Hi from Scotland

[Nyati]

 

[Tanner Lee]

Welcome to AH

 

[Velo Dog]

Greetings Martin375,

Khomas Highland Hunting Safaris of Namibia, welcomes you to the greatest forum on earth.

When you get around to it, I invite you to have a look into the Khomas Safaris web site.

Your choice in rifle calibers is quite similar to mine (great minds think alike).
I have hunted N. American game with all of the ones you already own.
And one of my personal favorites among those you own there, is the 6.5x55 Mauser caliber.
“The Swede only pushes back like a .243 but punches forward like a .270”.

For open geography and sparse foliage, I like the 140 grain semi-spitzers and spitzers.
For closer conditions, more dense foliage, etc., I prefer the 160 gr round nose bullets.

Having said that, my all time favorite hunting cartridge is the .375 H&H.
With that one, I have hunted in both N. America and Africa as well.
My tried and true .375 Rifle is an unaltered Brno Model 602 Magnum, with a simple but rugged 4x Zeiss scope, in quick release lever rings.

The company that I advertise for here, has an otherwise identical rifle as mine, except theirs has a variable power scope on it (also a Zeiss brand though).
As such, I no longer have to carry my rifle across international borders any more.
I just travel light and use the company rifle and ammunition, when hunting in Namibia.

The Brno 602 and its direct descendant, the CZ 550 Magnum are wonderful, true magnum sized rifles, that are almost always shockingly accurate, even when the rifling begins to show its advance age.
They were both sadly discontinued.
But many were made.
So, if can find one, I recommend either of those for your .375 caliber.

Another wonderful .375 H&H caliber rifle that is sometimes easier to find these days is the Model 70 Winchester.
I prefer the ones with full length seriously strong Mauser type extractor claw.
However, even the “push feed” 1970’s vintage Model 70’s, as ugly to look at as they were, tend to be quite reliable and accurate as well.
Plus, due to the lack of iconic Mauser claw
extractor, often those push feed Model 70’s are almost always sold quite a bit cheaper than their “controlled round” brethren are.

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Welcome to AH!

 

[Tucketed]

Welcome Martin, 375HH is a great caliber and I love my Winchester model 70

 

[kdenn]

Welcome Martin. Good luck on retirement and your safari. I'll have a wee dram in your honor sir!

 

[Martin375]

Welcome Martin. Good luck on retirement and your safari. I'll have a wee dram in your honor sir!

Thanks, but why only a wee dram....make it double

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Welcome welcome welcome

 

[Martin375]

Greetings Martin375,

Khomas Highland Hunting Safaris of Namibia, welcomes you to the greatest forum on earth.

When you get around to it, I invite you to have a look into the Khomas Safaris web site.

Your choice in rifle calibers is quite similar to mine (great minds think alike).
I have hunted N. American game with all of the ones you already own.
And one of my personal favorites among those you own there, is the 6.5x55 Mauser caliber.
“The Swede only pushes back like a .243 but punches forward like a .270”.

For open geography and sparse foliage, I like the 140 grain semi-spitzers and spitzers.
For closer conditions, more dense foliage, etc., I prefer the 160 gr round nose bullets.

Having said that, my all time favorite hunting cartridge is the .375 H&H.
With that one, I have hunted in both N. America and Africa as well.
My tried and true .375 Rifle is an unaltered Brno Model 602 Magnum, with a simple but rugged 4x Zeiss scope, in quick release lever rings.

The company that I advertise for here, has an otherwise identical rifle as mine, except theirs has a variable power scope on it (also a Zeiss brand though).
As such, I no longer have to carry my rifle across international borders any more.
I just travel light and use the company rifle and ammunition, when hunting in Namibia.

The Brno 602 and its direct descendant, the CZ 550 Magnum are wonderful, true magnum sized rifles, that are almost always shockingly accurate, even when the rifling begins to show its advance age.
They were both sadly discontinued.
But many were made.
So, if can find one, I recommend either of those for your .375 caliber.

Another wonderful .375 H&H caliber rifle that is sometimes easier to find these days is the Model 70 Winchester.
I prefer the ones with full length seriously strong Mauser type extractor claw.
However, even the “push feed” 1970’s vintage Model 70’s, as ugly to look at as they were, tend to be quite reliable and accurate as well.
Plus, due to the lack of iconic Mauser claw
extractor, often those push feed Model 70’s are almost always sold quite a bit cheaper than their “controlled round” brethren are.

