.

Strong arguments for and against, but with airlines / carriers being more and more anal on weapons and the increased charges, lots of people are using or thinking about camp rifles.

We have used Andrew's Cogswell in .375 and Buzz has various including a Blaser, which Anja used successfully and a .500 that I used. Doug from Mokore carried a .375 (CZ if I remember right) for the week we hunted with him but other than a sighting shot Anja never used it.

What other camp rifles are out there and what scopes are they topped with - good and less good ?


.

Hi Charles,

As you know I have a very accurate .375 C&H on a fiberglass stock and keep 270 and 300-grain bullets in camp. Topped with a Zeiss Diavari.

Also, I have a little-used BRNO 1951 7x57 and I might nick one of Steve416 quality Swarovski's that he left here in Zambia.

For long-range shooting, I have .330 Dakota again topped with a quality Swarovski.

In the past hunters have used all my big calibres - VC .500, .404J, 416 RM

Best story I heard of a client using a PH's rifle was Richard Bell Cross who was setting up camp at a remote swamp and around lunchtime went to check the swamp to locate a blind position and there was a great Sitatunga grazing right in front of them. Richard gave his open sight .458 to the client who killed it. They packed up camp and buggered off!

I would bring my own rifle especially considering the cost of the trip and the value of it.You could get lucky and get a good rifle but I wouldn't take my chances or trust anyone.On the other hand if you had no choice or if you don't like guns or are scared to travel with it then.Good luck on whatever you choose.

I see pics of "camp rifles" with suppressors on many videos and hunt reports. They are a trend that I would take advantage of for any new trips, myself. For dangerous game, taking your own might give the extra confidence you'd require. Plains game hunts just aren't worth the hassle for me -- renting designated rifles preferred. Taking along slip-on pads/whatever to "customize" the fit will work for me.

Andrew,
Have any pics of the BRNo 7x57, I would love to come over and shoot something with that!! Is it a round top or Double Square Bridge?

I want to use my rifle. When I can no longer travel with my rifle, I won't travel.

buzz must save the blaser for people he doesn't lioke

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
buzz must save the blaser for people he doesn't lioke

He loans his mankini to the same guys who borrow that Blaser!

Those two things go hand in hand and generate the same reaction.

The PH I hunt with in Namibia, Jan du Plessis, has several fine and accurate camp rifles I’ve used on my last three trips hunting with him. For larger game like Eland and Waterbuck, I’ve used his Mauser in 68x8 mm with great success. Jan calls it the “Hammer of Thor”. For smaller game like Gemsbok, Springbok and Baboons, I shoot his Suppressed Savage .308 with a heavy varmint barrel. It weighs so much I call it the “Anvil of Thor”. Both rifles are topped by quality Leupold scopes, and Jan handloads his own ammo. These guns are comparable to my own guns back home, and save me endless hours in Customs and Baggage Claim lines.

I know that Jonathan Collett has a couple of Christensen rifles one in 300 Win Mag and the other in 375 H&H both topped by Trijicon scopes. That his clients can chose from if they want to use a camp rifle.

When I rented a camp rifle, I had the choice of a 450 NE army navy double or a 500 Jef for a cape buffalo hunt. Both were open site rifles.

Some/most of the PH have a good selection of rifles to pick from if you elect to go with a camp rifle.

Butchloc has an advantage. Any camp gun, no matter how old, rusty and forlorn, would be better than his assortment of Mossberg DGRs :-)

Guess I've sinned many times ,used camp rifles in rsa,namibia,zim,and quebec.Never had an issue. I like the ease of travel with out a gun ,if there is such a thing. I travel to other tourist sites when in country,not easy to do with firearms.Asia-Russia is different,had my gun but its an in and out asap.Always left the ammo due to "extra charges" .

I’ve never used one, but I’ve seen some nice ones.

Andrew has some excellent rifles.

The best I ever saw was a Holland & Holland Royal double in .500/.465.

I used camp rifles in Romania and Mozambique. Both times travel made it impossible to take a rifle. I could not cross from sim to moz with a rifle via the road border crossing.

In Romania there were browning a bolt, a ranger generic Mauser, a villagers borrowed beretta a300 and Marius excellent sauer.

In Moz I had Barrie Duckworth personal rifles. A German k98 matching with full nazi marking remade to 308. A pre 64 m70 in 375h&h. Both very excellent rifles and Barrie has great taste and love of quality firearms. It has not been passed down to the other Duckworth boys . The guns were very well used and abused.

When I took the 375h&h Doug Duckworth decided to impress me with his gun maintenance skills by cleaning the rust ofF with toilet paper and wd40. It was an act of horrendous pain for anyone who likes good rifles. The gun shot well and killed my buffalo.

I offered to buy Barrie guns

I would much prefer to hunt with my own guns.

