So, Lipsey’s has brought us three great Ruger Africans in 275 Rigby, 6.5x55 and the latest, 9.3x62.

They seem to be bringing us classic old African calibers which is a neat idea I think. Anyway, I’ve bought two of each so far. I’d love to see them bring it out in 338-06 or 35 Whelen, but these are not old African classics. The 318 Westley Richards would fit the profile, but no one makes the ammo as far as I know. Ditto for the 333 Jeffery, etc.

So. Look into your crystal ball and make a prediction: What will be next year’s caliber?

My guess? 30-06.

Why?

1) old African classic: 1906 (or 1903 by TR)

2) ammo sold EVERYWHERE.

3) they would probably sell out immediately.

4) would be used in NA as well as all African PG.

too bad not an African in 404J. That would have to be a magnum action I'm sure since the afore released rifles all work on std actions without mods.

My crystal ball never lies.
If someone will order 100 of them from Ruger, it will be in whatever caliber you want.
It is a sure bet; can't lose money.

At one point, Lipsey's told me that .30-06 was coming, but they also said .35 Whelen, and that seems unlikely now due to the release of the 9.3x62. Still, I'm with you on .30-06 being the most likely next one. I will buy an '06 in a heartbeat.

Now that there are better bullets and powder for it, I vote for the 10.75x68. They could make a deal with Hornady to supply both Brass and reloading dies. I don't even think they would have to make loaded ammo, just 10 times as much brass as they think is necessary and it would all sell out!

Let's talk Hornady into making some .318 WR. I need some anyway and if they did maybe Ruger would make a run of rifles. Its a win-win for everyone.

quote:

Originally posted by Magnum Hunter1:
Let's talk Hornady into making some .318 WR. I need some anyway and if they did maybe Ruger would make a run of rifles. Its a win-win for everyone.

Works for me!

I'd still urge the .35 Whelen chambering.

Although Ruger calls it the "African" model, that chambering would have great appeal in Alaska and Canada for those wanting more "ommph" with heavier bullets than what the 30-06 can provide with the 200gn/220gn bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by Magnum Hunter1:
Let's talk Hornady into making some .318 WR. I need some anyway and if they did maybe Ruger would make a run of rifles. Its a win-win for everyone.

What size order do you figure that would take?

318 WR as a commercial offering ?

Would be nice but think on it for a second!

Would there be a viable market in today's economic and anti gun climate to bring back the old .330 inch bullet.

Other than small boutique style operations offering limited quantities of mostly obsolete product ranges who will pick up and run with this ? Even the Lipseys range of offerings are limited run productions !

As to Alf's comment which clarifies mine lots of nice, buts here though not too likely.

I emailed Lipsey's in December about the 318 WR and got the following reply,

"If someone like Hornady would start making ammo for it, I would consider it. No ready source of ammo is a deal breaker. Also, Ruger would have to have proof ammunition to pressure test the rifles. Without that, it is a no-go with Ruger."


I would like to see them offer the 300 H&H.

What about an 8x57?

I doubt you will ever see Ruger build another rifle on their magnum length action. If retro-cool is the current trend, I could imagine the 458 Win in the Ruger African. It may not be a pre-war round, but it has a long history in Africa. The 30-06 is certainly a no-brainer. I have been an irrational triple-deuce devotee for all of my life. Since Hell would sooner freeze over, I would happily settle for the 223 version.

What about a 358 Norma Mag ?

I am waiting for Ruger to bring out the 375 Ruger in their inexpensive American line of rifles.
They could even call it the African American

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
I am waiting for Ruger to bring out the 375 Ruger in their inexpensive American line of rifles.
They could even call it the African American

quote:

Originally posted by sjr:
What about a 358 Norma Mag ?

I could really get into that one! I’d buy two immediately.

And, factory ammo is available from Norma and Double Tap.

It’s really not an African classic however. But a hell of a hard hitting medium bore.

Hey, Ruger. This is a factory ammo supported cartridge. People snap these rifles up when advertised, because no one makes them anymore. You’d have a corner on the market. All you need to sell is 250 rifles. I think this would sell fast. Ammo already available. Did I mention that?

Well, we can all dream...

How about the Ruger African in left hand. I would buy one regardless of caliber.

quote:

Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
I am waiting for Ruger to bring out the 375 Ruger in their inexpensive American line of rifles.
They could even call it the African American

That was real funny (what .458 said)
----------------
Anyway Ruger has a few rifle calibers in the African model. I have one in .338WM, but mine does not have the muzzle brake:

https://www.ruger.com/products...eAfrican/models.html

They sort of have with the FTA Hunter rifle.

Seriously these 250 rifle runs are a marketing joke. $250k of revenue is a joke.

They are done to give distributors something unique to offer their customers.

Like buy 25 pistols and we will throw in a rifle.

All the Ruger Alaskan African FTW end up on Cdnn being liquidated. The only value of 375 Ruger is probably after one generation is not being manufactured and another generation has a muzzle brake.

Mike

Well, I am no business man, but marketing joke or not, I don’t care.

They are great rifles and if they only make 250 of them per caliber, it just makes the two of each that I buy all that more valuable!

quote:

Originally posted by surefire7:
Well, I am no business man, but marketing joke or not, I don’t care.