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.

Thanks, I will have a look at the website. A few of my rifles are Mauser M03's so would like one in .375 H&H, I just like the solid build quality and the accuracy.

 

[Martin375]

Welcome to AH Martin! I’ve been hunting a few times in Scotland in the past. Beautiful but often very rainy

Thanks, yes I can confirm we do get a lot of rain...but we need it for making the water of life

 

[Martin375]

Welcome, Martin. I've had the pleasure to work in Scotland several times on salmon around Campbelltown and the Mull of Kintyre. Absolutely beautiful country. Good luck in Namibia.

Thanks, yes the ground around the Mull is stunning...

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Welcome to AH!

 

[Velo Dog]

Thanks, I will have a look at the website. A few of my rifles are Mauser M03's so would like one in .375 H&H, I just like the solid build quality and the accuracy.

The Mauser MO3 has a stellar reputation of reliability and accuracy as well.
I also like the looks of the M03, especially the “Alpine” version.
If, I was one to buy a present day manufactured rifle, I would definitely consider an M03.
The fact that this take-down design fits in a “briefcase” style luggage, appeals to me.
The only real minus for grumpy old nostalgic and clumsy me is that, I would surely drop the detachable magazine into the mud or snow or onto a stone, bending the feed lips straight away, during my first outing with it.
But that is not a rifle flaw, that is a me flaw, nobody else’s.
Great choice in rifles and I salute you for it.
Cheers.

 

[EarlT]

Hi Folks, thanks for letting me join the group. I'm Martin and I come from Scotland, I am due to retire from the Fire Service in September of this year, so I am planning my first trip to Africa in 2025, probably Namibia. In Scotland, I normally shoot with .243, 6.5x55, .270, .308 although looking to get a .375 H&H for Africa. Any advice from fellow members would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Martin

Well, what do u plan on hunting? Unless you getting into bigger plains animals like eland for example, that 308 is a winner. It can work there too, but its on the margin. If u into bigger plains game, and If you are NOT hunting dangerous game a 30-06 w premium 180 or 200 grain bullets kills everything dead as a door nail just fine. Now I love my 375H&Hs like they are my children, so if you doing buffalo, lions etc u cant go wrong with them. BUT BUY THE RIGHT AMMO. And there is only 1 in my opinion: swift A frame bullets in 300 grain for the 375H&H. And get some solids for follow up shots, etc. Also som PHs have strong opinions both ways on solid vs exoanding bullets. Talk to yours early because ammo hard to find sometimes. I think bullet design is as important as caliber.

If you doing hippo, etc get a 416 rigby or bigger. Also, talk to your PH, professional hunter, and do what they say on ammo, guns etc.

Also, send me some haggis!!

 

[Berettaco]

Welcome! Scotland is one of my favorite countries - been quite a few years since I’ve been but I’m heading over there next year.
The 375HH is a stellar cartridge - I prefer to shoot a 300 gr Swift A Frame. What is on the list for your Safari?

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Thanks, but why only a wee dram....make it double

Hello Martin, since you are talking doubles, the same applies to rifles for Africa. Get a double and do it properly.

 

[Borderer]

Welcome Martin from someone else in your vague area!

I went to Namibia for the first time last year, it was amazing. It seems to be a popular place for Scots, or at least those in my area.

One word of warning - So far as I understand it, Lufthansa won’t accept firearms from Scottish airports. They do from Newcastle though and the staff know exactly what they are doing there, brilliant little airport.

Please PM me if I can be of any help.

I also used a 375. Couldn’t have been happier with it. Very gentle moderated. My only thought was the all the locals I met just used 308s or 7x57s, even for Eland.

 

[CAustin]

Hi Folks, thanks for letting me join the group. I'm Martin and I come from Scotland, I am due to retire from the Fire Service in September of this year, so I am planning my first trip to Africa in 2025, probably Namibia. In Scotland, I normally shoot with .243, 6.5x55, .270, .308 although looking to get a .375 H&H for Africa. Any advice from fellow members would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Martin

Welcome to AH