Most inexpensive bolt action elephant rifle...

[saturno_v]

In order to make my firearm collection more diverse, I would love to buy a true legal elephant rifle (which means caliber higher than .400), bolt action.
I'm willing to look at used ones too.
So far the most economical I can come up with is the CZ Safari in 458 Lott (I like the fact that you can also fire the 458 Win Mag in one) which it seems to be actually a very good rifle for the money, wood stock, good iron sights....my local Cabela's sell it for about $1000-1100 + tax.

There are any cheaper alternatives, even used?? Used 460 Weatherbys are still much more expensive than that and I saw few used CZ Safaris where the price difference with a new rifle is non existent (actually some people ask even more than new)

I did come across few cheap (as little as 3-400 dollars) sporterized 1917 Enfields rechambered in 458 Win Mag....but they did look a bit iffy to me, who knows who did the work, no much collector value, no markings, etc.....I do not want to spend top dollars but I do not want to skimp too much on quality or getting something dangeorous to fire either....


So is the Cabela's CZ Safari basically the cheapest route??


Thanks

 

[oneounceload]

One friend uses a Remington 700 in 416 as his elephant gun while another uses a Winchester 70 in 458 - used, they might not be TOO bad

 

[Al Thompson]

Take a look at the Winchester M70s. IIRC, the price at the local Sportsmans Warehouse was a bit less than the CZs.

 

[56hawk]

For the cheapest option I would look for a used 458 Win Mag from a mainstream company (Winchester, Remington, Browning, etc.). They can go for as low as $600. By the way, I personally bought a used 460 Weatherby. Not cheap, but it is a beautiful rifle and super high quality. Don't worry to much about used elephant guns, most people shoot less than a box of shell though them.

 

[jmr40]

I'm betting a used Ruger would be the least expensive DG rifle you will find. In new Rifles they are only chambering in their own 375 Ruger and 416 Ruger rounds. Probably good rounds, but I'm a little afraid of how long they may be around. But there are lots of used rifles in 458, 416 Rigby etc. out there.

 

[451 Detonics]

I would take care with the Winchesters, especially older ones, they were infamous for splitting stocks in 375 and 458.

If the 1917 conversion look well done and the prices are good I wouldn't hesitate...that action is very strong. I would also consider a well done Siamese Mauser in 45/70 if you just want a big bore and Africa isn't in the plans. I have shot several that were amazingly smooth and accurate.

 

[redneck2]

My LGS had not one, but two CZ's in .416 Rigby at one time. The "used" one (previously owned but never fired) was about $600 IIRC. I seriously considered buying it for the "cool" factor, but came to my senses before my money and I parted ways.

I suspect pulling the trigger on something equivalent to five 12 gauges at one time would make a person rethink their acquisition

 

[DM~]

In order to make my firearm collection more diverse, I would love to buy a true legal elephant rifle (which means caliber higher than .400), bolt action.

Thanks

When did 375's become illegal for ele?? Last i heard they still are, and even the 9.3's are legal in some area's...

DM

 

[JTJones]

You could get a Remington 798 in 458 win mag. Gunbroker has one for sale for 639.95 .

 

[saturno_v]

When did 375's become illegal for ele?? Last i heard they still are, and even the 9.3's are legal in some area's...

DM

Some countries impose a minimum .400 cal requirements for elephants...and I already own a 338 Win Mag, I would like a bit more differentiation in a higher caliber.

 

[osprey176]

If i am hunting elephant,I kinda think my first priority is gonna be reliability.Better to spend a few extra bucks and live to tell the tale,right? I might look for a used Ruger M77.

 

[caribou]

WR Bell most likely would have suggested a Mosin,for an inexpensive 'Elephant Gun" were he alive today

7mm did him well enough, but the Mosin is cheaper

 

[helotaxi]

I can't honestly say that "inexpensive" and "elephant rifle" belong in the same sentence. That's kinda like discount bungee jumping.

Let's see, this animal that I'm hunting has been know to trample hunters under foot, is really tough and gets really pissy when wounded, often charging hunters in the process...I'll go with a bargain rifle to give him a sporting chance...I'm sure cousin Bubba can whip up some cheap ammo, too...I'm sure your PH will have something worth betting all your lives on so it will be OK.

 

[axxxel]

More money does not necessarily equal more reliability. Especially not when you're talking about the "used" market for bolt action rifles.

 

[cluttonfred]

As I understand the M1917 receivers were way over-engineered and very strong, which is why the were so popular as sporters and for conversion to larger calibers. So I wouldn't discount that option if you can find a nice one.

You could also go Teddy Roosevelt-style and go with a lever-gun--a stainless Marlin Guide Gun with Buffalo Bore 500-grain flat-point ammo should do just fine as an all-around dangerous game rifle. Our you could go with the 26" octagon barrel on the Cowboy model to get max velocity and range. .450 Marlin would be even better--a take-down Browning BLR in .450 Marllin would be a sweet and stylish dangerous game gun.

In answer to your actual question ;-) I did some fishing around and I didn't find any other bolt guns in traditional dangerous game calibers for less than the CZs. CZ makes fine rifles, so that's certainly not a bad choice.

 

[CraigC]

Looked at a gorgeous used Ruger 77MKII "Magnum" in .416Rigby a couple weeks ago. Priced at $1600, if I remember right. These are basically factory custom rifles with quarter ribs, beautiful blued finishes and beautifully figured English walnut. Current MSRP is $2500.

http://www.galleryofguns.com/Genie/Default.aspx?item=77RSM-416

Don't worry to much about used elephant guns, most people shoot less than a box of shell though them.

