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I was looking for a nice Kimber Classic Select in 7mm-08. They had a Classic Select for sale but listed as a Super America - which is a much more expensive model. The price reflected Super America (which it was not). I emailed them twice about this but only got automated responses on how to...

I think No. 1s are great looking rifles - an awful lot of style and quality for the price - especially with iron sight and the Alexander Henry forend. I read a while back that it is possible to create a take-down No. 1 by using a screw driver to remove the recoil pad and an extension socket to...

If what you want is a good value on a currently available "classic" rifle then the Winchester 70 and Ruger M77 Hawkeye are the way to go. They are both available in blue steel and walnut but these days you will probably have shop online or work with a good gun shop to find one. I certainly...

I bought a Ruger 77/22 LR when they first came out and have enjoyed it hunting and shooting for many years. It's been a trouble free rifle and is still in the family. I also have one in 22 magnum. You are correct that these are great companions to the Ruger Hawkeye. The safety function is...

For multiple-lifetime quality at a reasonable price I would look for a Winchester 70 Featherweight or a Ruger M77. The current version of the Ruger M77 is the Hawkeye. It is controlled round feed like most of the Win 70s if that matters to you. Both can be found in satin blue steel and walnut...

I've had good luck with Kimber 84M - especially in 308. These are the rifles with the floor plate - not the recent stainless version with a drop mag. The wood stock rifle will need to be sourced used. The "disadvantage" is the very light rifle with its lightweight barrel. I have to hold the...

I agree with Toby. I'd seat it to get the best crimp in the grove and find the load that gives me accuracy there. I want durable 375 H&H ammo that will work in all conditions.

The best hunting experience for Nilgai will be found on large ranches south of Kingsville. A good spot and stalk hunt down there is very similar to hunting southern Africa. The bulls are large and tough and your heavy plains game cartridge is just right. I do these hunts and enjoy them but...

I have handled both rifles and fired an Alaskan several times. One big difference in these rifles is the weight. The Alaskan is at least a pound lighter (regardless of the Winchester website info). Mine was about 7.8 pounds as compared to 9 pounds for the Safari Express. That's a big...

Call JES rebore and leave a message. He'll call you and discuss your options. This is a great option if you have a 270 you don't use and want to experience 9.3x62. It only takes a few hundred dollars and a few weeks. But if you want a nice 9.3x62 to take to Africa you might be happier investing...

I agree. The shoulder on your new PPU brass may be pushed back too far. Years ago I bought a box of 9.3x62 factory ammo with this problem and had several misfires.

Okay. Thanks. I'm still interested if the sale doesn't work out.

I'll take it

You may already know this but it's important to be aware that Kimber of Oregon and Kimber of America are two different companies with different rifle models made in different factories. They are both called "Kimber" on the used market. I have read (no first hand experience) that some Oregon...

I still think there's room in the all purpose African game cartridge. The 375 H&H reigns supreme but tends to come up a little short (long?) in the handiness department. The 9.3x62 is a great but cannot legally be used in some countries for buffalo, etc. I would like a .375 based on an...

Dry firing, follow through and calling the shot are super valuable techniques. This starts with dry firing. Until you can follow through and hold a perfect sight picture while dry firing there is really no need for live ammo. Once you start shooting you need to "call the shot" before you look...

I'd shoot that load again to confirm it because you can hunt that load for sure. Then I'd try .5 grains above and below to see if it's better or worse - but only because I like to - not because you need to.

I'm not expert on this issue but this is what I'd do if it happened to me. You may have a touch more head space than you need - shouldn't be an issue if you're not getting misfires - and factory ammo works well. You might try backing out your full length resizing die a bit (maybe the thickness...

I agree with dchum. I've hunted and eaten both. They are both good eating if shot well and properly cared for - and bulls have much bigger back straps! The reason to hunt the cow is to keep hunting with a lower trophy fee.

As Ray has mentioned both rifles are CRF. Both show up new and used if you are patient. I suspect that a first time 375 H&H shooter moving up from his deer rifle might prefer the extra weight of the Safari Express - especially if confined to full power factory ammo. Having said that, after...

I enjoy southeast Texas nilgai hunting. Quite similar to hunting in southern Africa if you spot and stalk or hunt on foot. The venison is almost like lean beef - very pleasant to eat. Poor blood trails are the norm because of the very thick elastic hide and the sandy soil quickly hides small...

If by controlled round feed (CRF) you mean a Mauser type action then a Sako 85 is not CRF. However, from a field use perspective the 85 offers some of the CRF benefits. The 85 bolt does capture the case rim before the bolt is all the way forward and before it is fully closed. If you push...

The current version of the RCBS scale that I use is the RangeMaster 2000. Mine is the RangeMaster 750 which is no longer made. I have loaded thousands of rounds without complaint. It updates quickly making it easy to trickle charges and the scale is nicely stable.

In 375 H&H you can load a Barnes 250 TTSX to 2600 using Varget (I prefer H4895 with a Federal magnum primer) and get performance equivalent to a modern 9.3x62 load. I have used this load to hunt big game many times and there is no need to work up to a heavier load unless hunting Buffalo - maybe...

Thank you for the extra information. It sounds like you shot 3 or 4 different 9.3 bullets at Buffalo. Did you see any significant differences? I think the standard twist on 9.3x62 is 14. I'm surprised you saw stability issues with the 210. Did you think the 200 FB was an improvement on...

