My Next Rifle

F

Flatbush Harry

New member
I'm well equipped for the lower 48 (.223, .25-06, 6.5x55, .308 Win, .30-06 SPRG) and have developed loads suitable to everything I might hunt or practice on. I have, for some years, pondered an Alaska/Africa rifle, even though I never expect to go to Africa to hunt. I have fished several times in Alaska and met a nice-sized Brownie who fished about 100 yards from me in Talkeetna (he knew a lot better than me how to catch King Salmon...took him about 15 seconds to have a 3-1/2 foot salmon flapping in his mouth while two hours later I admitted to the wrong fly, the wrong cast, the wrong drift...indeed, the wrong day). Fortunately, he preferred salmon sushi to bearded guys from the lower 48.

I'm retired now and will be trying fishing and, maybe some hunting in Alaska next year and the following. Accordingly, I told my wife that, when she recovers from some back surgery this spring/summer, I'll be treating myself to a caretaker's gift of an appropriate rifle for my fantasies and/or practical use. She asked what...I suggested that it looked like:

. a Rem 700 100-yr anniversary commemorative of a .375 H&H Mag (I love my R700s)
. a Win M70 Alaska in .375 H&H Mag (I love my M70 EW in .30-06)
. a Ruger 77 Hawkeye in .375 Ruger or M77 Hawkeye African in 9.3x62(I love my M77 RSI in .308, thanks to Lipseys)
. a Sako in 9.3x62 or .375 H&H Mag (I love Sakos of all types...the Finns know how to do it)

I'm planning a shooting school for Safari hunting, just for the heck of it. Both Gunsite and SAAM in Tejas offer such...even big kids need toys and dreams. Right now I'm about to sit down with the latest Sports Afield and contemplate...

Jus' sayin'

FH
 
Well for a true Safari Rifle you need a controlled feed with a minimum chambering of 375 H H. Unless you prefer a double rifle. Winchester model 70 would be a good choice. Ruger would too if it werent for their oddball cartridge.
 
The CRF is why I've been leaning toward the Win in .375 H&H. I had originally thought the Safari Express but I like their new Alaskan in SS with the laminated stock for Alaskan weather. I've also been very pleased with my Ruger 77 RSI in .308 Win and the 9.3x62 is a credible Alaskan round in their African model though it's wood and blued. I'm somewhat less enthusiastic about the .375 Ruger vs. the .375 H&H, particularly in the Alaskan SS model with the 20" barrel. Having had the snot knocked out of me a few years ago by a .416 Rigby, I'll duck on the .416 Ruger. I do like the Sako Classic DeLuxe in 9.3x62 and the Sako Kodiak in .375 H&H though they're not CRF. Not sure if I regard that as a showstopper. They are magnificent rifles.

I'd love a nice double rifle in .375 H&H, but the ones I've seen are a bit pricey for me...plus, they're not really Alaskan-type rifles.

It's fun having alternatives with different features and a warm fireplace to contemplate next to on a cold winter day.

Cheers,

FH
 
If I were in your situation, Think I'd get a new Win model 70 supergrade in say 30-06 and have it rebarreled to 9,3x62 Mauser. :D
 
Ray,

I was just looking at the new Supergrade the other day...and it is beautifully finished with great wood. If it shoots as well as my Extreme Weather in .30-06 it would be a beaut. My first European caliber was the 6.5x55 SE in a Ruger No. 1A, strongly reminiscent of the Farquaharson. Wonderful combination of caliber and rifle.

The Win, being a (gasp) FNH-USA product, is really a European Mauser (gasp) (gasp)...so a rebarrel to 9.3x62 is not a sin, but, rather, a shame to get rid of a brand new FNH barrel. Good thought.

FH
 
Wasn't Bert's elephant gun actually a shotgun of some sort? i seem to recall that being discussed here before...

Have you looked at the CZ rifles? They make some of the best out of the box safari type guns I've handled outside of custom shop stuff. They have a nice single set trigger and multi leaf express sights as standard features. They're available in both .375 and 9.3 in standard or Mannlicher type stocks. Last time I looked they were still quite affordable too. I'd give them a look before you decide.
 
Biggfatts,

I actually have looked at the CZs...I was impressed by their 550FS in 9.3x62 and the one in 6.5x55. I haven't found them as well finished as Winchester, Sako or Ruger, but nice rifles just the same. I was ready to pop for a 550FS when I stumbled across a Lipsey's special (1 of 250 in their annual run) of a SS Ruger 77 RSI (International stock) in .308...NIB. (Can't wait to see what Lipsey's will do next year although there's a high polished blue 9.3x62 Ruger African this year as well). There was a little voice calling to me that said, "I'll come home with you and love you longtime for $749." BTW, I mounted a sweet 2.5-8x36 Leupy scope on it...great little stalking rifle.

I haven't ruled out the CZ but, right now, it's not really front of mind.

Cheers,

FH
 
I don't know... the CZ 550s are a nice rifle. My full stock 550 in .308 is a beauty and shoots really well. Have you handled their safari 550?
 
I know you were only saying one rifle but I'd pick up a matched pair of Ruger rifles. I'd get the African in .223 and either 9.3x62 or .375 Ruger. A few guys over on AR are using the .223 as African practice rifles, and if you are going to take a school it will be cheaper to shoot and will not beat you up as bad as the other two.

Here is a comment from one of the guys on AR:

I purchased one a year ago for my daughter to shoot as a "work up" rifle instead of shooting her .375 during practice sessions on shooting sticks, etc.

I was introduced to the rifle by Tim Fallon at the SAAM shooting school. They use this same rifle during their dangerous game course to teach technique and rifle handling during various drills. Once you have mastered with the .223 they move you onto your DG weapon. Saves the shoulder and the pocket book.
Click to expand...
 
I could see a "practice" rifle in a low-recoil caliber for a new, or inexperienced, shooter...

But where is the advantage of a duplicate rifle in a low-recoil caliber for someone with the OP's experience (that includes the 30.06) ?
 
I could see a "practice" rifle in a low-recoil caliber for a new, or inexperienced, shooter...

But where is the advantage of a duplicate rifle in a low-recoil caliber for someone with the OP's experience (that includes the 30.06) ?
Click to expand...

The OP stated:

I'm planning a shooting school for Safari hunting, just for the heck of it. Both Gunsite and SAAM in Tejas offer such...even big kids need toys and dreams. Right now I'm about to sit down with the latest Sports Afield and contemplate...
Click to expand...

Since the OP mentioned SAAM as a possible training site, here is what I found from a guy on AR who went and took the SAAM training.


I was introduced to the rifle by Tim Fallon at the SAAM shooting school. They use this same rifle during their dangerous game course to teach technique and rifle handling during various drills. Once you have mastered with the .223 they move you onto your DG weapon. Saves the shoulder and the pocket book.
Click to expand...

The little .223 African lets you keep practiced up on the DG drills you will learn at a school like this one, as it was a suggestion and the OP doesn't have to take it. I like the idea because the .223 African is built to the same size and weight as the other Ruger African models so it is a good training rifle to keep you African hunting skills honed in case the OP ever does decide to put his skills to the test.
 
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I would recommend CZ 550 line.

Here are some of them, CZ 550 FS .308 and CZ 550 American .243

6877786865_57b1a289fc_b.jpg


and just put my name on this one.

6878705469_82407f2d86_z.jpg
 
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