My second rifle choice

[soumya sarkar]

I have a 470 double and am contemplating my next rifle preferably a bolt gun. I plan to use this across all continents including N America. Looking for something in smaller caliber than the .40. I have been looking closely at the ubiquitous 375 H&H, 9.3X62, 9.3X74 and so on. Should be convenient to carry and fun to shoot and more importantly ammunition readily available, including reloading stuff.

Or should I go for a 375 double as a small brother..

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Joker12]

A good bolt action 30'06 will handle most hunting other than heavy dangerous game. Ammunition will be very easy to find

 

[freefall]

Hard to beat a .338. But maybe I just have no imagination. .300 mag makes a nice all-rounder.

 

[soumya sarkar]

Thank you! Please clarify a good 30.06, are you referring to particular brand?

 

[JimP]

While you have the DG side of things covered and you mentioned hunting in North America I'd look into one of the .30 caliber magnums such as the 300 Win mag. I like the .340 Weatherby mag but you also said ammo availability. A 300 Win mag would fit the bill here.

 

[Donnstar]

.375 Ruger I will leave it at that.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Everyone should have a .375 whether it be the venerable H&H version or the Ruger, it does not matter. PG and DG covered. Makes a perfect backup for DG to your .470 and much better choice for PG beyond 100 yards.

 

[Joker12]

A good bolt action 30'06 will handle most hunting other than heavy dangerous game. Ammunition will be very easy to find

There are several good choices depending on your budget. In my opinion it is hard to beat a M70 Winchester or anything built on a good Mauser action such as an older CZ 550 or an older Browning Safari Grade rifle which is built on the FN Supreme action. A Ruger Hawkeye is a less expensive choice and there are many more expensive choices.

 

[Red Leg]

If you are looking for a general purpose caliber for the remainder of the world - pronghorn to ibex to plains game then a double of any sort is mildly ridiculous and almost anything heavier than a .300 is a liability. I would get a quality bolt action in .300 Win Mag (or its equivalent) and never look back.

 

[CBH Australia]

Thank you! Please clarify a good 30.06, are you referring to particular brand?

Joker has a were but opinions may vary on goo quality but there would be plenty of Good Quality brands or models.
Personal preference will play a part as will the ergonomics of fit for you .
There are good quality factory production rifles and better custom models old and new along with some high end brands.

 

[BeeMaa]

Seeing as you have the .40+ covered, the .30 caliber would be a great option for you. 308WIN, 30-06 or 300WM (my personal favorite) are excellent choices however any of the the other .30's will do as well.

For a traveling hunter, I'd keep it to the more common calibers.

 

[soumya sarkar]

If you are looking for a general purpose caliber for the remainder of the world - pronghorn to ibex to plains game then a double of any sort is mildly ridiculous and almost anything heavier than a .300 is a liability. I would get a quality bolt action in .300 Win Mag (or its equivalent) and never look back.

Yes Redleg that my goal, a general purpose rifle that I can use everywhere else specially N America and also for Plain games in Africa with ammo easily available and components for reloading. Question - Is this good enuff for a Kudu/Grizzly/Large moose?

 

[soumya sarkar]

Joker has a were but opinions may vary on goo quality but there would be plenty of Good Quality brands or models.
Personal preference will play a part as will the ergonomics of fit for you .
There are good quality factory production rifles and better custom models old and new along with some high end brands.

Agree, price range is huge as well with around 20K for a Rigby highland stalker and around 1.5 K for other brands

 

[CBH Australia]

Yes, I have a few Tikka rifles some cost 1k second hand. All decent in my view.

I didn't set out to buy multiple Tikka but as things went different needs and different options were bought.

I would like to have something like a Rigby or any nice rifle for that matter but I would be hesitant to hunt with a 20k rifle. Buying it is one thing risking it or damaging it is another. I've come to terms with the fact I'm not a collector.

A Tikka with a decent scope will be a decent outfit and capable.

Many here like their straight pull Blasers. I think some of those people are frequent flyers so the multi calibre capability in one package appeals to them.

 

[JimP]

For a great rifle that won't break the bank look at the Weatherby Vanguard line. They are made by Howa and are available in most standard and in a few Weatherby calibers.

The one that I have is more accurate than I can usually shoot

 

[Red Leg]

Yes Redleg that my goal, a general purpose rifle that I can use everywhere else specially N America and also for Plain games in Africa with ammo easily available and components for reloading. Question - Is this good enuff for a Kudu/Grizzly/Large moose?

Maybe not for grizzly, though many have been taken with a 200 gr bullet from a .300. I would feel better with a .338 or 9.3. However those or somewhat overkill for a pronghorn, whitetail or mule deer.

 

[krish]

A 340 wby is the best choice. Brass purchase is one time affair. Get few hundred pieces of brass when you get your rifle. .Sinc you reload few hundred pices of brass will last you for a very long time. 338 Bullets are available in the range of 165gr to 300 gr's. There is no game you can not take with it near or far. In a pinch will take any DG. WIITH PROPER SHOT PLACEMENT. READ ABOUT IT ON THE NET.
KRISH

 

[krish]

Yes I have several medium bor from 270 to 358's
I always go to 340 wby. Because I can count on it for any game NA east to west, north to south with out any slightest doubt in my mind. It can do anything a 375 0r 270 can do but better where it is legal.
Krish

 

[Ray B]

My preference for a second rifle would be a 338 Win Mag. there are a few others that would be good such as the 358 Norma Mag, but ammo can be a problem.

 

[Bonk]

9.3x62. Classic caliber, very mild to shoot, buffalo capable if necessary, excellent all around caliber. The exact same thing can be said about 9.3x74R. They are ballistic twins. One is for magazine rifles and the other for double/single rifles.

or

300H&H. Classic caliber, excellent for everything smaller than a buffalo or big bear.