Hi michael458, I appreciate your write-up on 9.3 bullet performance. You mentioned that the buffalo you shot did not react as they do to a large bore. However, 8-10 buffalo is more than a lifetime of experience for most of us and I would love to hear the actual details regarding the bullets...

Hi One Day, It had not occurred to me that a change in foot position would help with the quad sticks. I have since practiced your technique and my quad stick shooting has definitely improved. Thanks for the tip!

Thanks for the great information!

I don't currently shoot a 6.5 CM but I did find it fun to load and shoot when I owned one. I prefer my 308 for the ranges I hunt deer. However, to call it un-American is unfair. It is a true American success story. It was designed by Hornady with the help of Creedmoor Sports and high level...

I agree that practicing from sticks is important. I also suggest that you consider both tripod and quad sticks for practice because PHs change their sticks all the time (due to breakage, change of heart or someone giving them a new set). Bench accuracy of a rifle builds confidence but I have...

I see that Raven Rocks is offering new 375 brass with Barnes head stamp and RWS primers. Has anyone tried this brass? Is it ready to reload or does it require prep? How do you prep brass that is already primed? Has anyone been able to tell the difference between this primer and the ones they...

I have seen a dramatic change in accuracy when changing from one bullet weight to another. The 165 TTSX ammo is available from Barnes now. But first you might consider cleaning all of the prior metal fouling out of your rifle with a copper solvent. Then shoot a fouling shot with a Barnes...

The only way I would consider going straight to a 375 H&H as your first bolt action is if you are a reloader and willing to start with reduced loads and work up to full power as you gain confidence and comfort behind the rifle. You can load 235 gr soft points to 2600 fps and use it for practice...

I recommend a Winchester Model 70 or a Ruger Hawkeye in 30-06 (or 308 if you prefer). Start using this as your deer rifle and shooting it at the range from various shooting positions including sticks. Learn to run your bolt fully - hitting the backstop firmly when you eject. If you routinely...

If you prefer the heavier rifle then you should go with the Safari Express version. I see no disadvantage with this model other than the heavier weight. The Alaskan model is actually lighter than Winchester states. It's at least a pound lighter than the 8.8 listed. I actually like this...

The barrel is significantly heavier on the 35 Whelen when compared to the recent 9.3x62 (ebony tip). The first Ruger release of 9.3x62 African (no ebony tip) has a barrel similar to the Whelen. The light barreled 9.3x62 I had copper fouled like crazy and accuracy was harder to achieve.

Hi Kenn, When I first bought a 375 I did a lot of shooting with reduced loads and I think it really paid off in terms of becoming very familiar with the rifle. I shot hundreds of these loads from a variety of field positions including sticks. I practiced with heavier loads before my plains...

Hi Wyatt I think you'll enjoy the 41 mag! While Rugers often benefit from a little trigger work, the S&W is usually good to great out of the box. The 41 is more pleasant to shoot than the 44 mag in my experience. I shoot and enjoy them both. The simple bullet choice for the reloader is the...

The BFR is heavily built for regular use of heavy hunting loads. For a walk-around revolver for snake shot you might like a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 4 5/8 or 5.5". This would save about a pound on the hip. Another nice option is the S&W 69. It would handle snake loads and lighter 44 mag/ 44...

I would give Lee Precision a call and talk to them about it. They have been very helpful to me in the past. They might even make you a full length die if you send them some fired brass.

I don't know the answer but I would ask NECG. I'm sure they would help - especially if you're using their sights.

I think short stroking is a risk with any bolt action in a high stress situation. I try to emphasize hitting the bolt stop firmly on my back stroke with my bolt guns when I shoot offhand and off sticks. Most handloaders don't like to do this because it really flings your brass!

I do the vast majority of my hunting and shooting with hand loaded ammunition and I've done this many years. I feel confident in my ability to put together high quality, reliable ammunition, custom made for my rifle. The loading components and die settings are proven over many practice...

I agree. I have a number of 375s that I like to play with, but the Talkeetna is the one I grab when I go hunting. Honestly, the stock design and recoil pad are so good that I find it more comfortable to shoot than a standard Pre-64 Model 70 in 375 H&H.

I enjoy both of these cartridges. I happen to own a lightweight 375 H&H that I like to hunt. I find it very easy to load my 375 to modern 9.3x62 ballistics with low pressure and long brass life. These loads work great on game (no surprise). On the other hand, reaching some of the claimed...

Hi Rule 303, I appreciate you sharing your friend's experience but I am not sure what your comment actually means "...he contended you can pick the difference between 9.3x62 and the 375 H&H." I would love to know his thoughts regarding these two cartridges when used on large game like wild...

Hi Fryeguy, Your 232 Oryx performance looks impressive. Can you share some details about your "light" load used with this bullet?

For a new shooter that is predominantly a hiker I would recommend the S&W 317. This is a 3" aluminum frame 22 LR. This gun is super light at 12 ounces - but still fun to shoot. The first goal is learning basic firearm competence - the 22 is fun and cheap to shoot. The second goal is having a...

Hi Ruraldoc, Which CZ 9.3x62 do you have? I'm curious how you find the handling of the CZ 9.3x62 as compared to the Model 70 Alaskan in 375 H&H? I've been surprised how handy the Alaskan is. Thanks, Bush Buck

Yes, if you added a classic banded front sight you would also have to refinish at least the barrel and sights. Plus your cut and crown. That would probably get you to $500 pretty quick. You get so much for your money with a Kimber 375 H&H that I have hesitated to do any custom work.