I'm a lefty who is looking for a rifle chambered in .375 to take on safari for both dangerous and plains game. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

I would look at the new Winchester Safaris Express or Mauser 03 in 375H&H or 416Rem.

CZ is making their American Safari Classic in left handed 375 H&H too.

CZ, plus one!! I own six right handed ones.

Rich

CZ - No doubt about it
Cal. 375 H&H

Most of my dangerous game bolt action rifles are either Winchester Model 70's or Ruger Magnum Safaris. Each one has subsequently been customized, however.

quote:

Best Rifle For The Money

I guess that depends in part on what amount of money you mean. I think we did the right-handed version of this thread in a slightly different form recently.

Best $3000 Safari Rifle

I can sympathise with being left handed when it comes to rifles but If you don't mind spending US$30 as part of your research or even if your just a gun nut, you might find this useful. It covers something like 40K models and really is the dog's dahs.

http://www.shakariconnection.c...ultimedia-guide.html

The Ruger Hawkeye African is made in a left handed version based on the 375 Ruger cartridge. My buddy has one and it worked great for him last year in Mozambique. For the money at under $1,000.00 would be hard to beat. The other one that comes to mind is the CZ American, although it is heavier and more bulky than the Ruger.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

I've read about the CZ's but I've also heard that they should be customized a bit before they are shot? Is this true? I've things about poloshing the bolt and having it glass bedded.

Ruger Mod.77 Hawkeye African .375 or .416
Great value and very accurate rifle.

Dave - The .416 Ruger is in the Alaskan model, correct? Have you any news on when Ruger will make the .416 in the Hawkeye African? Sounds like a natural to most folks I know and hunt with. Thanks.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
Ruger Mod.77 Hawkeye African .375 or .416
Great value and very accurate rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
Ruger Mod.77 Hawkeye African .375 or .416
Great value and very accurate rifle.

The HAWKEYE is a very good choice for a one rifle for a safari. The 375 Ruger can be had in the African model with a wood stock, and blued steel, but if you want eh 416 Ruger it only comes in the stainless mold-over ALASKAN model. Too bad the Ruger RSM MKII safari rifle is not available in a lefty model.

The CZ rifle has a very large choice of Safari chamberings and is modestly priced!

I haven't seen it yet as I told my buddy Tony to watch it before he sends it to me but you might like to buy Boddington on Rifles which I'm 100% sure will be as good as all the other 'Bod on whatever' series.

I hope to get my copy by about thursday morning..... and I'll be watching it as soon as it arrives!

NO DOUBT in my opinion. - The Ruger Hawkeye African/Alaskan is the best one for the money. I bought a Ruger Alaskan in 375 Ruger and I am VERY impressed with the accuracy (under 1" with all tried factory loads and all handloaded ammo) and reliability/feeding. All is perfect except I changed the stock to a McMillan - I am not fond of the Hogue overmoulded stock.. I must admit that I have only seen/handled two of these new Ruger rifles, they were both very nice.. A 375 Ruger or a 416 Ruger would be a perfect and reliable choice.

You might like to avoid the Montana 1999 stainless steel action for a while....

Note the NRA mentioned is the UK NRA.

National Rifle Association
Prohibition Notice
MONTANA 1999 RIFLES IN STAINLESS STEEL

In October 2009 there was an incident at Bisley when a Montana 1999 action made in stainless steel suffered a breech explosion and catastrophic failure of the front receiver ring. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt. The NRA has carried out a technical investigation on the rifle, including obtaining a metallurgical analysis.

As a consequence of this incident and pending full consideration of the information generated by the NRA's investigation, *the use of stainless steel Montana 1999 actions on Bisley ranges is prohibited until further notice*.

The NRA will pass its concerns to the manufacturer and is in communication with the Birmingham Proof House. The prohibition will be reconsidered in the light of any advice received from these two sources.

Owners of Montana firearms with such actions are invited to supply contact details to the Secretary General so that the NRA can pass on any advice with minimum delay.

