Africa guns

[mackillan]

For dangerous game the .375 is often considered the minimum. How do .375 H&H and .375 Ruger comapre in terms of ballistics? What is a good quality gun made in these calibers. I was looking at the following.
http://www.sako.fi/sako85models.php?safari_showdata

[Jimro]

They are ballistic twins, along with the 376 Steyr and wildcat 375 Taylor. Handloading can change that, but the animals won't be able to tell.

Jimro

[Ulrice]

The Ruger 77 is at the low end of the price list at around $2000 followed by companies like A-Square ($3500), Ed Brown ($5000), Dakota ($6000-8000), and Empire Rifles($9000+). Heym fits somewhere in there but I have no clue howmuch there bolt action Express rifle sells for. If you have alot of money to spend you could look at companies like Holland and Holland, Westley Richard, W.J. Jeffery, John Rigby & Co., and William Evans. Then there is the world of double rifles but you would need atleast $20,000 to entertain that thought.

Like Jimro said the 375 H&H and the 375 Ruger are ballistically equal. The H&H has a number of features that are seen as flaws by some people. One is the long case, you need a magnum action for it. Another is the belt. The Ruger solves these "problems" The shorten the case, straighten out the case walls, and remove the belt so the cartridge head spaces on the shoulder. They remove all the features that have helped to make the 375 H&H one of the most reliable cartridges. Its long tapered case helps to reduce pressure in the Afican heat as well as to ensure that the empty case NEVER gets stuck in the chamber. The H&H head spaces off a belt and that allows chambers to have allitle clearance. If some sand gets into the chamber, which is not uncommon if Africa, the rifle will still funtion perfectly. Perfect funtion is an absolute neccesity when hunting dangerous game. When you "improve" a cartridge in one way they always suffer in another.

[cowboy33713]

You could get into a CZ 550 Safari for less than $900; I got mine in .416 Rigby ( used) a few years back for ( no joke ) $550 before shipping and trans.
.375 H&H is popular!

[kraigwy]

I got my 375 H&H model 70 for 235 new in 1975 (PX Prices) but I beat that on my 416 Rigby, I made it on a 1917 Rem Endfield. I think I made it a bit light cause it kicks like a mule. The Model 70 isnt bad though.

[fisherman66]

A 9.3x62 is in the same ballpark as the vernerable 375 H&H with slightly less velocity and recoil in similar weighted bullets. Some say it's the minimum big 5 Africa rifle.

[darkgael]

I doubt that I'll ever get to Africa to hunt. If I did, however, as fond as I am of my .375 H&H, I'd bring a bolt action in .416 Rigby. Maybe the Ruger, maybe the CZ.
Pete

[csmsss]

Also, don't forget the Ruger No. 1 Tropical. It's certainly deserving of consideration.