Now that I've got my "dream rifle" (404 Rimless Nitro Express), I have to decide on what to pursue next. Do I want to go super big -- .505 Gibbs, .500 Jeffery, .460 Weatherby, or even a real thumper like the 45/70 or .405 Win.? Or do I want to downsize to a more practical .375 -- either H&H or Ultra Mag.

I'm leaning toward the .375 because I don't have one and the 404/375 combo would make a nice duo for a DG/plains game hunt, with either being a back-up for the other on either side in case of a malfunction (something you can't say about the really big bores).

I think that the over .50 big bores are for guys who already have all the practical stuff. It sounds like your arsenal has a gap at the .375 level.

I'm still awaiting my Ruger #1 458Lott. Just bought two CZ550 416Rigbys at a pawn shop, plan to customize one. Have an old Brevex 510 Wells that I have been considering updating for a long time but I'm not sure if I'm gonna finish the project. More power and weight than I need or want, but I may go ahead just for the hell of it and download it. Needs a new stock done English style, express sights, rust blue finish. I'm getting intrigued with the idea of a 404, not sure whether Dakota or Jeff. Decisions.

GAHunter,

I would suggest a .375 of some sort. John Gannaway says "The .375 H&H is like a pair of black shoes, everybody needs one".

I also shoot a .376 Steyr which is a good .375 Short if you will. If not a Steyr (which is based on the 9.3X64 case) I would use either the .375 headsize or the .404 headsize as the base cartridge, and leave the Rigby/Weatherby case size for the rifles that need to be that big. There are several good choices in the H&H/.404 based category.

jim dodd

GAHUNTER
I think a 9.3x62 made up just like your 404, but a little lighter of course. Same iron sights, with a scope in QD mounts. This would be a lighter handier rifle than a 375, more suitable on the game you will be using it on, yet with solids it can back up your 404 if it gets hit by lightening.

Of course a double in 470 or 500 Nitro would be nice too.

I've always felt that a classic battery would be the 7x64, a 9.3x62 (or 64), and a .404 Jeffery.

fla3006

what the hell type of pawnshops do you have there that you can find two rigby's at once time in? Never such a thing in my area. Maybe I should consider a move. :-)

Red

Dago- This particular pawnshop sells a lot of new guns, special orders them for customers. The CZ's were originally ordered by a good customer of the pawnshop not long ago, he shot them at the range, then decided to trade them for a high-grade shotgun at the same pawnshop. Not sure why he bought two or why he didn't keep them for very long; supposedly they shoot under an inch.

As far as I'm concerned, EVERYONE needs a .375 H&H. What the .30-06 is to N. American, the .375 H&H is to Africa, and it'll do all that the .30-06 will do on any continent, plus a whole lot more. It's the sort of cartridge that is never a mistake when you aren't quite sure what to take, or else you want to keep things simple and take just one rifle for everything.

If you don't want a .375, go with a .416 Remington.......

AD

I would also vote for either a .375 H&H or a 9.3x62. Or if you want something a little odd a turn a 9.3x62 into a 9.3x64 brenneke.

But as someone above said a 9.3x62 and a .404 would make a nice pair.

I don't remember ever being without at least one 375 H&H rifle in my vault, since my first one bought in 1954. I have three right now, an FN mauser, and two Whitworth African express'. The FN and one Whitworth in wood, and one Whitworth in synthetic!

Ya'll just ain't got no guns till ya'll got one of them old 3, six bits!

375 H&H is the worlds best all around rifle.Mine goes everywhere with me.I have the some big thumpers 416 rem , 460 weatherby, 510 wells
but the 375 gets used the most

OK, .375 it is. Now, which one? Remember, this is a back-up to the 404, so expensive it likely will not be.

Like I said in the other post, the new Charles Daly looks mighty nice -- just add express sights and mbogo and you're ready to go.

.376 Steyr Pro Hunter gets my vote.

GAHUNTER:
Just wait until you pick up my .375 before you make up your mind about anything. (Folks... Leon is actually just a glorified delivery boy.) I think you'll have an idea of what you need to do, and for not much money. Looking forward to Wednesday afternoon at the range and a single malt that evening!