You Are Headed to Africa on Safari. Which Big Game Rifle Do You Buy?

[luv2safari]

The CZ 602 has the backassward safety. I like the hog-back CZ 550 in 416 Rigby and used it on buffalo with excellent results.

That being said, I also killed two just as dead with combo guns with one 9,3 barrel. I sure felt more confident after the first bang having the 416 in hand than with the single shot 9,3X74R. My PH used a 416 Rem as his back up gun for the hunt, which speaks well of the 416 Rigby, Rem, Ruger...

I now carry a rifle I love, a Sako-FN action in 375 Wby. I use 350s for heavy game and have a second scope sighted in for 260 AccuBonds at 250 yards for PG.

 

[Scipio Africanus]

I bought a CZ 550 in .458 Lott. It was advertised for a price that I could not pass up.

It had no cross bolts on the stock. It took exactly 17 rounds before the stock broke. CZ replaced the stock for free. Now it has cross bolts. The trigger disengaged after 15 rounds. Fixed that, haven't had any more problems there.

Otherwise, it has been very accurate. The action is not particulalry smooth. You get what you pay for...

 

[H&Hhunter]

bought a CZ 550 in .458 Lott. It was advertised for a price that I could not pass up.

It had no cross bolts on the stock. It took exactly 17 rounds before the stock broke. CZ replaced the stock for free. Now it has cross bolts. The trigger disengaged after 15 rounds. Fixed that, haven't had any more problems there.

Otherwise, it has been very accurate. The action is not particulalry smooth. You get what you pay for...

My experience exactly with the big bore CZ's. They can be made into a fine rifle but they take a bit of smiting before they are ready for hunting. I've now seen three of them that have had the triggers fail and they will ALL crack the stock without proper cross bolting and bedding.

Here's another one you need to be aware of on the CZ. The safety can and WILL engage to the safe position during recoil in the big bores. There is a simple fix for it but it is essential that it's done before hunting DG with a CZ rifle.

 

[Kynoch]

I wanted to report back with my purchase. It's a Japanese made Weatherby Mark V in 460 WM. I'm not certain it would have been my first choice but it came at a price that I just couldn't walk away from.

It was originally bought for a safari some years ago but never made its way to the field. It came with 2.5 boxes of ammo and 1.5 boxes of empty brass so I have a good idea how many times it has been shot. The original owner said he had it out to the range several times which I believe given its extremely clean but non-mint aesthetic condition. The bore is perfect, the action is smooth and tight.

It doesn't have any optics or even a sling. Should be as interesting process finally getting her ready for the field.

Thanks for all the inputs.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Kynoch,

Interesting choice. Good luck with that, and let us know how it turns out.

 

[wildchild2010]

Great choice, I have a 460 WM, It just HAMMERS the wild game dead.

 

[Jaxondog]

Good luck with that choice and let us know how the hunt turn's out. Good luck and stay safe.

 

[The Big Game Hunter]

Buy a Ruger M77 in 9.3x62. Using the right bullets, you can take everything up to and including dangerous game without carrying a monster that will beat the snot out of you every time you shoot it. It is a very accurate gun and you won't develop a flinch from shooting it. Those things combined will make it much more likely that you will put the bullets where you need to when you shoot at an animal. The 9.3x62 has plenty of power and penetration to take down even the biggest animals. Also, it will work very well against almost any animal you will encounter hunting in the US, so you should get a great deal of use out of it. This is in contrast to buying and using it on one hunt in Africa like you probably would with a .458 or a .460.

 

[H&Hhunter]

The 9.3x62 has plenty of power and penetration to take down even the biggest animals.

Of course with the understanding that the 9.3 is NOT legal for DG in all countries while the .375H&H is.

 

[gunner69]

Last time I looked the 9.3x62 was specifically EXCLUDED from the list of calibers NOT allowed in Africa for Big Game. I know it's "Old and Slow" but that doesn't keep it from killin' to the max without all the recoil.

 

[The Big Game Hunter]

Both H&Hhunter and gunner69 are correct. Some countries require a .375 caliber minimum to hunt dangerous game. The 9.3x62mm is actually .366 caliber and would not meet that requirement. However, other countries, Zimbabwe to name one, make an exception for the 9.3mm. Others do not have a minimum caliber requirement at all. Wherever you end up hunting, check the regulations to see what caliber you need to hunt dangerous game. Even if it is not allowed for dangerous game, the 9.3x62mm is outstanding on African plains game and will work great for virtually all North American game.