What are your "safari" rifles? (Page 3 of 3)
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Originally Posted By stony275:
I used a the following in South Africa in 2013: CZ 550 Safari Classic Magnum in .404 Jeffery Kimber Mauser (VZ24) in .30-'06 Since then I've acquired a Ruger African Safari in 9.3x62 that I plan on taking the next time I go. Kinda kicking myself now. |
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While I'll never go to Africa, my big game rifle is a Ruger No. 1 chambered in 416 Remington Magnum. I'll likely take it out west for elk or moose one day, but that's as far as it'll go. Prior to that I've had a Winchester M70 Safari Express in 416 Rem (I sold this to get the Ruger), a Ruger M77 Alaskan in 416 Ruger, and a CZ 550 American Safari Magnum in .458 Lott. The Lott was just way too much, and I am not recoil shy at all. But the cost of the rounds for it and the recoil was just more than what I could deal with. I loved my Winchester M70 in 416 Rem and I've always loved the Ruger No. 1 as well. I was lucky enough to find what I think is an unfired No. 1 in 416 Rem Mag just recently, which was one of my grail guns. From what I can tell Ruger only made the 416 Rem Mag No.1s in 2004, so it isn't like the other Tropical calibers where they're pretty available. The seller had mentioned the gun looked unfired but they listed it as used anyways. When I got to my FFL to pick it up the bore was pristine and there were no signs of any brass casing marks on the ejection ramp, so it was either unfired or only fired a couple times at all. |
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Originally Posted By Zeebz:
But the cost of the rounds for it........... ........I was lucky enough to find what I think is an unfired No. 1 in 416 Rem Mag just recently, which was one of my grail guns. When I bought my first big bore rifle, Ruger RSM in 416 Rigby, Federal was the only game in town for ammo. $180+ for a box of 20. You pay for your reloading gear with the first 30 or so reloads! Congrats on finding your grail gun. Nice getting the one you have been wanting for awhile. 
@Zeebz |
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Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck:
Big bores make reloading VERY economical! When I bought my first big bore rifle, Ruger RSM in 416 Rigby, Federal was the only game in town for ammo. $180+ for a box of 20. You pay for your reloading gear with the first 30 or so reloads! Congrats on finding your grail gun. Nice getting the one you have been wanting for awhile.
@Zeebz |
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Originally Posted By Zeebz:
Thank you! Yeah I had been watching them for a while on Gunbroker but was very picky about what one I got, so it was probably a year's worth of watching before I jumped on the "right one." I especially don't like buying used guns so I feel I was very fortunate in finding one that was very likely unfired. And yeah if I had the Rigby I'd definitely reload. Thankfully for me the 416 Rem Mag ammo ain't too bad and I usually just watch for deals on it. Most of the time I can get the Hornady DGS rounds for like $60 for a box of 20. Originally Posted By Zeebz:
Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck:
Big bores make reloading VERY economical! When I bought my first big bore rifle, Ruger RSM in 416 Rigby, Federal was the only game in town for ammo. $180+ for a box of 20. You pay for your reloading gear with the first 30 or so reloads! Congrats on finding your grail gun. Nice getting the one you have been wanting for awhile.
@Zeebz Swift A frames and Barnes TSX have stellar reputations. |
Saying Franco saved Spain from commies is like saying suck starting a shotgun cures Ebola. Technically true....
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Originally Posted By cpl_fisher:
Hornady makes some fine bullets, but their DGS bullets have a poor reputation. Swift A frames and Barnes TSX have stellar reputations. |
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Originally Posted By Zeebz: Yeah I use the Hornady rounds mainly for paper punching and general target shooting. If I hunt I use the Swift A-Frames. I also have some Federal Fusion Safari rounds that I just got for $50 a box. How are those for hunting? From the looks of it Federal doesn't make the Fusion Safari series anymore. Sorry I never got back to you. I don’t know. The only thing I have fired at live targets are cutting edge brass solids and Barnes Ttsx with my .375 Both did stellar, with the .375 Ruger, the solids will pass through at almost any angle on a Cape buffalo. |
Saying Franco saved Spain from commies is like saying suck starting a shotgun cures Ebola. Technically true....
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Originally Posted By cpl_fisher:
@zeebz Sorry I never got back to you. I don’t know. The only thing I have fired at live targets are cutting edge brass solids and Barnes Ttsx with my .375 Both did stellar, with the .375 Ruger, the solids will pass through at almost any angle on a Cape buffalo. Thanks! Unfortunately I put my Ruger No. 1 up for sale. It was an awesome gun, but one day I do want to go out west and hunt larger game like elk, moose, and possibly even bear. Because of that I decided to let go of the Ruger, despite loving the gun, due to the lack of utility of a single shot. Especially because if I ever go hunting in bear country I'd want something capable of fast follow-up shots. So I am selling the Rem Mag and my CZ 550 in 375 H&H and getting a CZ 550 Safari Magnum in .416 Rigby. I absolutely love the .416 caliber rifles. The .375 is cool, but the Rigby (and Rem Mag) aren't too far behind in regard to ballistics, in addition to having almost 1,000 more ft-lb of energy at the muzzle. I thought about getting another Winchester Safari Express in .416 Rem Mag, but I like that the CZ 550 is a true Magnum action, and that the Rigby is the equal to the Remington while operating at less pressure. It was tough because I prefer the Model 70 to the 550 in most cases, but I wanted the Rigby and it can only be had in the CZ. One big plus I will give to the CZ is the single set trigger. One of my favorite triggers in any rifle, ever. |
| I have a Yugo M48 Mauser with a Boyd's hunting stock on it. Those actions take any high pressure ammo you can feed it and mine is accurate. Friend and I plan on going on safari in a couple years after retirement. Will also pick up a heavier bore before that though. |
This space for rent.
