Need a new custom for Africa!

[Tex .416]

First take a look at the customs on Gunsinternational. The second hand prices are shockingly low on some beautiful custom rifles, many of which appear in new condition.

Customs in .30-06 and .300 Win Mag are common and fairly reasonably priced for the quality.

 

[Andrew62]

275 Rigby or 300 H&H would be my 2 choices to decide between, prob pick the 275 Rigby. Anxious to hear what you decide upon!

 

[RedTag]

.300 H&H Magnum for the win!
That said, .30-06 is never a mistake.

 

[Old3Toe]

That's an easy answer. Without hesitation or reservation, 7x57. The harder choices are barrel length, open sight/scope and stock configurations.

 

[318AE]

I have, hunt with and reload for a 275 Rigby, 300 H&H, 318 WR, 333 Jeffery, and 350 Rigby, each by their eponymous maker.

While the 318s are my favorite, the 275, 300 and 350 have much better bullet choices. Given Rigby has reintroduced the 350, and 358 bullets are plentiful, I think that would make a great choice. A 250gr 358 a-frame or similar at Aussie level 35 Whelen velocity is a lot of mojo.

 

[DaddyFlip]

Well, Mauser thought enough of the 30’06 that they offered it in, I believe, all of their sporting models way pre WW2.
Here’s my square bridge TypeA in 30’06 (middle rifle) along with a 10.75X68 top and a 6.5 Portugese below.
A good 30’06 with a twist that will handle 200gr bullets would be not only an ideal African plains game rifle but an ideal rifle for about 90% of all non DG game the world over.

View attachment 727689

Aren't those straight bolt handles beautiful? That's what I like about my Remington 721 in 300 H&H for the win!

 

[Killo]

300 and 375 H&H
Parkwest Dark Continent
9 month delivery

 

[DLSJR]

I mentioned in that other place where you asked that I’m going to have Parkwest build me a model 10 built in 7x57 and think that’d be a great cartridge choice; but why not a 300 H&H for you? You’ve already got that chambering and components so why not have a great rifle built in that chambering and go hunt with it or a 7x57?

 

[CBH Australia]

.280 Ackley. Way better than 7x57 not so much recoil as a 300 Win Mag. Only makes sense!!!

I’m impressed by the .280 ai but it doesn’t seem to be a traditional chambering if you are going with a nice classic rifle.

I just like 7mm rounds and would consider the 7x64 for Africa if not 7x57

But, there are .30 cal options

7x57, 3006, 375 h and h

With a 6 figure budget I would have one of each from Rigby and change to hunt.

I would be worried I would scratch them let alone a high end custom.

 

[wvfred]

If you're not using it for the largest of plains game I would opt for the 7x57 for the largest animals I would consider the 300 H&H or 9.3x62.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

If I could set up one “Plains Game Exclusive” rifle, it would have to be a .338 Winchester Magnum built by Griffin & Howe on a Springfield Model 1903A3 action with a 25” Douglas Premium barrel and a Grade 5 Turkish walnut stock (cheek piece included). It would have the factory two piece striker replaced by a titanium striker. It would wear a Weaver K5 telescopic sight on quick release mounts. And have an India rubber recoil pad fitted.

 

[Bandera]

When I think of Africa plains game calibers, these come to mind first for me.
The 300 H&H
The 275 Rigby or 7X57
The 30-06

The do all 375 H&H.

Being left handed I made a couple of substitutions.
300 Win Mag for the 300 H&H
375 Ruger for the 375 H&H

 

[Fatback]

7 Rem Mag, 7x57, 30-06 or 300 Win mag. Any of these four would be wonderful choices.

 

[Nosler guy]

I'm kind of a practical getter' done kind of guy - sure wouldn't be bothered with a high buck custom. Go down to the gun shop - scoop up a Ruger in .300 Win. A lot less headaches, you'll have lots of disposable cash that yu didn't burn up on the rifle, turn that into trophies. Guaranteed you'll have a lot more fun, not worrying about "Cinderella" and the first couple of nicks and scratches won't hurt nearly as much.

 

[AZDAVE]

With that kind of budget you have a lot of options. Since you mentioned plains game rifle and didn't limit the size IE blue diker to Giraffe. or sable and smaller. I am also assuming you plan on a bolt action.
You have just over a year so it kinda rules out a couple of the London bigger gunmakers as their build times are over 2 years. there are some in England and the continent along with several very good gun makers here in the USA that should be able to take care of you. As tempted as I am to pick some of the older classic rounds. I picked rounds that are reasonably easy to find ammo for.

For a one size fits all.
9.3x62
375H&H
338WM


For sable and smaller
300H&H
30/06
7x57