I have been following and thoroughly enjoying the “Big Bore” threads for some time now. When I booked a dangerous game hunt over a year ago the largest rifle I owned was a .300 Winchester Magnum. I have learned much about big bores here. Thanks to everyone.

These are pictures of the 2 rifles I recently purchased for my 21 day trip to Tanzania in the fall. You’re looking at a .375 H&H and a .416 Rigby.

There is a somewhat limited inventory of new and used big bore rifles out there for the left hand shooter. I feel fortunate to have found these two.

I was able to shoot both rifles for the first time this weekend and I believe I’m now hooked on big bores. What a blast!!

Doug

Details Man, Details!

Who made those beautiful leftys? You can't just post pictures like that and not give over the details!

Beautiful pair!

Now THAT's the way to outfit a hunt! Lovely.

(Boy am I embarrassed by the "junk" I'm taking to RSA <<<blush>>> Oh well, at least I'm going.)

What beautiful rifles, even if they are "wrong-handed". You've done yourself proud with that set.

Couldn't you find some with nice wood?

Wow! You've created a whole new meaning on "What a pair!"

Very nice! Dakota's? Good choice for a lefty - one lefty to another. I have a couple and they've been very, very good rifles.

JPK

Very pretty and well designed rifles.

They look new. Make sure you check to confirm that there is some relief behind the tangs, and take the metal out of the wood and check the bedding generally.

That is where things most often go wrong - and you do not want that beautiful walnut to splinter!

Thanks guys. Sorry I didn’t provide the details.

The .375 H&H is a Dakota that was built in 2005. The original owner bought it new and took it on one trip to Zimbabwe for Cape buffalo. It has a couple of tiny dings but basically looks brand new. It doesn’t shoot half bad either. The first 3 shots I took all overlapped each other on the paper at 50 yards with 300 grain trophy bonded bear claw.

The .416 Rigby is a little more of a mystery. I bought it from Cabela’s and have been trying to learn more about its history. What I know so far is that all the metal work was done by Pete Noreen from Montana. From what I’ve learned he built custom guns/actions from approximately 1986 to 2000. Internet research tells me he sold the action to Waffenfabrik Hein in 2002. The stock work was done by Duane Wiebe from Spanaway, WA. He was able to tell me he built it for a gentleman from PA named Carl Brown who was a lumber merchant. My gunsmith tells me that the entire rifle is top shelf work. I shot a few 400 grain Swift A Frames at 50 yards and all seems well.

My goal is to spend the next couple of months shooting different loads in each rifle.

I am very anxious to reach the Selous in September!

Doug

Congrats on a couple of very nice lefty big bores. I know how it is as I shoot left-handed too and it can be difficult to find a good lefty in a big bore.

Good luck in TZ.

DPS, I see two things wrong with those two rifles. 1. The bolt handle is on the wrong side. 2. They aren't in my safe.

No, really that's two sweet rifles and I hope you have great luck with them in Tanz. JC

Beautiful! My first two and still favorite big calibers. If I ever had a chance to go to the dark continent that is exactly how I would like too go.

Thank you for the photos.

You have got two beautiful rifles, I hope you will hunt very good tropies with them. Good lucky.

Oscar.

Lovely rifles.

Would you mind posting pictures of the other side and close up of the checkering pattern? I am sure people would love to see them.

From one lefty to another, you did real good.

Beautiful pair of Rifles you have there, good shooting & good luck on your trip.

Wow!
Makes me almost want to give up my stainlesss/syn rifles for one of those wooden masterpieces.

Very very nice

Can't go wrong with the calibers. Took a .416 (albeit Remington, not Rigby) and a .375 to the Selous last year. Never picked up the .375 after sighting in though. Mine aren't nearly as pretty. Great looking rifles.

I knew Mr Brown who passed away last summer. He was quite a man and I imagine the rifle was well used. His sons I think still operate Clear Lake Lumber in Spartansburg PA. Maybe they can help you out a little on the history.

quote:

Wow! You've created a whole new meaning on "What a pair!"

NAH Ernest, I DID jorge

Doug, what kind of medicine will you be putting out of those two great looking rifles??? Looks like a matched set...
Where are you hunting in Tanzania?

Mike

Mikelravy - I appreciate the the information on Mr. Brown. Thanks. I will look into it further.

Retreever - I'll be hunting the U1 and U2 blocks in the Selous. I just received a sample pack of ammo with several different loads from Superior Ammunition. Hopefully with some nice weather coming this weekend I'll find out which bullets shoot best.

Doug

Very , very nice .. Having just last week split a stock from it being snug at the rear tang , I,ll repeat what has been said about having a little room there.. Those stocks are too beautiful to break ....

Lovely rifles. Try and move the 1.5-5 further forward and have the ring compression behind the front glass (Gold Ring).

If you don't mind my asking.....What are the tangs and how do I make sure there is some relief there as suggested by several?



Doug

The tang is the most rear part of the top of the action. The place where some rifles have a safety located. I would guess that the rifles are properly bedded and nothing will need to be done given that the work looks very professional. Regardless it is worth taking a look. Before you get the Dremel out on those nice stocks be sure you know what you are doing. Provided the recoil lugs are properly bedded I doubt you will have any problems. In my experience on bolt rifles if the stock is properly bedded in the recoil area the tang should not be much an issue...but others may have different advice. Very nice guns BTW. My advice is to take them out and shoot them often to find any potential problems early so they can be fixed. Don't fall prey to the high cost of ammo mentality. I have a LH 450 Dakota made rifle and it has proven to be a great safari tool. The only problem I have had was when I switched to shooting some 450 grain Barnes X bullets. The sharper point dented the forward magazine box after shooting. The gun still functioned flawlessly however I noticed a slight rattle when carrying the gun. When I took it apart I noticed the slightly bent box and easily fixed the situation. Shoot off hand and on improvised rests....typical hunting positions and forget about groups. Not only will this make shooting more fun, but it will better prepare you for the hunt.

ROSCOE - Thanks for the information. I will have them checked out just to be on the cautious side. I appreciate the advice on shooting too. I plan to put many rounds through these rifles in the next 3 months.

Doug

From another lefty, good choice! I have a lefty Dakota, but not in a DG caliber. You will appreciate the smooth action the more you shoot it.

I'll be in Tanzania in late July and most of August, up north. Good hunting.

If you can , shoot more often ,and less rounds per shooting session ..... Also for your 375 get all the 270 gr Remington Express ammo you can ......It is great stuff that doesn,t cost an arm and a leg .. It has a nice normal H&H velocity and doesn,t kick the bo jangles out of you ....It is great for lots of 375 hunting but is even better for blastin .....

Two beautiful pieces of California english walnut ??

Having known the previous owner I am certain that the stock has been properly bedded. He would have not tolerated anything less.