Most Widely Available Calibers

[Dixie Dude]

What is the top 5 or 10 most widely available rifle calibers in Africa?  I am assuming .375 HH, 30-06, .416 Rigby, .458 WM or Lott.  I'm talking about being able to find ammunition if yours is lost in transit. 

[Dixie Dude]

I have about 90% decided to get the .375 HH for Africa.  Is .416 Rigby or .458 Lott as widely used.  I would be mostly hunting plains game, but would like a cape buffalo.  I just heard in some places only .40 caliber or larger is recommended.  I just wanted to make sure before I purchased the .375.  I also plan to hunt Alaska also, so I am sure of the .375 there.  I already have a .45-70, 300 WM, and .308.

[GEMSBUCK]

you're asking a question there could be 1 answer to or 20 different answers to.
 Any of the .375s will serve the dual purpose of PG & DG as a 1 caliber do all. 375 H&H is readily available in every African country.Some of the newer 375s such as RUM and Ruger will not be.
I'm going to assume you live in the states and in any major city in southern or eastern Africa there will be gun shops where the common ammo can be purchased...at a price normally 3x our's here at home.
 A good PG caliber is 30-06 or 300wm both can be had in Africa.
 As mentioned a 375H&H is a good starting point for DG followed by the 404, 416RM, 416Riby, 458Wm all who's ammo can be purchased abroad if yours is lost.

[Dixie Dude]

I am currently customizing an 8MM Mauser.  Is 8MM ammo widely available for plains game in Africa.  I just like the claw extractor, and iron sights.  I am adding a scope and a custom stock if I can find a laminate. 

[JJHACK]

My personal 375HH has taken all the species of Palins game and all the big five plus croc, hippo, and giraffe. Non have ever escaped, none have ever given us trouble. These have not been unique or limited events. It's worked everytime without a flaw. Well in excess of 1000 PG have been taken and maybe 3 dozen DG just within the last 10 years.

I have always felt that a properly placed shot with a 375HH is more then enough to handle anything that a recreational Sporthunter will need. It also offers additional uses after that safari with plenty of use in NA, and AK. Getting a 40 caliber rifle or bigger limits the practice due to the pounding, and the use in NA because it's simply not as comfortable and in many cases not as flat shooting.

The 375HH is about the greatest level of power most men can handle with frequency, and is about the most power for your investment in recoil.

[Dixie Dude]

I am probably going to get a CZ in 375 HH, I saw a used Winchester at a gun show, but it had a push feed bolt, not the Mauser claw extractor.  Do you recommed the claw extractor for the 375 HH?
Thanks,
RC

[JJHACK]

This gets to be a really sore subject for a lot of people. I'll say this and you can then listen to the debate among the others here.

Every gun I own is a Winchester CRF, except for one Ruger which is also a CRF.

Guess you see my opinion on this. Others will certainly vary!

[Grumulkin]

As for cartridges, I love the 375 H&H Magnum.  The recoil isn't bad and they're capable of varmint gun accuracy.

I also think the CZ 550 Safari Magnum is a good choice.  I have one in 458 Lott which I enjoy shooting; you'll probably enjoy it in 375 H&H Magnum even more.

There are a couple of things to be aware of about the CZ line.  There have been problems with stock breakage with heavy recoiling cartridges but this problem can be prevented with glass bedding.  I believe CZ may have addressed the problem in newer guns with cross bolts.  There are also some in which the milling of the integral scope mount isn't properly aligned with the bore.  This means with a scope mounted you might run out of elevation adjustment; I've heard CZ will fix it but it's an annoyance.

If you want to cough up a little more money, go with the Blaser in 375 H&H Magnum with a Kick Stop; what a sweet shooting gun!

[Dixie Dude]

I am assuming the CRF is (control round feed) or Mauser claw extractor action.  Almost all rifles made new today except Ruger and CZ are push feed.  I like the claw extractor myself on all my bolt guns.  Remington is now offering the 798 model with claw extractor, but I think the only calibers available are .3006 size cartridges and smaller right now.  I also like iron sights and stainless steel.  This kind of limits my choice.  I will use blue steel for the sights if it has CFR.  I can always have the rifle reblued or parkerized.  I also prefer laminate or synthetic stocks.  I guess I am getting picky the older I get.  I do like the newer MK II Rugers because of the 3 position safety like on the old Mauser actions.  Since I am restoring a Mauser now in 8mm.  I was just wondering if I brought it to Africa with a .375 HH if that would take care of plains as well as maybe a larger animal if need be. 

[Dixie Dude]

JJHack,
What calibers are your rifles in?  I would assume you have a .458 WM or Lott, 375 HH, 416 Rigby, and a 30.06.  Just would like to know you have. 
Thank,
DD

[WL44]

Dixie,

In South Africa (and Windhoek, Namibia too from what I hear) you can buy most of the "std" type calibers you'd buy in the smaller US centers.

I know that apparently (from some or other study done recently) 30-06 and then .308 are our most popular hunting calibers in that size range.

.270 and .243 (not that you'd probably take one on safari) are very popular, as is 7X57 (often called 7mm Mauser here) and 7mm Rem Mag. .223 is widely used, although I don't view it as an antelope caliber aside from the tiny species.

.375 in the bigger stuff.

You'll likely get .300 Win Mag and .458 Win Mag.

If you know where to look you'll get most of the more popular stuff and, at the right dealers, many of the German / European calibers. You are not likely to be spoilt for choice with which brand of ammo and style of bullet is available.

Bear in mind that after our legislation changes very few "new" rifles have been purchased the last few years, meaning that the newer calibers aren't widely carried by the dealers. The enthusiasts are buying the newer stuff and most are reloaders.

If you know who to ask and where to look you'll find most. I suspect your PH will be able to guide you and locate what you need, if it's not too out of the ordinary.

[WL44]

Sorry - I hadn't read all of the posts.

8X57 and even 8X68 is available here in South Africa if you know where to look, but I wouldn't bargain on getting it all the time.

.375 you should get.

.300 WM and .308 you will get.

45/70 will be hit and miss.