Mike

I’ve used camp rifles to take 3 elephant, 2 buffalo, 2 hippo, 2 crocs, and enough plains game to fill a semi. Plus a camp shotgun to take a leopard with dogs. Always checked the sights, then carried on. I am too old and basically lazy to jump through airline and third world country hoops- not to mention the mandatory bribes. All were quality rifles with quality scopes or reflex sights. If your outfitter has inferior equipment, you are hunting with the wrong outfitter.

Best camp rifle was a 30-06 Blaser R93 with a Ziess 3-12.

Worst camp rifle was a Musgrave Mauser 98 conversion in 308 that had probably been fired 10,000 times.

My Swiss outfitter gave me two different Merkel Helix. I had problems with both. They were new rifles, with Schmidt Bender scopes.

I have had a stack of Kimber 84's in Australia and Tikka t3.

I'd rather have a cheap uncomplicated rifle with a good scope than have a contraption.

But beggers can't be choosers.

Glad to know there's a rifle in camp in a pinch, but I'll use my own if at all possible.

I have used a Westley Richards 500 jeffrey and misfired the third shoot. Thanksgod the two previous ones were spot on.
Previously on another safari I had a misfire with a 458 remington. Again two shoots and a misfire! Again the two first shots where in the boiler and were enough.
In a posterior safari I had a misfire with a 375 breno after the first shot was fired. Again the first shot counted so Life is good.
Never had a misfire with my DG rifles.
Ps. All this problems were with elephants

My trips have been done on American Airline miles so that means connecting to BA in London. Therefore I have never been able to carry my rifles. I have borrowed Pieter's .375, 30-06, and .243. I have also borrowed a 22-250 and 7mm.

For the .375 (300 and 270gr) and the 30-06 Pieter has rounds loaded with TSX and they get the job done.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:

I’ve used camp rifles to take 3 elephant, 2 buffalo, 2 hippo, 2 crocs, and enough plains game to fill a semi. Plus a camp shotgun to take a leopard with dogs. Always checked the sights, then carried on. I am too old and basically lazy to jump through airline and third world country hoops- not to mention the mandatory bribes. All were quality rifles with quality scopes or reflex sights. If your outfitter has inferior equipment, you are hunting with the wrong outfitter.

It is interesting to see this trend. European hunters still show up with rifle in hand, but more and more American hunters are like you. Hunting is supposed to be exciting and relaxing; it's not supposed to be a colossal hassle.

I have made a move to standardize my camp rifles and now have 4 Winchester M70s
2x Win m70 458 win mag Safari Express CRF
1x Win m70 375 H&H Safari Express CRF
1x Win m70 7mm Rem Mag Extreme Weather CRF

Scopes and Red Dot Sights can be switched around as needed as they all run on Warn QD mounts and bases
We also keep in stock 3 sets of cross bolts, 2 x magazine springs, a selection of front sights in case one gets knocked off

I opted to standardize as all the parts are then also interchangeable if any problems should be had

In time I believe there will be more people combining holiday and hunt time and its easier to do without a rifle

.

quote:

If your outfitter has inferior equipment, you are hunting with the wrong outfitter

100 % spot on !

.

There is nothing wrong with using a camp rifle, if necessary.

But, some us enjoy the extra pleasures of hunting with a rifle you have built yourself.

I had a very bad experience with a camp rifle the Swarovski scope was `not working. I would ask a lot of questions and possible bring a scope with the proper mounts for the camp rifle

I spend a lot more time thinking about and preparing for safari than actually on safari. A good part of my preparation is spent on my rifles and loading ammunition. When I get home I reminisce by holding my rifle. Using camp rifles eliminates all that fun.

quote:

Originally posted by drongo:
I spend a lot more time thinking about and preparing for safari than actually on safari. A good part of my preparation is spent on my rifles and loading ammunition. When I get home I reminisce by holding my rifle. Using camp rifles eliminates all that fun.

^^^ THIS!

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

quote:

Originally posted by drongo:
I spend a lot more time thinking about and preparing for safari than actually on safari. A good part of my preparation is spent on my rifles and loading ammunition. When I get home I reminisce by holding my rifle. Using camp rifles eliminates all that fun.

^^^ THIS!

I came to conclusion, rent gun makes traveling completely care free especially if you can travel just with small back pack and carry on
Got plenty of guns here and can shoot them when I want to
Best is just ask ahead and yes maybe bring mount and scope

Camp rifles are great as long as you're right handed.

quote:

Originally posted by drongo:
I spend a lot more time thinking about and preparing for safari than actually on safari. A good part of my preparation is spent on my rifles and loading ammunition. When I get home I reminisce by holding my rifle. Using camp rifles eliminates all that fun.

If I fondle my “rifle” too much, my wife gets pissed.....

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Camp rifles are great as long as you're right handed.

Why should that be a problem, the majority of left handers use right hand rifles. The very reason I as a left hander have never owned or used a left handed rifle, just easier to get used to using a right hand rifle where I can access and use a greater range of rifles. Can also pick up and use anyone else's rifle including camp rifles whenever there is a need without any hesitation at all.

