Bolt gun for dangerous game
- Thread starter Win/64
- Start date
- Location
- Downtown Vancouver, BC
Mauser 98. Just look at all the safari guns made off of old Yugo actions...$5000 a pop.
got back from africa a couple months ago and all the ph's were carrying CZ 550 magnums, that being said if it was me i'd be shooting a blaser R93, there just isnt anything faster or more reliable period, my dad has shot the same gun for 15+ years and has never once had a problem
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
The articles are interesting, but the the client's rifle and the PH's rifle serve different purposes although both might be used on dangerous game. Due to the restrictions placed on a client traveling to Africa today, traveling with a single rifle is often more convenient. If a client ops for a single rifle, and dangerous game is on the menu, it will almost certainly be a scoped .375 class rifle that is chosen.
The client's rifle is most often used on an undisturbed animal, although the scope should be easily removable should a follow up be necessary in tall grass or thick cover. At the very least it should have a low power of 2X or less.
The PH's rifle is brought into play when the conditions become dangerous. This means he must deal with a very large or scratchy wounded animal, that is moving very quickly at short range. Mark Sullivan's prowess with a double rifle under these circumstances must be seen to be appreciated. I had access to both a .375 M-70 and .500 Nitro DR, and when things got exciting, I was more comfortable with the bolt gun - because that is what I am used to.
There lies the key to the whole debate. What are you used to? The MS's of the world swear by their double rifles as simply the best insurance against dangerous game. Guys like me prefer to face any situation with a bolt gun, and perhaps an equal number would reach for a big bore lever gun. There are also those who like pumps and semi-autos. Pounder had a .458 built on a BAR, which was interesting - but it wouldn't be my first choice. What you have confidence in, and what you have confidence in your ability to use is what is best for dangerous game.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
I've stated this before and will again.
I've jammed CRF as well as PF actions!
It all depends on how well the action is tuned, and how it is operated.
Even a break action or falling block will not chamber a round if it is closed before the cartridge is all the way into the chamber.
Work it right, and anything will do - work it wrong, and nothing will do!
Cat
I've jammed CRF as well as PF actions!
It all depends on how well the action is tuned, and how it is operated.
Even a break action or falling block will not chamber a round if it is closed before the cartridge is all the way into the chamber.
Work it right, and anything will do - work it wrong, and nothing will do!
Cat
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You hit the nail on the head!
westcoaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central BC
There is some good stuff in that article, and a lot of BS as well. For BS you can start just about everything Don Heath says about safeties. The picture of a M70 safety is from a Pre-War rifle BTW. I doubt many people outside of Winchester collectors have ever seen one like that. I had the opportunity to discuss that article with 4 Zimbabwe PHs this summer. If you want to see PHs laugh til beer shoots out of their noses that's a good place to start. About the kindest thing that they said is that one shouldn't believe everything Heath writes.(And that he doesn't like Americans much) What he knows is a whole different thing.
From what I've seen and been able to gleen, better than half of the PHs carry CZs or Brnos. There are a smattering of Mausers and Mauser clones, plus a few Pre-64 and post 92 Winchesters. One carried a Weatherby.(A gift) A suprising amount of their rifles were received as gifts. At least half of their work rifles were .375s, with .458 Lotts showing up frequently and some .416s here and there. The ability to shoot free ammo donated by clients is prized. A couple calibers that get sneered at alot are .458 Winchester and .416 Remington. They don't have 100 of different powders to choose from, and with their limited selection under-speed and over pressure concerns are very real.
