power Needed
In this scenario, I would choose a large-bore rifle that I think I would be able to shoot well in 10 years that was appropriate for the largest or most dangerous animal I was going to hunt. For anything smaller than that, my selection would potentially be overkill. But if I was absolutely committed to a single-rifle solution, then I would let safety dictate the cartridge chosen. I'm nostalgic so I would pick a 404J. Because I shoot left-handed, finding a LH 404J can sometimes be an expensive challenge so building my own 416 Taylor from a readily-available LH 300 Win Mag might be a more practical idea.

Option 2: The Goldilocks Solution
For versatility & balance, I would choose the 375 H&H as a proven all-around classic that's "just right". Not too powerful for most plains game. Powerful enough for dangerous game with a good PH backing me up. I think if I put a 1-8x on my LH Winchester Safari Express, I could cover a lot of situations with that setup.

Option 3: Focus on the main problem
The main hurdle trying to be cleared here is the strength required to handle a 470 NE double as it gets more challenging while getting older. Since the 9.3x62, 338 Win Mag, 30-06 & 270 Win are all excellent options for PG hunting, just downsize the 470 NE double to a more manageable 404J or 450/400 double and continue hunting the way you do now.

Awesome thought's. I mean can you easily build a 416 Taylor from a 300 win mag receiver? You sound like you could take care of this as a DIY is it so?

 

[Red Leg]

I stumbled on the perfect one a number of years ago. Mine is a Blaser R8 in .375 with a 300 gr bullet. It is the perfect rifle for international travel, it has the best factory trigger I have yet used, it offers a second shot, however rarely required, as quick as any double, and is supremely accurate. Mine has killed everything from Sunni to Buffalo, and were I going after a elephant tomorrow, it is the rifle I would take with a box of Hydros. I think it is the finest mass production rifle ever constructed and it isn't close.

 

[matt85]

Wil you or would you also use the 1-6 X optic for long range PG shots? say > 250 yards

yep, my personal longest shot was around 280 yards (if I remember correctly) and it was taken with an optic set to 6x magnification (it was a 2-12 optic).

Typically, I am not willing to shoot animals over 200 yards as a general rule. The above exception was a Springbok.

 

[BJH65]

I think there is only one obvious answer: 375 H&H for everything. Suitable for anything that walks or crawls in the world plus it meets the DG minimum so even when you are hunting plains game, if a PAC opportunity arises that requires a minimum DG caliber, you’ll be ready. Also it’s a caliber that will serve you well into your “elder” years.

I know that you specifically said no make of rifles but sorry can’t help it. I would recommend a Blaser R8 or a takedown model 76 Dark Continent from Parkwest for ease of portability but still high quality that will be welcomed in your later years.

 

[odonata]

Awesome thought's. I mean can you easily build a 416 Taylor from a 300 win mag receiver? You sound like you could take care of this as a DIY is it so?

For left-handed shooters, 7mm Rem Mag & 300 Win Mag rifles are pretty easy to come by. If CRF is wanted, then the Ruger M77 MkII is an excellent choice for a donor rifle. It's a good option for us southpaws to build (affordable!) rifles that would otherwise not be available to us.

With a simple barrel swap, they can be converted to other standard length action chamberings with a .540 bolt face that uses a 375 H&H parent case:

257 Weatherby
264 Win Mag
7mm Rem Mag
300 Win Mag
308 Norma Magnum
338 Win Mag
358 Norma Magnum
375 Chatfield-Taylor
416 Taylor
425 Express
458 Win Mag

I used a Ruger 7mm Rem Mag to make my 458 Win Mag. Getting a 416 Taylor or 425 Express barrel made instead would have been an easy change to make. Just add aluminum pillars, crossbolts, a stainless steel rod through the grip using basic hand tools and you have a new rifle.

An anemic 7mm Rem Mag before. A 458 Win Mag with a Leupold Big Bore scope afterwards.

You could easily rebarrel your 338 Win Mag into something like a 416 Taylor or 425 Express if you wanted to upsize it for some extra power.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Keep in mind 404J can be built on a standard length action without cutting into either front or rear ring. Standard length = shorter bolt stroke. Also usually cheaper than magnum actions.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

375 H&H, I’ve shot everything from Dik Dik to Elephant with perfect success.

@JES Adventures You’re far more experienced and traveled than I am, but this was going to be my response.

Suni and Blue Duiker on up to Elephant with zero issues and less tracking than some of the bigger calibers. One shot kills (body shots) on both Buffalo and Elephant + everything in between. DRT shots from sub 10yds to well over 400yds. You have plenty of factory 300gr ammo options available in softs, controlled expansion bonded bullets, and solids. You can easily find ammo in Africa or most anywhere in the world should yours get separated.

