Safari Express rifle pic thread

[Renault]

As much fun as I have playing with different loads, the answer to that question is always going to be 30-06.

That why I have only six.

But if I was going to have a rifle built, one like that little 7 x 57 of yours W of S on that Argentine 98/09 action would probably fill the bill! I remember my first deer! With an old worn out 1916 Spanish Oveido 7!!!!
Still a soft spot in my heart for that rifle and calibre.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I love my pre64 Winchester 30-06...but also my .375HH. If I could only could have one though..it would more than likely be the 30-06,
HD

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I have a .270 Winchester that I love. Nails everything around here (no elk or moose) and it has a little less recoil. A 7mm Mauser or 8mm would also be a period piece for our era. I also think a nice .45/70 would be a good pick in a Sharps or a Remington Rolling Block.

Later

 

[Oldsarge]

I'm almost ashamed to admit this but I must be the only American shooter who has never owned an '06. I'm sure it shows some sort of personality disorder but don't know which. However . . . my sig block presumes that one is hunting around the world. If not then any one of a number of fine calibers will do just fine. California is contemplating banning the use of lead rifle ammunition for hunting just as the feds banned it for waterfowl. This bothers me not. In fact, it gives me an excuse for another gun so I'm converting my grandfather's chromed parade Krag into a Cali-rifle. 165 gr. Barnes coppers at c. 2400 ft. sec. will do anything in the state so that's what I'm going to do.

Down Texas way, unless you're hunting some tough exotics, the biggest baddest thing around is a feral hog. Your whitetail carry big racks on little bodies so I would say that even the '06 is a bit over-powered. The 7x57 is a fine cartridge. So is a 6.5x55. It would be hard to go wrong in that general class. The challenge would be finding a Golden Age rifle for a reasonable price. You need to put in a 'want' with Renault and wait for something to come to his shop.

 

[Renault]

The quintessential express IMHO , would be an Oberndorf Sporter type A. The "English" rifle. Gentleman in Houston owns Osa Johnson's in 9.3x62.

I'm going to commit some firearm blasphemy and go on the record and say that I prefer the 9.3 x 62 over the .375 H&H and I currently own both!!

 

[Oldsarge]

As I've said here before, I used to have one. Some day I'd like to own another. If you should have a Husqvarna M46 in 9.3x57 show up, let me know quick. With that laid back round pistol grip and light weight, it's got to be the fastest handling rifle I've ever swung. And this from a man who has nailed three running hog on two continents with a .318. Rechambered to the 62 mm case, would it be a pocket rocket? Oh, yeah!

 

[wellofsouls]

As I've said here before, I used to have one. Some day I'd like to own another. If you should have a Husqvarna M46 in 9.3x57 show up, let me know quick. With that laid back round pistol grip and light weight, it's got to be the fastest handling rifle I've ever swung. And this from a man who has nailed three running hog on two continents with a .318. Rechambered to the 62 mm case, would it be a pocket rocket? Oh, yeah!

3-4 years ago these Huskies were all over the place - whole websites were devoted to disposing of them. I've seen 30-40 at a time for sale on a single website. Then they all dried up - now you'll find one or two here or there but nothing like the "good old days". Ahhh...remember 2009? Those were the days! We didn't know how good we had it back then!

Seriously, though - for someone who wants to do it all with one rifle, and who doesn't need to stop a charging grizzly, the 30-06 is it. But this is from a guy with 2 30-06's, a 7x57, and who is working on a 6.5x55, a 318 Westley Richards, a 257 Roberts, and a 35 Whelen. How many more can we build on that case? How many different flavors of vanilla are there?

 

[wellofsouls]

IThe 7x57 is a fine cartridge. So is a 6.5x55. It would be hard to go wrong in that general class. The challenge would be finding a Golden Age rifle for a reasonable price. You need to put in a 'want' with Renault and wait for something to come to his shop.

You know the one that might be even better than 30-06? One that is a real red headed step child, that gets no respect, but has tons of cheap ammo always cluttering up catalogs and website? That has a ton of different loads and velocities available? That has loads of great cheap rifles loaded for it?

8mm Mauser.

It's the one that hides in plain sight. A superb round, and I don't know if I've ever even been in the same room with one. Jack O'Connor used to say that there was no reason for it to exist, and he's right of course, but it's one to think about.

 

[Oldsarge]

I almost included it in my run of choices. My hunting partner has one. He spent hours on the range trying this load and that load and you know what the funny thing was? They all shot well enough for game an whatever range he thought he could hit. Nothing tack driving, you understand, but then he doesn't shoot ground squirrels in the next time zone, he shoots food. Minute of volleyball is plenty good enough. It's not a round that appeals to me, unlike it's larger and smaller relatives, but it's a damned good one!

 

[Justin B]

Funny thing about the Mauser Sporter...I used to have one. It was my Dads, and the rifle he taught me to shoot with. It was in my Grandfathers gun safe, but when he passed it mysteriously "disappeared" likely into one of my cousins possession. I'd love to have another.

