Which Second Rifle?

[Wyatt Smith]

I would take the 6.5.

WDM Bell used the 6.5 MS for taking a lot of game for the pot, as did a lot of European settlers in Kenya and Uganda at that time. I'm going that direction for the springbok and up to hartebeest sized game. Anything larger the 375 covers.

Bell used a 256 Gibbs for his pot rifle. It’s based of the 7x57 if I recall.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

@chashardy -

No, I have a strict policy of "my own hunts, my own antique rifle collection." I've spent a lifetime (in my own small way) collecting good vintage English rifles--plus the occasional Germanic piece. So my policy is not to spend my own money on a hunt unless I can do so with a rifle near or over 100 years old.

Corporate hunts? You'd have a hard time prying me from the Iphisi!

I salute this thought process

 

[F. Vaccaro]

Having never been to Africa, nor owning a double rifle, but having considerable experience shooting a nice double shotgun that fits me very well, I’d pick the Webley .450 BP Express! Shooting a gun that really fits you is an experience everyone should experience at least once. There is nothing quite like it.
I’m also not sure I wouldn’t work up a good BP load for it & see how it regulates.

 

[BJH65]

Take your .318 WR beautiful and classic rifle.

 

[uplander01]

Glad to hear you’re planning a hunt Tom, and even cooler that it’s irons only,…my kinda hunt.

I’d take the 318 WR as a second.

 

[Inline6]

6.5 would be my choice.

 

[Inkgardener]

If I had a 318 WR it would definitely go…

 

[Sika98k]

My vote would be for the Mannlicher. Why ? It’s a pretty iconic rifle to use in Africa. Beautiful smooth action and 160gr bullets are good medicine for plainsgame. I admit to some personal bias.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Thoughts? If it were you, which of these rifles would you take along with "my" .375?

Tom, the obvious answer is to book three safaris, and take one of these rifles as the backup on each of them!

But since you are planning for smaller game, I would lean towards the 6.5x54 M-S. The .375 H&H Flanged should cover you on anything else that you are likely to shoot at iron-sight distances. Best of luck with your safari regardles.

 

[Dewald]

The 6,5x54. Ideal for the Springbuck

 

[Hillcountry63]

Out of your options, I’d choose the 318

 

[Troubleshooter]

Take the rifle with most  personal history attached. I would never consider hunting anything anywhere (except dangerous game) without the WWII Springfield Dad fixed up in 1962. He handed it to me two years later when I started hunting. Since then it's taken thirteen elk, seven moose, probably a hundred deer, a few coyotes, and all but two of thirty plains game. I'm sure there are/were better rifles made, but only one with my history attached.

OH: While I don't disagree with your sentiment, how does one obtain "personal history" with a particular rifle unless he takes it hunting? Sometimes you have to invite a "new" rifle to the hunt in order to "make personal history" with it as well.

 

[gibbs30c]

318 WR for sure, I'm fond of overlap simply because things can always go wrong with any gun/ammo and overlap lets me sleep better.

But Damn a lot to be said for following in Mr. Bell's foot steps with the 6.5 X 54.

If only all our tough choices were this much fun, we could all die happy.

Have a great hunt, wish my aged eyes could still use the open sights.

 

[Spearhead]

6.5x54. Gorgeous rifles to have to pick from though.

 

[Tom Leoni]

Sorry (not really!) for reviving the thread... I have booked my safari and my flights, so my 2025 Springbok Slam + whatever else the gods send my way is happening for sure. Wheels up on Aug. 26.

Besides my beloved H&H single shot (the one in my profile pic), which will get the lion's share of the hunt also because it's turning 100 this year, the spot for second rifle will be contested among these three classics:

They are: Cogswell & Harrison .318, Mannlicher-Schönauer 6.5x54 (with pre-war variable Voigtländer scope) and Alex Henry falling block .450 BPE, my most recent acquisition.

The first two are proven tack-drivers. The .318, with the 200-yard leaf up, gets me right in the bull at 200 yards with 250-grain Woodleighs. My only qualm is that I only have 70 bullets left, and I don't see a way to replenish them unless I go with Hawk, which I'd have to sight in all over again.

With the Mannlicher, I almost feel like I'm cheating. It digests both handloads and 156-gr PPU factory loads like a champ. I have an endless supply of those gorgeous, parallel-sided Hornady Interock 160-grainers, which I push at a moderate 2,250 fps, and with this rifle I also have the benefit of a scope--although given its age it's not the absolute brightest!

The Alex Henry is the one I'd be most excited about, also because I'm a single-shot man through and through. I've posted on another thread that I'm facing the problem that, as it is, it won't chamber modern-sized .450 3.25" brass, but either with a custom die or with J.J. touching up the chamber and the extractor, I'll solve the problem in plenty of time for my safari. The only unknown is how it shoots once I can load it.

Thoughts?

 

[375er]

Sorry (not really!) for reviving the thread... I have booked my safari and my flights, so my 2025 Springbok Slam + whatever else the gods send my way is happening for sure. Wheels up on Aug. 26.

Besides my beloved H&H single shot (the one in my profile pic), which will get the lion's share of the hunt also because it's turning 100 this year, the spot for second rifle will be contested among these three classics:

View attachment 664480

They are: Cogswell & Harrison .318, Mannlicher-Schönauer 6.5x54 (with pre-war variable Voigtländer scope) and Alex Henry falling block .450 BPE, my most recent acquisition.

The first two are proven tack-drivers. The .318, with the 200-yard leaf up, gets me right in the bull at 200 yards with 250-grain Woodleighs. My only qualm is that I only have 70 bullets left, and I don't see a way to replenish them unless I go with Hawk, which I'd have to sight in all over again.

With the Mannlicher, I almost feel like I'm cheating. It digests both handloads and 156-gr PPU factory loads like a champ. I have an endless supply of those gorgeous, parallel-sided Hornady Interock 160-grainers, which I push at a moderate 2,250 fps, and with this rifle I also have the benefit of a scope--although given its age it's not the absolute brightest!

The Alex Henry is the one I'd be most excited about, also because I'm a single-shot man through and through. I've posted on another thread that I'm facing the problem that, as it is, it won't chamber modern-sized .450 3.25" brass, but either with a custom die or with J.J. touching up the chamber and the extractor, I'll solve the problem in plenty of time for my safari. The only unknown is how it shoots once I can load it.

Thoughts?

What caliber is the H&H?

 

[Tom Leoni]

What caliber is the H&H?

It’s your handle, flanged magnum flavor! I load it with 270gr boat-tail spitzers and it’s a mild shooter and an absolute killer.

 

[375er]

It’s your handle, flanged magnum flavor! I load it with 270gr boat-tail spitzers and it’s a mild shooter and an absolute killer.

Then the .318!!!

 

[franzfmdavis]

Take the Alex Henry! Thats is the one you are most excited about! Also since I handled it briefly before you purchased it, it will make me feel a little like I am going along on the trip you

 

[Green Chile]

I like your taste in rifles and we have that in common! As much as I love the singles as you know, you've got that covered in spades. I would be super tempted to take the M/S carbine. I have the same rifle but WITHOUT that lovely optics setup. Those two would really cover your bases well.

I would really like to find that optic/rings for my M/S. I would love to know your load also for that bullet as I have some but not an endless supply like yourself!