Hello all,
As you can see this is only my second post (so far). Anyway, I'm planning to go to Ethiopia with a friend after graduation in May, his parents have done missionary work there for years and say they can set me up with a PH for at least a few days hunting while I'm there.
So, I've been thinking I should probably buy myself a new rifle for the trip. No good reason really, I've got several that would work, but hey why not? After surveying the safe, I seem to be lacking single shots and was thinking a Ruger No.1 would fit the bill just right since I'm not going to be hunting any dangerous game. Well, I've narowed it down to one of two models and was wondering if any one here might have any thoughts about it. The two are a .300 H&H Medium Sporter with a 26" barrel and a .303 British Light Sporter with a 22" barrel. Price is about the same, but my main concerns are the speed of the .300 for close shots and on the flip side the lack thereof in the .303 (for longer shots).
I'm a pretty adept stalker and have relied on still hunting almost exclusively for eight seasons now. Even in open country I can usually get within 150 yards or so, which is why the speed concerns me... The longest shot I've ever had to take was a on a pronghorn at about 250 yards and I only took that one because it was take the shot or go home empty handed. But never having hunted there (Ethiopia), and since my friends parents don't hunt, I'm not really sure what to plan for.
Either would work I suppose, but I'm torn between the two. Both have lots of history on their side and both have solid track records on game. Unfortunately, I've only enough extra in the hunting budjet for one...
As you can see this is only my second post (so far). Anyway, I'm planning to go to Ethiopia with a friend after graduation in May, his parents have done missionary work there for years and say they can set me up with a PH for at least a few days hunting while I'm there.
So, I've been thinking I should probably buy myself a new rifle for the trip. No good reason really, I've got several that would work, but hey why not? After surveying the safe, I seem to be lacking single shots and was thinking a Ruger No.1 would fit the bill just right since I'm not going to be hunting any dangerous game. Well, I've narowed it down to one of two models and was wondering if any one here might have any thoughts about it. The two are a .300 H&H Medium Sporter with a 26" barrel and a .303 British Light Sporter with a 22" barrel. Price is about the same, but my main concerns are the speed of the .300 for close shots and on the flip side the lack thereof in the .303 (for longer shots).
I'm a pretty adept stalker and have relied on still hunting almost exclusively for eight seasons now. Even in open country I can usually get within 150 yards or so, which is why the speed concerns me... The longest shot I've ever had to take was a on a pronghorn at about 250 yards and I only took that one because it was take the shot or go home empty handed. But never having hunted there (Ethiopia), and since my friends parents don't hunt, I'm not really sure what to plan for.
Either would work I suppose, but I'm torn between the two. Both have lots of history on their side and both have solid track records on game. Unfortunately, I've only enough extra in the hunting budjet for one...
