375 rifle which one?

[TOBY458]

I have a Sako 85 Kodiak and a Kimber Talkeetna in 375 H&H. I would not overlook these rifles if I were you. They are the proper weight for a 375, and handle like a dream. Some of the other options in 375 that you mention are somewhat heavy for a 375 IMO. I have a Winchester 70 in 416 Rem. and it's even a bit heavy for a 416. I would much prefer any rifle meant for carrying and hunting, to be under 9lbs with scope and mounts installed. My Winchester 416 comes in at 9lbs 14oz with a Leupold 1.5-5×20 scope mounted in Leupold detachable rings. I would definitely not want a 375 that heavy. My Kimber 375 comes in at 8lbs 6oz with the same scope and mounts. It's the perfect weight for a 375 IMO. That said, I would look for a rifle of no more than 8lbs bare gun weight. Unfortunately most 375s need to go on a diet!

 

[BigSteve57]

Big Steve...Which airline charged you $200 each way for a Pelican 1750 case?

American Airlines via our travel agent said they'd charge me $200 for my Pelican 1750.

 

[Lee M]

I never realized how much picture quality meant until I purchased high-end Zeiss scopes. With my 1.5-6x42 Zeiss I can do as well or better than with my 3-9 Leupold VX II. With my 4-16x50 Zeiss I can do as well or better than with my Leupold 6.5-20 VX III. This is obviously not an apples to apples comparison as the Zeiss scopes run $2K US whereas the Leupold scopes run for far less.

The point being that somehow the much better optics with Zeiss means I need less magnification. I don't quite get what the science behind that is but I've seen it first hand.

Leupold also makes high end $2k scopes.

 

[BigSteve57]

Leupold also makes high end $2k scopes.

Understood. I was referring to the Leupold scopes I happen to own. I'm a hard-core Leupold guy - ALL my other scopes are Leupold. Never tried one of their $2K scopes though. I'd like to compare them side by side with my Zeiss'.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Might as well also leave behind your 450/400, 404 Jeff, 505 Gibbs, probably your 416 Rigby, etc. I personally don’t loose much sleep over loosing ammo- if J.A. Hunter could get his rifle and gear into the bush then so can I.

For anyone passing through Johannesburg, Safari and Outdoor sells three varieties of 375 Ruger ammo, amongst others.

Unfortunately the only one that will be legally be able to purchase ammo at Safari Outdoors is someone with a South African Firearm license with a firearm in desired calibre.

 

[Philip Glass]

and than, do not try a R8.....because you never will sleep peacefully.




HWL

Ha Ha that is my problem right now! The R8 can latch onto you somehow and not let go! I can't wait to go to Reno next week and coon finger all of them. Then you know what will happen...I'll eventually find a way to get one.
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

Sure why not. In round numbers and from recall, US$:

$8500 R8 Kilombero with .375 H&H safari grade barrel & Blaser case.
$2000 .300 Win Mag safari grade barrel
$2000 Zeiss Victory HT 1.5-6x42 scope
$2000 Zeiss Victory Diavari 4-16x50 scope

The scopes may have been a little less than that...but there's tax so it's close.

I'm thinking of getting another barrel in 30-06 or maybe a smaller caliber.

I can't stop thinking about the R8 and all the options. Fascinating.
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

I never realized how much picture quality meant until I purchased high-end Zeiss scopes. With my 1.5-6x42 Zeiss I can do as well or better than with my 3-9 Leupold VX II. With my 4-16x50 Zeiss I can do as well or better than with my Leupold 6.5-20 VX III. This is obviously not an apples to apples comparison as the Zeiss scopes run $2K US whereas the Leupold scopes run for far less.

The point being that somehow the much better optics with Zeiss means I need less magnification. I don't quite get what the science behind that is but I've seen it first hand.

Steve,
I think many of us have marveled at what truly great glass can do once we actually get to use it. I know I had better eyes and less money long ago and it didn't matter so much. Now I really appreciate high end glass. I found this out buying a Swaro spotting scope for my Ibex hunt a few years back. I am still amazed at the quality. And next week I get to go to Reno and play with every single one of them! Hope to see some of you there.
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

American Airlines via our travel agent said they'd charge me $200 for my Pelican 1750.

