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VA, USA
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Posted: 5/29/2016 6:52:26 PM EDT
[Last Edit: sovaprepper]
If you had to pick three bolt action rifles chambered for different rounds to hunt every animal in the world from eastern white tail to dangerous game in Africa what would they be?
I ask because I'm pretty new to hunting and I'm planning some hunts in the western US and would like to get to Africa one day. Right now I'm looking at Rugers because they fit my price range and would all be the same operating system. Would 308, 300win mag and 416 ruger do it all? If you were going to pick three what would they be. |
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Posted: 5/29/2016 10:42:11 PM EDT
[#1]
30-06, .300 win., .375 H&H
30-06 works for most most game, and is universally found in stores, .300 win has the capability to reach out a bit further for plains game. .375 H&H because it's just right for the largest animals you can run into, and a common round in places where you would use it. |
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Posted: 5/31/2016 8:43:56 PM EDT
[#2]
I'm going to say 6.5x55, 7mm Mag, 375 H&H. Same idea as the above poster, but taking it a little easier with the lower end calibers. The 6.5x55 is such a pleasure to shoot compared to the 30-06, yet still quite capable of taking the largest game in North America. If you felt you needed a little more, the 7mm Mag most certainly will do the job in the states, while subjecting the shooter to less of a beating than with the 300 WM. The 375 H&H is a great choice when you're hunting something that could end up hunting you.
As for rifles, a traveling game hunter should have rifles that takedown, and transport with ease. Such rifles should be able to be broken down, and reassembled without losing zero. My favorites are the Sauer 404, Blaser R8, and the Mauser M03. These rifles are pricy, but well worth it. |
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CO, USA
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Posted: 6/2/2016 12:07:22 AM EDT
[#3]
IMO they need to be calibers spaced out. A 6.5mm to 7mm caliber on the low end, with 270 win, and 7mm rem mag being the front runners. These are two very popular calibers for whitetail, and both can handle bigger stuff. Middle weight calibers, 338 or 375 caliber would be the choice. 338 win, or the vaunted 375H&H. Both are common, easy to find ammo, and similar recoil. 375H&H has the advantage of being legal on all dangerous game. From there, you enter big bore territory. 416 and 458 calibers are the most common and easy to find of the big hitters. 416 Remington mag, 416 rigby, 458 win mag, and 458 lott are good for all dangerous game. 458 calibers tend to be known more for charge stoppers, short range guns that bludgeon the beast. 416 calibers are a hybrid between 375 and 458.
If you go 270 win, go 338 win and 416(rem or rigby). If you go 7mm rem mag, you could go with 375H&H and 458win(or lott if you love recoil) All of those calibers(aside from the rigby) are obtainable in the Winchester model 70. Costs more than ruger, but they are better made IMO. Now you can save money with the ruger(they do operate similar to Winchesters incidentally), and go with the 375 or 416 ruger. Here is the catch, ammo is still not very common(no guarantee it will be down the road either), and unsure about finding it in Africa yet. Not many loadings for it, and due to COAL limits of the design, some issues with bullet seating depth. Contrary to urban legend, 416 rem doesn't have pressure issues due to modern powders at all, and 458 win can be loaded with modern powders and work correctly as well. |
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Posted: 6/6/2016 7:18:12 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Bubbatheredneck]
[#4]
Historical?
7x57 300H&H 375 H&H Now? 223, 300WBY 375 Ruger |
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CO, USA
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Posted: 6/7/2016 12:35:04 AM EDT
[#5]
264 Win Mag
9.3x62 Mauser 416 Remington. |
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Posted: 6/7/2016 2:32:30 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 50-140:
30-06, .300 win., .375 H&H 30-06 works for most most game, and is universally found in stores, .300 win has the capability to reach out a bit further for plains game. .375 H&H because it's just right for the largest animals you can run into, and a common round in places where you would use it. Perfect trifecta! |
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Posted: 6/19/2016 1:30:21 AM EDT
[#7]
I'm in no way qualified to answer this
7x57 .30-06 375 H&H |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 6/19/2016 2:42:16 AM EDT
[#8]
A while ago a bunch of 'gun writers' were on an African hunt and discovered how little they needed the big guns.
1. 22rf 2. Most any centerfire such as 7x57, 7-08, 308. 270, to a max of 30-06 or a similar metric cartridge. 3. Not sure on this one, perhaps 45-70. I 'load down' most things bigger than 30-06. Remember, a very large number of elephants were killed with the 7x57 and 6.5 rounds. It was a matter of using the right bullet, putting the bullet in the right place, and remaining calm enough to do so. |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 6/19/2016 7:54:19 PM EDT
[#9]
Not a lot of love for the big boys but it makes sense there are only a few animals they are really needed for.
