Which old school American rifle?

[Flbt]

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?

The ones you said probably the 405

1886 in 33 wcf ( one of my grandpa favorite bear and panthers rounds)
Or maybe a the 1895 in 35 wcf

 

[Firebird]

Grandpa’s pre 64 Winchester in 30-06, 1951 by the serial number. Lechwe, kudu and more

 

[Arac]

As already mentioned, a Winchester 1895 would be cool, as would a pre-64 Super Grade African in .458 Win Mag.

 

[dgr416]

I would like to take my 1895 win 405 win and my Elmer Keith 333 okh Belted mag p17 endfield its been to Africa before Charlie oneal took it .I just got a 1886 original 45-90 with flip up peep site looks like Teddy Roosevelts 1886 and looks new for being 131 years old made in 1894 .I dont think i could hit an elephant at 50 yards broadside with that peep site .I gotta get it checked by gunsmith before I shoot it .

 

[Grandpa Moose]

Took a couple nice trophies with 1895 including a buffalo. Have lots of old school rifles as they are my favorite ones 275 Rigby 6.5 Mannlicher Schounauer model 71 Winchester but if health would let me my prewar model 70 in 300 H&H

 

[odonata]

As a right-hander who shoots left most of the time, I favor ambidextrous falling blocks a lot. If I was going to hunt with an old school American rifle, it would probably be my Winchester 1885 Traditional Hunter in 405 Win. It has a 28" octagon barrel & a Marble peep sight.

If I wanted to, I could also take my Browning 1885 low wall in 44 Magnum. It has been great little gun that I favor during Mississippi's primitive season although all the deer I have taken with it have been at less than 100 meters.

 

[fourfive8]

Most of the older calibers mentioned will do fine for plains game at conservative ranges. Precision of bullet placement using open sights will determine level of disappointment or satisfaction with results. Open, original (iron) sights will be the major limiting factor, IMO.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I would take a trio of pre ‘64 Winchester Model 70 Super Grades:
1 in .22 Hornet
1 in .300 Holland & Holland Magnum
1 in .375 Holland & Holland Magnum

If I had to choose just one, it would be the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum (for obvious reasons).

 

[TTundra]

Another vote for a 1895 in 405. I picked this one up from another member here and it will be heading to Zim in August. With a few upgrades that I think fit the rifle quite well: barrel band sling swivel, banded front sight, recoil pad, skinner sight...

 

[MS 9x56]

Actually, if I remember correctly, about a half dozen prototype Model 99 were made in 30-06. I think I read only one is known to still exist.

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

 

[Doug3006]

I would take a trio of pre ‘64 Winchester Model 70 Super Grades:
1 in .22 Hornet
1 in .300 Holland & Holland Magnum
1 in .375 Holland & Holland Magnum

If I had to choose just one, it would be the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum (for obvious reasons).

That’s a trio to hunt the world with!

 

[Hififile324]

I would want to go Teddy Roosevelt all the way! Winchester 1895 in .405 Win. I would want to wear the vintage Straw Khaki Safari helmet too!

 

[Doug Hamilton]

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?

I have thought that taking my T/C Renegade .54 would be a lot of fun, but haven't done it. I have often wished to have a Sharps as well. Dealing with loaded ammo is easier than loose black powder so of the rifles that you mentioned, I think that the Sharps would be my pick.

 

[Russ16]

Anything titled classic American has to include a 30-06 in my opinion. Either a Model 70 or 1903.

Beyond that many of the suggestions work and a lever gun makes a lot of sense.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Anything titled classic American has to include a 30-06 in my opinion. Either a Model 70 or 1903.

Beyond that many of the suggestions work and a lever gun makes a lot of sense.

I agree. It's my understanding 405 Win never was a terribly popular caliber on either side of the pond. I don't see much point in emulating its historic mystique if there never really was much mystique to emulate.

 

[Franco]

I have thought that taking my T/C Renegade .54 would be a lot of fun, but haven't done it. I have often wished to have a Sharps as well. Dealing with loaded ammo is easier than loose black powder so of the rifles that you mentioned, I think that the Sharps would be my pick.

I've got an old Sharps, don't know what it is exactly. When the Dr clears me to climb stairs with this damn boot on my foot, I'll check. If you want to shoot something with it - be my guest.

 

[Franco]

I found some old pictures, looks like I have 2 of them - here's the best looking one.

 

[Huvius]

I agree. It's my understanding 405 Win never was a terribly popular caliber on either side of the pond. I don't see much point in emulating its historic mystique if there never really was much mystique to emulate.

I wouldn’t say that.
There are all sorts of period photos of folks using 1895s in Africa and one would surmise that in Africa, the 405 was more popular in the ‘95 than any other chambering.

As far as an “Old School” American rifle for Africa, the ‘95 in 405 Winchester is hard to beat.
Maybe an 1885 in 50Exp or if a bolt rifle is what you want, a 35 Newton is pretty classic and very capable even in Africa.
Of course there are the American gunmakers who used Mauser actions - Hoffman above the rest in my opinion, but they all used the ‘03 Springfield as well so maybe a G&H, Hoffman or similar.
Since the Model 70 came along somewhat at the end of the classic era I could see instead using a Model 54 in 30’06.
The 54 was also made in 35 Whelen (although extremely rare) which would also be a great choice for African plains game. Man, a 54 in 35 Whelen is a pretty darn classic combination!

 

[jbirdwell]

I took a pre-64 Model 70 in 375 H&H the first time. Next time I will take either my pre-64 Model 70 in 300 H&H or my original Model 71 in 348 Win.

 

[CJW]

Winchester 1886 Deluxe in 45-90.