I need a companion rifle for the 500J

[dogcat1]

.300 H&H

Not sure what you need a 500 Jeff for, but it is fun to shoot. A .375HH will do all you need.

 

[Creigh]

.300 H&H

Not sure what you need a 500 Jeff for, but it is fun to shoot. A .375HH will do all you need.

Define "need". I've got big plans for the 500.
I'll keep my 375h&h, but I agree with the 300h&h.

 

[Art Lambart II]

What about the classic 9.3x62, a German round for a German action, not to mention it's a proven DG round, what more could you ask for in a second rifle.

 

[SCmackey]

I have a very nice Dakota 76 in 300 H&H that I am willing to part with. Rescoping with Talley rings and a new Swarovski Z5i 3.5-18 x 42. 300 H&H has plenty of case capacity to boost performance through custom loads (e.g., Superior) or hand loading. I have been using Nosler Trophy Grade 180 gr accubond @2850 muzzle velocity.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I don’t have anything valuable to offer, other than to compliment you on such a fine weapon and getting a mate for her. I just completed a similar chore. I’ve always loved the idea of mated pairs for rifles.

I have a Dakota 76 Safari in .416 Rigby and just completed a transaction for a Dakota 76 Safari in .338 WM for Africa. I love the.338 WM. It is far and away my favorite cartridge.

 

[Timbo]

I am currently awaiting delivery of a 500 Jeffrey. My plan is to do a proper African hunt in a few years. I hunt for meat but I decided to do a full real deal African hunt somewhere north of me, perhaps Zimbabwe or Tanzania. As you can imagine accumulating resources can be challenging, but I've given myself three years to get there. Rifle builds can take a while and getting a permit here can take anything up to 7 months. However, I have another issue. I cannot go on this hunt with only a 500 Jeffrey.

I need a rifle that will compliment what I already have, or will have, but I have a few self imposed limitations.

It has to be a classic cartridge, but not so obscure that I don't have access to ammunition or even hand loading parts.
It has to have the ability to shoot longer distances.
It will be used to bring down large African PG.
Both rifles must be made by the same builder with the same stock design (classic English). Fitted to me.
Both rifles must of course be left-handed.

After long chats with friends I've narrowed it down to a few options:

300 H&H
338 Win Mag
333 Jeffery (pushing the obscure envelope)

What I don't want:

300 WM. I can buy numerous of these off the shelf right now. Very few LH around.
Anything above 338, performance-wise. I have a 375 H&H and a 404J. I'm purposefully trying to get something that fits the set and meets the performance requirements on African PG.
300 PRC. Too new. The numbers match the 338 WM though.

I'm open to any suggestion, regardless caliber.

I am currently awaiting delivery of a 500 Jeffrey. My plan is to do a proper African hunt in a few years. I hunt for meat but I decided to do a full real deal African hunt somewhere north of me, perhaps Zimbabwe or Tanzania. As you can imagine accumulating resources can be challenging, but I've given myself three years to get there. Rifle builds can take a while and getting a permit here can take anything up to 7 months. However, I have another issue. I cannot go on this hunt with only a 500 Jeffrey.

I need a rifle that will compliment what I already have, or will have, but I have a few self imposed limitations.

It has to be a classic cartridge, but not so obscure that I don't have access to ammunition or even hand loading parts.
It has to have the ability to shoot longer distances.
It will be used to bring down large African PG.
Both rifles must be made by the same builder with the same stock design (classic English). Fitted to me.
Both rifles must of course be left-handed.

After long chats with friends I've narrowed it down to a few options:

300 H&H
338 Win Mag
333 Jeffery (pushing the obscure envelope)

What I don't want:

300 WM. I can buy numerous of these off the shelf right now. Very few LH around.
Anything above 338, performance-wise. I have a 375 H&H and a 404J. I'm purposefully trying to get something that fits the set and meets the performance requirements on African PG.
300 PRC. Too new. The numbers match the 338 WM though.

I'm open to any suggestion, regardless caliber.

Thanks

Have you considered the 9.3x62? It's a superb classic calibre that can take everything up to DG. I've taken cape buff and onyx with mine.

 

[Creigh]

Have you considered the 9.3x62? It's a superb classic calibre that can take everything up to DG. I've taken cape buff and onyx with mine.

It's close to a 375 H&H which I already have and I consider it an all rounder caliber. I wanted something more in the center of medium to large PG. Also mountain game. If 8x68mm ammo was freely available it would have been that.

 

[Creigh]

What about the classic 9.3x62, a German round for a German action, not to mention it's a proven DG round, what more could you ask for in a second rifle.

I tried to include you in the previous answer. It didn't work.

 

[Creigh]

I don’t have anything valuable to offer, other than to compliment you on such a fine weapon and getting a mate for her. I just completed a similar chore. I’ve always loved the idea of mated pairs for rifles.

I have a Dakota 76 Safari in .416 Rigby and just completed a transaction for a Dakota 76 Safari in .338 WM for Africa. I love the.338 WM. It is far and away my favorite cartridge.

That's a great combination. Yeah it's pricey but I have to strike now while I'm still reasonably active.

 

[Creigh]

I have a very nice Dakota 76 in 300 H&H that I am willing to part with. Rescoping with Talley rings and a new Swarovski Z5i 3.5-18 x 42. 300 H&H has plenty of case capacity to boost performance through custom loads (e.g., Superior) or hand loading. I have been using Nosler Trophy Grade 180 gr accubond @2850 muzzle velocity.

I'll probably load it in the 180-gr range as well.

 

[Andrew NOLA]

Another vote for the 338 Winchester magnum. Ammo can be purchased if needed and it's accurate. I'm a big fan of it

 

[steve white]

But for nostalgia off the charts, how about a 318 Westley Richards?

 

[Creigh]

But for nostalgia off the charts, how about a 318 Westley Richards?

I've kind of traversed all of these options. At the end of the day I had to settle for a caliber that had ammo available but was still classic European.