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bobjoe

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I have decided that it is time that I go on an African hunt. I am only going to be hunting plains game this time as it can be expensive and I want to see what it is like before I go for anything bigger.

I know that for plains game my 338 win mag will do wonders on everything there but I would like to get a 375 H&H.

Reason is my 338 doesn't have iron sights and I don't want to put them on it. Second if for some reason the air line has lost my ammo I want something that I can get ammo for in South Africa.

There are two guns that I am looking at right now a CZ550 with an America stock and the Sako brown bear. Both have Irons on them and both can have a scope mounted. I have never held the brown bear and I have only seen a CZ550 in person, again never held it.

I am wonder what people have experienced with the two above rifles. Also what other guns are there in the same class IE wood stock with iron sights that can accept a scope mount and if possible a detach box mag.

Thanks in advance.
 
The CZ is a fantastic but heavy firearm, well proven in the field. The Sako is also heavy without the pedigree. The Winchester Model 70 is not as heavy, with an equal pedigree to the CZ and would be my choice. If you buy one light enough you may sell the .338......
 
rem338win said:
The CZ is a fantastic but heavy firearm, well proven in the field. The Sako is also heavy without the pedigree. The Winchester Model 70 is not as heavy, with an equal pedigree to the CZ and would be my choice. If you buy one light enough you may sell the .338......
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I'm not too worried about weight as the Sako is only 9 pounds with a scope that is likely around 12 pounds or so it feels and I don't mind packing that. The weight should help with the recoil also.

I don't think I will ever sell my 338. It shoots way to good. Much better than me.
 
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Got myself a Cz 550 Standard in 416 Rigby. i intend to keep it open sight, only 40 round tru it ,i am starting load devellopement with my 40 fireform cases, i will set up a S&B 1.1X4 Shorth Dot with QD ring but idont know if i will use it, as for a second rifle, i got a flaming deal in the hollidays on a Ruger 375 at WSS, i intend to mounted a 3X9X40 Zeiss on it, looking forward a lot to be in Africa... Cheers. JP.
 
If youre not in a hurry why not see if anyone you know owns any of these in 375 H&H and try them out at the range, it may help you decide.

I like the CZ, M0d 70 CRF and the Sako so tough choice..... but I would choose the Sako only because I have owned many over the years and all shot well.
 
Can't go wrong with the CZ heavy enough to tame recoil light enough to pack all day moose hunting. You won't be packing it that much in Africa, just for stalks.
 
bobjoe said:
I have decided that it is time that I go on an African hunt. I am only going to be hunting plains game this time as it can be expensive and I want to see what it is like before I go for anything bigger.

I know that for plains game my 338 win mag will do wonders on everything there but I would like to get a 375 H&H.

Reason is my 338 doesn't have iron sights and I don't want to put them on it. Second if for some reason the air line has lost my ammo I want something that I can get ammo for in South Africa.

There are two guns that I am looking at right now a CZ550 with an America stock and the Sako brown bear. Both have Irons on them and both can have a scope mounted. I have never held the brown bear and I have only seen a CZ550 in person, again never held it.

I am wonder what people have experienced with the two above rifles. Also what other guns are there in the same class IE wood stock with iron sights that can accept a scope mount and if possible a detach box mag.

Thanks in advance.
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If your African adventure was going to include dangerous game the .375 is the ideal choice for the one gun client. In at least some African countries the .375 is the minimum cartridge required by law, although I'm not sure about the RSA. For a powerful rifle the .375 is surprisingly mild mannered and many find a light .338 far more disagreeable. With just a single load it is incredibly versatile and can be used to take everything from dik-dik to buffalo. However, if you are on a plains game hunt without dangerous game being on your list, your .338 is a fine choice, even for tough animals like zebra and wildebeest, unless you just want a new rifle. Frankly, I'd be a bit concerned taking an untried rifle with me, if the trip is just around the corner. Not that the reliability of the rifle is in question, just that you won't have had time to get acquainted with it. You see a bush buck at 275 yards, where do you hold? That sort of thing.

A doctor pal of mine grew up on a ranch in South Africa and the .338 was his cartridge of choice. This guy shot truck loads of game. and he never expressed that there was any difficulty in acquiring ammo, so I doubt if you would have much difficulty finding factory stuff there. Perhaps your hosts could even arrange for a couple of boxes to be waiting for you upon your arrival.

If you are concerned about using irons at close range, a low powered variable turned down to 1X or 1.5X is easier to manage, particularly in poor light. If you simply want the redundancy of irons, a second scope mounted in repeatable QD rings will provide that.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy the experience.
 
i love my Sakos but my 85 is a rifle i especially enjoy.For me a detachable box magazine is a must on a hunting rifle and the 85 has done this quite well. it would be near impossible to lose the magazine from the rifle as you must push up on the mag while pressing the button. Furthermore the taper and fit of the magazine to the well keeps the magazine from falling free unless you guide it out with your hand, which was also a pain in the but till i got used to it. The 85 has a button in front of the saftey that allows you to unload and load without taking the safty off. At first i thought i would never use this feature, however crossing fences and other tasks i found the button actually came in very handy. The rifle shoots exceptionally as one would expect from a Sako and is very comfortable to pack.
I have a couple CZ rifles and they shoot as good as my Sakos.You are fortunate as you cant make a bad choice, I would not hesitate to hunt with any of the rifles mentioned. Good luck with your African adventure!
 
Win 70 Safari would be my first choice, CZ 550 Safari second, Sako would be down the list. Can't see why you'd need a DM in Africa...
 
I would pick the SAKO its lighter and probably a lot handier.
If you want a .375 for pg only you might also consider a Ruger#1
I like my lh mdl 70 but if I was to start over I might get a 375 Ruger.
.338 ammo shouldnt be hard to find in the RSA.
If you are worried about bustng the scope on your .338 ,bring an extra.
 
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buy the 375, you all ready have the 338. Handle them both and buy the one that shoulders best. Its just that simple. both guns are fantastic for what you intend to use them for, neither will disappoint unless the fit is bad.
 
I have not booked my trip as of yet I am in the planning stage.

Boomer thanks for the info. I tried to see what I could find online for ammo source is SA but I couldnt find much. Good to know that 338win mag is down there.

Blargon I like the feature of a detach mag. Sako seems to have it right with theirs. Part of the reason is that I will likely use the 375 more here than in Africa. I'm not against a internal mag and I will buy one if it comes down to it.

I have a buddy that has a 375 ruger and I know I can try it anytime. So it is a must. Only issue I have with his gun is that it is very light for the round.

Does anyone know where I might find a brown bear in or around Gp to hold?
 
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