more than the caliber which platform you consider for dangerous game and your own exp

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medvedqc

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eriences of course...

i really liked the Mark V in 460 wea for forest dwarf buffalo or the central western one, great for lion but always thought that 2 in the pipe was always low just in case.

getting older i do think that the ruger MKII, RSM or Hawkeye is close to be the perfect plaftorm for dangerous game and you what do you say?

thanks for the discussion
 
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For me the Model 70 in .458 (Rechambered to Lott) I like the controlled round feed and extraction and the three position safety. A safety that locks the striker is a big deal when youre surrounded by people who act like they are trying to get shot.
 
For me its the Ruger M77 Hawkeye African in 416 ruger...feeds so smooth I keep having to check to see if it picked up another round....:)
 
I have a Ruger Alaskan in 375ruger.
Very reliable In my 5yrs with it.
I’ve probably got 500-600 rounds threw it.
I use it for everything here in bc.
Seen a lot of dirty km. Never a complaint.

Mind you the hinge floor plate is stiff so i cycle the action to empty my mag.
It’s had lots of rounds chambered in it. Lol
 
My Merkel 140ae double. After shooting many thousands of rounds with similar shotguns, a well fitted double in my hands is fast, instinctive and accurate at dangerous game ranges. I have a 1-6x scope in good QD mounts for precise shooting in stalking situations, and a red dot reflex or irons for up close and fast shooting. The 450-400 3" nitro express caliber is not too difficult to shoot well. But the cost of my rig is about 3-4x that of a decent bolt action.
I had a Ruger RSM .375 and mostly liked it, but the short bolt handle gets lost in the recess of that chubby stock. Wish they would have sized the bolt handle to match the M77RSM's bigger stock and action. I found it unreliable to pick up and work the bolt by "palming" as you should with a dangerous game bolt action.
 
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I really prefer the Model 70, it can have its issues, but when it’s been gone through and working like it’s meant to, it’s really tough to beat. You can load it from across the room, the trigger never fails to drop the striker, and cartridges always seem to make it out of the chamber. I really appreciate mechanical ejection and when needed a safety that blocks the striker is a plus. Make mine a 30-06.

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I fall back on my .375 Ruger Alaskan a lot. It is smooth, accurate, and deadly reliable. I have a Win 70 extreme weather that is a close second. A bit smoother, but in .30-06 , it just doesnt see quite as much action. CRF is my preferred platform as any model 98 Mauser spinoff/copy wont steer you wrong.
 
Its a little surprising that dangerous game cartridges are not more frequently chambered in semi-auto rifles. Yes, yes, I know many countries, where dangerous game is hunted, have restrictions on the importation of semi-automatic rifles, but that in itself doesn't diminish the practicality of the system. Semi-auto rifles, at least gas operated ones, produce less recoil, are less susceptible to operator induced failures to feed, and the actions typically are fully enclosed, making them less susceptible to debris causing failures to fire. The downside of course is that brass for these cartridges runs to the expensive side, so brass that is damaged by the violent cycling of a semi-auto action and loosing brass that costs upwards of $5/ea does not encourage practice. Pounder had a .458 built on a BAR, which proved the viability of the system, even though the barrel was a bit heavy IMHO. M-1 Garands have been adapted to fire the .458 as well, although I've never seen one. I don't know if I'd own such a rifle if it was commercially available, but I believe there is a market for one.
 
I've shot dangerous game with a RSM and a Model 70. I'd likely just take a Remington 700 next. There is really no difference in feeding reliability imo. As long as the bolt handle stays attached which I'm confident it would.:runaway:
 
Buckmastr said:
I've shot dangerous game with a RSM and a Model 70. I'd likely just take a Remington 700 next. There is really no difference in feeding reliability imo. As long as the bolt handle stays attached which I'm confident it would.:runaway:
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I've tried chambering rounds in some of my Rem 700's while holding the rifles at all angles, even inverted, and they have feed 100% reliably...CRF just sounds more gooder though! :)
 
Best is a .375 H&H, .416 Rem, or .458 Lott bolt action likely for most applications. I’ve hunted Big Five and other toothy things with double rifle and bolt action, my preference is the double as I’m like Longwalker and shoot them better in a hurry from a life of wingshooting doubles growing up. For me a .375 double is ideal, and has the most applications, in other words it stays busy unlike if I had a .500 double. I also like to see bullet impacts of 2,200-2,400fps minimum and the slow and heavy old nitros don’t make the cut for me. A .458 Lott is likely perfection, speed and penetration. But a .375 does darn well too and I prefer shooting them.

