Proper pairing

[sierraone]

So, it is with great happiness and joy that I announce that I will be finalizing a custom build order for a .375 H&H this coming July. No frills rifle, built to be a reliable work horse. I need to find her a friend. As some of you may know, I've been looking at a 6.5, but availability may force me to go another direction entirely. I was considering a .270 win or a 7x64. Anyone feel like giving me their opinion on the matter? Will probably be taking my fathers .30-06 off his hands sometime in the near future as he hasn't shot her in years and he hasn't hunted in even longer. Recoil isn't an issue, doesn't bug me. I need something with decent legs that will be used on game up to blesbok and probably used for taking out a few vervets and dassies.

As always,
Thank you!

If you are looking for legs (and by that I think you mean distance) my son has a 6.5 Creedmore that he shoots out to 1 mile (1.62 km) Of course that takes a proper scope and training.

 

[sierraone]

Never fired the Swede, but it sure has a big following!

 

[cpr0312]

Lots of great suggestions here! I'd be happy with a .300, 30.06, or 7x57

 

[nztimb]

a 6.5x57 and a 318 WR if you want some class that will take everything up to the heavy PG or for the classic pairing there is the 7x57 and 9.3x62. Both would make very good pairings in my (humble --lol) view, unless DG was on the table then I would want something like the 7x57 and the 404 Jeffery.

 

[TallGrassHunter]

You'll never go wrong asking what gun to buy from a group of guys that think one of everything is just right. The 375 H & H can cover so much ground with 235 grain (225 still available?) to 300/350 grain slugs, that you can match it (the 375) with about anything imo. I like to match guns by the range of bullet weight it will shoot, so I'd be inclined to go with a 30-06 (150 gr. to 220 gr, 250 if you can find them), next choice would be a 7 x 57/7RM (100 - 175 gr) as a follow up choice, followed closely by a 3rd gun in 257R (70 -120gr). After that fill in from there until you're asking yourself why you have so many guys.

 

[AFRICADEE]

I believe that my 3 gun collection is perfect.....

My CZ 550 416 Rigby for everything that bites or are tough using 400 grainers, my Remington 700 S/S 30-06, my bush veld rifle/ Mountain rifle normally using 168 grains for plains game and 220 grains for putting a BlueWildebees down very effectively in the brush, my long distance shooter- Springbok and Blesbok etc, Savage Lrp in 260 Remington, shooting 140 grain VLD Hunting bullets....

There is also my 12 gauge o/u...

 

[Art Lambart II]

Because you have the two most versatile hunting rifles on earth what you really need is a high quality .22. With a .22 a 30-06 and a 375 you can hunt anything that walks or crawls on this earth.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Art, I think you are onto something.

My take is that the the 375's strength is versatility. It is light for an African heavy rifle and heavy for a light rifle, but it works adequately on both ends. A 30-06 is about the same on North American game: perhaps not the best choice on the big bears, but adequate. More than needed for small deer, but not ridiculous. Either rifle is about ideal as a single rifle in its environment.

What is missing is something at the very small end and a shotgun. Those are the obvious gaps.

Anything else is really not about filling a gap, but about optimizing a particular ability at the expense of versatility. If what you feel you need is something to buck the wind for use on modest sized animals at distance, I'd consider a 6.5-284. It is a darling of the 1000 yard F class shooters so the accuracy is there and the 6.5 projectiles performance on game is widely known.

 

[spike.t]

Because you have the two most versatile hunting rifles on earth what you really need is a high quality .22. With a .22 a 30-06 and a 375 you can hunt anything that walks or crawls on this earth.

at last somebody else who has read the op and come to same the logical realistic conclusion..........

 

[Michael Dean]

I think that your initial thought of going the route of a 6.5 is an excellent idea. You're going to have a 30-6 and a 375 so the firearm will be something for smaller plains game animals. I've got three 7x57's and I think that caliber is great as well. That being said I just built a 6.5-284 and you couldn't ask for a more accurate firearm. The 6.5-284 are known for long distance accuracy. Either of those two calibers will do everything you're asking.

 

[Desert Dog]

Why not just use the 375 for everything.

 

[Art Lambart II]

Why not just use the 375 for everything.

Desert Dog, are you saying he shouldn't buy a new rifle?

 

[TallGrassHunter]

I was thinking we have a heretic when I read that.

 

[Philip Glass]

I agree with Simon.

 

[rookhawk]

@Desert Dog this is a forum about wants.

The "needs" forum is at foodheatshelter.com, or so I'm told. I never visit.

He may only need a 375 but he certainly should conclude at the end of this thread that he ought to buy 3 more rifles.

Support the economy, buy stuff you don't need!

 

[Scott Slough]

Support the economy, buy stuff you don't need!

Buying more guns/stuff supports the economy ... spending the same money on more hunts helps the economy and helps with conservation! Keep the 375 H&H, wait until you inherit the 30-06, and go kill something in the interim!!!!

PS Please post pictures and a report as we don't get out as much as we would like!

 

[curtism1234]

A 243, 25-06, or 7mm-08 would probably serve you well. A few more if you reload.

 

[Longwalker]

"I need something with decent legs that will be used on game up to blesbok and probably used for taking out a few vervets and daisies."
You will have a .375 and 30-06, so my suggestion is a 25-06 if that is a cartridge available to you.I really like mine for shooting smallish critters a long ways away. It is not very wind sensitive. Other possibilities include the .243 as already suggested, or go smaller still and get a fast twist .223 or a 22-250

 

[curtism1234]

or go smaller still and get a fast twist .223 or a 22-250

Someone might have a hard time getting an outfitter to allow a 22cal on the impala/blesbok sized animals.

If the OP is fine with the potential answer of no, then by all means.

 

[Longwalker]

good point, so I amend my suggestion to just the 25-06 or .243.