It is emphasised that this prohibition applies only to stainless steel Montana 1999 actions. Montana actions made in 4140 CrMo steel are not included in this prohibition.

Glynn Alger
Secretary General
ends

Best absolute value is probably a Savage 110...comes in left hand model. Not terribly pretty, but shoots lights out. Dead reliable. Quite inexpensive. Not CRF, if that matters to you.

Maybe the best value in a really fine bolt gun: Ed Brown Express. Very hard to fault in any way. Not inexpensive, but won't break the bank, either.

About a gazillion really good rifles between those two price points, new and used.

Good hunting!

I would take a look at the new Model 70 Safari Express rifles.

Steve,

have you had some personal contact with the UK NRA and personally handled the action/rifle so that you have even a faint clue about what you are talking about?

Stick to pitching safaris, you know something about that apparently.

regards,

Rich

What I know about the deal:
1. neither one of us was there at the time or has seen the action/rifle.
2. you have never owned or even fired an MRC 99 actioned rifle as far as you have posted.
3. you are not highly regarded as a gunsmith.

Rich,

Buddy, you'll notice I simply reproduced the NRA announcement and barely commented on it at all. The reason for that is all I know about it is what's stated on the release. If I had seen the rifle in question, I'd have said so and possibly posted my opinion of what I'd seen.

I do however, feel that it's not a bad thing to make the forum members aware of the release and presumably possible problem (if only for the sake of safety) and then make up their own minds about it..... and I'm suprised you think otherwise, but that is of course, your perogative.

As for pitching safaris. When was the last time you or anyone else saw me pitching a safari on the forum?

I work on the principle that if someone wants to book or enquire they can contact me and in fact, I can't remember the last time I posted a hunt offer here or on the hunts offered forum...... I'd guess it must be at least 3 or 4 years ago...... and probably considerably longer.

I do occasionally have special hunts (note special hunts rather than special offers or discounts) available but prefer to offer them privately and only to those who I think might be suitable for that specific type of hunt and usually (not always but usually) only then if they ask me first..... I should say that the reason for that is nothing to do with any kind of inverted snobbery etc, it's just that the occasional special I do have is usually something like a tough/unusual/challenging/especially adventurous hunt that might not be suitable for someone for example who expects ice machines and hot and cold running servants etc.

with those types of hunts, I just offer them to those I think might be up for that kind of adventure or those who contact me and ask if I have something like that. - If someone is up for such adventurous hunts as these, all they have to do is contact me and ask what I have available.

I also make a point of asking whoever I send such hunt details to please keep them off of the net for the same reason.

Hope that clarifies things.

++555555 atta boy Shakari, tell the truth and you will piss some people off or inform them of anything thay disagree with!!

Power for the dollar is the NEF shooting the 12GFH

Best rifle "for the money" depends on what "the money" is. I'm convinced that the Savage 110 series or the CZ's offer the most bang for the buck, and the CZ gives you the option of some large calibers that a lot of others do not.

But the best? My choice is a "love-it-or-hate-it" for most people...it's the Blaser R93. Totally modular, lots of interchangeable barrel weights and calibers, takedown capability, return-to-zero scope mounts, excellent accuracy and triggers, left- or right-hand switchable, and as fancy or as utilitarian as you want it to be. To quote a PH (not my own PH) as he examined mine: "The finest hunting weapon you can get".

I'd look for something in a 416.

I purchased two 375s and a 458 before I decided that a single 416 would do everything I needed with plainsgame or DG. I recall tracking buffalo and encountering a leopard sleeping on a termite mound about 140 yards away. I was wishing I had anything in hand but my 458. I could have killed the cat with my 375. He would also have been a very dead cat with an accurate 416. With the 458, however, it was just a bit far.

416 will do anything you need it to.

I HAVE A cz 550 IN 375 h&h. It is an excellent choice.

Mod 70 LH Safari Express in .375 H&H has performed flawlessly for me on two hunts. Highly recommended.

The one with which YOU are the most comfortable, confident and competent. Regardless the price.