Big/dangerous game rifle

[ElvenSoul]

Have you considered a .35 Whelen? If you reload the way to go for US Game! Can sling the 220gr out to 500yds.

[ElvenSoul]

then there is the .338-06' now that is a little sweetie.

[tanks]

Scopes are fine on the plains, but you get into brush you're better off with open sights.

For the brush I have EOTech XPS2 holographic sight. Makes target acquisition much faster and additionally because of illumination works much better at dusk.

Also, with 1-6X scopes that one can shoot with both eyes open at 1 power they are very usable in the brush as well.

[tanks]

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? ...

Loaner guns are a hit and miss and the LOP might even be all wrong for you. Ammo can be all different kinds, left over from previous client. Most PHs I have hunted with did not have decent loaner guns.

Also there is no "IF" in getting tags for DG hunt. One books a hunt for specific species before leaving the country. The outfitter will have the quota or will not book the hunt.

[tanks]

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.

First, one does not go to RSA (South Africa) for Elephant. Best place is Zimbabwe and one can do a trophy bull hunt for about $35K ($15K trophy fee compared to $42K in RSA), and a tuskless cow hunt for $18K ($5K trophy fee) all inclusive. Lion hunts are cheaper in RSA as they are all canned hunts.

Secondly, these are wild animals, no one is feeding and pasturing them. Expect to walk about 10 miles a day for up to 10-14 days in order to find a shootable bull or cow.

[Thanatos2203]

Realistically 99.9% of the time the rifle would be used in the CONUS, so I don't want to define the rifle based solely on African standards. I want something that is useful and capable here in the US first and foremost. That is where the attraction to the .375 came from, and the stainless. It can be loaded up or down and doesn't destroy meat like a high powered .30. I'm curious about 9.3x62 as a comparable cartridge but also a next step down. Seems like design and philosophy of use are similar and it has plenty of African heritage of its own. Additionally, there are a few available mass produced rifles as I am not super excited about a custom build. That is part of the reason I have sort of look passed 35 Whelen and 338-06. Both seem like great cartridges otherwise.

While I don't mind abuse, especially with a low volume of ammo being put through the rifle, the glenoid labrum in my right (dominant) shoulder was repaired about two and a half years ago. Unfortunately my HMO was in Sacramento but I was attending college in Irvine and didn't get physical therapy. Needless to say, any break I can cut for myself I will take. That is also the reason I haven't looked at the high speed .30's or anything much bigger than .375.

[MrTokarev]

Realistically 99.9% of the time the rifle would be used in the CONUS, so I don't want to define the rifle based solely on African standards. I want something that is useful and capable here in the US first and foremost. That is where the attraction to the .375 came from, and the stainless. It can be loaded up or down and doesn't destroy meat like a high powered .30. I'm curious about 9.3x62 as a comparable cartridge but also a next step down. Seems like design and philosophy of use are similar and it has plenty of African heritage of its own. Additionally, there are a few available mass produced rifles as I am not super excited about a custom build. That is part of the reason I have sort of look passed 35 Whelen and 338-06. Both seem like great cartridges otherwise.

While I don't mind abuse, especially with a low volume of ammo being put through the rifle, the glenoid labrum in my right (dominant) shoulder was repaired about two and a half years ago. Unfortunately my HMO was in Sacramento but I was attending college in Irvine and didn't get physical therapy. Needless to say, any break I can cut for myself I will take. That is also the reason I haven't looked at the high speed .30's or anything much bigger than .375.

I think that a heavier rifle in .375h&h is a better bet for you then. I've often read articles where guides are more interested in clients carrying rifles that they are familiar with and can shoot well with than a brand new cannon they thought they needed just for Africa or Alaska. A .375 you can afford to practice with (physically and financially) and can hit an animal with is going to kill better than the 500NE you can barely fire without getting knocked over.

Remember that if you are hunting dg, your PH will be carrying a heavy rifle as backup that he is an expert with. You're better off focusing on making that first shot count so you don't need him to use it in the first place. And the 375h&h is no slouch anyway.

EDIT: For 9.3x62, consider ammunition availability in the US. Midway lists 38 varieties for 375h&h and only 12 for 9.3x62. You're not out of luck, but without handloading you will lack variety if you feel you need it. There are also not a lot of guns available in the US in 9.3x62. Every major company and several semi custom outfits make guns in 375h&h but offhand I can only think of cz's carbine, zastava's mauser and sako making rifles in 9.3x62. Though the semi custom outfits like american hunting rifles or montana might offer one.

[lewdogg21]

The official response of the hunting forum is follow fjolds advice.

[dfletcher]

Do you or anyone here have experience with the 9.3x62? I would be interested in hearing about it as well.

I have one and have killed many a tin can and clay pigeon, along with shooting for groups at 100 yds, nothing much else. As much as I like CZ products one thing they don't do, or didn't when I bought mine, is make good recoil pads. The 550 full stocked carbine is a light little rifle and pops you pretty good. I suppose the attraction of the CZ 550 carbine in this caliber is that it gets you "almost 375" power but in a smaller, much lighter package then the full sized CZ rifle. My 550 carbine is just over 40", the rifle is a bit over 46".

The CZ action is a bit stiff but smooths out, nicely finished and blued. The trigger is easily adjustable, I generally don't use the set trigger feature.

Checking my reloading stash, looks like mostly Nosler 250 grain and some 286 grain Privi. Brass is from Grafs and I use mostly IMR 4895. I use a Nikon 2 to 7X scope.

It's a well made, accurate, neat little carbine.

[usmcspud]

I have a practically mint Win M70 in 375 H&H that I planned on selling. Have rounds and dies also. PM if interested

[mlazarus5388]

This is the Ruger 375 with the short run they did of the IonBond finish.

Here is the Stainless Steel version with the laminated stock. CDNN was blowing them out at a ridiculously cheap price. I don't think there is a better 375 (either H&H or Ruger) for the money.