Sticking to what’s currently in my gun cabinet: 7x57, .30-06, 8x56R. Most likely to get swapped would be .30 carbine for the 7x57. Now, if you’re talking about what I WISH I had, that’s another story.
I'm with you. Trading the 450/400 Double Rifle for a 458WM bolt gun. I know...boring. Boring gets it done for me.
Today ... perhaps what is NOT in the safe; 7x57R in a break-action single barrel rifle 8x68S in a bolt rifle 444 Marlin in a lever action
.22 Hornet, for the tiny critters 6.5x54 Mannlicher Schoenauer for the small to medium antelope-type stuff 9.2x62 for the bigger plains game (no budget for the dangerous/big stuff unfortunately)
Daniel Defense Delta 5 308 win Mauser M12 Max 9.3x62 This is my duo for Africa. Swift 285 grain A-Frames for DG in 9.3, Nosler 250 grain in 9.3 for plains game, and premium 308 168-180 grain for the DD. Will keep a mag of solids loaded and handy for the Mauser, “just in case”, if it’s a DG hunt. Love both rifles and will alternate depending on what we are going after and expected shot distances.
After seeing what a 375H&H does to PG on our safari, I will not be going to Africa without it. Matter of fact, it has just replaced every other hunting caliber in my collection for distances less than 300 yards. But that's just for today...tomorrow, who knows what it brings.
If I had to be limited to only one caliber it would be the 375HH. I even had a one shot kill on my buf with a 350 gr Barnes TSX. My eland took two 350s and pg from springbok to zebra to wildebeest needed only one 235 gr Barnes TSX out to 250 yards.
.375 Ruger 30-06 5.56mm Thankfully I am not limited to three, so.... I have a serious problem with caliber proliferation.
Today 7x57, 9.3x62, .404 Jeffery. Tomorrow 30-06, .375 H&H, .458 Lott Day after tomorrow 8x57, .338 WM, .458 WM.....who knows
Right now, I have 2 rifles that I'm really happy with; a Tikka T3X stainless synthetic 6.5x55 and a Winchester M70 Extreme Weather 30-06. I've changed calibres far too often, which isn't easy to do in the UK, but the next one will likely be a 375H&H... probably a CZ550. I think I will then have every base covered.... maybe.
Today: still 222 (for night critters and tiny ten of which I only have one); 375 H&H for most everything else; 470 NE SxS for a Caprivi DG hunt (when I win the lottery). I do love to dream!
Today's three are 6.5 Creedmore, 7RM, 404 Jeffery. Subject to change. If I was going on safari in the near future it would be 7RM and 404 Jeffery (when it gets here). Until then 7RM and 375HH.