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Posted: 6/19/2016 8:26:39 PM EDT
[#10]
9mm
223 300 blk |
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Posted: 7/3/2016 2:47:40 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Bubbatheredneck]
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TinSpinner: Perfect trifecta! Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TinSpinner: Originally Posted By 50-140: 30-06, .300 win., .375 H&H 30-06 works for most most game, and is universally found in stores, .300 win has the capability to reach out a bit further for plains game. .375 H&H because it's just right for the largest animals you can run into, and a common round in places where you would use it. Perfect trifecta! For the most part , 30 cal is 30 cal., esp when they are both standard length cartridges. |
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USA
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Posted: 7/4/2016 9:42:59 AM EDT
[Last Edit: SteelonSteel]
[#12]
.223 rem for little things up to coyote.
.260 rem, 6.5x55, or 7mm-08 or 270 or 30-06 for most anything in NA. .338 win mag for bears and such. It beats the 300 win mag and this from a .300 owner. African game? Use the guides equipment and travel without the headache of bureaucrats and theft. ETA oh and selling a used African game rifle isn't always easy. There is a much much smaller market for them. Most are used once and put up or even purchased for the trip that never happens. I know at least five guys with those big bore rifles that never left the state let alone country. Read too much Capstick I suppose. |
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Posted: 7/6/2016 10:33:42 AM EDT
[#13]
.308 or 30-06
.375 H&h .458 Lott |
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Posted: 7/6/2016 5:48:40 PM EDT
[Last Edit: rocky59]
[#14]
.243 - anything from porupine to anything smaller than a whitetail deer, plus it can reach out And touch them at 500-600 meters
30-06 - if you don't own or shoot anything with this caliber you should be kicked out as an American citizen, seriously anything from jackals to eland
.375 H&H - anything from a as small as a duiker and up to a elephant, animals would have to be within 300 for effectiveness |
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IN, USA
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Posted: 7/19/2016 2:58:47 PM EDT
[#15]
.243
.300 Win Mag .416 Rigby If I could only have 1 rifle it would be .375 H&H. |
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Posted: 7/19/2016 3:23:11 PM EDT
[#16]
.270 Win
.300 Win Mag .375 H&H If you limited it to North America I would take two, the 270 and a 338 Win Mag. |
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Posted: 7/19/2016 4:29:54 PM EDT
[Last Edit: gunnut284]
[#17]
.223
.30-06 .375 Ruger (because I like the M77 Guide Gun) |
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Posted: 8/29/2016 12:42:08 AM EDT
[#18]
.458 Lott
9.3 x 62 Mauser 12 ga |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 11:04:06 AM EDT
[#19]
Heck, I had a .375 H&H in a Sako Light Weight Hunter and recoil was the same as my .35 Whelen.
I would just choose it for all game. |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 2:54:35 PM EDT
[#20]
Friend has a house full of mounts from Wolves to Water Buffalo.
He favors the 220 Swift, 280 Rem. and the 375 H&H. He does have a 450 Capstick and 338 Lapua as well. |
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USA
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Posted: 10/23/2016 3:41:41 AM EDT
[#21]
223
30-06 375H&H Add a 12ga and you can successfully hunt every game animal worldwide. JPK |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 10/25/2016 3:24:12 PM EDT
[#22]
honestly you could get by with two pretty easily. 270,308 or 06. Will work on anything from coyote's(assuming you aren't keeping pelts) to moose. They will all take elk and moose cleanly to 300 yards even with the old plain jane cup and core bullets with new powder and bullets they are even better. They will all take the african plains game as well.
375 h and h or other big bore for the really big stuff that can maul you. If you want to add in things that fly a 12 gauge and you got 3 guns that you can hunt anything on the planet. |
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NV, USA
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Posted: 10/29/2016 4:00:23 PM EDT
[#23]
My choice would be
.223 6.5x55 375Ruger(I own) or H&H I already own all three calibers and would be perfectly happy if they were the only three I could own. A 270gr bullet from the Ruger or H&H has roughly the same trajectory as a 30-06 with a 180gr bullet. I've known people who have used the H&H on deer and they have all said that it is far less destructive then a smaller caliber on the deer. Recoil on the H&H or 375 Ruger isn't as bad as most people think. It's easily handled with a good recoil pad like the decelerator or other brands. |
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NV, USA
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Posted: 7/25/2018 10:15:28 PM EDT
[#24]
6.5 Creedmore
.30-06 .375 H&H Done 
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Posted: 8/1/2018 4:28:56 PM EDT
[Last Edit: MikeDeltaFoxtrot]
[#25]
For me it would be:
300 Win Mag. 375 H&H Mag 500 Jeffery I took the first two to Africa last month. I am planning a return trip, hopefully to include a cape buffalo. Thus the 500 Jeffery. I might cheap out and get a 458 Lott instead. The 30-06 is a fine cartridge, but it doesn't do anything the 300 Win Mag doesn't. As others have said a shotgun rounds out the armory. I shoot a 20 gauge more often than a 12, but if I could only have one it would be a 12, as it is necessary for turkeys and waterfowl. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 8/3/2018 8:19:30 AM EDT
[#26]
Originally Posted By sovaprepper:
If you had to pick three bolt action rifles chambered for different rounds to hunt every animal in the world from eastern white tail to dangerous game in Africa what would they be? I ask because I'm pretty new to hunting and I'm planning some hunts in the western US and would like to get to Africa one day. Right now I'm looking at Rugers because they fit my price range and would all be the same operating system. Would 308, 300win mag and 416 ruger do it all? If you were going to pick three what would they be. I would go .223, .30-06, and .378 WBY. |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 8/10/2018 3:39:45 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Quarterbore:
.270 Win .300 Win Mag .375 H&H If you limited it to North America I would take two, the 270 and a 338 Win Mag. 308 300 wsm 375 h &h I honestly think you could skip the 300 mag and just use the 270,308 or 06 and then the 375. or if you varmint hunt a 223, then one of the main calibers listed then 375 for the big stuff. |
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Posted: 8/10/2018 9:51:35 PM EDT
[#28]
If we are talking about 3 guns for everything that would have to include birds and varmit/coyote etc. correct?