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Boomer said:
Its a little surprising that dangerous game cartridges are not more frequently chambered in semi-auto rifles. Yes, yes, I know many countries, where dangerous game is hunted, have restrictions on the importation of semi-automatic rifles, but that in itself doesn't diminish the practicality of the system. Semi-auto rifles, at least gas operated ones, produce less recoil, are less susceptible to operator induced failures to feed, and the actions typically are fully enclosed, making them less susceptible to debris causing failures to fire. The downside of course is that brass for these cartridges runs to the expensive side, so brass that is damaged by the violent cycling of a semi-auto action and loosing brass that costs upwards of $5/ea does not encourage practice. Pounder had a .458 built on a BAR, which proved the viability of the system, even though the barrel was a bit heavy IMHO. M-1 Garands have been adapted to fire the .458 as well, although I've never seen one. I don't know if I'd own such a rifle if it was commercially available, but I believe there is a market for one.
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Years ago I would have disagreed with you- surely a solid bolt action is more reliable than them damn jamomatics!

But now, after seeing thousands of hunters and shooters- many new, but some long term- I'm fairly convinced a good semi can often be a better way.

I recall the guy that was making larger bore Garands. I think I recall a .338 WM too.

Like most of us, I'll take a CRF bolt action, A Winchester is great and so is something like my .375 Ruger that is absolutely reliable and feeds cartridges like greased sausages. But other than probably being a bit heavier, a semi that was designed from the ground up to chamber the 375/416 Ruger or a .458 would be pretty great. Bonus points if it had an extended mag that would offer 8-10 rounds.
 
When your life and way of life is on the line, looks pretty much like all the worlds armies chose semi auto. Regardless of how nostalgic some here tend to be, there's probably a good reason for that! :)
 
hawk-i said:
When your life and way of life is on the line, looks pretty much like all the worlds armies chose semi auto. Regardless of how nostalgic some here tend to be, there's probably a good reason for that! :)
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Yes, much different application however, for every job there’s the right tool we should know that here with all our gun application and bear defense debates. It’s like saying hunters should drive rally cars afield because they’re higher performance, or drywallers should use framing nail guns because they’re faster.

For dangerous game the right tool is a fast pointing dead reliable firearm of rather extraordinary power, capable of delivering two to five large rounds rapidly in a quick pointing, easy handling package. Ideally it should be as light as possible for caliber so it’s carried in the hands. High volume shooting, multiple targets that need fire suppression, and extended range are not at all important for dangerous game.

Most dangerous game rifles receive far more severe duty in PH / guides hands than military firearms, I’m aware that’ll receive a few guffaws here but it’s true. Military firearm get more routine care and cleaning, or if heavily used in combat without cleaning are likely to go back to an armourer or be switched out years ahead of the PHs rifle. If you don’t believe me ask for a pic of my ATC Glock 10mm from outfitting. Many of the famous PH rifles serve decades unserviced, see Harry Selby’s .416 Rigby, it hunted dangerous game until the bore was so shot out it keyholed- that takes some doing in a .416 and about forty rather neglected years afield. Then it got a new barrel and went back to work.

Semis could work, not against them, but they’d offer me little in a work rifle and increase the complexity of the gun over a good double or bolt. Generally they’re harder to carry chamber loaded and safe too.
 
My Merkel 140 in 470NE, 2 Buffalo, 1 Giraffe and a Elephant did the job. 2 nd would be a CZ 550 either in my 404 Jeffery or my 416 Rigby. Have taken all 3 to Africa and killed with all 3.
 
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