I think you should ask yourself if you'll ever get a chance at a big African hunt.

If not: The #1 in the biggest thing you can handle should be best. I've played a little with a #1 in 458WinMag and it's a lot of fun. They can be had pretty cheap used, and even new are cheap compared to some of the fancy stuff.

If yes: A good bolt gun in the biggest thing you can handle. I'd like a 416Rem, mostly because it should be cheaper all around than the classic Rigby.

This is mostly what I've been kicking around for my own economical big bore. I've thought about a Montana Rifle Co. rifle built, and I think they also do quality barrels.

I also realize that a 458 Lott might be considered a bit big for bears

The 460 Wby, 500 Jeffery and 585 Nyati are used to shoot kangaroos in Australia.

I do think you are greatly over estimating what is required to bed the CZ. You can do it yourself.

Mike

First of all, thank you for all the information. Second I would like to answer a few questions posed here.
Yes I would like to hunt africa one day. Maybe in 3 to 4 years it would be possible. I have thought about the number 1 from ruger but I would also like to go hunt bears one day and a number 1 isn't the best idea I've been told. It's not the best for mean angry Buffalos either. I have also thought about the 375 HH and since I live in Canada I most certainly could use it on moose and even elk but I have a 338 RUM that I bought specificaly for those 2 critters. I don't really have the need for a 375 HH and would like to skip it an go straight to 458 bore. I also realize that a 458 Lott might be considered a bit big for bears and that the 338 RUM would be the more sensible choice but for some reason I would use the 458 Lott if I had both at the time. Not sure it makes sence but that just how I feel. Finding used rifles up here is much more difficult then it is south of the border. Importing them from the US is also a nightmare so I'm afraid I'm going to have to be content with the factory offered rifles up here. If the CZ didn't require all that fiddeling around with the stock I would buy one in a heart beat. Finding a gunsmith around here that even does the most basic gunsmith tasks isn't exactly easy. I'm not sure how difficult it would be, to have someone in the US do the job (just send the stock and do the work if that's possible) but the way things are right now it doesn't look like that is an option either. I could simply put a mcmillan stock on the rifle but that just looks "wrong" on a safari rifle IMHO. Plus by adding the stock I'm almost at the ruger price tag anyways. Just out of curiosity has anyone ever timed themself on how long it would take to shoot a number 1 ruger and chamber a new cartridge? Compared to a bolt action rifle same scenario.

Happy New Year everyone!

BBshooter, don't worry about the second shot from a Ruger No1, with a little practice, you can reload pritty fast. Top this off with the fact that a big grizz hit hard with a 458, or 458 LOTT is not going to be much of a threat, while you reload your rifle. I have shot Cape Buffalo with Ruger No1s and I found no handicap at all. I will say, though, I have been shooting, and collecting Ruger No1s ever since they came out with the first one back in the 1966! You can buy a No1 chambered for 458 LOTT, in the stainless steel laminated stock, which would be perfect for Canada's weather. Another way to go would be a No1 H in 458 Win Mag, that would let you ease into big bore shooting, then have it re-chambered to 458 LOTT. The 458 Win Mag brass isn't wasted because you can fire 458 Win Mag ammo in the LOTT chamber. The one modification you will need is a proper recoil pad on any of the 458s in a No1. The 458 Win Mag will get your attention if you are not used to shooting big bores, and the LOTT may put you to sleep, without a good recoil pad. The Pachmayer decellerator pad now comes in red, so it looks like the factory pad, only thicker. With The No1, your looking at around $800 USD new+ another $100 for a decent pad job.



I have a 458 Win Mag Ruger No1H that is unfired, and is destined to become a 458 LOTT, or a 450#2 NE, I haven't made up my mind yet. The LOTT would be easier, and cheaper to do, and load for, butTTTTTTTTTTTTttttttttttttttt!