quote:

I went with a 416 B&M

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
416 ar - 102.4gr per ammoguide
just saying

quote:

Originally posted by dewhorse:
Thank you for all the input and discussion.

Just an update, I just ordered the Guide gun from buds.

I will put the Nikon 1x4 monarch I have on it until I figure out if I want to go 2x7 or 3x9 or maybe a 1.5x6.

Anyway, as a few have said, the platform is what drove me. I wanted a shorter rifle and the cost to modify the CZ outweighed the extra 2 rounds in the magazine.

Also while some do not like muzzle brakes it will make it nicer to sight it in off the bench.

now to cabelas (10 minutes away) to see if they have any ammo in stock.

quote:

Originally posted by BenKK:
I reckon there are two (at least) main types of firearms enthusiast: The guys for whom some degree of tradition, nostalgia and what-not are really important; and the guys who pursue improvements. Both are fine, no right or wrong. I'm the type of bloke who could never buy anything other than a .375H&H or a .416 Rigby (out of those two calibre options). It's all about personal enjoyment of a great pastime, so it's all good.

quote:

Originally posted by BenKK:
I reckon there are two (at least) main types of firearms enthusiast: The guys for whom some degree of tradition, nostalgia and what-not are really important; and the guys who pursue improvements. Both are fine, no right or wrong. I'm the type of bloke who could never buy anything other than a .375H&H or a .416 Rigby (out of those two calibre options). It's all about personal enjoyment of a great pastime, so it's all good.

quote:

Originally posted by BenKK:
Phil, I live and work in wild, remote country as you do. There's so much that I learn every day about the people and wildlife here, and about hunting. I'm not sure I need to stray from a rifle (or four) that I know and love in order to learn new things (although, as pennies permit in future, I might well like to experiment with other old cartridges). That's the beauty of it. You can choose your own adventure, whatever makes you happy. There are many things that bring happiness to my life, but from a hunting point of view, for me, it includes delivering buffalo meat care-of my .375H&H to the old people in the community; feeling and controlling that fear as I face huge bulls with my Rigby .275 or longbow; and secretly hoping that a bull might have a go when I'm holding my double .500NE. A good bloke I know who lives six hours up the road from me likes to do the same kinds of things, just with the BIG wildcat rounds. It's all about what you enjoy.

quote:

Originally posted by dewhorse:
Since selling my 9.3 I have been reading all I can on both of these and for the most part I see very little difference in the calibers themselves, maybe a slight edge to the Ruger in a short barrel and the H&H has a slight advantage on ammo availability.

I have looked at many different platforms from a Tikka in 338WM (not CRF but a sweet handling rifle) to the Savage Brush Hunter (not sure how much listick that pig would take ) to building a 375Ruger on a Howa action and a CDI magazine frame......

I keep coming back to the CZ and the Ruger

That being said it really comes down to the rifles in question.

CZ550 with a factory sythetic stock and the Ruger Guide gun.

Both are CRF and from my reading the actions are both "ok" but could stand a bit of smoothing up.

Safeties are fine on both

Magazine capacity, this is one that the CZ has above the Ruger, I prefer a full 5 rounds but it is not a huge deal.

I want a short barrel max 21" so I would have to get the CZ cut, again not huge but the Ruger is good to go from this stand point.

Price, Ruger wins this one, even if I go with the CZ with the wood stock it's about $200 more and with the synthetic stock it is $600 more. But I think I would be happier with the CZ synthetic stock I think.

So I a looking to this well rounded group of adventurers for any feedback on either round or rifle that could sway me either way.

Not that it matters greatly but this will be used on mostly lower 48 game but I planning my return to the dark Continent in the next couple years either through work or a proper vacation.

I don't reload yet, waiting to move to set up the press I have sitting in the garage.

Or just say screw it and go with the CZ 458 Lott



<<<<<<<<<<<UPDATE>>>>>>>>>>>>


So I finally got the Ruger out of Bud's layaaway jail.

picked up a box of factory 300gr SP from Cabelas (the curse of living 5 min away )

Initial thoughts, solid rifle it came with the barrel counter weight to replace the muzzle brake. It's barrel heavy which I think is a good thing. Trigger was heavier than the CZ but quite crisp. I like the iron sights but will probably swap it with a NEG FO front once I figure out the 50 POI.

Mounted th Nikon African I had for the 9.3 and a Montana sling and proceeded to the range.

Accuracy results were quite good a couple nice clover leafs at 100m. Recoil was quite nice with the muzzle break much nicer than the 9.3x62, I will check it out with the barrel weight after a few more range trips. Luckily the fellow next to me at the range has a 375 as well so he was quite understanding

The irons were 8" low at 100m, I think someone here mentioned they were regulated for 50M so I need to look into that, for whatever reason I always have shot low.....my zero on an AR starts with 17 up

pic from the range


Question, has anyone chrono'ed the factory rounds out of the 20" barrel, I figured at least 2500fps so I sighted it for a hair over +2 at 100m for a 200m zero.

I will stick with the factory 300gr sp for piggy but really want to try the 270gr for deer season as the ballistics are very out to 300m, comparable to a 180gr 30.06. Adn needd to set up the reloading set I have in a box in the garage soon.

Anyway thanks for all the input on this decision!

Now to start saving for my trip back to the dark continent (trying to do it for my 45th birthday in 4 years) and a 458 Lott , last time I was invited to a couple buff hunts up near Arusha but due to work I could not make them....at least I got to spend a couple days in Selouis ....armed with only a 35mm