Author Topic: $1000 or $11,000 for African big game gun? (Read 1624 times)

Dusty Miller · « **on:** October 12, 2005, 09:37:55 PM »

I see where I can buy a Mauser 375 H&H for about $11K or a Winchester Modle 70 375 H&H for about $1K. Uh.......................geeze, I ain't won the lottery yet and although I'd sure like to have the Mauser that Modle 70 is look'n pretty good! Should I take the Winchester to Africa or wait until I win the lottery and get the Mauser?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2005, 03:45:53 AM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller

I see where I can buy a Mauser 375 H&H for about $11K or a Winchester Modle 70 375 H&H for about $1K. Uh.......................geeze, I ain't won the lottery yet and although I'd sure like to have the Mauser that Modle 70 is look'n pretty good! Should I take the Winchester to Africa or wait until I win the lottery and get the Mauser?

The dollar vale is not the issue. I just bought a CZ 550 in 416 Rigby. Gun, scope, and rings about $1500.

What counts is accuracy, gun function and hunter ability. The game does not know if it was a $11,000 375H&H or a $1000 375H&H. And I know you knew that already. The money you saved on the more expensive gun can go towards the hunt in Africa. :-D

tundragriz · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2005, 06:23:36 AM »

I have a Win 70 375 and it is one of my favorite guns, taken a fair amount of African and Aussie game with it. That being said, this is the other side. Something like 20 years from now when your hunting days are over and you want to sell it or pass it on to a grandchild, the M70 may have increased 50% in value while the Mauser will probably have increased 100%. Neither are very good returns for that period of time but one was a conversation piece for 20 years and is a great heirloom to pass on.

If $11000 for a gun was not an issue, and it isn't for an increasing number of people, I would opt for the Mauser while still salivating over a 416 Rigby Double or 470NE H&H Double. I guess it is all relative.

Some consider a $600 hunt with a used $100 gun the hunt of a lifetime, others a $6000 hunt with a $1000 gun is a reasonable cost every few years, while to some a $60000 hunt with a $10000 gun is another yearly outing. I can't afford'em but they sure is perty!

elmer · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2005, 06:29:47 AM »

For us of more modest budget. The difference would mean maybe someday getting to go on an African hunt and never getting to go. Of course since all I could maybe afford would be a plains game hunt I will probably be going with my Savage 30-06.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2005, 10:32:55 AM »

Well yeah I see all that. What I was getting at was man when you're facing down some nasty DANGEROUS game that's decided to have ya for lunch is there REALLY any advantage to having the Mauser over the Winchester? Is there just SO MUCH more quality in the Mauser that your chances of escaping disaster are signifigantly increased? It seems to me like $10K more gun SHOULD give a guy some increased likelihood of coming out of coming it alive. Or maybe there's just $10,000 worth of engraving on the thing?

Ramrod · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2005, 11:32:42 AM »

I dont think my Winchester is one bit less reliable than the Mauser, but I always say buy the most gun you can afford. tundragriz explained the rational perfectly, the return on investment will always be much better with the high-quality gun. When I win the lottery I wil skip right over the $10,000. Mauser and get me a .470 double too!

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2005, 02:07:32 PM »

Take the Win. and don't look back. Lawdog

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2005, 09:20:19 PM »

Yeah, Lawdawg, any guy who turns wrenches in a can plant for a living had best pass on the Mauser!!

GEMSBUCK · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2005, 03:19:27 AM »

the Double Gun crowd for the most part other than the PH are mostly into the status of the DBL Gun and romance of "old " Africa of the Hemingway era....Truth be told that romantic era is long gone today! in today's world you'll encounter more people in the famous Selous Reserve of Tanz. than you will on a RSA plainsgame hunt on a game ranch....sad but true.
A 375H&H in a Win., Cz, or "other" production gun is just as deadly as a 375H&H in a Searcy Dbl Gun
IMHO if your budget calls for ...well "budgeting" to go to Africa buy yourself a good used production gun in 375 or 416...the gun shows and auction sites are loaded with them that were purchased new for that 1 time trip to hunt Africa then sold when the owner returned home an found except for a very limited use he had no use for it here state side. visit a gunsmith an have him check the weapon out well if you aren't certain how to....THEN spend that hard earned $$ you saved on trophy fees.
I.E. My brother bought a like new Remington in 416 mag for $475 took it to Africa and killed a 41" buffalo with it and a ton of PG just as dead as the other hunter in camp that spent $3000 for his gun and could only afford to kill PG.

Dana C · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2005, 04:09:26 AM »

I browze the on-line gun auctions, you will see some reasonable .375's for sale for $1000 or less. I picked up a Rem. C grade custom shop in .375 H&H.... a beautiful rifle for $1000 not including shipping. Like some just said, CZ makes a nice american stocked african for less than $1000. If and when you get to Africa, you will see many guides carring them. Naturally they carry the CZ in 458 Lott or .505 Gibbs., 416 Rigby.

JJHACK · « **Reply #10 on:** December 02, 2005, 02:55:47 AM »

Get a winchester in 375HH with about 300 bucks worth of gunsmithing to make it perfect, then add a 2.5-8 VARXIII in Dual dovetail rings with premier reticles #4A reticle thats about 1200 bucks or so. Spend another 6500 with me hunting in RSA which would include trophy fees and bringing her with you. Then use the rest to buy her something nice.