I just returned from the local gun store whose prices are usually very good. He sells the Hawkeye African for $799 and I would like to get one. From reading this forum for a DG rifle I'm assuming they're basically entry level on quality. Are they worth the money or would I be better off leaving them alone. Budget restrictions keep me from spending much or any more. I'm hoping someday to use it for buffalo or a plains game hunt for starters. Thanks for the replies.PaLuke

That's a good price on that rifle. If you want to talk value of relatively big thumpers, then..... you can't do any better than the 375 Ruger African in my opinion. Buy it and shoot the hell out of it. Be prepared to take some scheit from the old guard clinging to their 375H&H that cost more and delivers less.

Well i am definitely not the old guard. I own both calibers and if you had to have a good rifle/caliber combo then save a little more and get a CZ for $1300, it is MUCH better put together than Ruger's offering and it actually does behave like a Big-Game rifle instead of a gimmick, try shooting a 300 or 350 gr load and you'll see a big difference. The CZ already comes bedded and with 2 crossbolts (none for the Ruger). I have harvested animals with both calibers using 4 rifles and there is no advantage provided by the Ruger.

Thanks for the reply. I think I'll take your advice and pick it up tomorrow. I have a Leupold 1X4 VXII to put on it. Do you recommend having it glass bedded. The one I looked at has a cross bolt. Thanks again for the reply...PaLuke

had the opportunity to see a synthetic-stocked hawkeye in .375 ruger today... the fit and feel for the $$$$ was impressive for a rifle under $1k...in my opinion, the lever for the 3 position safety could be a little bigger, like for gloved hands...

I was writng a reply when your post was coming up. I have the new CZ catalog and was wondering which one you mean. Thanks for the reply.

quote:

Originally posted by eurocentric:
Well i am definitely not the old guard. I own both calibers and if you had to have a good rifle/caliber combo then save a little more and get a CZ for $1300, it is MUCH better put together than Ruger's offering and it actually does behave like a Big-Game rifle instead of a gimmick, try shooting a 300 or 350 gr load and you'll see a big difference. The CZ already comes bedded and with 2 crossbolts (none for the Ruger). I have harvested animals with both calibers using 4 rifles and there is no advantage provided by the Ruger.

Blah, blah, CZ this, blah, blah, CZ that. They both work well and are put together well. They'll both do the job. I love my Ruger Alaskan and I think that some people are jealous that my gun gets the performance it does for so little money.

The CZ is the modern day chubby rifle.

"Chubby but cute" lol

Chuck

I had the chance to shoot a Hawkeye Alaskan at a recent Gun Show. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it to be quick handling and pretty easy on the shoulder. I liked the sights for fast aquisition and ease of use.

I've never shot a long action rifle so I can only say take this for what it's worth. I really liked the shorter action for a quick reload.

All in all, good stuff!

(If/When Ruger makes it in a .416 I'd buy it.)

In Zimbabwe last year I used a $600.00 Remington .375H&H on eleven head and it seemed to take game just as well as (I imagine,) the expensive rifles would.

I bought the Ruger African a couple of months ago and rather like the fit and finish. It's certainly not as classy as a Weatherby but I'd think it would be just as effective on African game.

http://hendershots.net/gunRoomDetail.aspx?id=1587 , you can have any CZ dealer or sttore order one.

quote:

Originally posted by PaLuke:
I was writng a reply when your post was coming up. I have the new CZ catalog and was wondering which one you mean. Thanks for the reply.

quote:

Originally posted by eurocentric:
Well i am definitely not the old guard. I own both calibers and if you had to have a good rifle/caliber combo then save a little more and get a CZ for $1300, it is MUCH better put together than Ruger's offering and it actually does behave like a Big-Game rifle instead of a gimmick, try shooting a 300 or 350 gr load and you'll see a big difference. The CZ already comes bedded and with 2 crossbolts (none for the Ruger). I have harvested animals with both calibers using 4 rifles and there is no advantage provided by the Ruger.

I refer to a Weatherby as "classy," and there are zero responses!

What is it that Shootaway has that I don't?

quote:

Originally posted by PaLuke:
I just returned from the local gun store whose prices are usually very good. He sells the Hawkeye African for $799 and I would like to get one. From reading this forum for a DG rifle I'm assuming they're basically entry level on quality. Are they worth the money or would I be better off leaving them alone. Budget restrictions keep me from spending much or any more. I'm hoping someday to use it for buffalo or a plains game hunt for starters. Thanks for the replies.PaLuke

Are you sure you want .375Mag rifle with 1/4" pad that is in .30-06 weight category?
One rifle that seems about right is Kimber .375. Too bad it does not go for $1800 to $2000. Lets face it std. sporter in medium caliber category and nice wood goes for about $1200 then the 'Caprivi' isn't worth 3k.

