Best US made Africa Rifle

[Major Khan]

Same league as factory Mauser 98 and Rigby-finished factory Mauser 98 barreled actions. Very nice. Very expensive...
Like the magnum Mauser 98 and Rigby-finished factory magnum Mauser 98 it is a true magnum length action.

Why thank you so much , One Day . Now , I understand .

 

[Red Leg]

Redleg I do not disagree that a Dakota 76 is a fine gun BUT my problem with Dakota is and always has been they are in my opinion over priced for a kinda maybe semi custom gun. I can have a full custom gun built to my specs for the same or less money that will kick the ass of a Dakota. Any barrel I want, any stock, etc. So when we say best my opinion is maybe we should keep it in a price range the average guy can pick up fine tune it some like Major says and they will have a fine serviceable gun. Probably right now in usa that's a win 70. they are not ideal but very shootable with a little work.
Best well that's going to be a full blow custom from any of several very fine rifle builders here in good old usa!

I need to get the name of your gunmaker! I have several custom rifles but the two most notable are an Al Lind 7x57 and a Craig Libhart .404. The price of a Dakota would get you through the door, but not out the other side. But I get your point. It is why I differentiated between “best value” and “best”. They are to very different things. Rigby makes a terrific production English rifle called the Highland Stalker that is a wonderful thing. But it is not one of their “Best” guns that are bespoke masterpieces. My Ford F-250 is a great, dependable machine, but it is not my spouse’s Range Rover.

The OP asked what is the “best” American made rifle. That rifle is not a Winchester Model 70 or a Ruger anything. That is n0 insult to either product. They are indeed great a great value. They are absolutely great options for the average hunter embarking on the African experience. But they are not the “best” American production is capable of offering. I personally think that is filled by Dakota and then Kimber.

 

[One Day...]

... the “best” American production is capable of offering.

Down this path, "production" also likely needs to be defined...

For example, Granite Mountain rifles are unquestionably "best" over Dakota and Kimber, as an American offering, but although there is limited fabrication of complete rifles (https://granitemountainarms.com/finishedrifles.html), like Rigby does, one hesitates to classify them as "production"...

I personally tend to think Buehler, Simillion, Lind, Bolliger, Libhart, Smithson, Paul, Martini, Breeding, Chapman (Griffin & Howe), and a few others when I think American "custom", and one would definitely associate - by definition - "custom" with "bespoke", therefore I would guess that Granite Mountain could be called "production" or at least "limited production"...

This why I has structured my original answer as:

Just "best US made" Africa rifle? No qualifier?
Full custom, or very limited series, rifles built on Granite Mountain actions.

Best US made factory Africa rifle?
Factory rifles built on Winchester 70 action or one of its clones (Dakota 76, Kimber Caprivi, Win 70 Safari Express).

Best US made rifles built on foreign action?
Full custom rifles built on magnum Mauser 98 or highly tuned CZ 550 actions.
...

 

[Buckdog]

I need to get the name of your gunmaker! I have several custom rifles but the two most notable are an Al Lind 7x57 and a Craig Libhart .404. The price of a Dakota would get you through the door, but not out the other side. But I get your point. It is why I differentiated between “best value” and “best”. They are to very different things. Rigby makes a terrific production English rifle called the Highland Stalker that is a wonderful thing. But it is not one of their “Best” guns that are bespoke masterpieces. My Ford F-250 is a great, dependable machine, but it is not my spouse’s Range Rover.

The OP asked what is the “best” American made rifle. That rifle is not a Winchester Model 70 or a Ruger anything. That is n0 insult to either product. They are indeed great a great value. They are absolutely great options for the average hunter embarking on the African experience. But they are not the “best” American production is capable of offering. I personally think that is filled by Dakota and then Kimber.

