Recent content by Bush Buck

The Safari Express and Alaskan are quite a bit different. The Alaskan is over a pound lighter with a longer and slimmer barrel. It handles more like a 30-06. I found the 25" barrel on the Alaskan a little awkward so I had it cut to 23". It's a nice rifle but the recoil will be a bit more...

I would probably just buy a new M70 Safari Express. You'll have the factory warranty in case any functional problem occurs. You can refuse to accept the rifle from your shop if there is an obvious defect. You can go on to have it glass beaded and maybe the trigger improved if you decide you...

I could be happy with nothing but Hodgdon powders. Varget is very useful for the 4 cartridges you mentioned. It is not optimal for heavy bullets in 30-06 but it works up to about 165 grain. I prefer H4350 for 30-06 bullets 165 to 180 grain. Always check published sources to confirm the...

If John Barsness loaded that bullet to 64 grains as above then I would consider that as max and work up to it. Of course, your rifle with your components may not be safe at 64 grains. Also, case brands and case lots can vary in capacity. You might try a different case if available.

I enjoy Ruger rifles and own several. I really wanted to like the RSM but it's just too heavy in 375 for my taste. I really like the weight and looks of Kimber 375s. I love the standard magnum decelerator pads they put on these rifles. The Kimber stock design in very effective in mitigating...

I suspect you're thinking of the limited Ruger 77 Express in 30-06. It is similar to the recent Africans but also had a quarter rib - pretty rare rifle. I think the first Ruger Hawkeye African 9.3x62 was releases around 2011. These are very well made rifles with great sights and appropriate...

I was disappointed that Ruger decided to release an African in 270 before they got around to 30-06 but your success inspired me to purchase one. I mounted a Leupold fixed 6x36 and I'm very pleased with how comfortable it is to shoot. I picked up a couple of boxes of factory ammo to play with...

I like to shoot 375 H&H and I have loaded well over 1000 rounds. The closest I ever came to a case head separation was a barely visible crack about half way around the case. This occurred with Hornady brass - I do think it stretches faster than Norma. I now set my Lee full length resizing die...

I'm looking forward to a report on your rifle as well at the Alaska Arms QD Ruger rings. I like Ruger rings and they detach (and reattach) easily if you have a tool - but I would never reattach and hunt without rechecking the zero.

I like the Trijicon RMR. I would not want a dot smaller than 3 MOA for DG. The bigger the dot, the faster you pick it up. If you have good eye-sight and red dots look sharp and round then you should be able to shoot groups smaller than the dot. If your eye-sight makes the dot look more...

I'm sure you realize that the 35 Whelen African is available now - and it's a great rifle.

I would buy a Ruger African in 338-06.

Nothing wrong with getting a nice .30 caliber if you want one but you sound very comfortable with your 375 H&H and there is nothing wrong with it for plains game if you shoot it well. I loaded my 375 with 250 TTSX for my plains game hunt and it was very effective with no tracking needed. It's...

My favorite reduced load is 235 TSX over 65 grains of H4895. This is no pipsqueak load. It’s similar to 35 Whelen but feels pretty mild in the typical 375 H&H.

I resized the other 10 Federal once-fired 30-06 cases to 35 Whelen. This time I chamfered the mouthes (and de-burred) before I resized - as Hoytcanon suggested. I then resized to 338-06 which takes only a little more force than 30-06 - no splits. With no additional lube I then resized to 35...