Tom Leoni
AH fanatic
After a couple years' hiatus from the Dark Continent, I am planning my next South African safari in 2025. On the menu is plains game--I want to do my Springbuck slam as well as hunt other species to add to my collection. Perhaps red Hartebeest, or Waterbuck, or whatever the Gods send my way.
The theme for this safari will be iron sights only. Any form of optic is staying home, save of course for my trusted Leica 10x25 binos.
As a first rifle, I'm of course taking my default H&H single shot in .375 H&H Flanged. I was able to find the correct Lyman tang sight that was originally ordered with the rifle back in 1925. And yes, the date is not lost on me. The rifle will also accompany me to New Zealand in March to "celebrate" its 100 years of giving joy to whoever uses it. Here is the rifle, complete with Lyman sight:
But which rifle to take as a second gun? The choice is between three that I am yet to bloody. Here they are, in no particular order.
Choice N. 1: Steyr-Mannlicher M. 1903 in 6.5X54 MS. I will use 160gr bullets pushed at about 2,300 fps. With this load, the rifle is spot on at 150 yards and is capable of incredible groups. It's one of the most accurate rifles I own.
Choice N. 2: P. Webley fine-grade double rifle, .450 BPE, which I will load with a 350gr lead bullet ahead of 52gr of 4198 and some dacron as a filler, which will perfectly replicate the original ballistics (1,850 fps). Being a double rifle, this Webley is naturally not as much of a tack-driver as the other two, but it's probably the rifle that fits me best. It comes up to the shoulder like it was custom made for me. Plus, it's gorgeous. Oh, and one more great thing: it's a double!
Choice N. 3: 1930's Cogswell & Harrison Mauser in .318 WR (.318 Nitro Express). This rifle shoots like a champ, and with the original load of 250gr bullet pushed at about 2,300 fps it's sure to drop everything in its tracks (provided of course that I do my job!). With the second leaf, it hits the 10 ring at 200 yards with a center hold. Trigger is super-crisp, and it's a joy to shoot.
Thoughts? If it were you, which of these rifles would you take along with "my" .375?
The theme for this safari will be iron sights only. Any form of optic is staying home, save of course for my trusted Leica 10x25 binos.
As a first rifle, I'm of course taking my default H&H single shot in .375 H&H Flanged. I was able to find the correct Lyman tang sight that was originally ordered with the rifle back in 1925. And yes, the date is not lost on me. The rifle will also accompany me to New Zealand in March to "celebrate" its 100 years of giving joy to whoever uses it. Here is the rifle, complete with Lyman sight:
But which rifle to take as a second gun? The choice is between three that I am yet to bloody. Here they are, in no particular order.
Choice N. 1: Steyr-Mannlicher M. 1903 in 6.5X54 MS. I will use 160gr bullets pushed at about 2,300 fps. With this load, the rifle is spot on at 150 yards and is capable of incredible groups. It's one of the most accurate rifles I own.
Choice N. 2: P. Webley fine-grade double rifle, .450 BPE, which I will load with a 350gr lead bullet ahead of 52gr of 4198 and some dacron as a filler, which will perfectly replicate the original ballistics (1,850 fps). Being a double rifle, this Webley is naturally not as much of a tack-driver as the other two, but it's probably the rifle that fits me best. It comes up to the shoulder like it was custom made for me. Plus, it's gorgeous. Oh, and one more great thing: it's a double!
Choice N. 3: 1930's Cogswell & Harrison Mauser in .318 WR (.318 Nitro Express). This rifle shoots like a champ, and with the original load of 250gr bullet pushed at about 2,300 fps it's sure to drop everything in its tracks (provided of course that I do my job!). With the second leaf, it hits the 10 ring at 200 yards with a center hold. Trigger is super-crisp, and it's a joy to shoot.
Thoughts? If it were you, which of these rifles would you take along with "my" .375?
Last edited:
