Looking for a heavy hitter

jimbobborg · Jul 20, 2020

With the way things are going this year, I'm expecting something big and prehistoric to show up. So time to cowboy up. Looking at the Ruger and the CZ safari rifles, in 416. Apparently, CZ stopped production of their African game rifles and they're all custom shop only now. Either way, there's lots of NOS CZs still floating around. Both options are roughly $1200. Based on the vast knowledge base here, I figure someone has an opinion on Ruger versus CZ bolt guns. So which is the better option?

Doco Overboard · Jul 20, 2020

Looks like the CZ has twin crossbolts. 3 leaf express ( hooded ramp) and same hammer forged barrel process but with two position safety. 9.3 lbs. Push feed 25" 3 rnd box.
Ruger has one recoil bolt, barrel banded front sling attachment three position with classic claw extractor controlled round with fixed ejector feed single leaf express rear maybe a muzzle break and 7.3 lbs. 23" barrel 3 rnd box

Fixed ejector alone and integral dovetails would do it for me, although the cz is sort of appealing but doesn't really sell me on a big game rifle other than appearance.
Those few extra pounds would come in handy though.
Biggest game I'm hunting right now is freezee pops though so good luck on your choice.

davsco · Jul 20, 2020

bil has a cz in 375 h&h mag. that thing thumps! we've set up a dozen water jugs and shot them far to near to simulate a charging buffalo, fun!

not sure the mag calibers are the best for HD, bolt action and substantial recoil will limit time to get back on (another) target quickly.

Mdeng · Jul 20, 2020

Graboids will require BIG guns. Just ask Burt Gummer!

jimbobborg · Jul 20, 2020

davsco said:
not sure the mag calibers are the best for HD, bolt action and substantial recoil will limit time to get back on (another) target quickly.

I've got more guns than sense and have the HD duty guns stacked :lol:

Mdeng said:
Graboids will require BIG guns. Just ask Burt Gummer!

This right here is what's concerning me. The heaviest hitters I have now are a 300 WinMag and 12 gauge slugs. I've got nothing that covers the possibility of critters this big. I know it sounds kind of silly, but with the way things have been going this year, who knows what's going to hit us in 2020.

Rockzilla · Jul 20, 2020

Mdeng said:
Buy a 50BMG!

Let me know if you need help with purchase, transfer. I'm a dealer in VA now.

Go big or don't go at all....
Ruger No.1 458 WM
Weatherby 460
Barrett 50 BMG
Next up 408 Cheytac.... getting funds together....

Chow.

-Rock

willtill · Jul 20, 2020

Mdeng said:
Graboids will require BIG guns. Just ask Burt Gummer!

What was that gun he used against that graboid when it burrowed through his basement wall btw?

Augie · Jul 20, 2020

https://www.winchesterguns.com/prod...Current-Products/model-70-safari-express.html

If I was looking for a dangerous game rifle I would also take a close look at the current Model 70 in .458 Win Mag.

Bolts Rock · Jul 20, 2020

I have a CZ HET II in .338LM I'm getting ready to gun broker. 14 pounds of snipery goodness.

Blacksmith101 · Jul 20, 2020

Julian Hatcher had some thoughts on heavy hitting.

Hatcher on Shotgun
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3110494;view=1up;seq=228

Textbook of Firearms Investigation, Identification and Evidence
By Julian Hatcher
Page 211

“Because the shotgun is intended to scatter a load of light shot,
which will not kill even small feathered game at distances greater
than about 80 yards, few people realize the extreme deadliness of
this type of weapon at very short ranges, such as ten feet or under.
It is doubtful if there exists today upon this earth an animal
which cannot be killed, or at least instantly disabled with the 12
bore shotgun and a load of ordinary No. 4 shot, provided that the
shooter wait until that animal comes up to the very muzzle of his
gun before shooting. The result is that a veritable "rat hole" will
be blown into the animal, and the tissues in and around the wound
will be pulped and torn horribly by the load of shot entering the
flesh in a churning mass. Nothing could be more effective in stop-
ping the charge of an infuriated bull, just to quote one example.”

Of course the guy who has to wait until the target is that close before he pulls the trigger has to have a set of big brass ones himself.

For the younger folk who never heard of Julian Hatcher:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Hatcher

byf43 · Jul 20, 2020

Looking for the right rifle for pre-historic animals is easy.

Screenshot from their website.

Jed195 · Jul 20, 2020

Kimber Caprivi. They have Alaskan model as well in stainless.

jimbobborg · Jul 20, 2020

byf43 said:
Looking for the right rifle for pre-historic animals is easy.

Screenshot from their website.

Those are hen's teeth and are not available for even the list price :rolleyes:

Even the Marlin Dark rifles are dried up!

Pope414 · Jul 21, 2020

Mdeng said:
Buy a 50BMG!

Let me know if you need help with purchase, transfer. I'm a dealer in VA now.

funny ..I had a partner who retired to New Mexico, he picked up a 50 cal Barrett
i asked him why? what the -f are you hunting with a 50? ...I damn near choked on my coffee when he said .......chucks!!....... I said don`t you think thats a little overkill...with complete deadpan he said nope...So I said there would be nothing but a red mist after you hit it...his reply was exactly! remember how I f`ed up my back? well after i hit it I don`t need to walk out to pick it up.....True story

CrazySanMan · Jul 21, 2020

I'm building a 50 Beo for the things that I want to smack down. Don't forget about the 460 Ruger / 454 Casull / 45 LC combo...

4g64loser · Jul 21, 2020

On a serious note, the cz is a finer rifle than the Ruger. I used to have one in 375. Hunting partner still has his. The cz holds more rounds than most of it's competition.

On a sarcastic note, why not just get a .460 weatherby? I shot one. Once. I have fired an original 8 bore double and the darned .460 was much worse.

jimbobborg · Jul 21, 2020

4g64loser said:
On a sarcastic note, why not just get a .460 weatherby? I shot one. Once. I have fired an original 8 bore double and the darned .460 was much worse.

Another member has a brother who is looking to sell his 458 WinMag. I'm waiting on pictures and price right now.

byf43 · Jul 21, 2020

jimbobborg said:
Those are hen's teeth and are not available for even the list price Even the Marlin Dark rifles are dried up!

My youngest son found one at Green Top, in Virginia, several months back.

It is a nice rifle.

The 1895G holds one less round, and is blued.

Don't get me wrong.......... IF I stumble on an SBL, I'll buy it, but, my 1895G works very well.

The ammo box doesn't match the cartridges. They're my 405 gr handloads.

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsupers...on-firearms/brand/MARLIN/of3/45-70-GOVERNMENT

Magnumite · Jul 21, 2020

If I am feeling the OP's vibes, I think a 50 BMG bolt with antipersonnel and antimaterial rounds would be appropriate. Then find a place to shoot it.

Of the two listed, I would opt of the Ruger. W.B.Ruger had a clue

sleev-les · Jul 22, 2020

Bolts Rock said:
I have a CZ HET II in .338LM I'm getting ready to gun broker. 14 pounds of snipery goodness.

That gun looks pretty schweet. I was just on CZ's website and they discontinued the good looking stuff (IMO). I have a CZ750 and even though its 308 it is heavier and shoots really smooth. Love the gun.

Looking for a heavy hitter

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