New Rifle for Africa

We are doing Namibia for a number of reasons for plains game but best to figure out what your budget is, what type of hunt you want, what species you want, what type of accommodations, what country and a host of other things before worrying about outfitters. Africa is a vast country with countless different types of terrain and styles of hunting. What was perfect for us might be all wrong for you.
 
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Nats said:
:eek:

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:D
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:ban:

I meant why buy another .338WM, not another gun!:D
 
Hey sheephunter
I'd hate to say it, but the guy who suggested the Ruger 77 Hawkeye with a backup scope is probably on the right track.
Mike
 
After owning my share of powerful rifles I am comfortable making the statement that an unaltered wood stock of a production rifle chambered for a powerful cartridge will fail. This might be mitigated by the choice of a plywood stock if you like the looks of those, but the traditional wood stock of an off the shelf powerful rifle will need to be bedded, particularly in rifles costing less than $2K.

A word about ammo. Depending when you'll be there, Nambia can be warm, and the African sun is relentless. Take this into consideration when loading your ammo. I might be worth the risk of loosing 100 fps compared to finding that the bolt sticks from rounds loaded to a suitable level for Canadian hunting conditions. I know you've been around enough to know this, but it might benefit others planning a similar trip.

I also concur with the idea of a second scope for such an adventure. The Leupold 2.5-8X36 is a very nice piece of glass, not terribly large, but makes the long shots easier than a 1.5-5X, yet has the highest practical low end power should you need to make a close range snap shot.

Enjoy your trip. Africa is about experiences and memories. You'll get out of it what you put in.
 
Boomer said:
After owning my share of powerful rifles I am comfortable making the statement that an unaltered wood stock of a production rifle chambered for a powerful cartridge will fail. This might be mitigated by the choice of a plywood stock if you like the looks of those, but the traditional wood stock of an off the shelf powerful rifle will need to be bedded, particularly in rifles costing less than $2K.
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Sounds like it comes from experience and makes sense... but I'm wondering, how did our ancestors fare when hunting there? I don't think they had all the fancy schmancy glass bedding, composite material stocks and uber magnums and got decent results in their hunts.
 
sheephunter said:
here are the parameters.....not interested in anything outside of them.

1) Gun must be new and readily available.

2) Wood or wood laminate stock

3) rifle only must be sub 8 pounds

4) .338 WM

5) No customs makers....just mainstream manufacturers

6) open sights are not required

Sako 85 is one of the top contenders but open to suggestions........
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This criteria narrows down your market significantly. At the bottom end you might find a Mossberg with laminate stock in the $400 range.

In the middle, you could look at the Ruger Hawkeye. $800, give or take. Very well reviewed and it seems people buying these things love them, but I don't own one so I can't comment.

The Kimber 8400 is available in .338, but I don't think these are 'readily available' here in Canada. They run around $1200, if you can find one.

At the top end, there is the Sako 85. $1500-$2000. The Sako 75 and 85 are proven hunting rifles, from Alaska to Africa and everywhere in between. Quite a bit more expensive than the other contenders, but likely a better investment. This would be my choice, given your preferences.
 
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ABDUKNUT said:
This criteria narrows down your market significantly. At the bottom end you might find a Mossberg with laminate stock in the $400 range.

In the middle, you could look at the Ruger Hawkeye. $800, give or take. Very well reviewed and it seems people buying these things love them, but I don't own one so I can't comment.

The Kimber 8400 is available in .338, but I don't think these are 'readily available' here in Canada. They run around $1200, if you can find one.

At the top end, there is the Sako 85. $1500-$2000. The Sako 75 and 85 are proven hunting rifles, from Alaska to Africa and everywhere in between. Quite a bit more expensive than the other contenders, but likely a better investment. This would be my choice, given your preferences.
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Yup, not a lot of options but you could throw an X-Bolt into the mix as well.
 
sheephunter said:
Yup, not a lot of options but you could throw an X-Bolt into the mix as well.
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It would be very close to the Mossberg, on my list.

If you decide to go with the Sako, get the Warne ringmounts. They come in 1" and 30mm and are by far the best system
for these rifles.
 
Boomer said:
Take this into consideration when loading your ammo. I might be worth the risk of loosing 100 fps compared to finding that the bolt sticks from rounds loaded to a suitable level for Canadian hunting conditions.
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Sheep load? Please your killing me here!:D Sheep loading goes something like this: Box up gun and componets and send to Omega... Don't give him any ideas Boomer, thanks.;)
 
ABDUKNUT said:
It would be very close to the Mossberg, on my list.

If you decide to go with the Sako, get the Warne ringmounts. They come in 1" and 30mm and are by far the best system
for these rifles.
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It would be considerably higher on mine. I've shot both extensively......pretty solid rifle actually. I'd compare it to the Ruger.

Yes, the Warnes are good rings for sure...shoot them on all my TC's. TC actually repackages them under their brand name. Just got a set of Talley one pieces for a Tikka though and am impressed....other than they were packaged with the wrong screws.
 
Omega said:
Sheep load? Please your killing me here!:D Sheep loading goes something like this: Box up gun and componets and send to Omega... Don't give him any ideas Boomer, thanks.;)
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Loading involves going to the gun counter and asking for your calibre! :D
 
Just got a set of Talley one pieces for a Tikka though and am impressed....other than they were packaged with the wrong screws.[/QUOTE said:
I've had screw issues with talley. They forgot to thread one :eek: They were very good about it, and now I have enough spare Talley screws for a lifetime!

I like the talley mounts on the sako's too. I have one set up with talleys and it's good and solid.
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