I had 400 Maximus loaded by superior ammo and it came in at 2250 in 20.5” barrel. 370gr safari raptor at 2300.
I’m a big fan of the 375 Ruger, but the 416 Ruger is about the same as 416 rem mag. Just built off same casing as 375 Ruger is why I went with it. I know it’s shorter but that doesn’t really change anything with my R8.
www.blaser.de
You are dead on. Love your choice. What I did!Well, I’ve narrowed it down to a Snowy Mountain Alaskan in 375 H&H with a Defiance Hunter CRF action, 22” barrel, muzzle break and thread protector OR a Blaser R8 Professional with barrels for 375 H&H, 300 win mag, and 223 Rem. Surprisingly, the cost is similar here in Canada. I also looked at custom CRF rifles from Rifle’s Inc and Hill Mountain rifles and considered the workhorse Ruger M77’s and Winchester Model 70.
R8 Configurator
From caliber to stock – comfortably compile your own R8 bolt action rifle with the modular R8 system in the Blaser gun configurator.
Am leaning towards the Blaser for ease of travel, shorter overall length with similar length barrel in a bolt action (~3.5 “ for the same length barrel) which is an advantage when using with silencers. Additionally, can buy a L hand bolt for it someday and hand it down to my boys if they continue hunting (6 & 9 yo, but both L eye dominant and L handed shooters). Finally, the resale value of the Blaser is likely better if I end up selling it someday, especially if I sell it as components. Planning on using the 223 barrel for gophers and coyotes to get familiar with the straight pull action.
The Alaskan is very durable and will be stainless and cerakoted so it will be very good in adverse weather and is CRF. For hunting here in Alberta, Canada the Alaskan is likely more weather resistant. Accuracy should be more than adequate in either.
What are your thoughts? I have a few other rifles in the safe I’m going to sell since they are the wrong hand for my kids to defray the cost and am excited to get my first medium bore. I’ve decided I want a synthetic stock, threaded barrel, and don’t want open sights on the barrel.
For those of you with a Blaser R8, what do you recommend for a travel case? The dealer I’m working with, Omar at Precisionoptics.com, carries the Blaser ABS Type C which would hold everything needed for a two rifle battery for travel. Is there another/better option?
Finally, what are your opinions on a 6.5PRC/375 H&H vs. a 300 win mag/375 H&H two gun battery for plains game. I am going to mount a Leopold VX6-HD 2-12 on the 375 rifle so it will be useable for plains game as well as buffalo down the road. I already have a 6.5 PRC/300 PRC switch barrel rifle (which would come with me to Africa if I went with the Snowy Mountain Alaskan) and am trying to reduce/limit the number the number of cartridges I use. Blaser doesn’t offer a 300 PRC barrel, but does have a 6.5 PRC. Since the 375 H&H is a great choice for a one rifle safari taking a second rifle in a smaller cartridge like the 6.5 PRC (similar ballistics and terminal performance to a 270 roughly) seems reasonable and would be great for use on smaller plains game. Of course, a .30 cal magnum is superior to a 6.5 PRC if you are on a one rifle plains game hunt, but that will not be the case. It occurs to me that a 6.5 PRC is a better hunting cartridge for my boys when they step up from .22lr and 6.5 Grendel to a full size rifle.
Original plan for my plains game hunt in September, which has just been booked for Namibia with Kowa’s, was to take my 300 PRC and to hunt springbok, impala, gemsbok, kudu and eland. Then I joined this forum and decided I ’needed’ a 375 and to hunt cape buffalo someday and I would take the 300 PRC and a 375 if I bought it in time. THANKS, guys lol.
If you’ve read this far, you have a serious rifle and Africa hunting problem - just like me…. Thanks for your comments and suggestions, I appreciate them and read and consider them all.
Highly recommend the Blaser R8 in 375H&H, 300WM and (why not) 257WBY. I understand the reasoning behind the 223REM if it's for the price of ammo. Another option would be to get a 22lr kit for practice. If you go with the 257WBY it keeps the MA bolt head (shared by the 375H&H and 300WM) so you don't have to change it out. Not a deal breaker, but it's just one more thing.Well, I’ve narrowed it down to a Snowy Mountain Alaskan in 375 H&H with a Defiance Hunter CRF action, 22” barrel, muzzle break and thread protector OR a Blaser R8 Professional with barrels for 375 H&H, 300 win mag, and 223 Rem. Surprisingly, the cost is similar here in Canada. I also looked at custom CRF rifles from Rifle’s Inc and Hill Mountain rifles and considered the workhorse Ruger M77’s and Winchester Model 70.
