help choosing 2 calibers for first safari (300 Weatherby & 375 Ruger?)

[Bill_D]

I’d suggest getting a 375 H&H barrel for the Blaser.

I know it’s going to cost more than the 375 Ruger but it’ll also retain more resale value used. It’ll takedown and pack smaller than a 2nd rifle as well. You’ll have more ammo options with the H&H over the Ruger. The $1000 NIB 375 Rugers also aren’t CRF guns, then again neither is the R8. If Buffalo is your goal then I’d suggest CRF or the Blaser over a PF Bolt Gun. You’re going to struggle to find a decent LH CRF Rifle that’s affordable which brings me back to the R8 being my choice.

You can also hunt everything with either 375 option and might find the 300Wby doesn’t get used until after your buffalo is in the salt.

The new ruger m77 Hawkeye Africans ARE CRF, the only Rugers that are not are the 1st model m77s with the tang safety. All mks 2 and Hawkeyes are crf with fixed blade extractors.

For left hand 375 ruger the M77 Hawkeye African is probably the best thing (really only) on the market in the $1000 dollar range for a classic wood steel rifle. Like all factory rifles they really do need a quality full glass bedding job. I did this to mine and it shoots 3/4 moa and functions perfectly.

 

[widetrackjack]

I used a 300 Wby and a 378 Wby on my first two Safari’s and both did a wonderful job. I used a Swift A frame 300 gn in the 378 Wby and for the 300 Wby I used 182 gn Hammer HHT’s on the first Safari and 180gn Accubonds for my second trip. Both performed very well. Both of your cartridges are great choices as well, but I think it really comes down to comfort and familiarity with your firearms more than any other factor. Take a gun that fits you well and one that allows you to acquire the target quickly. Use premium lead bonded or solid copper bullets. Leave the ultra long range high power scopes at home. Practice shooting off of shooting sticks. Most importantly, have fun and good luck on your Safari!

 

[Lee M]

Ive thought about it but the 375 barrels are around 3500. I can buy a new ruger 375 for 1000. Just being cheap I suppose. It's not out of the equation but I could could get a little extra taxidermy work done for the2500 bucks saved. just a thought tho

Crazy that the .375 barrel cost that much. $2,500 is not being cheap. I’d buy the new Ruger. The H&H is certainly more liked but no difference in performance. I honestly think any caliber .270 and up that you are familiar with (US deer hunters) and shooting the heavier bullets will take all plains games cleanly.

 

[Spearhead]

I've only been to Africa once. I took my 375h&h for all plains game (baboons to eland).
pick one cartridge, practice and enjoy it. You will find you are WAY over thinking this. I did too. Brought my 300win mag barrel and scope and it sat in the case for 9 days. Being an African newbie is a mofo. So much we plan for, overthink and stress unnecessarily about.

 

[DLSJR]

I was mistakingly looking at the wrong barrel contour on the 375 H&H R8 barrel, you are exactly right, the safari contour is $3500+ (they got me on "safari") standard contour is what my R8 is, and yo are correct, the standard weight barrel is 1506.00 with iron sights on topdoggunsglobal.com. I will be picking up a 375H&H barrel and the magazine to accommodate the 375 rounds. Now a whole other problem to solve...what optic for the 375? I will buy the barrel with iron sights and get the blaser quick detach scope mount. I still plan on taking both the 300 Weatherby and 375 and this idea definitely simplifies things at this point

You’d find a Leupold VX5HD in 2-10 to be an ideal scope and it’ll save you $$ compared to European scopes. Be absolutely certain to get the Firedot reticle as it is a game changer for precise aiming under poor light.

Your choice of 375 H&H is excellent. You might also use the 300 Weatherby, but you won’t need to. A 375 H&H is perfect for a 1-gun safari and all you’ll need for anything/everything.

 

[dchum]

If I bought a 375hh barrel will I also need to buy a different bolt for the R8?

Awesome! Now you and that blaser are good to go!

A 30 cal magnum and a 375 H&H! Ready to hunt the globe
Smart man

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Hey guys, new member here. Im going on my first safari in may 2025 and Im trying to decide the best 2 rifle options I should take on the hunt. I will be hunting Cape buffalo and PG. (giraffe, zebra, impala, and wildebeest). I am leaning towards my lefty Blaser R8 in 300 Weahterby for the plains game? If thats a good option, what grain weight would be a good all around choice? As far as Cape buffalo goes, I haven't bought a rifle yet. Im looking at the 375 Ruger simply because they make in a Left Hand model. But Im open to other options on either rifle. I have been searching the site all morning and just haven't found the results Ive been looking for. Thank you for any advise!

You have your answer. Get a case both rifles fit in and practice as much as possible before you go… Or look around for a LH .375 H&H.

 

[1dirthawker]

Ok, before I bought the .375 Ruger, I'd shop around for what factory ammunition is available. It seems I've read somewhere along the line it's getting hard to find. If you're not seeing much of a selection, then I'd follow the advice of others and buy another barrel for your Blaser and in .375HH.

