What do you think the best, "all-around" Africa rifle is?

Me. I would opt for a Take-Down rifle by H-S Precision. Dakota Arms also makes a nice Take-Down rifle. This H-S PHR TD would be in 416 Rem Mag; and be mated with a Swarovski 1.5-6x42 scope on Talley QD rings. This would take care of everything Lion and above. The other caliber would be a 338 Win Mag; mated with a Swarovski 4-16x50 scope on Talley QD rings. This would be for Zebra and large Antelopes.

David,
I believe thats the "two" best rifles not the best "all around rifle" and you have made a fine choice of calibers.....

For a "one gun Safari" I would opt for a 416 or a 404...400 gr. solids and 330 gr. GS Customs HV...loaded to put the 400 gr. dead on at about 75 yds and the 330's 1" to 3"'s high at 100 yds....My 416 and 404 will do that.

That's a pretty good combo of loads and will shoot flatter than a 180 Gr. 30-06.

Another good option is the 375 or 9.3x62 loaded simularly...I have also shot several Buffalo with the 338 and had no trouble and thats not a bad option if you only intend to shoot one Buffalo and have a backup, which you will..

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

The 416 and 338 combo is hard to beat. Especially if you hunt the big stuff (buffalo and elephant). If you go with a take down(from the choices you have made)....I would go with the Dakota because of the CRF action.

Personally I picked for my all round rifle, a Sabi custom 375HH with QR rings and mounts. A 1.5 X 5 Leopold for the big stuff and a 1.5 X 6 Kahles sighted in for some 270gr bullets for plains game etc. I lightened up a bit as I used to have a 416 and 338 but now I'm moving to a 375HH and a 3006 combination.

After shooting the 416 I just love shooting the 375HH!! Not that I couldn't shoot the 416 but I really had to get my game face on!!

Did you have any trouble getting your Sabi rifle into the US and how long did it take you from when you made the order?

Lots of rifles and rifle combinations would fit the bill as "ultimate" in my eyes.

I like Terry's .338 Winchester, .416 Remington tandem. That combo would easily take in all African hunting, and them some!

The main thing is, regardless of the exact caliber or calibers that you choose, is that your rifles be as thoroughly tested, simple, rugged, dust-compatible, and fool-proof as possible. If they don't feed perfectly every time, they are junk!

The perfect African rifle, especially for dangerous game, cannot be mass-produced. It's best to have your rifles hand-built on Mauser-type actions (Model 70 and Mauser 98 are THE actions. Forget about push-feeds!) by someone who is a hunter, and who understands feeding systems, accuracy, and stock designs that lend themselves to minimizing the effects of recoil, plus fast handling and instant target acquisition.

If the gunmaker you're considering is more preoccupied with woodchuck hunting, benchrest tournaments, off-beat wildcat calibers, and is otherwise essentially unfamiliar with African hunting, forget about working with him and go on to someone else.

AD

I think the question was best all-around rifle, not rifles.....the answer is the one and only .375 H&H.

DB Bill,

I am importing Terry's Sabi Rifle for him. ATF has asked a lot of new requirements that are not on the standard import application and it is a slower approval process than usual because of it. I am quite cerain it is because of 9/11, because most of the requierments, including photos, are designed ot insure that it is not a "military weapon".

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Greg Rodriguez
Mombasa Trading Company
www.mbogo.net
(281) 494-4151

The best "all around" Africa hunting calibre is by far the 9,3x62.

As backup I use a 458 Lott with 18" barrel.

I used a 460 G&A in the past but it was unnecessary too powerful. In emergency you need speed and accuracy more than just power.

DB Bill,
Sorry, I didn't see your post until this evening. My Sabi is "under construction" now. I hope to get it by July or August. As Greg mentioned he is doing a Form 6 for me. I'll have all the scoop on it later. I ordered it through Nick at Big Bores. Also Peter Viljoen recommended this rifle highly and a couple more people I have talked to. Our PH's brother has one in 500J. I'll post a message when I get it and shoot it.
Regards,
Terry

Take a M70 action to Ray Riganian in Glendale, CA. He will build the most beautiful, flawlessly feeding, accurate .375 H&H you can imagine and do it for around $5900! I keep thinking that I just ought to sell off the safe-full and have him build me a pair.

Sarge

I would take a model 70 Winchester pre-64 action in a 338 mag along with a 416 Rem. caliber in the same type gun. Now that would be a hard duo to follow anywhere. Lest wise according to those that have done such a trip.

In my personal view (not necessarily that of more experienced hunters) is a stainless Mauser Express Rifle chambered in 376 Steyr, with a 22 or 23 inch Pac-Nor barrel. All parts are also stainless, and set in a laminated stock.
This rifle will be built to please me, the way i want it, once the new Charles Daly stainless become available in a week or two. I intend to "break it in" by hunting bears in Alaska, with the dream of an African hunt someday. ~~~Suluuq