Caliber Imput

[Ruddyduck]

I've got two rifles I would want to bring to Africa ,one is a Rem 700 7mm Rem Mag topped with a 3 x 9 and the other is a Win Mdl 70 in 375 H & H with a 1.5 x 6 Zeiss with a # 7 rectile.
I was kicking around the idea of getting a third gun and wanted a little input. I'm kicking around the 416 Rigby or the 458 Win Mag. If I go with the Win I'd probably handload and boost the fps to 2150 neighborhood. Whick do you think would be the better choice?

[pomoxis]

The problem with bringing 3 rifles is that you are limited on the amount of ammunition you can bring into some countries. There is also the weight of the extra rifle making some bags too heavy or needing to pay an extra baggage fee. If you want a new rifle that is fine, go for a .416 Rigby for the big nasty critters. Then bring the smaller caliber for the plains game.

Or do what I did. Just bring the .375 and use it for everything.

[Hi Ball]

Ruddyduck.........I like the idea of the 2 rifle battery the best!

If you use your 7mm mag I would suggest the premium 160 grain bullets or the larger 175 grainers. African game animals are tuffer than ours in the US by far.

The .458 Win mag will be much easier to find ammo for if something should happen to yours (big possibility) and the last thing you want is a rifle you can't get ammo for in Africa. The .416 Rigby is NOT that easy to come by and twice as expensive as the .458 Win mag ammo.

My next hunt will have me carrying a .375-Weatherby and a .475 caliber big bore for buff. If something happens, I still have enough gun to hunt the cape buff and still go after some plains game as well.

I like calibers that overlap each other to a certain degree! I once used a .338 mag (225 grainers TBBC bullets) as my small gun and a .416 Rem mag as one for taking bigger game. I used the .338 mag on Impala, gemsbok, red hartabeast, black wildebeast etc. The .416 pushed 325 grainers down the barrel towards the Wildebeast, Kudu, Eland etc.

[Brithunter]

Hi All,

Just a thought, if you are worried about ammo going missing............... why not arrange for the folks you are hunting wiht to get a box or two as insurance for you

Before you get that Dammned Weatherby.................... talk to your outfitter/PH and see what they say. I'll bet that they are not too happy about it as the Weatherby's have a shite reputation on actual game The 458WM at a geniune 2100 fps would be so much better. The 416 Rigby or even the Remington 416, the 404 Jeffries or perhaps the 450 Rigby Rimless would make your PH so much happier

For .375's the old H&H 375 still takes some beating

Have fun and good luck.

[Ruddyduck]

I just wanted a little imput of the two rounds ,the Rigby and Win Mag. Some PH's I' ve talked to ,thier colons tighten when you mention the 458 win mag. I can only under stand this for two reasons , one the hunter is uncomfortable with the round and can't shoot it well and some of the factory fodder is now being loaded under 2000 fps. If you notice Win and Rem have IMHO playing game with some of the traditional rounds to promote thier own short mags. I can remember factory velocities of the 458 win used to be in the 2050 -2100 range ,now it 's being loaded down making it little more than a 45-70. Seems alot of makers are trying to tout the 458 lott right now.
I personally don't believe weight or availability is a concern. For what might possibly my only trip to Africa and costing in the $ 30G area even if an airline wanted $500 for bring the extra rifle ,in the scheme of things what's that. As far as availability I'd make doubley sure to have want I want where I want it even if I have to Fed Ex it directly to outfitter in advance. Did you ever try to find a specific Weatherby round? Now that's a trick. I went on a trip out west once and grabbed a box of ammo out of the safe for my 300 WBY only to find in Jackson Wy. I had grabbed a box with only two rounds and the other 18 just empty brass. Needless to say 180gr Nos Part in 300 WBY couldn't be had.

[pomoxis]

Getting an unescorted rifle through customs by shipping the rifle prior to your hunt is not a stress that I would want to add to my hunt. Last September was my first hunt to Zimbabwe, while I had no problem getting my rifle and shotgun through South Africa and Zimbabwe customs my PH has waited 14 months trying to get the paper work for his new .458 Lott. Some goverment employee may see your shipping a rifle ahead of your hunt as a way to side step the process.

My PH carried a .416 Rigby but found it harder to find ammunition. At the end of the season he was down to 8 rounds with none to be found. With the .458 Lott he could use .458 Win as a back up ammo and clients will leave the extra rounds for the PH. With the .416 Riby he could not use the .416 Remmington ammo.

Most American hunters over pack for the hunt. I could have got by with 3 changes of hunting cloths and had 1 set un touched. Try stepping back into the shoes of he early hunters (Selous et al.) where you had to carry every thing with them. I would avoid the Rosevelt grand tour mode of travel.

All you need is 1 rifle, 60 rounds ammo and a good pair of boots. Every thing esle is personal preference.

[Hi Ball]

Ruddyduck............I would still opt for the .458 Win mag, you can have that rechambered out to the .458-LOTT and I know darn well it will loosen up any ideas PH's have about it NOT having enough velocity of Smack Down Power to handle anything in Africa OK. The cost of rechambering to the Lott caliber runs around $125 dollars US money!

Years ago it was the "WATTS" caliber which took front stage, to fix the matter of Slooooow .458 Win mag rifles. Only you could not fire standard .458 Win mag ammo in that rechambering as you can the LOTT.

BrithHunter!......... My .375 Weatherby is in fact a "Model 70 Winchester" to begin with and had the chamber opened up just a smiggin. It also shoots standard .375 H&H ammo as well. There is nothing wrong with a .375 Weatherby caliber, one of the best ever to have hunted big game in Africa.

[PhilLozano]

Mr. Ruddyduck,

First things first. What and where are you hunting. If hunting non dangerous game, you are set with what you have.

However, the what and where are still relevant before opinions can be rendered.

Best,
Phil

[Steve Franks]

It all depends on what you will be hunting. If larger dangerous game, then consider the one of the two you discussed. If you are going after just plains game, then the 7mm and the .375 are great.

If you are going after "larger" dangerous game, that is a tough choice. I have both and love them equally. My .416 is a Rigby. Yeah, I know, the Remington brass is cheaper, but the Rigby is "Africa!", in my opinion.

I'm going back this year for buffalo and sable in Zimbabwe then back to RSA for some plains game. I have to choose between the .458 Winchester Magnum or the .416 Rigby. As for my second rifle it will be my .375 H&H, CZ. Ah, decisions, decisions!

[PhilLozano]

Mr. Franks,

Personally, I would go with your 416. It is very good for Buffalo, and could do double duty, should something happen to your other rifle. The 416 has more to offer, all around.

Just my opinion.

Best,
Phil