2nd safari rifle

   / 2nd safari rifle #1  

Soundguy

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already have a .416 rigby, thiking of a backup or 2nd gun.

any opinions on calibre?

.338?
 
   / 2nd safari rifle #2  
already have a .416 rigby, thiking of a backup or 2nd gun.

any opinions on calibre?

.338?

Well it is all just opinion,, but since you asked:) I would bring 2 extra..
2nd gun a .375 of one kind or another, and then something lighter still for thin skinned game like a 25/06 maybe or even as small as a .243? what do you think.

James K0UA
 
   / 2nd safari rifle #3  
375 H&H
You'll find that being the minimum for some African hunts plus common enough that rounds are plentiful/ kinda cheap outside states.
Plus rifles are not crazy expensive as some of safari rifles tend to be.
 
   / 2nd safari rifle #4  
Rainbody said:
375 H&H
You'll find that being the minimum for some African hunts plus common enough that rounds are plentiful/ kinda cheap outside states.
Plus rifles are not crazy expensive as some of safari rifles tend to be.

Yep. There were a bunch of Mauser pattern imported by Remington all over the market not long ago at a good price, but if I were buying I'd look at a Winchester 70 safari or Ruger for new.

.375 H&H don't make for a bad rifle for big North American game either.
 
   / 2nd safari rifle #5  
The only thing I would add if you were going for backup gun as in personnel safety. That's a whole different thing based on game you are going for.
I like the aspect of semi auto.
There that lion hunt video that makes great example of why.
 
   / 2nd safari rifle #6  
Great advice already mentioned and I'am sure more to come !
But as a 2nd safari back-up and being a "poor boy" ;) I'am partial to my/the Weatherby 300 magnum with accubrake also depends on what your going after.
Browning has a simular system I think they call theres "boss".

Boone

Accubrake | Products | Weatherby.com :thumbsup:
 
   / 2nd safari rifle
  • Thread Starter
#7  
i think the .338 lapua or 375 types are going to be the minimum for african game.. that pretty much kills any of the sub calibers .2/3 mentioned..

hadn't thought about the .375. had been also looking at 458 lott. since I'm into hard to find ammo with that .416rigby. almost picked up a 2nd one the other day.. but it was a single shot.. not my first choice.

on a related note.. i saw a nice .218bee in a gunshop the other day... :)
 
   / 2nd safari rifle #8  
It's a little contrarian, but I don't see a whole lot to choose between the Rigby and a 375. Maximum point blank differences will be negligible: 20ish yards probably. If you're wanting to more or less duplicate what you have, a 375 is a superb round, and the 338 is very effective, but still on the heavier end. ( Not that anything is wrong with that).

For me, since it's more of a classic, I'd pair it with a 300 H&H if you like heavy rifles, or, my personal choice, a 7x57mm Mauser, which was sold as as the .275 Rigby, for brand congruence. :D

I'm big, and not particularly recoil sensitive, but shooting with a PACT timer doesn't lie. I'm faster with lighter recoiling rounds and weapons, whether rifles or handguns, and have as good or better accuracy. A 7x57 makes for a trim, handy, quick little death ray of a deer rifle, and has been used many times to kill elephant. There many more impressive cartridges, but I am drawn to the flair of older cartridges, and a good shot will kill anything with a good shot. The lighter recoil, easier to carry rifle and other factors make me more likely to perform that shot under pressure than a more tiring to carry, rougher recoiling, and slightly scary rifle. I'm not anybody else, and my limitations aren't necessarily yours.

I like commonality and consistency, so I would be awfully tempted to just hunt with the 416 for everything, but have been told by acquaintances who hunted Africa recently that the hunt is getting more specific, like American hunting, rather than how licenses for animals were filled as one came across them, and never knew if a shot may be at a tiny Thompson' Gazelle or an elephant.
 
   / 2nd safari rifle #9  
I haven't been there and only wishful thinking says I ever will be ,but if your 416 is large enough for the biggest game you have license for then you don't need another large rifle competitor for that end of your safari. Take a good mid game cartridge rifle for your second backup rifle. 7x57 , 30-06 , 7mm Rem mag etc. If you have one of those you have carried for years it will serve you well if something charges out of the long grass.
 
   / 2nd safari rifle #10  
already have a .416 rigby, thiking of a backup or 2nd gun.

any opinions on calibre?

.338?

So, exactly what do you have in Cetral Florida that a .416 Rigby won't handle? :D

OK, if you just have to get a .338, then you ought to get this: Barrett :thumbsup:
 

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