I've never been charged extra (normal baggage fees) for my Pelican 2 rifle case. Just flew AA in Sept for my rhino and no issues. But hey there is always confusion when it comes to airlines and their rules and fees.
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

I have not and won't vote in the poll. My reason is that you are asking for opinions on a DG rifle. A rifle that needs to work perfectly or you could be hurt or killed. I don't nor do most of us have enough DG experience to effectively comment on this in any real detail. I only have experience with the .375 and .416 Ruger as far as DG Bolt guns are concerned. I have loved them both and taken 6 of the dangerous 7 (Rhino was with .470) with them with no issues until the leopard hunt. I am working on them and what I perceive to be the issues with a gunsmith and will make a report when appropriate.
I have handled and seen others use the CZ and it is a nice gun but heavy to me. My PH had one on the leopard hunt and it had problems and actually jammed and wouldn't open.
I suggest visiting SCI or DSC and look at the guns and talk to the manufacturers if possible. Learn as much as you can and then get what is best for you.
Regards,
Philip

 

[bruce moulds]

philip,
was that jam the fault of the gun in question, or something else that might jam any gun?
there is no gun on earth that is failsafe when set up to fail.
bruce.

 

[BigSteve57]

I can't stop thinking about the R8 and all the options. Fascinating.
Philip

It gets even better. If you're a lefty you can get that same bolt for left handers; same rifle, barrel etc... It's a truly modular system. I wish it had been available years go as I have about 4 bolt action rifles each with scopes & slings that could be replaced with a single Blaser stock, 4 barrels, 2 scopes and 1 sling.

 

[BigSteve57]

I've never been charged extra (normal baggage fees) for my Pelican 2 rifle case. Just flew AA in Sept for my rhino and no issues. But hey there is always confusion when it comes to airlines and their rules and fees.
Philip

Well that's what AA told me on this last trip. I even had the travel agent confirm. However our trip via SAA to Africa didn't incur extra charges when me and my wife each took a large/long Pelican 1750. They did count as one of the two checked pieces. SAA had a policy of one oversized sporting type of baggage such as golf bags, gun cases, per person, for no extra charge IIRC. I have no idea what SAA's policies are now.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Why not a Ruger No1 Tropical? My 375 H&H shoots, feels and looks fabulous. Fitted with a Leica 1-6.3x24 this is a very capable rig for DG and large PG

 

[Nkawu]

Why not a Ruger No1 Tropical? My 375 H&H shoots, feels and looks fabulous. Fitted with a Leica 1-6.3x24 this is a very capable rig for DG and large PG

View attachment 263408

How is the recoil on the No.1 in 375? Are you not concerned about not having a quick follow up shot?

 

[Dr Ray]

How is the recoil on the No.1 in 375? Are you not concerned about not having a quick follow up shot?

Good point here I believe.

 

[BeeMaa]

How is the recoil on the No.1 in 375? Are you not concerned about not having a quick follow up shot?

I believe it's all about practice, just like anything else.

 

[Nkawu]

I think the fine motor skills go out the window when a leopard is grunting in a blur at 5 paces.

As a lefty I’ve always been tempted. There is a 416 rigby and 375 HH near me for sale, but my only reservation is what will happen when shtf.

 

[BeeMaa]

I think the fine motor skills go out the window when a leopard is grunting in a blur at 5 paces.

As a lefty I’ve always been tempted. There is a 416 rigby and 375 HH near me for sale, but my only reservation is what will happen when shtf.

Make a proper first shot and you won't need to worry about SHTF and there is a reason you are paying a PH to be there as well.

 

[Dr Ray]

I think the fine motor skills go out the window when a leopard is grunting in a blur at 5 paces.

As a lefty I’ve always been tempted. There is a 416 rigby and 375 HH near me for sale, but my only reservation is what will happen when shtf.

Buy both rifles (of course). Both will come into their own as both would or could be used for different hunting.