Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa New rifle for Africa

Me and a buddy have been trying to work out getting a trip together to Africa to chase some plains game. The only 2 rifles i own that are hunting worthy and not collectable are a #1 Tropical in 375 H&H and a marlin Guide gun 45/70. Figured i'd take the ruger, but was wondering if i really need a repeater? Was thinking of one of the 798 remington type rifles in 375 with a Leupold 1.5-5 VX3. Figured they are CRF and would be a good beater and for possible alaska hunt with a little polishing. Not be as heavy for carrying either. Recoil is not the problem as i can shoot my 375 as well as my old 30/06 and 7mag. Any ideas?

You sure don't need a repeater for plains game, and many people even use a single-shot on dangerous game.

I've taken a Ruger No. 1 Tropical .375 H&H to Africa twice and it worked great on eight species, from springbok to Cape buffalo.

Where did you get the info that a 798 in .375 would be lighter than a No. 1?

actually was looking at the USSG Zastavia Z98. They have a 22 inch barrel with no sights and weigh 7.5 lbs

It sounds as if you want to purchase another rifle anyway! Go for it! MTG

Yeah, if that's what you want, go for it.

Just kinda mainly wondered if i'd be handicapping myself by only taking the number 1.

My two choices were between the 98 and the Safari Express winchesters.

you definitely need a different rifle! i'd go WIN....


There, Now you got a reason to get one.... not that you need it... let us know how it shoots!

We use 30/06 rifles for our loaners, I'm not sure why you would spend money on a gun, rather use it for trophy fees, shoot more game. My 30/06 has cleanly taken everything including many eland and giraffe. You need nothing more then that.

If you "want" more then that's a different story.

Phoneman, The 2 rifles you have, are also what I have. i took my Marlin Guide Gun to the limpopo of RSA, in 2008. I killed 7 head of plains game with it.

This summer. my son and I are going back to Africa for DG. We will both be hunting with Ruger no. 1, 375 H&H.

Either or both of your rifles will work for plains game, over there. Depending on where/what you hunt, most shots will be 200yds., and under. If you want a new gun, go ahead, but I certainly don't see anything wrong with what you have.


maddog

Not sure why you'd need a 375 for PG - are you hunting eland? Seems the 30-06, especially if you shoot it well, would be just fine and probably lighter to carry.

No handicap at all....

Take the number 1. That tropical reeks of Africa. Save your money for the trophy fees and taxidermy.

Exactamundo...but don't put a Bubba-Buddy on it like maddog....

I don't have the 30-06 anymore. ITs the only two i have that are hunting worthy. I had just been looking at the new rifles after reading alot about needing follow up shots. I just wanted to find out from fellas that had been there whether mine would be fine and apparently i should be. So now all i gotta do is come up with a date and some money and do some more field position shooting practice. Thaks fellas. I love my no 1. has a great trigger and pretty dang accurate.

If you shoot the .375 well you prolly won't be needing follow-up shots...

It does make a good plains game rifle for the bush..if I was hunting open country like the Karoo, Id look at something different, but for 90%+ the .375 is skookum...

Sticks and stones.....wiseass!


maddog

Take them both and start practicing. Especially reloading the #1 in a hurry.

The No.1 is plenty of gun for any plains game you are going to shoot here. Load them up with a 230-250gr bullet, and you will effectively kill anything PG. If you can get the No.1 to run nice and quick,with a slightly lighter bullet, so much the better, you will be able to shoot any of the longer distance (out to 300m) with no problem, especially if you are targeting blesbok, springbok, gemsbok or a red hartebeest. If it is your intention to hunt the drier/arid regions, make sure you put in plenty of time at practice with your 150m+ shots. Hope this helps. Regards.

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