What caliber for a custom Dangerous Game rifle build??

[Mekaniks]

IF... you were going to build a custom DG rifle with quality wood full length mannlicher stock and a 20" barrel.... .375 and up of course and no crazy wildcats that need brass forming or custom bullets....

What caliber would it be and why??? I have several ideas but want to hear from you all....

 

[Opposite Pole]

I’d do a takedown with two or three barrels. A .30 cal of some flavour + 375H&H and 404 Jeffery or 458 Lott. That ought to cover a lot of hunting. Open sighted or small optic equipped 404 or 458 for DG (both proven performers) and scoped 375 for cats, general big game hunting or the longer shots on Buffalo should such need arise. If going custom route a switch caliber would be a worthwhile consideration.

 

[bruce moulds]

well I just watched a video of a guy with a 600 nitro converted to rimless in a bolt gun, shoot a buffalo.
expecting an instant poleaxe, I was extremely unimpressed.
almost too much penetration to do any good.
maybe a softer bullet would have done better.?
416 rem mag has bullets with weight and style choices, brass, and no wank, while delivering less recoil than some of the big whoppers.
it could not be a lot less effective than the 600.
bruce.

 

[PeteG]

For an all round/DG round, then i would be looking at the 416Rigby and up.

If it is a dedicated custom DG only rifle, my opinion would be the 450Rigby. Big enough case to load up 550gr bullets at moderate speed.

 

[Luvthunt]

Bolt action—458 Lott———-double 500 NE

 

[Bullthrower338]

The obvious answer is the 950 JDJ! But I would definitely put an Ackley 40 degree shoulder on it.

Or 416 Rigby, not much a proper application of some 416R can’t handle.

 

[johnnyblues]

416 my choice.

 

[Ridgewalker]

What DG cartridges have you fired?
What is your recoil comfort level?
What ever your max comfort level in an easy to find at home and Africa at a reasonable price would be my suggestion. If you can’t afford a lot of test ammo, it’s too expensive to learn to shoot well. JMO
Best of luck figuring out your new rifle!

 

[buckmarkhunter]

I’m following this. I’m in the same boat myself.

 

[meigsbucks]

If you want a 20” barrel, two that are proven in that barrel length: .375 and .416 Ruger. Used the .416 on the buff in my avatar.

 

[Ray B]

404 Jeffery

 

[Fastrig]

Wanting to do a custom build myself next year. Been talking with our local shop about a 404 Jeffery. They felt 404J would be a great choice, is a good all-rounder for DG, and would pair well with my 9.3x62 Mauser M12 Max. Hoping to do the custom in a similar form factor to the M12 Max, but need to think about weight as the Mauser is very light and don't know if a similar rifle in a 404J would be too light from a recoil perspective. The M12 has a 22" barrel and will probably do the 404J in the same length.

 

[CAustin]

375 H&H

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Only 404 Jeffery.

 

[8x68]

Think I would have to go with the 404 J
btw @Bullthrower338 who would be the poor schmuck that would have to carry the 950JDJ?

 

[BeeMaa]

With the exception of a full-length mannlicher stock, why not a Blaser R8?
One stock with your choice of 375H&H, 416RM, 458Lott or 500Jeff.
Not to mention you can have a 300WM barrel added to reach out and touch PG critters at 300+ yards.

 

[spike.t]

With the exception of a full-length mannlicher stock, why not a Blaser R8?
One stock with your choice of 375H&H, 416RM, 458Lott or 500Jeff.
Not to mention you can have a 300WM barrel added to reach out and touch PG critters at 300+ yards.

Not exactly the same as having a rifle built for you to your specs......and it's one of those blaser things......

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Not exactly the same as having a rifle built for you to your specs......and it's one of those blaser things......

+1

 

[BeeMaa]

Not exactly the same as having a rifle built for you to your specs......and it's one of those blaser things......

 

[BB416]

416 Rigby

I am also fond of the full length stock! The kudu in my avatar was taken with a full stock 1956 MC Mannlicher Schonauer in SA.

Last month I was in Zim and took my first buffalo with my full length stocked 416 Rigby. It has 22 inch barrels and points like a 10.5 pound dream. I love that rifle.