Seems to me 30-06 is the caliber of choice for a first rifle, followed most likely by a .375?

So in those two calibers, what would the rifle of your choice be?

 

[wellofsouls]

Seems to me 30-06 is the caliber of choice for a first rifle, followed most likely by a .375?

So in those two calibers, what would the rifle of your choice be?

If you're seriously planning on hunting dangerous game or going to Africa, then get a 375. If not, then a 30-06 will take care of everything else, from woodchucks to moose. It will easily handle all plains game in Africa except perhaps eland. It will easily handle non-angry grizzlies. It's just that in many African hunting countries, the .375 is the required legal minimum for many species. If you can afford to go to Africa, then you can afford a second rifle.

 

[Justin B]

Before I go to Africa, I will certainly have a second rifle, and likely a third. I'm just trying to plan on what I want to start building a collection with. To begin with I plan on hunting here in the US, to start bring my skills back up to par, because no matter how good the gun, it only shoots as well as the man behind it.

 

[Oldsarge]

The .375 would only be needed if you intend to shoot big bears or go to Africa. If you do, get one! If not, find something more esoteric to play with. Heck, it's been said that you only need two rifles, a .303 and a .404. I've got a .318 and a .404 and took them on Safari. (Had a ball until I found myself trying to stop a charging buff with the .404. Fortunately my PH was a better shot than I with his .416.) Anyway, the .375 is the queen of calibers . . . for the globe trotting sportsman. If you're going to be a N. American hunter and you get a 30'06, you may as well quit right there. Not that anyone here really thinks you will . . .

 

[Renault]

Since I've been back at the shop I have not seen a single one of those husky 46's or 146's come thru. Except when I trot mine in. They did, W of S, simply dry up!!!!

 

[Justin B]

Ok so first rifle will be a 30-06. Any particulars as to what rifle? Same goes for the second. I was looking today and would like a Mauser action for the former, but got a bit lost on the later. I'm far more familier with modern weapons as I'm a three gun runner and long distance shooter (hence the .338 Lapua). What brand/models should I be on the lookout for?

 

[Oldsarge]

There are those who think there is nothing wrong with Remington style actions. I admit that they are more accurate and for varminters or target shooters are probably the bee's knees. However, after five safaris (two for Cape buffalo) I have come to the conclusion that when hunting dangerous game as in combat reliability is everything. That's why I insist on striker block safeties and controlled feed. That means either the true Mauser or the Winchester M70. In N. America you are concerned with the safety of, at most, your hunting partner and possibly a guide. In Africa there's your partner, the PH, 2-3 trackers and a skinner or two. That is entirely too many people around to depend on a triggerblock safety. Others may disagree but I will not carry anything but those two actions. (Well, if I were rich I'd have double rifles but that's an entirely different story.) Anyway, for your 'heavy' you cannot do better than a M98 or a M70. Personally I have good feelings about CZ. Their double square bridge long Mauser action will handle any cartridge you can stand and is very reasonable. If you can find a M70 in .375 that is not one of their regrettable push feed versions, get it. Whitworth is another of sainted reputation. My own .375 is a Paul Jaeger Whitworth. You cannot do better.

Good hunting, brother.

 

[Story]

How much do you want to spend?

Assuming cheap/ minimal risk, there are some absolutely fine 1930-1950's small gunsmith conversions of the 98 Mauser action. Equally suitable are 1903 Springfield sporters (the 1903 was such a rip-off of the Mauser action, that the Germans sued). Sedgley pattern sporters are a favorite of mine.

Before the inevitable comments about 'low number receivers' start cropping up, read this - http://m1903.com/03rcvrfail/

 

[Story]

The Winchester M70 is a linear descendent (through the Winchester M54) of the Mauser/Springfield 1903 action http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Model_70

Likewise, the Remington 700 can trace back through the Remington 30 to the M1917 Enfield design. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Model_30

And for the Peanut Gallery playing at home that need a program guide,
http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs...ference-between-controlled-feed-and-push-feed

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I own a CZ-452 American .22LR. The CZ 550 Safari Magnum has a hump backed stock that is the best fit I've seen for offhand shooting and it doesn't make any difference / problems shooting in Prone or Kneeling position. The Safari version comes in .375 H&H magnum. The CZ 550 Medium is the same shape but only comes in 7mm Mag. I thought that CZ did have a 550 in .30-06, but I haven't found it on their sight yet.

Later

 

[Renault]

Remember,most post 1964 Winchester model 70's are not control feed , but push fed. They just started production of the control feed rifles here within the past few years. That being said I have seen the extractors on the new Winchesters (which btw are paper thin) break! Replaced several for customers.

If you decide on one of these new actions, order one of the beefier extractors Brownells offers.

Personally I feel you will have the best luck locating a nice custom 98 auctioned Mauser out there that will fit your needs for not just a whole lotta cash!!! Heck, we had a nice old receiver sighted M1917 Eddystone sporter thru the other day that I bet was a tack driver. It was heavy as a dead Baptist preacher, but very classic!!!