Which old school American rifle?

[Nevada Mike]

Sedgefield custom Springffield in 30-'06.

 

[Huvius]

Sedgefield custom Springffield in 30-'06.

I think you mean Sedgley.
There were many Springfields sporterized by Sedgley and Niedner post WW2.
They are pretty decent rifles but for some reason don’t have much of a following.
Neither were up to G&H standards from what I’ve seen.

 

[Mizzou100]

I hunt deer with a Marlin 30-30, with the Hornady Leverevolution 160 grain, this ammo tranformed this rifle. 200 yard zero, tgus is the exit wound on the whitetail from last week

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I was hunting a concession in 2023 that had a lot of nice Red Lechwe. However, they were quite docile and I elected not to shoot one. I had told my PH about my 1885 Winchester in 38-55, and how that could be a bit more challenging with open sights than a modern scoped rifle.

As I’m sitting in my room looking at the trophies from that trip, it got me to thinking. What old school American rifle, and in which calibre, would you take to Africa? An 1895 Winchester in .405? A pre 64 Winchester in 30-06? Maybe a Sharps in the legendary 45-70?

@Bearkat
I would take my beautiful little custom 1885 lowall in 22 K Hornet for the tiny 10. Shoots half inch groups if I do my part.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A Griffin and Howe on a Springfield action in 30’06 is about as American as it gets, and good plains game rifle to boot.

@318AE
Now a Griffin and How in 35 Whelen would be nice.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

First time I have heard of that. Thank you for the information.

@MS 9x56
Bill Ruger's first automatic was a modified Savage 99
Bob

 

[OldCombatEngr]

From all I have puled together over the yearsI was hunting a concession in 2023 that had a lot of nice Red Lechwe. However, they were quite docile and I elected not to shoot one. I had told my PH about my 1885 Winchester in 38-55, and how that could be a bit more challenging with open sights than a modern scoped rifle.

As I’m sitting in my room looking at the trophies from that trip, it got me to thinking. What old school American rifle, and in which calibre, would you take to Africa? An 1895 Winchester in .405? A pre 64 Winchester in 30-06? Maybe a Sharps in the legendary 45-70?

I'd take the Africa-proven M95 Winchester in .405 with 300-grain bullets for soft-skinned game. If the lottery works out, I should be hunting bears on Kodiak next fall with that combination, as suggested by the prospective guide. If loaded with tough 400-grain slugs, maybe it could also work for the heaviest African game, although a .450/.400 NE 3-in would be more appropriate, we likely agree.

From what I have pulled together, I would consider my .45/70 Ruger No. 1 or M86 Winchester with stiffer but readily extracting 500-grain loads for either Alaska or Africa, if the guide or PH would support it.

 

[OldCombatEngr]

I have 2 (and would love to own more). The 1947 is chambered in .300 Savage. I have a newer one (late 60s) in .308. The .300 Savage went to Africa. I took a warthog, kudu, gemsbok, and impala with it. Handloads with 180 grain Accubonds.

View attachment 730906

Looks wonderful. Could almost be a photo from half a century past.

 

[Bandera]

I will use a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 this deer season.
Last year was the Marlin 336 in 30-30.
In the past I have used my grandfathers Remington 760 in 30-06 and a 03A3 Remington in 30-06.