Good Morning all,

I’m looking at purchasing my first larger bore rifle something with a moderate price off the shelf in either 375 or 416.
What would you recommend

CZ
Kimber
Winchester


Thanks

CZ 375 for the most moderate gun and ammo. Win M70 416 for more horsepower particularly if you roll your own. I would go for the 416 M70. As cool as it is, 375 is not really a "big bore" (our friend Bitterroot claims big bores start above 45). The 416 Rem can generate lots of umph on both ends and will get you into the game. CZ Rigby is very cool but gun, brass and dies will cost you more.

CZ550, Winchester M70, Whitworth, Interarms Mark X.

.375 or .458

Relatively affordable plinking ammo available off the shelf in both calibers from Wisconsin Cartridge Company and Hunting Shack Munitions.

For a 375 I'd say a Whitworth as the M70 and CZ are pretty darn heavy. You don't want to carry a heavy 375 around.

If you see yourself shooting lots of DG, then I'd say jump right to the 416. In factory offerings, I'd say grab a M70 because you can get the 416 Rem caliber which is slightly cheaper to feed. A used semi-custom is another option as well.

Well, since it's big bore, and off the shelf for a good price, I would recommend the 416Ruger in the Ruger African model.

For fast loads you can use the 225 grain talon tipped CEB. For a heavier, higher BC bullet you can use the Barnes 350 gr TTSX at approximately 2650 fps. That load will take anything on the planet, (though a solid should be used for elephant and hippo).

While the 375Ruger would be a great gun for North America, it is only a minor step above the 338 WinMag. The 416Ruger gives you portability, reasonably light recoil, more diameter, and range for anything in Africa and the far North.

I think you need to know some things about yourself.
- What's the largest caliber you've shot well?
- Do you plan to handload for your first big bore?
- Do you want to use this purchase as a foundation
to build a bigger caliber rifle after a while?
- Are you taking it out of the USA at some point?

The CZ is a very ruggedly built rifle. If you are not used to shooting large caliber rifles, I would start with a CZ in .375 H&H. The recoil is mild compared to some lighter rifles, and it is very affordable. Once you get used to shooting it, you may opt for something a bit bigger, but rest assured, a 375 H&H will suite your needs for just about everything you hunt in Africa.

D R Hunter Answers to your questions


What's the largest caliber you've shot well? 338 win mag

- Do you plan to handload for your first big bore? Yes

- Do you want to use this purchase as a foundation NO
to build a bigger caliber rifle after a while?

- Are you taking it out of the USA at some point? Yes

Thank you

I got myself a CZ 550 in 416 Rigby & I just love it. You can see my post here. I already have a 9.3X62 Mauser & the 375 H&H was too close to it.

Good luck with your project.

quote:

Originally posted by ok hunter:
D R Hunter Answers to your questions


What's the largest caliber you've shot well? 338 win mag

- Do you plan to handload for your first big bore? Yes

- Do you want to use this purchase as a foundation NO
to build a bigger caliber rifle after a while?

- Are you taking it out of the USA at some point? Yes

Thank you

If elephant, hippo and or rhino is on your hunting list I
vote for .416 cal or preferably larger. Otherwise .375 in
the controlled feed Winchester.

CZ550 is good bang for the buck.

The 375 is the choice if you want entry level, something a bit easier to shoot, and maybe also have experience with large medium 338's etc and then could also use the 375 for the same game. In this regard the 375 is more like a 'normal' albeit larger rifle, and if you intend to use it a great deal its a better choice than anything larger.

The 416 is if you want a 'true bigbore'. A bit more more prestigious to own, more wow factor when you pull it out at the range, and of course its a bit of a step up in ammo cost and recoil being the price you pay.


Of ourse either will kill any game you want to shoot stone dead.

The 416 ( Remington , Rigby or Weatherby ) is imho a good choice.

The 375 is a medium caliber , marginal for big game , and not a big bore .

The recoil is to manage with training . I used many years a 9,3 x 64 and without experience of big bores i bought a 460WM . 200 cartridges in 3 months (and a new stock !) and the training was complete . I use this rifle since 19 years by Africa hunting .

Why not bigger ?

416 Ruger in one of their models hard to beat them for a first big bore working gun.

My preference would be the new Ruger "African model" in 375 or 416 Ruger, or even the 9.3x62 if you can find one..It's the nicest factory rifle I have seen since the pre 64 Win. and rates right up there with the pre 64. I had one in 9.3x62 and another in .338 Win..both were amazining for factory rifles. They were lean and mean with no bulk like most of todays stuff, the mod. 70 type safety, rings and iron sight included and they point beautifully..They are truly an "AFRICAN RIFLE"

I am not crazy about the other misfit models that Ruger has come out with..

As much as I hate to say it, I really like my Kimber Caprivi in .458 Lott (they make one in .375). It's really a nicely built rifle, properly bedded, etc. That said, plan on dealing with any issues you might have on your own, because the company has the WORST customer service I've ever experienced.

In my case, the hood on the front sight FELL off on the third shot. It was just as well because the rifle wasn't on paper and needed a different height front sight. So I sent it back to the factory, asked them to fix the hood AND while they were at it, put a front sight on the rifle that would at least get it on paper at 25 yards.

They did. And CHARGED me for the shipping.

It's up and running now and is a great rifle, but Kimber's policies, ... well, you draw your own conclusions.

quote:

Originally posted by grandveneur:
The 416 ( Remington , Rigby or Weatherby ) is imho a good choice.

The 375 is a medium caliber , marginal for big game , and not a big bore .

The recoil is to manage with training . I used many years a 9,3 x 64 and without experience of big bores i bought a 460WM . 200 cartridges in 3 months (and a new stock !) and the training was complete . I use this rifle since 19 years by Africa hunting .

Why not bigger ?

375 marginal for big game , and not a big bore .
....hummm I have seen a few buffalo smacked with a 375 and most went 25 yards and started the death bellow! Lite for big game??? Maybe elephant--is all! I will agree not a big bore--but it is an excellent transition bore. I have shot a lot of calibers up to a 577 nitro and I find the 375 (H&H, ultra,Ruger...ect) still my fav bore to shoot. If you want to step up from a 375 might as well go a 45 caliber!

Ed

-Lavaca-

Hoods fly off of front sights on big bores. I've had to pick mine up off of a 416 Rigby a couple of times. sort of like picking up a golf tee. Just squeeze it now and then to keep it tight.

While on the 416's, the Rigby loaded hot to its capacity is a pretty good compromise for long range eland to Tommy, and buffalo, too (with a medium to light monolithic bullet). I've not had a 450 Rigby//460 Weatherby, but I suppose that they would work all-around, too.

It wasn't the hood falling off -- It was their attitude. To ship out a rifle that wasn't on paper at 25 yards with irons, and then charge me to replace the sight to get it on paper? Sorry, I was less than pleased. Like the rifle though.

I agree that a .416 is a great step up from a .375 without a lot of increased recoil. My .416 is my go-to, do-it-all rifle.