Big/dangerous game rifle

[atakacorp]

Kodiak85 , friend of mine got one in H&H , outstanding rifle .worth every penny

[The Last American Hero]

IF you get to Africa and IF you can actually get tags for a Dangerous Game hunt wont they have a DG loaner all dialed in for the hunt? I'm just thinking because such hunts are so freaking expensive these days and there are so many perfectly good now barely used DG guns that aren't good for much else it would be part of the package.

For anything else, I've heard nothing but good things about the Savage Hog Hunter in 338WinMag and its super cheap at under $500, and just seems like a "can't afford not to buy".

Comes with iron sights, threaded barrel and generally ruggedized. Some have suggested it for Body Armor defeating urban sniper.

OK, the not so great things I've heard it that it isn't a super high-end fancy finish and it has a rubbery stock, and isn't free floated and the trigger is just "real good" but not world class.

[GW]

I have a CZ 550 in .375H&H and a Winchester 70 stainless classic in .375 as well
I ended up taking the CZ to Africa where it performed flawlessly. It was a tough decision, but no regrets now. It did the job.
The stainless 70's are out there, though and they are truly great rifles. Good luck with whatever you decide on.

[Click Boom]

.375 H&H has the coolest slogan, so there's that.

[Thanatos2203]

As of right now I've mostly been looking at the Leupold VX-III and VX-R series of scopes. The low magnification ones start around 1.5 and top out at about 5. They also seem to be some of the best values for the money. I also looked at the longer Aimpoint sights after the T1 was mentioned above but would like a little magnification for "normal" hunting. I'll have a look at the Schimdt and Bender offerings today.

I guess I should clarify, as far as the Africa trip is concerned, if the opportunity presents itself I would be going as protection for my client who would be the one on safari. That includes two and four legged threats. In that instance I want a rifle which I am familiar with, practiced, and sure of; not a loaner rifle.

I never met a Savage rifle I would take even if it was given to me. Cheaper isn't always better and boy are they cheap. I've handled/shot the $400 models up to the $1800 and never liked the action enough to spend money on one.

If I could get my hands on a stainless Model 70, that would probably be an easy sell. I have the 70 Stealth II in .308 so I am familiar with the platform and love the action. Otherwise, seems like all fingers point to Sako.

[Spyder]

I've got a brand new VX-R that was on a .308 that shook the reticle loose after a couple dozen rounds. Kind of pissed about it, and especially because I can't get a response from Leupold.

I know they'll fix it, but it shouldn't be this difficult.
Now back to your regularily scheduled rifle hunt...

[Darto]

The Marlin 45/70 1895 Guide lever action is sort of back up short range quick multiple shots gun, which is what a guide might prefer to carry for emergency back up. A bolt action for long range is what the hunter might choose instead.

[Fjold]

Loaner rifles in Africa are hit and miss as far as quality of the gun and ammunition. I like to hunt with guns that I know and ammo that I make, I don't trust other people's stuff.

[Thanatos2203]

Loaner rifles in Africa are hit and miss as far as quality of the gun and ammunition. I like to hunt with guns that I know and ammo that I make, I don't trust other people's stuff.

With you 100% although my reloading skills could definitely use some work.

Previously I had looked into the Marlin lever guns, but they didn't seem versatile enough to me to be worth the price considering the upcharge necessary to get a pre-Remington version. Dead sexy, and I will probably buy one eventually for the fun of it, hopefully when the current production models are up to snuff.

I just came upon a Winchester Model 70 Alaskan stainless/laminate for $1200, brand new with the sticker still on the barrel. Only catch is that its .300 Win Mag. Not what I was hoping for in an African set up but I think would be a safe bet in CONUS. Few extra inches on the barrel than I had in mind.

[Thanatos2203]

If I was looking for a stainless rifle for everything it would probably be the Ruger Guide Gun in stainless with a laminate stock chambered in 375 Ruger. It will get you 150 fps over the 375 H&H and using the 350 grain bullets for elephants, 300 grain bullets for buffalo, the big bears and Eland, etc. and 260 -270 grain bullets for the smaller elk, kudu, eland, etc. Using solids you can take the smallest game without any excess meat or cape damage. The 300 grain bullets can take anything on earth and the trajectory is similar to the 30.06 using 180 grain loads.

I am revisiting your suggestion and seeing the wisdom in it. Ammo price seems to be on par with the H&H and from what I've seen just as available so I retract my previous statement. Ruger Guide Gun also falls into a happier price range than the others discussed, I'm seeing them for about $860. When I think of Ruger I think of ruggedness but not necessarily precision, perhaps this is an out dated perception. For the purposes here I'm sure it is more than good enough.

[Darto]

http://montanarifleco.com/?page_id=178

Checking prices just for fun on GB...
These are selling new on Gunbroker for less than a Sako.
I don't know a thing about this company.

[The Last American Hero]

Loaner rifles in Africa are hit and miss as far as quality of the gun and ammunition. I like to hunt with guns that I know and ammo that I make, I don't trust other people's stuff.

Dang! $42,000 for an elephant hunt. $9900 for a lioness. Monkeys only a $100. I'd imagine they are worth much more alive than dead.

http://www.africahuntlodge.com/trophyfees.asp

Yeah, I guess you might as well spurge on a nice rifle.

Wouldn't want to bet 42g on some left over ammo thats been knocking around in some guys greasy pocket for who knows how long.

Like my Economics professor said, "the reason elephants are going extinct and cows aren't is it isn't illegal to trade in cow parts".

I wonder what feed/pasture and other costs are in the local economy to get an elephant to hunt-able size.

[dfletcher]

The CZ 550 full stocked carbine in 9.3X62 is quite the compact, reliable little package. Comes close to the 375 H & H in bullet weight and FPS. I have a CZ 550 rifle (416 Rigby) and as much as I like it the thing is quite a long rifle, same would be said for the same rifle in 375 H & H.

[M1NM]

A 300 magnum for north America. 458 Win or Lott mag for Africa.

[Mute]

1) I think the Sako is worth saving for, but I do love their rifles.

2) Unless I need to switch optics or remove them on a regular basis, I prefer non-QD. However, if you insist on it, the only QDs I'd trust to take this kind of punishment would be the ones made by GDI.