They are great rifles and if they only make 250 of them per caliber, it just makes the two of each that I buy all that more valuable!

Yup and more so if Ruger goes out of business like colt. Colt snake handgun values have gone up significantly after production ceased.

Mike

I'm probably not going to buy any more unless they repeat the 223. But a real classic African caliber would be the 8x57. I have a 8x57r that emigrated to Africa from Germany and served as the only rifle on the farm. It came to America with the nephew of its original owner. According to the gentleman's records, it accounted for 48 leopards ( I thought it was only forty until I checked the records) as well as quite a few antelope and other assorted animals. Pretty hard to argue with results. So, how about an 8x57 Ruger African?
Bfly

quote:

Originally posted by Black Fly:
I'm probably not going to buy any more unless they repeat the 223. But a real classic African caliber would be the 8x57. I have a 8x57r that emigrated to Africa from Germany and served as the only rifle on the farm. It came to America with the nephew of its original owner. According to the gentleman's records, it accounted for 48 leopards ( I thought it was only forty until I checked the records) as well as quite a few antelope and other assorted animals. Pretty hard to argue with results. So, how about an 8x57 Ruger African?
Bfly

I like both of your ideas. An 8x57 and a 223 African both sound great! It seems like the majority of popular pre-war bore sizes has been covered, so the 8mm seems due. The 30-06 would be the final one in my mind.

I would opt for the 9.3x64, a non belted caliber the full equal of the 375 H&H and wins the all around best caliber ever..The whole world with the exception of the USA knows this..

I hope they re-release the .223 model again. Doubtful...but Id like to wish.

I held one on Saturday in 7mm rem mag. I really liked the gun but I don't want one in that caliber. .30/06 or .338/06 would be appealing

I also would like to see the 375 Ruger and 9.3x64 offered and I suspect so would Ruger..

They have about run the gamut on calibers, what AR gun nuts like and what the rest of the world wants is a great void unfortunately..but that's the way of most things..

Keep in mind it must sell, and most of the guns mentioned on this thread are not going to sell, they are deader than last years milk..

I think the 375 Ruger, the 9.3x64 would sell as components are easy to come by..brass, bullets, and dies have to be available and in supply to make a caliber work..Plus some of the calibers mentioned are already available in other rifles.

tricky business and a gamble at best as to what will take the ball and run with it like the 9.3x62 and 275 Rigby that is nothing more than a 7x57 with a different hat on.but they flew!

The 338 win mag gets my vote .I have hunted with it 32 years and it's never failed me .I hope that ruger makes some more classic rifles not just the plastic junk ones that looks and bolts like crap as in the ruger American .I like the old tang safety ruger way better for fast shooting I can never find that flip safety .

338 WM. Or 35 Whelen.

Would love the 333 Jeffery Rimless, but that is not practical.

The current Lipseys 9.3x62 is light ! really really light ! Have not shot mine yet but from past Experience on the old 77 RSI in 30-06 intuitively I don't think it's not going to be that comfortable to shoot compared to other brand offerings in similar calibers.

Now some here are calling for 9.3x64 ! Love the caliber got 2 already but i predict it will never happen with almost no ammo manufacturers left making it anymore ! or worse 375 Ruger ?....... in the same little gun as the 9.3 ?
That would be a cruel joke cause there will have to be mouthguard issued with the rifles......
think about it Ruger branded mouthguards or Ruger Hockey helmets

I have shot my new Ruger African 9.3x62 already with the open sights. Is the recoil up there on this light rifle? Yes, it is, but I think it’s only relative to heavier rifles in 9.3, and less than more powerful rounds.

I own about (7) 9.3x62s, and this Ruger African has the most recoil, and it is also the lightest one of the seven. Is the recoil objectionable? No, not to me at least. I am 68 years old and I weigh 160 lbs. I mounted a scope on it two days ago and took it out yesterday to sight it in. The scope & rings added some weight. Shot a box of ammo at 50 & 100 yards off the bench. I knew the recoil was more than any other 9.3 I own, but I also took out two other rifles that day as well; my 375 H&H shooting 350 gr. NFs, and my 404 Jeffery shooting 430 gr. NFs. So, I thought the 9.3 was milder than the other two rifles, and their recoil didn’t bother me at all. So, again, I think the recoil is relative to one’s experience with other higher recoiling rounds. We all know that recoil is a personal experience, so my evaluation is only important to my shooting and my mindset.

In conclusion, I am extremely happy with this light weight, slim, trim, handy little 9.3x62. It weighs the same as, or is lighter than, my lightest rifles in 25-06, 280 Rem. etc. It may become my favorite 9.3x62! I could carry it all day on a tracking type hunt in Africa and never feel burdened.

One more item I can add to my original post on this thread that I started:

5) The contour of the barrel of this 9.3x62 seems to be the same as, and as light as, the 275 Rigby & 6.5x55 Africans. In addition to the trim light stock, this barrel makes the 9.3 very light weight. I can’t see Ruger going to a much bigger caliber for the African, if they stick to this contour. So again, my vision as I look into the crystal ball is:

30-06!