Suitable versatile Rifle types for mixed Bag

[grand veneur]

Best you buy a used bolt action rifle built on a Mauser 98 system or a new rifle Winchester M70 Safari Express. Both rifles have always performed well in caliber 375 H&H Magnum. I have already shot buffalos with both. Alternative, used rifles from Brno built on ZKK 600 series actions, but I have no experience with that.

 

[TOBY458]

Somehow i cant stand a r93 or r8.
Had a couple of k95s and loved em. But thats straight pull action from blaser just wants to make me puke.

The kimber looks nocr. And only 2500 bucks would be in my budget

Then why did you list the R93 as a rifle you find pleasing in your original post?

 

[BeeMaa]

Personally, I can’t cock an R8 while holding the rifle grip. I have to take my trigger hand completely off the rifle to cock it. I suspect this is due to old injuries and a subsequent operation that have greatly reduced the flexion in my right risk.

Can you guys with R8’s cock the rifle while holding the grip just like you’d take a conventional rifle off safe?

I am able to push the cocking lever forward while maintaining a full firing grip and proper sight alignment. That said, I have yet to find a situation where I would do so. I simply cock the rifle as I bring it up to my shoulder. Finger only goes on the trigger when I'm ready to fire. As soon as the rifle comes down, it's de-cocked. Muscle memory learned over years and reps of picking up a Blaser R8.

Although I haven't used an MSR for hunting, many people do nearly the same thing with an AR rifle. When it's in a firing position the safety is off, as soon as it comes down the safety is on.

 

[krish]

All are excellent choices. I'd pick a Mauser Model 98 Magnum Diplomat. Just because I love their wares. If budget was a concern, then Winchester Model 70 Safari Express.

What do you like in Deplomat than the Expert.
Krish

 

[BeeMaa]

What do you like in Deplomat than the Expert.
Krish

Isn't the difference between them just the grade of wood, with the Diplomat being a grade or two higher? There's less than a 7% difference in the MSRP listed by Mauser...at that point, why NOT go for the nicer timber?

 

[krish]

Isn't the difference between them just the grade of wood, with the Diplomat being a grade or two higher? There's less than a 7% difference in the MSRP listed by Mauser...at that point, why NOT go for the nicer timber?

Well I bought the Expert in 450 Rigby. Looked at the Diplomat. The wood was great. But liked the grains and oil finish on the Expert. Still grade 5 wood. Won't feel bad scratching it up.
Krish

 

[Hunter-Habib]

What do you like in Deplomat than the Expert.
Krish

@BeeMaa knows my tastes very well by now. I like the wood and the finish slightly more on the Diplomat, Krish. But of course, this is purely a matter of aesthetics. The Expert would obviously also make for a most excellent rifle.

 

[VertigoBE]

For the occasional Buffalo hunter, and otherwise general big game hunter:

If you want to be practical, an R8 in 375H&H
If you want to be nostalgic, a Mauser 98 by a top builder in 375H&H / 416 Rigby / 404 Jeffery
If you want to be romantic, a double rifle in 375H&H (flanged) / 450-400

Or get all three, I'm sure you'll find a use for them

 

[krish]

@BeeMaa knows my tastes very well by now. I like the wood and the finish slightly more on the Diplomat, Krish. But of course, this is purely a matter of aesthetics. The Expert would obviously also make for a most excellent rifle.

I picked up couple of Sako 85 safari Deluxes in 450R .i like their action smoothness. Even their Brown bear 450R is smooth.
Krish

 

[Rare Breed]

Hello folks,

Im am looking around for a suitable big game rifle.

It should be versatile and also be used one day in africa.
Biggest animal would be a buff, not interested in rhino or elephant.

Maybe some day a bear or moose.

With that i am pretty set on a 375 H&H.
This can also be used at home.

Now i am looking around lokal gun shops what is on their shelfs.

Rifle Models i find pleasing so far:
Mauser 98
Blaser r93
Sauer 200
Winchester 70

With the Blaser and Sauer its nice to dissasemble and pack in a smaller case.
Maybe get a barrel to hunt at home and get familiar with that rifle.

Mauser 98 cant never be wrong.

Anything i need to consider or havent seen yet?

Shouldnt be too expensive though.

Love to hear your opinions.

Cheers
Phil

375 H&H perfect choice for caliber. If buff is in your world have a scope of 1 by or 2 by to start that goes up to a minimum of 8 preferably higher. The scope can matter as much as the gun

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Of all the models you listed I'd personally pick the Winchester Model 70. I'm going with a Pre64 but the new production guns are just as good if not better in the accuracy department. The R8 linked above, has almost come home with me more than once. I'm picking an R8 over the R93 all day.

IMO you hit the nail on the head with .375 H&H as your caliber choice. If you wanted other calibers to consider should you find a god deal, look at .375 Ruger, 9.3x62, 404 Jeff, .416 Rem or Rigby, and .458WM, or even Lott if the deal is right. You can shoot anything with those calibers, if you pick your ammo wisely. The last couple definitely pack more of a punch on both ends than most shooters can manage but if you've got the experience and shoulder you could use them for anything Tiny 10 up to Buffalo and Brown Bear.

Some other guns not mentioned by your inital post but might be worth considering if you found the right deal are CZ 550, BRNO 602, Ruger RSM, Kimber Caprivi (@Scott CWO had a really nice one for sale recently), or a Dakota 76.

If you keep your eyes open you can probably find a M98 type rifle ,like an Interarms fairly inexpensive. I've seen a couple of Whitworth .375's in shops and at gun shows, for $750 - $1200 over the last couple years.