Harry Selby, one of the greatest white hunters and PH's of our times, as a left hander, used a right handed 416 Rigby Mauser for much of his long and distinguished career. Didn't seem to be a problem for him.

quote:

Originally posted by eagle27:

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Camp rifles are great as long as you're right handed.

Why should that be a problem, the majority of left handers use right hand rifles. The very reason I as a left hander have never owned or used a left handed rifle, just easier to get used to using a right hand rifle where I can access and use a greater range of rifles. Can also pick up and use anyone else's rifle including camp rifles whenever there is a need without any hesitation at all.

Harry Selby, one of the greatest white hunters and PH's of our times, as a left hander, used a right handed 416 Rigby Mauser for much of his long and distinguished career. Didn't seem to be a problem for him.

I am left handed. I Shoot left handed. Camp rifles suck for me.

Generally camp rifles get beat up.

My cz after 44 days over 4 safaris looked beat up and worn out.

A camp rifle with daily use by different people over years will look worse than the game scout ak.

I wish I had my rifle chasing Bush pig in moz. Next time I am taking my blaser professional success with me.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Gale Johnson:
Andrew,
Have any pics of the BRNo 7x57, I would love to come over and shoot something with that!! Is it a round top or Double Square Bridge?

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by Gale Johnson:
Andrew,
Have any pics of the BRNo 7x57, I would love to come over and shoot something with that!! Is it a round top or Double Square Bridge?

Beautiful rifle.

Mike

.

Andrew, Not too "shabby" for a "camp rifle"!

Nice.

.

wow, that is nice, I bet it doesn't ride around on the seat like that very much. Great looking rifle!!

I do both. Depends on the country and camp rifle. Got my introduction to Blaser in Botswana. Best shooting I ever did on a trip.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
I do both. Depends on the country and camp rifle. Got my introduction to Blaser in Botswana. Best shooting I ever did on a trip.

Tholo has the right set up for camp rifles.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by eagle27:

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Camp rifles are great as long as you're right handed.

Why should that be a problem, the majority of left handers use right hand rifles. The very reason I as a left hander have never owned or used a left handed rifle, just easier to get used to using a right hand rifle where I can access and use a greater range of rifles. Can also pick up and use anyone else's rifle including camp rifles whenever there is a need without any hesitation at all.

Harry Selby, one of the greatest white hunters and PH's of our times, as a left hander, used a right handed 416 Rigby Mauser for much of his long and distinguished career. Didn't seem to be a problem for him.

I have eleven left handed rifles and some lever guns, single shots and semi automatic rifles. I even have one left handed AR15 but no right handed bolt guns except the Marlin Papoose 22 rimfire that the grand kids shoot.

Why would I intentionally handicap myself shooting a right handed rifle on something as important and expensive as an African hunt? I can shoot a right handed rifle left handed but not as quickly on the second shot as with my left handed rifles. I can also shoot right handed rifles with my right hand and right eye but not as quickly or accurately as with my left. I know this because I practice shooting right handed on almost every range trip. But again, why should I handicap myself on a hunt?

As far as Harry Selby goes, he had a lot less choice than we do. And who knows how much more successful he would have been had he been able to shoot left handed rifles his entire life.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Camp rifles are great as long as you're right handed.

Exactly.

quote:

Originally posted by eagle27:

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Camp rifles are great as long as you're right handed.

Why should that be a problem, the majority of left handers use right hand rifles. The very reason I as a left hander have never owned or used a left handed rifle, just easier to get used to using a right hand rifle where I can access and use a greater range of rifles. Can also pick up and use anyone else's rifle including camp rifles whenever there is a need without any hesitation at all.

Harry Selby, one of the greatest white hunters and PH's of our times, as a left hander, used a right handed 416 Rigby Mauser for much of his long and distinguished career. Didn't seem to be a problem for him.

If I am paying tens of thousands of dollars for a hunt I am going to use my own rifle. I have several bolt and double rifles, SxS and O/U shotguns. All left handed including the shotguns (cast on) and palm swells for O/U shotguns. I have spent quite a bit of a money having the stocks fitted as well as range time to familiarize myself with the rifle or shotgun I am going to take on a trip. It is part of the hunt to use my own firearm. Also, ammo is an issue. Are you going to take a shot at the trophy of a lifetime with FACTORY ammo that has been at camp for months, maybe for years instead of your own handloads?

Yes, I can reach over and manipulate the bolt on the off side. But why cheat myself by using a camp rifle? Part of the whole experience is to use my own firearm. That is also the reason I will take a back up rifle as well on any hunt.

If the hunt is happening in a country that will not allow me to bring my own firearms, then I will go to a country that will do so.

One reason I was told people are using camp rifles is the airline fees on firearms. That is being petty and stupid. One is spending tens of thousands on the hunt, ditto on taxidermy, flights etc. and balking at a few hundred dollars of airline fees. One needs to look at that cost in the perspective of overall hunt cost.