Dangerous Game Rifle
- Thread starter AR15meister
- Start date
- Location
- AB foothills
Just so we are clear, this is not the place to post a WTB ad. The EE is the place for that.
Thanks!
Thanks!
AR15meister
CGN Regular
where can I get one? from what I hear they are 6months to who knows if you order one. I would need mine by the summer so I can start practicing with it. Do you know what calibers they come in?
For buffalo I would recommend a 458 Win or Lott, 470 NE isn't a bad choice either. They take more killing than an elephant. The 416s are not bad but I would use a bigger bullet myself. I would not use a 375 on buff, if everything is right they will work 100% but if things don't go exactly as planned I would want more horsepower than the 375 delivers. They are unbelievably tough animals, mine took 9 X 400 gn 416s before deciding to expire, all were lethal hits, no fringe hits at all. I was wishing for my 450 Ackley before that fiasco was over, and soft point bullets too. The solids just weren't imparting enough energy and damage on him, I shot the sh!t out of him and he still got up when I walked up to him..............amazing animals, tough as a pigs nose and bullet proof, seriously.
I have ordered a new M70 safari grade, it was ordered about 7 months ago. I think I'll be waiting about another 7 months, if I'm lucky. I've been told they have no clue when the shipments will arrive. I'm not planning Africa for some time, so no need for the gun anytime soon. I ordered a 375 H&H. I want a gun that can take a leopard, plains game and if I play my cards right a lion if they are still open to hunting when I go. I haven't seen a new M70 in any racks lately, but there has to be some out there somewhere.
They come in .375 H&H, .416 Remington and .458 Win. Mine's a .458 and I feel there is more than enough gain to make it worth while. That's not to say the smaller ones don't work, but buffalo can take a lot more killing than you'd think.
BigBore585
CGN Regular
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I have a CZ 550 American Safari in 458 Win Mag. I perfer the CZ's to the Winchesters. For the price Its a really nice rifle. I would check them out if You already havent. My next CZ 550 will be a 404 Jeffery.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
For a while, I had a Brno 602 and a Winchester model 70, both in .458WM. After playing with both, I decided to keep the Winchester Super Express. It just seemed to be finished off a little better and a little smoother than the 602. Still have it
in preparation for the day WHEN Loto 649 comes through for me.
Also, it shoots well
.
Well sell them Dogleg...................Jeeeezzee, don't be such a dog-in-the-manger................hoarding all the heavies sold in the past 5 years, the rest of us might want something bigger than a 338 you know..............
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Given airline weight restrictions, and the habit that some African countries have of charging a couple of hundred dollars for each gun brought into the country, it makes more sense these days to go with just one rifle. A .375 just about has the general purpose rifle category sewed up, although some seem to prefer the idea of a .416. A .458 would benefit from some high velocity 300-350 gr loads for plains game, keeping the 450-500 gr bullets in reserve for buff and such. The danger here though is shooting the impala bullet at a buffalo and the buffalo bullet at a dik-dik, whereas the .375 or .416 can take on all comers with a single bullet weight/style. I'd be leaning towards a TSX, but Dogleg makes a compelling argument for Swift A-Frames, and his experience trumps mine by a factor of 10.
Getting the rifle early so that you have time to develop a comfort level with it is a good plan. When you start your marksmanship training for the trip, the most demanding shot you'll encounter might be a 200+ yard shot at a baboon, with just enough ground cover to make shooting prone impossible; although a shot at a crocodile wouldn't be easy either. I think you'll like the M-70. The action is slick, and its accurate enough to give you the confidence you'll need to make the more demanding shots. Don't overlook close range snap shooting though, and make note of how low the bullet strikes below your point of aim, should you have to break a charge.
M-70 Express in .458, barrel shortened to 21" LOP 13.5", front swivel moved to the radius of the forend tip.
Getting the rifle early so that you have time to develop a comfort level with it is a good plan. When you start your marksmanship training for the trip, the most demanding shot you'll encounter might be a 200+ yard shot at a baboon, with just enough ground cover to make shooting prone impossible; although a shot at a crocodile wouldn't be easy either. I think you'll like the M-70. The action is slick, and its accurate enough to give you the confidence you'll need to make the more demanding shots. Don't overlook close range snap shooting though, and make note of how low the bullet strikes below your point of aim, should you have to break a charge.
M-70 Express in .458, barrel shortened to 21" LOP 13.5", front swivel moved to the radius of the forend tip.
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AR15meister
CGN Regular
does anyone know how to tell the difference between a pre64 model 70 and a post 64 model 70 .458?
I am looking at a supergrade in .458 from a member here but he doesn't know the age. Am I to understand the post 64 rifles are less desirable for DG?
I have a Model 70 XTR in .308 that I love and has never failed me (my first rifle) but I have never had to worry about a big whitetail killing me and my gun jamming or failing to fire.
I am looking at a supergrade in .458 from a member here but he doesn't know the age. Am I to understand the post 64 rifles are less desirable for DG?
I have a Model 70 XTR in .308 that I love and has never failed me (my first rifle) but I have never had to worry about a big whitetail killing me and my gun jamming or failing to fire.
The Pre-64s and the Post 90 somethings are controlled round feed, in between was 30 years worth of push-feeds some of which were pretty lame. I've had them all at one time or another and think that the latest ones made by FN are the best of the bunch. The 50 year old and older pre-64 stock designs don't do much for me. Let the collectors have them.
CRF versus push feed is a debate for a different time. I do prefer it but won't fight over it. My buffalo are split nearly evenly between the two types.
CRF versus push feed is a debate for a different time. I do prefer it but won't fight over it. My buffalo are split nearly evenly between the two types.
How do you sell the rifle that dragged you Africa a few times, or dropped an elephant with, or summersaulted a incoming buffalo with? Its hard. Besides, rifles just aren't worth that awful much in dollars and its worthwhile to me to be able to pick one up and say "remember that time...................................."