 

[Mountaineer]

Browning x-bolt in 375 H&H.

 

[Warbeast]

Then why did you list the R93 as a rifle you find pleasing in your original post?

THey keep their value so i thought they might be okay for me.

Fumbled a few lately, not my cup of tea

 

[grand veneur]

It remains difficult to advise anyone, be it about caliber or even more difficult which rifle to choose for it. A lot depends on the personal experience of the individual, but above all on the liking. It gets even more difficult when it comes to rifles for hunting big game and/or rifles that are intended to be used for a very wide range of applications. You are best served if you have a clear liking when it comes to the type of rifles, because then you just have to ask which cartridge is suitable for the hunting I practice. However, on any forum you will often get almost as many answers as the number of participants to the discussion. Unfortunately, there is no universal cartridge, especially for big game hunting but also for hunts where longer range shooting must occur at times, meaning bear or moose hunting. If you want to hunt worldwide and also want to hunt DG, a special hunt among the many others, you will need several rifles, or if necessary, rent what you only need for a one-time opportunity. If you want to hunt worldwide, it is therefore better to know right from the start which hunts for which game species will be in the foreground and then to equip yourself for this and not for a hunt that you will only do one time in your life. What is meant here is above all big game hunting, which is really something very special among the many other kinds of hunting. In our case, the cartridge 375 H&H Magnum will certainly be a good choice if you really want only one rifle, but it will remain a compromise, be it for hunting in the mountains or in wide open areas and for hunting big game in Africa.

My personal opinion after 40 years of hunting worldwide on the repeated requests on various Forums about which rifles and which calibers for which game.

 

[Philip Glass]

You will be well served with a Blaser R8. You can get the .375 barrel and be ready for Africa and then add a .30 cal barrel to the mix for everything else. It is a game changer when you go Blaser!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have two rifles that do all the work no matter where I hunt or what I hunt: Springfield 03A3 30-06 and Mauser 98 (BRNO vz.24) in 404 Jeffery. If the 404 was a 375 then there would be significant overlap ... which is certainly okay. My 06 can and has killed a ton of elk and moose (several tons actually). I have never had any desire to shoot a bear but it would have done the job, even for grizzly which were legal when I was a kid. It is undeniably the perfect caliber for deer and all species of African plains game. I'm sure with the right loads it can be made to reach out for sheep but I don't see that happening at this stage of my life (I have taken one Barbary sheep and it was not a long shot).

The 404 was built on impulse more than need. I will probably use it to take one more buffalo. It went into the mountains with me for elk in November but sadly my old haunts are now totally devoid of them. Nevertheless, the big bore made the journey on my shoulder up to the timberline. It carried fine. Elephant are not on my horizon but this gun could handle it. Possibly a Yukon moose. We'll see. I haven't shot an eland yet but may need to consider it for my next trip. I guess either gun would be enough. Distance would be the determining factor. If I can ever get 300 gr bullets to group out of the 404 then it should be every bit as versatile as 375. Just a bit harder to feed.

Honestly, I don't see the need for more than two rifles to hunt everything the world has to offer. But I understand that some folks get a kick out of collecting guns and fiddling with different calibers. It's a hobby. Everyone needs at least one (hobby that is). I think the problem for many guys is they want to be collectors AND hunters. It's okay ... if you have the money. I do ... now ... but for most of my life I had to spread a working man's budget between hunting and family needs. Frankly, gun collecting was never even a consideration (I have one wall hanger collectible bought back in 1969 when I was a dumb kid). Anyway, old habits die hard. And I'm being watched by my daughters and grandkids. They need to see me make sensible choices so they will make sensible choices. For me, buying a bunch of guns I won't use is not "sensible."

 

[Tanks]

Jackpot!!!
https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...kage-375-h-h-300-win-mag.cfm?gun_id=102546956

That's a hella deal and includes a scope mount. The combination of those two barrels will take care of all your needs for years to come. I paid a similar amount for just a single barrel in .300RUM.

 

[grand veneur]

You can hunt practically anywhere in the world with two rifles. One should also own a shotgun. Sometimes you will need it at times, although I only use mine in my country and otherwise rented one. I have also shot most of my game worldwide with only two rifles, but for a lot of reasons, among other things collectors, I own six times more.

I tried to use all of these rifles at some point, but this was not always possible and some rifles leave my gun-safe only for the shooting range. It is but also a certain flair to own particular old rifles when you are hunting often in Africa, even if this rifles are no longer used. They will then have in all cases a new temporary home with someone who recognizes their past value.

 

[375Ruger416]

For the occasional Buffalo hunter, and otherwise general big game hunter:

If you want to be practical, an R8 in 375H&H
If you want to be nostalgic, a Mauser 98 by a top builder in 375H&H / 416 Rigby / 404 Jeffery
If you want to be romantic, a double rifle in 375H&H (flanged) / 450-400

Or get all three, I'm sure you'll find a use for them

Top comment of the thread, IMO .

All the rifles you listed seem great - I am on a hunt for something similar myself. Should be able to find a quality used rifle within your budget; even new for the Ruger and win 70 safari I believe.

Show us what you end up with!

Ps. That R8 is a smoking deal.

 

[BourbonTrail]

Jackpot!!!
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/blaser-rifles/blaser-r8-african-package-375-h-h-300-win-mag.cfm?gun_id=1025469

Oh, it’s in Looneyville…I should drive up there and see what all the fuss is about