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Originally Posted By gsc0527: Ruger No. 1 in .375 H&H I bought ages ago for an anticipated trip. Never took the trip and consider selling every once in a while. My South African friend swear by their 300 Win Mags and hunt everything with them. |
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Originally Posted By mustb123: I'll never do a safari, but. Did have the boys in Oregon take a Winchester 70 from a 270W to a 35 Whelen. I've only killed paper with it so far . https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/6494DA6E-2EBE-4039-967E-4C407E4BC93B-3487966.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/768E46D8-66C3-4255-A2A7-72515A98F2CF-3487967.jpg I took a black bear with one years ago and my son killed his first deer with one. The original post WWI 'magnum'. Easy to take a surplus 30-06, ream out to 35, and have near magnum performance. The originals were really designed around a 250 grain bullet, but most folks now are all about 225 or even 200 grains. Still, 3500 ft lbs of energy vs 4100 from the exotic 375 H&H is quite a bargain. |
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Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck: The 35 Whelen is an awesome cartridge. I took a black bear with one years ago and my son killed his first deer with one. The original post WWI 'magnum'. Easy to take a surplus 30-06, ream out to 35, and have near magnum performance. The originals were really designed around a 250 grain bullet, but most folks now are all about 225 or even 200 grains. Still, 3500 ft lbs of energy vs 4100 from the exotic 375 H&H is quite a bargain. Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck: Originally Posted By mustb123: I'll never do a safari, but. Did have the boys in Oregon take a Winchester 70 from a 270W to a 35 Whelen. I've only killed paper with it so far . https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/6494DA6E-2EBE-4039-967E-4C407E4BC93B-3487966.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/768E46D8-66C3-4255-A2A7-72515A98F2CF-3487967.jpg I took a black bear with one years ago and my son killed his first deer with one. The original post WWI 'magnum'. Easy to take a surplus 30-06, ream out to 35, and have near magnum performance. The originals were really designed around a 250 grain bullet, but most folks now are all about 225 or even 200 grains. Still, 3500 ft lbs of energy vs 4100 from the exotic 375 H&H is quite a bargain. Yup, I have 2 good loads worked up. That photo is hard to see, but the third shot is in the black. 100 yards off the bench. Plenty good for an edible critter. |
10/22/14 I stand with Canada
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Originally Posted By mustb123: Yup, I have 2 good loads worked up. That photo is hard to see, but the third shot is in the black. 100 yards off the bench. Plenty good for an edible critter. Originally Posted By mustb123: Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck: Originally Posted By mustb123: I'll never do a safari, but. Did have the boys in Oregon take a Winchester 70 from a 270W to a 35 Whelen. I've only killed paper with it so far . https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/6494DA6E-2EBE-4039-967E-4C407E4BC93B-3487966.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/768E46D8-66C3-4255-A2A7-72515A98F2CF-3487967.jpg I took a black bear with one years ago and my son killed his first deer with one. The original post WWI 'magnum'. Easy to take a surplus 30-06, ream out to 35, and have near magnum performance. The originals were really designed around a 250 grain bullet, but most folks now are all about 225 or even 200 grains. Still, 3500 ft lbs of energy vs 4100 from the exotic 375 H&H is quite a bargain. Yup, I have 2 good loads worked up. That photo is hard to see, but the third shot is in the black. 100 yards off the bench. Plenty good for an edible critter. .35 Whelen is probably my favorite cartridge. Here are two of my Whelens: First is a rifle I built on a savage action with a McGowen barrel and B&C stock with Zeiss. Stupid accurate. Attached File Second is a favorite because of how handy it is… a CVA takedown. Also very accurate: Attached File Attached File (1” squares at 100 yards) |
I tried that whole cancer thing. It wasn't for me. Good Riddance.