My 416 rem was built by Speedy Gonzales and I am fond of Kenny Jarrett stuff and old Shilens love the old DGA. I have heard good things about lind but I haven't built a rifle in several yrs. I have used a couple of other guys that were super but both dead now, guess I am older too. I don't go for fancy wood and pretty engraving etc I just ask for a superb shooter to my specs and I supply the barrels, stocks, as much as I can and it keeps the costs lower. If you saw them you wouldn't even know were custom look just plain jane but shoot bug holes all day long!! If y0u like them purty that costs way more, sounds like you like em purty
I classify the Dakota 76 as an in betweener not custom but not really off the rack. and sorry over priced Dakota
I can buy a off the shelf mod 70 and turn it into a very good gun without much money or work

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A very fair argument . But is not the word " Best " subject to personal interpretation , Mr. AES ?

And yes . They are not flawless if that is what you mean . The pre 64 Winchester Model 70 bolt rifles had their flaws to be sure . The stocks were prone to splitting , due to the lack of a 2nd recoil lug . They needed to be reinforced with cross bolts .Many of them would not feed soft point round nose cartridges flawlessly ... Unless the operator took a file to the feeding rails . The stocks would need to be re bedded with fibre glass from auto body shops .

Fellow forum member , @Captain Nwz recently purchased a brand new .458 Winchester magnum calibre Safari Express bolt rifle ... Which has a ridiculous amount of bolt play in it .
He was having to bring the rifle down to his hip ... every time that he wanted to cycle the bolt . If he tried to cycle the bolt , while keeping the rifle raised to his shoulder ... Then , the bolt was " Locking Up " . This could potentially lead to an extremely disconcerting outcome , in contexts where dangerous game is involved .

Yet , I still like them . I firmly believe that hunting is not something , which should be restricted to elitists ... But rather some thing which the ordinary working class gentle man can afford . A hunter can purchase a great control round feed action rifle for not a great deal of money , have a few modifications made to it and then .... he has a rifle which will provide him with years of hard service in the bush . To me ... That is " Best " .

Of course , as I 1st noted ... " Best " is a matter of what each hunter interprets the definition of " Best " to be .

Friend Ponton
In my biased opinion there are 2 best US made actions that make the ultimate Africa rifle. The P14/M17 Enfield. Made in the USA designed in Britain. They were strong reliable actions for almost any caliber. Art Alpin used them for his line of cartridges and H&H also used them for the 375. When set up properly the fed like a newborn baby, looked good and ultra strong. If the same action were made today the cost would be astronomical.
For a push feed you can't go past a savage 110. I call them elegant ugliness but dang that shoot. Available in a host of good African calibers from 30 ought 6 up. Cheap accurate and reliable.
They are my personal choices.
Cheers my Friend
Bob

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Winchester almost makes it M-70 Safari Express. Just lacks two features. 5 rd. magazine. .404J caliber. End of story!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Ruger #1 Tropical. Second Kimber Caprivi.

 

[Red Leg]

Friend Ponton
In my biased opinion there are 2 best US made actions that make the ultimate Africa rifle. The P14/M17 Enfield. Made in the USA designed in Britain. They were strong reliable actions for almost any caliber. Art Alpin used them for his line of cartridges and H&H also used them for the 375. When set up properly the fed like a newborn baby, looked good and ultra strong. If the same action were made today the cost would be astronomical.
For a push feed you can't go past a savage 110. I call them elegant ugliness but dang that shoot. Available in a host of good African calibers from 30 ought 6 up. Cheap accurate and reliable.
They are my personal choices.
Cheers my Friend
Bob

While I am not sure the P14/17 is the best answer to the OP's question, I will certainly agree the action can indeed be the basis for a very stout rifle - if not a particularly elegant one. Art's big A-Squares had the beauty (and weight) of water pipes bedded into 2x6's but they shot well and were chambered in some very powerful options. Trust the Brits, however, to somehow create a truly elegant rifle around a P-14 action. This is my between the wars Cogswell & Harrison in 318 WR.

 

[Major Khan]

While I am not sure the P14/17 is the best answer to the OP's question, I will certainly agree the action can indeed be the basis for a very stout rifle - if not a particularly elegant one. Art's big A-Squares had the beauty (and weight) of water pipes bedded into 2x6's but they shot well and were chambered in some very powerful options. Trust the Brits, however, to somehow create a truly elegant rifle around a P-14 action. This is my between the wars Cogswell & Harrison in 318 WR.