That kind of depends on who owned it. Because nobody in their right mind takes to Africa for dangerous game with a rifle they're not INTIMATELY familiar with.

 

[Fullboar1]

About the cheapest decent made big bore dangerous game rifle would have to be a Zastava
http://www.zastava-arms.rs/cms/index.php?id=231
They are not a CZ (Brno) but the quality is still good.
IMHO a true dangerous game bolt action is CRF.

 

[natman]

+1 on the Zastava Mausers, now sold in the US by USSG.

http://www.ussginc.com/pdfs/USSG_2011_Z98_Z5.pdf

Zasatvas are solidly built and a bit of work with a stone and some sandpaper will result in a very smooth action.

Ruger 77s in 458 have a tendency to catch the nose of the bullet on the action. At least the one I used to have did and I've heard reports of the same problem elsewhere. Perhaps it's been fixed since I had mine.

 

[saturno_v]

I can't honestly say that "inexpensive" and "elephant rifle" belong in the same sentence. That's kinda like discount bungee jumping.

Let's see, this animal that I'm hunting has been know to trample hunters under foot, is really tough and gets really pissy when wounded, often charging hunters in the process...I'll go with a bargain rifle to give him a sporting chance...I'm sure cousin Bubba can whip up some cheap ammo, too...I'm sure your PH will have something worth betting all your lives on so it will be OK.

You always have less expensive options in any category of items.....inexpensive doesn't necessarily mean unreliable, bad quality or not up to the task....simply I do not want to spend several thousands of dollars on ultra finely crafted wood, super fancy finishing, etc......just something that works for its intended use.....I will never go to Africa to hunt, this rifle is for purely collection diversification purposes and firing couple of rounds once in a while at the range....so I can say "I have a true legal elephant rifle in my safe".

About the cheapest decent made big bore dangerous game rifle would have to be a Zastava
http://www.zastava-arms.rs/cms/index.php?id=231
They are not a CZ (Brno) but the quality is still good.
IMHO a true dangerous game bolt action is CRF.

+1 on the Zastava Mausers, now sold in the US by USSG.

http://www.ussginc.com/pdfs/USSG_2011_Z98_Z5.pdf

Zasatvas are solidly built and a bit of work with a stone and some sandpaper will result in a very smooth action.

Ruger 77s in 458 have a tendency to catch the nose of the bullet on the action. At least the one I used to have did and I've heard reports of the same problem elsewhere. Perhaps it's been fixed since I had mine.

Thanks for the tip...I did look at the Zastava and USSG upon your advice....I cannot find any info about prices and when I did pull the catalog file from their web site it showed up an EAA logo...I do not want to have anything to do what that company even remotely.....that is a big no-no........I would not trust EAA to run a lemonade stand, never mind selling firearms....

 

[Slamfire]

I would go with a M70 in 458 Win or 375 H&H. I would go with a controlled feed, which was not available when I bought my M70 in 375 H&H. I had to get the push feed.

I have not shot thousands of rounds, probably shot less than 200 rounds in mine, but never had an issue with stock splitting.

If you are looking for elephants, come on down to Alabama. We have lots of them. See them all the time on bumper stickers, never seen one in the woods just yet, but I am sure I will get one.

 

[Fred Fuller]

CDNN (Catalog 2011-3) has the double-lugged Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in .416 Rem and .458 WinMag, listed at $1099.99. .375 H&H too...

They list the Ruger 77 African too, but the only cal. listed is .375 Ruger. $649.99, though.

fwiw,

lpl
===

ETA - then, you can always look at http://www.gunsinternational.com/African-Dangerous-Game-Safari-Magazine-Rifles.cfm?cat_id=456 ...

Or my favorite salivary gland exercise - http://www.gunsinternational.com/African-Dangerous-Game-Safari-Double-Rifles.cfm?cat_id=476

 

[BigG]

The typical African hunter that most of us imagine ourselves to want to emulate used a double rifle to shoot most game. A bolt was not in the same league for a rifle. Bell used a 7mm Mauser, but he shot from a high stand and put them into the top of Jumbo's skull sticking out of the elephant grass.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I would love to buy a true legal elephant rifle (which means caliber higher than .400), bolt action.

The .400 or larger restriction was an old British thing. The last place to require it was Kenya which has not allowed hunting since 1978. The .375H&H is legal in all areas that Elephant are on license.

If you want a cheap .458 get a used New Haven M-70 in .458 WM I see used .458's in either M-70 or built on Mauser actions for under a grand all the time.

Bell used a 7mm Mauser, but he shot from a high stand and put them into the top of Jumbo's skull sticking out of the elephant grass.

WHAT!?!...Dude where did you come up with that? In any case where ever you heard it, it is total complete nonsense!! Bell hunted elephant on foot from the ground, if a professional ivory hunter was to use a high stand and wait for elephants to come to him he'd have gone broke pretty darn fast. You simply CAN NOT effectively hunt elephant like you do a whitetail form a high stand.

Now I think I've truly heard it all............ So much "quality" information to be had on the net!

 

[Gordon]

The CZ Safari is very, very good as is and the Lott makes a lot of sense!

 

[JShirley]

Somebody please point me to the $400 or less sporterized 1917s in dangerous game calibers! Please!

John