R8 Configurator
From caliber to stock – comfortably compile your own R8 bolt action rifle with the modular R8 system in the Blaser gun configurator.
Am leaning towards the Blaser for ease of travel, shorter overall length with similar length barrel in a bolt action (~3.5 “ for the same length barrel) which is an advantage when using with silencers. Additionally, can buy a L hand bolt for it someday and hand it down to my boys if they continue hunting (6 & 9 yo, but both L eye dominant and L handed shooters). Finally, the resale value of the Blaser is likely better if I end up selling it someday, especially if I sell it as components. Planning on using the 223 barrel for gophers and coyotes to get familiar with the straight pull action.
The Alaskan is very durable and will be stainless and cerakoted so it will be very good in adverse weather and is CRF. For hunting here in Alberta, Canada the Alaskan is likely more weather resistant. Accuracy should be more than adequate in either.
What are your thoughts? I have a few other rifles in the safe I’m going to sell since they are the wrong hand for my kids to defray the cost and am excited to get my first medium bore. I’ve decided I want a synthetic stock, threaded barrel, and don’t want open sights on the barrel.
For those of you with a Blaser R8, what do you recommend for a travel case? The dealer I’m working with, Omar at Precisionoptics.com, carries the Blaser ABS Type C which would hold everything needed for a two rifle battery for travel. Is there another/better option?
Finally, what are your opinions on a 6.5PRC/375 H&H vs. a 300 win mag/375 H&H two gun battery for plains game. I am going to mount a Leopold VX6-HD 2-12 on the 375 rifle so it will be useable for plains game as well as buffalo down the road. I already have a 6.5 PRC/300 PRC switch barrel rifle (which would come with me to Africa if I went with the Snowy Mountain Alaskan) and am trying to reduce/limit the number the number of cartridges I use. Blaser doesn’t offer a 300 PRC barrel, but does have a 6.5 PRC. Since the 375 H&H is a great choice for a one rifle safari taking a second rifle in a smaller cartridge like the 6.5 PRC (similar ballistics and terminal performance to a 270 roughly) seems reasonable and would be great for use on smaller plains game. Of course, a .30 cal magnum is superior to a 6.5 PRC if you are on a one rifle plains game hunt, but that will not be the case. It occurs to me that a 6.5 PRC is a better hunting cartridge for my boys when they step up from .22lr and 6.5 Grendel to a full size rifle.
Original plan for my plains game hunt in September, which has just been booked for Namibia with Kowa’s, was to take my 300 PRC and to hunt springbok, impala, gemsbok, kudu and eland. Then I joined this forum and decided I ’needed’ a 375 and to hunt cape buffalo someday and I would take the 300 PRC and a 375 if I bought it in time. THANKS, guys lol.
If you’ve read this far, you have a serious rifle and Africa hunting problem - just like me…. Thanks for your comments and suggestions, I appreciate them and read and consider them all.
Excellent choice.
Run a mono metal like the two you mentioned. The Eldx is too soft for PRC velocities on shoulder punching African game. LRX will be plenty accurate much further than you need for Africa. Great combo you got.
Now that’s a gorgeous gun and Zebra. That gun gets me hot and bothered! ;-).
As above, I have purchased a Blaser R8 in 375 H&H and 6.5 PRC. The buy ammo anywhere doesn’t really resonate with me. It’s there, but I’d want to rezero anyway so it’s not a huge comfort to me that ammo is available. Unfortunately, luggage and ammo being delayed is just one of the joys of international travel. Buying/borrowing ammo or borrowing a camp rifle is just something you might have to do. I’d like to hunt with my rifle and ammo, but I’m going to enjoy my trip no matter what.
You did great!
Actually, my wife is a police officer and wouldn’t be caught dead in stiletto heels. She’s a wonderful person, capable and attractive and I couldn’t care less that she doesn’t dress like that - in fact I prefer it!
And the funds in their bank account. LOL
Blaser also made a Jaeger PH model that had a grey receiver and safari magnum (pancake style) stock with a 19mm barrel channel.
www.africahunting.com