They were also Holland & Holland's standard action ... During our time , Sir .

Below , is a scan from my 1958 Holland & Holland catalogue .

Extremely robust actions ... Those pattern 14s were .

 

[Ryan]

Friend Ponton
In my biased opinion there are 2 best US made actions that make the ultimate Africa rifle. The P14/M17 Enfield. Made in the USA designed in Britain. They were strong reliable actions for almost any caliber. Art Alpin used them for his line of cartridges and H&H also used them for the 375. When set up properly the fed like a newborn baby, looked good and ultra strong. If the same action were made today the cost would be astronomical.
For a push feed you can't go past a savage 110. I call them elegant ugliness but dang that shoot. Available in a host of good African calibers from 30 ought 6 up. Cheap accurate and reliable.
They are my personal choices.
Cheers my Friend
Bob

The Savage is also available in left handed and the M10 for short action choices, both with a fair offering of calibers. Get an after market stock such as Boyd's and it's not too shabby of a looker and very very useful.

 

[Hogpatrol]

While I am not sure the P14/17 is the best answer to the OP's question, I will certainly agree the action can indeed be the basis for a very stout rifle - if not a particularly elegant one. Art's big A-Squares had the beauty (and weight) of water pipes bedded into 2x6's but they shot well and were chambered in some very powerful options. Trust the Brits, however, to somehow create a truly elegant rifle around a P-14 action. This is my between the wars Cogswell & Harrison in 318 WR.

Beautiful rifle! Just curious as to how that front sling swivel is attached, soldered or drill & tapped with a fastener of some sort?

 

[NWT]

The best USA rifles are built by the likes of a D’Arcy Echols. Most semi custom production rifles like a Dakota ( I have owned a dozen) still usually need some stock or action work for them to be reliable. There are exceptions , I have had a couple excellent trouble free and super accurate Dakota’s.
The New Haven Winchester CRF rifles can be hit or miss. I have a couple of good ones and have had a few that were not so good. Most of the current production or semi custom rifles can be made reliable if you have a competent rifle builder to work over these rifles.
Although not American made the old Sako L61’s (about $900 in good used condition) provided the most Quality, accuracy, value and reliability compared to the price of the current offerings from today’s manufactures. Even though the old Sako’s are not CRF I have gladly used the old Sako’s over one of the new Winchester Model 70’s. Just my opinion.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

While I am not sure the P14/17 is the best answer to the OP's question, I will certainly agree the action can indeed be the basis for a very stout rifle - if not a particularly elegant one. Art's big A-Squares had the beauty (and weight) of water pipes bedded into 2x6's but they shot well and were chambered in some very powerful options. Trust the Brits, however, to somehow create a truly elegant rifle around a P-14 action. This is my between the wars Cogswell & Harrison in 318 WR.

Red Leg
Beautiful rifle.
You can turn a does ear into a silk purse.
Bob

 

[bruce moulds]

anyone tried the brown precision pro hunter elite.?
bruce.

 

[sestoppelman]

I cannot really add to this discussion with any authority as I have and have only ever had as an actual hunting .375, my Whitworth Express, Yugo receiver and put together in Manchester, England.
Often thought about something else but when I do, I ask why? I already have all the .375 I will ever need, had it since 1984.

 

[bruce moulds]

that is actually a nice looking rifle,
and better designed than some of the big name british and European brands that are so desireable to some.
bruce.

 

[sestoppelman]

I do wish the mods didn't feel compelled to turn pictures up all the time. Then you have to scroll to see the whole thing!

 

[ddog]

Ruger RSM 375 H&H BEST VALUE FOR THE MONEY.
(Factory but CUSTOME GRADE) . ALSO HAS HEAVY BARREL WITH BARREL BAND.
The quarter rib alone is a selling point. Also CRF.

Yes sir, and the Ruger 375 RSM I have is very accurate, but so are my M-70 Safari Express .375s. So its a coin flip for me- buyer's choice!