.375 H&H...I have a m70 Alaskan and it is about perfect. Not overly heavy, well built and accurate. It will kill anything on the planet. .223/5.56 or something similiar for varmits/coyote etc. 16 guage built on a 20 gauge frame. Light and handy but it will cover pretty much all upland needs. Just my 2 cents worth. |
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Posted: 8/23/2018 4:18:29 AM EDT
[#29]
12ga
7x57 375H&H I can't think of anything that walks or crawls on this planet that cannot be taken with one of those 3. I'd really love to have a 22lr in there as well, but rulez... |
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Posted: 10/1/2018 9:32:40 PM EDT
[#30]
12 gauge I know it is not a rifle but a lot of hunting involves birds, this also covers rabbits/squirrel sized game that a 30-06 is overkill for
30-06 the most commonly used. Nearly everything in the planet can be safely and ethically hunted with a 30-06. .375 Ruger. Holy shit the penetration of mono metal and solids. Don’t expect to recover many bullets, even on head on shots into the chest. Not only does it have amazing penetration, giving you a legitimate heart shot from the rear, but for me, it is the biggest round I can shoot and still empty the magazine on dangerous game. |
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Posted: 11/12/2018 3:30:27 PM EDT
[Last Edit: JPK]
[#31]
5.56/223
30-06 375H&H Plus 12ga and 22lr... If three guns total, 12ga, 22lr, 375H&H |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 1/17/2019 2:57:14 PM EDT
[#32]
I would go with .22lr, 30-06 and 375 H&H. They cover everything including having fun on safari. Also, the only one that might give you troubles is 30-06 due to it being a "military" round and not allowed in some areas. I would sub in 308 for those areas. All are pretty available in all the places I have hunted. 308 took my kudu and oryx. 375 took two zebra.
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Posted: 10/10/2020 10:27:32 PM EDT
[#33]
12g
6.5 Creed/.260 375 H&H |
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Posted: 10/11/2020 7:45:59 AM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By PBreezy: I would go with .22lr, 30-06 and 375 H&H. They cover everything including having fun on safari. Also, the only one that might give you troubles is 30-06 due to it being a "military" round and not allowed in some areas. I would sub in 308 for those areas. All are pretty available in all the places I have hunted. 308 took my kudu and oryx. 375 took two zebra. I would think .308 would run into the same issue as a “military” round. |
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Posted: 10/26/2020 1:33:32 PM EDT
[#35]
243 Winchester
30-06 Springfield 416 Remington Magnum |
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Posted: 10/26/2020 1:36:49 PM EDT
[#36]
223/5.56
270 Winchester 375 H&H Magnumb I already have the top two. |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 11/7/2020 12:01:30 AM EDT
[#37]
Id probably grab one of my .223's, my .280 Rem or 7mm Mag and then either my 9.3x62 or .375H&H. Honestly, could probably do the majority of hunting with a .280 or even that 9.3. Its an impressive little cartridge.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 11/23/2020 12:42:15 AM EDT
[#38]
I have used a bolt gun (Dakota Traveler 300H&H/375H&H)
470NE (Heym 88B PH double with 20ga barrels also fitted). |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 1/2/2022 11:14:48 PM EDT
[#39]
I think in some countries it’s illegal to own military calibers, so .223/5.56, 7.62/.308 and .30-06 may have issues. I might go:
.222 .300 H&H .375 H&H |
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IL, USA
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Posted: 1/6/2022 1:37:27 AM EDT
[#40]
I’d go with
.25-06 .300 WM .375 H&H |
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SC, USA
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Posted: 2/24/2022 8:19:35 PM EDT
[Last Edit: radioshooter]
[#41]
Trying to take military calibers into certain countries can be troublesome.
.243 Win 30:06 375 HH A 30:06 bolt action with detachable mags would be comforting if SHTF in foreign lands. |
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TN, USA
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Posted: 4/11/2022 11:08:43 PM EDT
[#42]
Bolt action only: 22-250 or 243, 30-06, 375H&H
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