Fellows, over the weekend I went to a gun show and swapped my 375 H&H Sako for a Belgium Browning Safari 30.06. Good trade or bad? I didn't really like the Sako because it had a muzzle brake and no sights.

as long as the browning isnt a salt cured stock i think it was a good trade ,i hate big bore rifles without sights too.....paul

Hey Paul, How do you tell if its a salt cured stock? I havn't scoped it yet so I havn't shot it. Thanks James

James
As long as your happy you done good.

quote:

Originally posted by James Cardwell:
Hey Paul, How do you tell if its a salt cured stock? I havn't scoped it yet so I havn't shot it. Thanks James

To butt in on Paul J.A.
From what I've read on AR you just take the stock off, and if there is no rust all over the underside of the action, your in business.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
James
As long as your happy you done good.

That sums up gun trading in one short sentence right there.

Both rifles are real cool,
I would certainly get more use out of the browning, But a sko .375 is prety cool. I would have sights added...tj3006

I believe 1966 is the start date for saltcured stocks. Check your serial no. If prior to 1966 no problem.

If you don't have rust, you have a winner. I love my 1962 .30-06 Safari.

Good news, I removed the stock today and found no rust. I sure was sweating it. Mounted a Zeis on it with an old set of engraved Redfield rings. Will shoot it in when it quits raining. Thanks to all, James

It will shoot. Mine does. FN just doesn't make junk!
If you don't have rust on the action or buttplate screws then you are OK at this age.
A friend traded his Sako 375 for the same reason.

quote:

Originally posted by James Cardwell:
Fellows, over the weekend I went to a gun show and swapped my 375 H&H Sako for a Belgium Browning Safari 30.06. Good trade or bad? I didn't really like the Sako because it had a muzzle brake and no sights.

Probably a good trade....Now you can start looking for a replacement .375 H&H, which every shooter needs at least one of.....

I'd have kept the 375!

As to which has the most monetary value, it all depends on condition. The Sako, having been defiled with a muzzle brake, is likley the lesser of the two values (although I would prefer its action to the FN Mauser). So I think you did okay, particularly since there's no real use for a .375 in the "Mountains of Palo Pinto" and you can use an '06 regularly.

I've sure been having trader's remorse. Missing my 375 but I've already started looking for a replacement. The '06 is for my wife a PG rifle for SA in '07. I haven't decided what I'm going to take. After reading these forums the last few months I'm more confused than ever. Push feed or crf? 300 winmag or 300 wby or 338 winmag or 325 wsm or ??????? My spouse thinks I've lost it!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by James Cardwell:
I've sure been having trader's remorse. Missing my 375 but I've already started looking for a replacement. The '06 is for my wife a PG rifle for SA in '07. I haven't decided what I'm going to take. After reading these forums the last few months I'm more confused than ever. Push feed or crf? 300 winmag or 300 wby or 338 winmag or 325 wsm or ??????? My spouse thinks I've lost it!!!!

How come your wife can kill plains game with an '06 but you require a bigger gun for the same chore?

I'm planning to do a PG hunt next year and intending to take my Sako .300 Win. I'd be just as confident with a .30-06. I have an excellent .338, but the round is just not necessary for plains game and as it kicks a little more and provides a little less velocity for longish shots, I'm going with the .300. However, none of the calibers you're looking at are poor choices. The .325 has some limitations, but the game won't likely know it (your wife's '06 will have 5 down plus 1 in the magazine, while some shortmags will only reliably feed with two in the magazine, giving you a total of 3 shots. You'll only need those three extras if you screw up, but when you need them, you need them badly!)

AS to "CRF" vs. "push feed", each action has its perceived strengths and weaknesses, none of which amount to beans. Take the rifle you're most comfortable with.

I have to agree with Stonecreek... The 30-06 in itself is a fine cartridge for the purpose at hand.... The 300 Win will shoot flatter and farther if needed which makes it a very good choice.. The 300 Wby might be a bit flatter and harder hitting but you will pay for that on your end with your shoulder... Without a doubt, take whatevery you are comfortable with since that is the one you will shoot best....

Ken....

StoneCreek and Heat thanks for your responses. I would love to take the '06 but I have heard you can't take two guns of the same cal into SA. I have a 300 wby but it needs to be restocked. It was a good buy even though the stock is a little short for me. It shoots tight groups with factory ammo from the bench. When shooting from sticks i'm having trouble due to the length of pull. Stonecreek where are you going next year?

I'm looking at Namibia but haven't firmed up plans yet.

I am aware that Namibia (and presumably S. Africa) allows only one rifle of a given caliber, but that is PER hunter. If one rifle is assigned to you and one to your wife, then you should be okay. However, your restocked .300 WBY or whatever else you might decide on is fine, too.

I haven't decided whether to put Eland on my hunting list or not. When an animal pushes the better part of a ton it gives pause to your confidence in any caliber. However, the experienced Africa hands tell me that Eland are very much like moose, in both size and toughness, so any reasonable .30 cal in the thorax should work about as well as the bigger stuff. If I were ONLY hunting for Eland I think I would opt for my .338 or even .375.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
I'm looking at Namibia but haven't firmed up plans yet.

I am aware that Namibia (and presumably S. Africa) allows only one rifle of a given caliber, but that is PER hunter. If one rifle is assigned to you and one to your wife, then you should be okay. However, your restocked .300 WBY or whatever else you might decide on is fine, too.

I haven't decided whether to put Eland on my hunting list or not. When an animal pushes the better part of a ton it gives pause to your confidence in any caliber. However, the experienced Africa hands tell me that Eland are very much like moose, in both size and toughness, so any reasonable .30 cal in the thorax should work about as well as the bigger stuff. If I were ONLY hunting for Eland I think I would opt for my .338 or even .375.

I hunted in Namibia and was not aware that they had a restriction like South Africa does on multiple rifles of the same caliber. The Namibia Professional Hunters' Association Website has some useful information:

http://www.natron.net/napha/english/index.html

I asked about Eland when I was there as I have heard several stories of their being wounded and lost with calibers up to .375H&H. My conclusion was that it can be hard to find the right bull and that sometimes the client takes a less than perfect shot (quartering away, in particular) and it may end up in the paunch where it is stopped by grass and thus there is no exit. They can go a long way in those circumstances. I think a .30-06 on a good side shot would do the job, although I would be happier with my 9.3x62 which does not seem to kick too much and gives good penetration.

I had no interest in hunting Eland until we can upon a blue bull in the brush while stalking other game. Now it is one of the few plains game animals that really holds my interest.

I have to say that a good .30-06 will do the job on almost everything.

Charles --

I'm not sure where I picked up the information that Namibia has the one-of-a-caliber-per-hunter rule. I think it was on the website of one of the game ranches I looked at. It may very well have been based on the assumption that in order to get to Namibia you're likely to be going through South Africa. At any rate, at this point it looks as though the two of us that will be going plan to both take .300 Win Mags. So long as they are bagged and claimed separately I'm assuming no problems.

Thanks for the insight on the desirablility of Eland. The fact that they are big (apparently averaging heavier than cape buffalo) and imposing largely makes up for their (perceived) lack of beauty. One or the other of us may opt for one. It might be an excuse to wag along and extra .338 or .375.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
Thanks for the insight on the desirablility of Eland. The fact that they are big (apparently averaging heavier than cape buffalo) and imposing largely makes up for their (perceived) lack of beauty. One or the other of us may opt for one. It might be an excuse to wag along and extra .338 or .375.

Some places may have limited Eland quota, so be sure that they are available for you if you may want one.

Good luck with your trip.