Future One-Rifle PG-DG Setup

[SStomcat]

This is about my future hunting rifle. As many of you know, and for those who don't, my current lineup is:

470 NE double, 9.3x62, 338 Win Mag, 30-06,270 Win --- All scoped

Looking ahead, say 10 years down the road, I "may" not have quite the same vision or strength to comfortably hunt dangerous game with my double rifle. So I'm thinking ahead and considering a one rifle solution for both PG and DG.

My preference would be a bolt-action, scoped, but with iron sights as well.Now, I'm looking for your thoughts not on the brand, but on the caliber.

If you were putting together this one-rifle PG/DG battery, which one would you choose and please articulate why..

• 404 Jeffery
• 416 Rigby
• 375 H&H
• Just stick to the 9.3 where and use it for DG where legal.
• Or something else entirely?

Cheers!

 

[BeeMaa]

My choice would be a .416 caliber in 416RM (Blaser R8) or 416RIGBY (Rigby Big Game/Heym Express).

Enough range for PG out to 150, and enough power for the big boys at close range. 375H&H would be a close second.

 

[Bullthrower338]

I still regret not buying the perfect rifle once at DSC, it was a Dakota Traveler in 300 H&H and 400 H&H. I do believe it would make the perfect one gun for Africa rifle.
If I were to be limited to a single rifle in one chambering for PG and DG, I would probably go with a 375 just for ease of ammo and components.

 

[SStomcat]

I still regret not buying the perfect rifle once at DSC, it was a Dakota Traveler in 300 H&H and 400 H&H. I do believe it would make the perfect one gun for Africa rifle.
If I were to be limited to a single rifle in one chambering for PG and DG, I would probably go with a 375 just for ease of ammo and components.

I presume 400 is enough gun for a charging Buff bull elephant?

 

[FOsteology]

For a one rifle Safari, .375H&H just makes the most sense. Unless elephant is on your score card.

 

[Bullthrower338]

I presume 400 is enough gun for a charging Buff bull elephant?

Having not encountered a charge of anything larger than a woman scorned I would refrain from answering in the affirmative on the 400 H&H as I do not own one but, I’d rather have that in my hands than a frozen herring!

 

[R eight]

I’d suggest a Blaser R8 with a 375 and 300 barrel. It can’t be beat for options regarding sights/scopes/reddots.

If you’re a dyed in the wool tradition man then buy a bolt action 375 H&H in what ever rifle you like.

But, the R8 would be the most practical option.

 

[Tdsmith517]

.416 Rigby/or Remington. If I could only take one rifle it would be either of those. I think ammo availability is going to be better for those than the .404 jeff. The .375H&H is available everywhere and with the right ammo/shot placement will and has killed everything in Africa, but the .416’s give you a little extra horsepower.

 

[SStomcat]

For a one rifle Safari, .375H&H just makes the most sense. Unless elephant is on your score card.

Elephant is on the menu so..

 

[SStomcat]

Having not encountered a charge of anything larger than a woman scorned I would refrain from answering in the affirmative on the 400 H&H as I do not own one but, I’d rather have that in my hands than a frozen herring!

Well, a woman scorned is certainly nothing to be taken lightly, so perhaps your lack of experience with anything larger gives you a perfectly reasonable excuse to remain undecided on the .400 H&H.

That said, between a .400 H&H and a frozen herring, I’d still take the rifle. At least the rifle comes with sights.

 

[Mark458]

This is about my future hunting rifle. As many of you know, and for those who don't, my current lineup is:

470 NE double, 9.3x62, 338 Win Mag, 30-06,270 Win --- All scoped

Looking ahead, say 10 years down the road, I "may" not have quite the same vision or strength to comfortably hunt dangerous game with my double rifle. So I'm thinking ahead and considering a one rifle solution for both PG and DG.

My preference would be a bolt-action, scoped, but with iron sights as well.Now, I'm looking for your thoughts not on the brand, but on the caliber.

If you were putting together this one-rifle PG/DG battery, which one would you choose and please articulate why..

• 404 Jeffery
• 416 Rigby
• 375 H&H
• Just stick to the 9.3 where and use it for DG where legal.
• Or something else entirely?

Cheers!

I know you want one rifle/one caliber. Do you want only one bullet or are you considering two different loads in the same caliber?

 

[SStomcat]

I’d suggest a Blaser R8 with a 375 and 300 barrel. It can’t be beat for options regarding sights/scopes/reddots.

If you’re a dyed in the wool tradition man then buy a bolt action 375 H&H in what ever rifle you like.

But, the R8 would be the most practical option.

Good thoughts,
I have a 9.3 Sauer 404 that i can upgrade to 404 Jeff should barrels, magazine and or bolt heads are available.
But I prefer a new semi custom, or custom bolt gun.

 

[SStomcat]

I know you want one rifle/one caliber. Do you want only one bullet or are you considering two different loads in the same caliber?

Good Question Sir. I prefer one bullet but can load for another grain bullet.

 

[Hedge774]

After hunting with a .375, I'd take it anywhere. (Just don't give up on the 9.3!)

 

[Ontario Hunter]

404J is your ticket. It's popularity is growing in leaps and bounds. For good reason. Lots of potential punch with manageable recoil. Once companies like Barnes and Hornady catch on and start offering lighter weight bullets like 300 or 350 gr, I expect 404's popularity as a plains game shooter will also improve. Currently some custom bullet makers do offer lighter bullets (e.g. Cutting Edge and Hammer) but loading data is skimpy. That should also improve. Keep in mind Jeffery originally offered ammo in 400 and 300 gr but discontinued 300 gr because too many hunters were trying to make those old technology bullets and powders work on big dangerous game animals when 300 gr ammo was designed for "light skinned" African game. Modern tech copper 404 bullets in 300 gr should kill buffalo well enough. "Standard" 400 gr ammo with modern bullets is adequate for elephant.

 

[Mark458]

Good Question Sir. I prefer one bullet but can load for another grain bullet.

Scope choice is something else to keep in mind if you decide on different loads. A ballistic turret of some sort makes changing from one load to another much easier. I like the Leupold with the CDS for this application. On my 404 J I run some 257 grain Safari Raptors and I'm having some 450 grain Woodleigh softs loaded soon. In my 458 Lott I have some 260 grain Cutting Edge Maximus and I'm having some 550 grain North Fork SS loaded soon as well. I'm also having light loads of 350 grain and heavy 600 grain for my 500 J. I'll give a full report on all three calibers hopefully in the near future when I get all of them to the range.

 

[Rumrunner]

.416 RM I realize the .375 is widely available but I agree with the extra horsepower the .416 gives you. You can load 300, 350 or 400 grain and 400 grain solids.