My rifle of choice is a Pre64 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade in 375 H&H. At present it wears a Leupold VX6HD 2-12x44, but I’ve had a VX5 3-15x44, VX6 1-6, and S&B 1-4 on it. In QD rings I can and have taken both the 3-15 and 1-6 on the same trip. It’s the only rifle I have a foam cut-out for.

 

[SStomcat]

offers a second shot, however rarely required, as quick as any double, and is supremely accurate. Mine has killed everything from Sunni to Buffalo, and were I going after a elephant tomorrow, it is the rifle I would take with a box of Hydros. I think it is the finest mass production rifle ever constructed and it isn't close.

That’s a nice rig there, Red Leg. Before I saw the receiver, I was thinking it was a Heym Martini or a Rigby.
I have a couple of questions for you:

1. Regarding your comment that it offers as quick a second shot as a double, could you please elaborate? I understand it is a straight-pull action and that the bolt sits on top.
2. I seem to remember an article from a while back about a bolt coming off and seriously injuring the shooter. Does that concern you at all, or do you think the issue has since been addressed by the manufacturer?

 

[SStomcat]

For left-handed shooters, 7mm Rem Mag & 300 Win Mag rifles are pretty easy to come by. If CRF is wanted, then the Ruger M77 MkII is an excellent choice for a donor rifle. It's a good option for us southpaws to build (affordable!) rifles that would otherwise not be available to us.

With a simple barrel swap, they can be converted to other standard length action chamberings with a .540 bolt face that uses a 375 H&H parent case:

257 Weatherby
264 Win Mag
7mm Rem Mag
300 Win Mag
308 Norma Magnum
338 Win Mag
358 Norma Magnum
375 Chatfield-Taylor
416 Taylor
425 Express
458 Win Mag

I used a Ruger 7mm Rem Mag to make my 458 Win Mag. Getting a 416 Taylor or 425 Express barrel made instead would have been an easy change to make. Just add aluminum pillars, crossbolts, a stainless steel rod through the grip using basic hand tools and you have a new rifle.

View attachment 792450
An anemic 7mm Rem Mag before. A 458 Win Mag with a Leupold Big Bore scope afterwards.

You could easily rebarrel your 338 Win Mag into something like a 416 Taylor or 425 Express if you wanted to upsize it for some extra power.

Sorry but my skills are no where close to yours.
As to converting my 338 Win Mag, it is a beautiful rifle, and with a Leupold 5HD scope, is a joy to shoot.
I will also go on record to say that the early New Haven made Win rifles are superior to the Pre-64 ones in similar calibres. I have both. IMO of course.

 

[1dirthawker]

This reminds me of Mark Sullivans quote 470 ne are for pussy's View attachment 792439. I suspect he was only half joking!

ehhhh, can't fix stupid

 

[SStomcat]

Keep in mind 404J can be built on a standard length action without cutting into either front or rear ring. Standard length = shorter bolt stroke. Also usually cheaper than magnum actions.

Yes Sir.

 

[SStomcat]

ehhhh, can't fix stupid

Dont want to derail but I guess he was the top contender for Mt Rushmore

 

[Red Leg]

That’s a nice rig there, Red Leg. Before I saw the receiver, I was thinking it was a Heym Martini or a Rigby.
I have a couple of questions for you:

1. Regarding your comment that it offers as quick a second shot as a double, could you please elaborate? I understand it is a straight-pull action and that the bolt sits on top.
2. I seem to remember an article from a while back about a bolt coming off and seriously injuring the shooter. Does that concern you at all, or do you think the issue has since been addressed by the manufacturer?

The incident occurred with the R93 not the R8. You can find a thread on it here on the site. I am confident Blaser would aggressively argue their design has not been proven at fault. I do not know, but a bolt did give way for some reason. The rifle action was significantly redesigned and improved with the release of the R8.

I own and shoot double shotguns almost exclusively and rifles regularly. The placement of the trigger mechanism on the R8 under the magazine allows an intuitive and very fast working of the action that is similar to a Russian target rifle. I have never actually measured elapsed time, but I am confident I can fire two aimed shots with it as quick as any double I own. Of course I have a third shot just as quick as the first two - and a fourth. Lastly, it is the safest loaded and chambered firearm that can be carried. It simply is not cocked until ready to fire. A loaded double carried on the shoulder muzzle forward is probably the most unsafe.