Thanks for the replies. You asked if I want a 375 with a 1/4" pad in sporting rifle weight. Honestly, I don't know enough about the big bores to decide. I have a .338 win mag and that I shoot quite often with 225 gr. Interbonds. I know I hate shooting my sons Remington turkey gun in 3 1/2" 12 guage. That thing is brutal. I guess I could put a Sims pad on the Hawkeye and go from there. What do you think about the rifle in general? Thanks for the replies.PaLuke

I've heard on several forums that the Kimber 375s had feeding/extraction problems at first. Have those issues been resolved?

Chuck

Ruger catalog says African model has a crossbolt behind recoil lug. Is this new?

I hope I can answer this one. Apparently the first run Africans had trouble with the stocks splitting and Ruger fixed this by adding a crossbolt. I don't know if this resolved the problem but I did't read of any stock failures with the ones with the crossbolt.Besides that they look pretty neat with the bolt..PaLuke

quote:

Originally posted by PaLuke:
Thanks for the replies. You asked if I want a 375 with a 1/4" pad in sporting rifle weight. Honestly, I don't know enough about the big bores to decide. I have a .338 win mag and that I shoot quite often with 225 gr. Interbonds. I know I hate shooting my sons Remington turkey gun in 3 1/2" 12 guage. That thing is brutal. I guess I could put a Sims pad on the Hawkeye and go from there. What do you think about the rifle in general? Thanks for the replies.PaLuke

This 'African' rifle has delightful handling qualities. It can be brought to shoulder almost effortlessly. Thank God for Limbsaver and Kickeeze pads.

I actually own one of these and mine doesnt feed a new round as quickly as the CZ rifle does. also extracting 350 gr rounds was a little rough, a beautiful rifle and well-balanced (according to my experience anyways) but not worth $3k

quote:

Originally posted by chuck375:
I've heard on several forums that the Kimber 375s had feeding/extraction problems at first. Have those issues been resolved?

Chuck

You might check Gander mountain as weell, the one in NY was selling rifles with standard wood and dual crossbolts on them for $899-$999.

I have the new CZ catalog and for their CZ 550 American Safari Magnum the picture shows 2 cross bolts but on their website the same rifle has none. The rifle is spread over pages 24-25 in their catalog. Is the website picture old or is the one in the catalog the wrong picture.Does anyone know if they have 2 crossbolts?Thanks for the replies....PaLuke

the bolts are a custom option, it depends on the store making the order. they are only standard on the safari classics.

quote:

Originally posted by PaLuke:
I have the new CZ catalog and for their CZ 550 American Safari Magnum the picture shows 2 cross bolts but on their website the same rifle has none. The rifle is spread over pages 24-25 in their catalog. Is the website picture old or is the one in the catalog the wrong picture.Does anyone know if they have 2 crossbolts?Thanks for the replies....PaLuke

I bought a new CZ550 in .416 Rigby back in March. It came with two crossbolts. It appears to be a very well made firearm.

The sad thing is, I haven't even shot it yet! Please forgive me...I know that's wrong

Bull1

I think the Ruger is an excellent option and a great buy for the money..The .375 Ruger cartridge is pretty outstanding once you put it on the chronograph..Glass bed it, put a nice recoil pad on it if you must and your good to go, and that extra applies to any factory rifle, they all need a bit of tweeking, to not do so is a receipt for failure.

Thanks for the replies. I see that just about everyone recommends glass bedding with the CZ or the Ruger. I've never attempted this. Is it a gunsmiths tasks or could it be done at home? Thanks for the replies..Paluke

I looked at all the 375's in 2004 when I bought my Ruger Magnum. This is their big deluxe rifle that they also offer in 416 Rigby and 458 Lott. It was heavier and beefier than the Winchester and a lot better quality that the CZ from a fit and finish perspective.

Not sure how much there are today, I think I paid around $1350 for mine.

Taken everything from small wild hogs (260 grain headshots do wonders) to Cape Buffalo.

I did replace the recoil pad with a real one, had it steel bedded and a trigger job done. Don't know if you really need the steel bedding, but definitely the recoil pad and trigger job. 260 grain accubonds, 300 gr a-frames, and 300 grain barnes solids.