As for the .300Wby, I'd advise 200gr at minimum and in a tough bullet such as the Swift A-Frame or Barnes TSX. Many shots in Africa are 100 yards or closer. You don't want lightning speed with a more frangible bullet in those circumstances.

If the shots get a little further, the 200gr version will still be plenty fast and flat enough to handle them. Chasing wounded animals is NOT a fun thing to do.

as phil stated above, the 300 magnums do their best work with 200 gr bullets. and, a 200 gr will slow the weatherby down a bit, but you will still need a premium bullet like the a frame, triple shock or the north fork to take the stresses that the 300 weatherby will dish out.

good luck on your hunt.

 

[Luvthunt]

My first hunt in the early 90s I took a 300 Wby and a 340Wby. PG only. Shot a 200 gr Aframes in the 300 and was totally satisfied with the performance.

 

[Philip Glass]

Why wouldn’t you get a 375 barrel for your blaser?

This is my vote!

 

[dchamp]

Go with a Blaser R8 standard .375H&H (17mm muzzle) barrel and add that with your .300Wby and you’ll be set. Although if you want to keep things simple the .375H&H is all you need.

 

[CamoManJ]

375 H&H shooting 270 gr TSX hunting everything on your list would be ideal.

I’d recommend a one gun safari. Less hassle than multiple guns, ammo, scopes and permits, etc. Efficiency utilizing more with less equates to less stress and more enjoyment. I understand a hunter wanting to use one gun for this and another gun for that.

My plan is to do at least 3, hopefully more safaris. The first one was for medium PG including Eland with my 300 WSM using 165 TSX, which I successfully completed this year. The second or third will be a dedicated DG safari with a 458 B&M using CEB 295 Raptors & 325 BBW 13’s for Buff, Hippo & Giraffe. For the third trip, maybe a small PG safari with a 243 win using 80 TTSX. All one gun safaris.

I doubt I’ll ever take more than one gun, simplified travel is easier, cheaper and more enjoyable. Case in point, I don’t want the hassle of a 2 gun safari & I have a valid reason to return to Africa. JMO.

Hope you enjoy the process and your Safari…the right way is your way.

 

[Beck]

I was mistakingly looking at the wrong barrel contour on the 375 H&H R8 barrel, you are exactly right, the safari contour is $3500+ (they got me on "safari") standard contour is what my R8 is, and yo are correct, the standard weight barrel is 1506.00 with iron sights on topdoggunsglobal.com. I will be picking up a 375H&H barrel and the magazine to accommodate the 375 rounds. Now a whole other problem to solve...what optic for the 375? I will buy the barrel with iron sights and get the blaser quick detach scope mount. I still plan on taking both the 300 Weatherby and 375 and this idea definitely simplifies things at this point

Meopta 1.7-10x42mm

 

[Oldwavy]

Whoa, first safari! You must be stoked!
For plains game, your 300 Weatherby Blaser R8 is perfect. Go with 180-200 grain bullets - they'll get the job done.
For Cape buffalo, the 375 Ruger's a great choice, especially since it's left-hand friendly. But also look at 375 H&H or 378 Weatherby. They're buffalo-proven. If you stick with 375 Ruger, 270-300 grain bullets are the way to go.

 

[375Ruger416]

Great choice! I was thinking you must be looking at safari contour R8 barrels for that price! I am still waiting for my R8 in 375, 6.5 PRC, and 223 Will likely add a 300 WM barrel down the road if I like the rifle and use it for all my travelling. Pick any two barrels for a trip…

I went with a Leupold VX6 2-12 on my 375 and a 3-18 for my 6.5 PRC/223. Great choices for a 375 are a 1-6 or 1-8. Leupold, Zeiss, Swarovski are good options depending on your budget and preferences. I really like the turrets on the Leupolds and decided to stick with them. A higher magnification optic 1.5/1.7/2 on the low end to 12 or 13 will make it more versatile for PG and the tiny 10, but conventional wisdom is definitely a 1-4 or 1-6 which is a great option. I suspect I’m going to end up with another Blaser mount and move my VX6 1-6 from my 5.56 carbine to my 375 barrel.
Will then be a 3-18 223, 2-12 6.5 PRC, 1-6 375 on my R8 barrels.

On my only safari, I took 8 animals in Namibia mostly between 80 and 160 yds. My baboon was at 270, but even for that I was only at 8 or 10 power…

Zeiss and Swarovski have great glass, but I’ve had good experiences with Leupold and are sticking with them. Again, the CDS turret works great and I only use 1 load per barrel - I’m going with 300 gr TSX if it shoots them well.

Anyhow, great choice - a 300 magnum and a 375 or 416 are a great two cartridge choice to hunt the world.

 

[375Ruger416]

Wow - I wrote great a lot. It’s like I don’t know any other words (facepalm)