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Originally Posted By Aggie_Gunner: .35 Whelen is probably my favorite cartridge. Here are two of my Whelens: First is a rifle I built on a savage action with a McGowen barrel and B&C stock with Zeiss. Stupid accurate. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_6770_jpeg-3537130.JPG Second is a favorite because of how handy it is… a CVA takedown. Also very accurate: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_7807_jpeg-3537132.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_7804_jpeg-3537135.JPG (1” squares at 100 yards) Originally Posted By Aggie_Gunner: Originally Posted By mustb123: Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck: Originally Posted By mustb123: I'll never do a safari, but. Did have the boys in Oregon take a Winchester 70 from a 270W to a 35 Whelen. I've only killed paper with it so far . https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/6494DA6E-2EBE-4039-967E-4C407E4BC93B-3487966.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/768E46D8-66C3-4255-A2A7-72515A98F2CF-3487967.jpg I took a black bear with one years ago and my son killed his first deer with one. The original post WWI 'magnum'. Easy to take a surplus 30-06, ream out to 35, and have near magnum performance. The originals were really designed around a 250 grain bullet, but most folks now are all about 225 or even 200 grains. Still, 3500 ft lbs of energy vs 4100 from the exotic 375 H&H is quite a bargain. Yup, I have 2 good loads worked up. That photo is hard to see, but the third shot is in the black. 100 yards off the bench. Plenty good for an edible critter. .35 Whelen is probably my favorite cartridge. Here are two of my Whelens: First is a rifle I built on a savage action with a McGowen barrel and B&C stock with Zeiss. Stupid accurate. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_6770_jpeg-3537130.JPG Second is a favorite because of how handy it is… a CVA takedown. Also very accurate: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_7807_jpeg-3537132.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_7804_jpeg-3537135.JPG (1” squares at 100 yards) Nice rifles. |
10/22/14 I stand with Canada
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Originally Posted By Aggie_Gunner: .35 Whelen is probably my favorite cartridge. Here are two of my Whelens: First is a rifle I built on a savage action with a McGowen barrel and B&C stock with Zeiss. Stupid accurate. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_6770_jpeg-3537130.JPG Second is a favorite because of how handy it is… a CVA takedown. Also very accurate: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_7807_jpeg-3537132.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_7804_jpeg-3537135.JPG (1” squares at 100 yards) Originally Posted By Aggie_Gunner: Originally Posted By mustb123: Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck: Originally Posted By mustb123: I'll never do a safari, but. Did have the boys in Oregon take a Winchester 70 from a 270W to a 35 Whelen. I've only killed paper with it so far . https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/6494DA6E-2EBE-4039-967E-4C407E4BC93B-3487966.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/126943/768E46D8-66C3-4255-A2A7-72515A98F2CF-3487967.jpg I took a black bear with one years ago and my son killed his first deer with one. The original post WWI 'magnum'. Easy to take a surplus 30-06, ream out to 35, and have near magnum performance. The originals were really designed around a 250 grain bullet, but most folks now are all about 225 or even 200 grains. Still, 3500 ft lbs of energy vs 4100 from the exotic 375 H&H is quite a bargain. Yup, I have 2 good loads worked up. That photo is hard to see, but the third shot is in the black. 100 yards off the bench. Plenty good for an edible critter. .35 Whelen is probably my favorite cartridge. Here are two of my Whelens: First is a rifle I built on a savage action with a McGowen barrel and B&C stock with Zeiss. Stupid accurate. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_6770_jpeg-3537130.JPG Second is a favorite because of how handy it is… a CVA takedown. Also very accurate: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_7807_jpeg-3537132.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/55187/IMG_7804_jpeg-3537135.JPG (1” squares at 100 yards) Very very nice rifles. I love the 35 caliber and if you count them all up I have 5 separate 35 caliber rifles. That being said my choice for Africa would be the 9.3x62 instead of the Whelen. Not a whit of difference between them but since I own both Inwould opt for the 9.3 for the following reasons. 1. I can get good solids from several makers and short of only hunting in SA you just never know what you will bump into in the rest of Africa. 2. African PH’s are familiar with it and I won’t have to explain/sell them on its capabilities. 3. Standard factory load is 286 gr va 250 for the Whelen. 4.In a pinch the 9.3 is legal for DG in most countries. I have however wanted to take a Savage 99 on 358 Win along as a second right in SA. If you were only hunting SA the Whelen would actually be a sound choice because the chances of running into dangerous game and having to shoot are very very low. |
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Been a long time wanting to contribute to this thread. I took two with me a little over a month ago. Could have done 1 but they both have a story now. First 1 was a CZ600 LUX in .30-06 shooting 180gr TTSX, a damn fine Plains Game caliber and cleanly took a Wildebeest, Impala, and zebra each in 1 shot. Attached File Second rifle I took was a Q Fix in .308 shooting 168gr TTSX, took a blesbok and warthog again both in 1 shot each. Practice paid off. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Auxcoastie: Been a long time wanting to contribute to this thread. I took two with me a little over a month ago. Could have done 1 but they both have a story now. First 1 was a CZ600 LUX in .30-06 shooting 180gr TTSX, a damn fine Plains Game caliber and cleanly took a Wildebeest, Impala, and zebra each in 1 shot. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/262944/IMG_5464_jpg-3560144.JPG Second rifle I took was a Q Fix in .308 shooting 168gr TTSX, took a blesbok and warthog again both in 1 shot each. Practice paid off. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/262944/IMG_0378_jpg-3560151.JPG Not your traditional safari rifle. well done. |