I have a fund-raising project coming up, I hope, that will involve building a rifle for Africa. It is not for me, btw, but I am an "advisor" only and will pretty much get to dictate what is built. It is not for a paticular individual, although the stock length will be determined by the eventual owner.

Here is what's available to choose from:
1. '98 Mauser action, probably a 1909 Argentine or
2. A new .416 Rigby length CZ action
3. at least AA California walnut stock blank, maybe even AAA
4. A very fine gunsmith who will donate 100% or his time. He does no engraving, however.
5. Excluding the action, about $2300 for parts, to include barrel, sights, bottom metal, trigger if required, etc. No charge for blueing.

Query:
1. Which action would you use (or would you get another, cost being somewhat of a factor)?
With the CZ, I'd put a 3-position safety and a new trigger, ground out the advertisements... but you got to like that big magazine box! For the '98, I'd keep the mauser-style safety, but make it 'scope compatable.

2. Caliber? I'd like to keep the caliber to over the counter stuff, i.e., no Taylor (although they are the cat's meow!) and not lengthen an action by cutting on anything but the bolt face. Classic calibers count in an African gun some, too. The CZ can be a .375 H&H action, btw, instead.. I'll just buy one from Brownell's as my donation if this thing goes.

3. Stock design... German, English, checkering pattern.

4. Sights?

5. Other general thoughts?

In a day or so, I'll post a picture of some of the 'smith's work on a kind of German style .404 Jeffery.

Judge,
Classic Africa...
How about the Mauser in a 9.3x62? Factory ammo is readily available from a number of suppliers these days...With maybe a slight English drop such as the cz hogback has...Sights should definatly be Brockman's fold down peep site with an optional Leupold 1.5x5 in QR rings to set atop the fold down peep base...
As for general thoughts, sounds like a good project to be involved with, best of luck to you and whatever the cause is.
Brian

I would vote for the 404 Jeffery on the Mauser. That's pretty darn classic and the issue rifle for game scouts in East Africa for many years. The fact that there seems to be no writings indicating that it ever failed anyone is an incredible testimony.

Judge, Roger doing this build? I've got a Mark X action I'm gonna get him to build something on for me. Anxious to see the pics. Probably be in for a raffle ticket as well.

David

in .425 W.R. or .404 Rimless aka Jeffery

if you're refering to california walnut as claro, i'd advise against it. claro is quite soft for a heavy recoiling rifle. rather to use european or bastogne, they're harder and more dense

Butchloc:
That's why I'm asking the questions! Any other comments re: wood.

Here's a picture of a .404 that the 'smith did for me. I'd rather not name him right now, but it's not Roger, btw.



Mouse93:
That's a beautiful rifle and may a great example to follow.

I would vote for 375 H&H or 404 Jeff

CZ action.

if setting up for scope, QD rings of some type

10-4 Judge! Beautiful rifle regardless of the name. Unique stock work. Like it alot. I'm still in for a raffle ticket. Any of the above suggested calibers sounds good to me. Or how about a 7x57. Does it have to be a big bore?

David

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
if you're refering to california walnut as claro, i'd advise against it. claro is quite soft for a heavy recoiling rifle. rather to use european or bastogne, they're harder and more dense

While the statement that Claro is generally softer than English is probably true, I have to disagree with the statement that all Claro is soft, or even too soft for a big bore.

Some Claro is quite dense and tight-grained, and plenty strong and hard enough for a big kicker.

I don't know this because I am a wood expert - I am not one of those. I only know it because I own a .375 and a .458 with a terrific Claro stocks that were stocked by a man who knows wood.

The stocks on these rifles were well-inletted, with clearance behind the tangs, and well-bedded. They also have double cross-bolts, but IMHO every big bore stock ought to have those qualities and features. The key is that these rifles show no signs of trouble after many rounds fired.

Some don't like Claro because it is less "classic" than English. I can understand that, but I like the fiddleback and color in a nice piece of Claro as much as I like the dark mineral streaking of English. To me - all else, such as strength, being equal - it's simply a matter of taste and choice, rifle by rifle.

Those are some pretty hefty numbers you are throwing around there Judge.

We supply a DG kit for as little as $675 that includes:
1. New comml Mauser action, face trued, drilled and tapped for bases, bolt face opened, feeding mods done, barrel fitted and chambered, caliber engraved on the bbl, in the white.
2. Hinged steel bottom metal with spring and follower, blued.
3. Action screws blued
4. Timney deluxe side safety trigger
5. Hogue overmolded stock with full length aluminum bedding rail.

We can supply iron sights, ghost rings etc for addl reasonable money. NECG, XO, Brockman etc.

The $675 is a base price for std length calibers. For exotics and long ctgs, the cost is higher as we can't buy contoured short-chambered bbls, we have to start with blanks, and we also have to replace the magazine box with a larger one.

JudgeG,

I'd suggest one of the .416s or a .404 Jeff. Both would be good "all around" calibers.

Would be good to ask yourself who is to be the audience for your fund raising project. If they are folks not likely to be "recoil resistant" they may respond better to a .375 H&H or a .375 Ruger.

Action will depend on the caliber chosen. One of the big ones votes for the CZ.

I personally like English style stocks but that's a matter of taste.

Sights ... good set of open sights on a quarter rib and scope mounts.

Sounds like an honorable pursuit. Hope it goes well for you and the good cause!

How about a "take-down" with .404J and .375 Ruger barrels. scopes can be mounted "scout" style on the barrels to take care of any play in the takedown system.

I prefer a classic Rigby or Holland "English" look and a magnum length action.

All the best, SXS

I love the takedown idea: A nice small flight case, easy to carry thru airports and hotel rooms. Caliber? My vote goes for 416 Rem. with Leupold QR rings and rock solid irons!!!
BN

Ideally, you'll want a rifle that will have the broadest appeal possible. I think this precludes anything wacko with regard to chambering.

The biggest cartridge you can fit in a 1909 without removing much metal is a 9.3X62. The 9.3X62 is gaining in popularity here at a fast rate and would be a mighty fine choice for a classic safari rifle.

Another safe choice would be either a 375 H&H or a 375 Ruger.

If you're not stuck on doing a big bore, think about classic plains game cartridge that would be extraordinarily flexible in use. It'll help sell tickets because everyone can use another light caliber rifle, but many folks limit themselves to one or two big bores. Nothing is more classic than a 7X57 or a 300 H&H.

Good luck. If you ever want to discuss what you're getting into, just drop me a note.

I know this is not what you are after Judge, but it might make for some light reading....

I asked an english gunsmith friend of mine the following:

"Andrew, can you please build me a back up DG rifle under $2000.00?"

"What specks are you looking for?" came the cautious reply....

"Well, not much....a 458Lott with a very strong action, on a synthetic stock, with an 18" barrel. Very low recoil, and MOA accuracy"

He jsut shook his head, and told me in his best parabat language where to go and find this weapon.... . I'm still looking for it.........but cannot understand why his eyes went wide when I mentioned the low recoil.....