Best All Around Safari Gun

Going on a 10 day safari, Have 3 big game tags to fill, haven't yet decided on which animals id like to harvest yet but my options range from baboons all the way to hippos, water buffalo and giraffes and everything in between. Being my first time in Africa I'm not exactly sure which is the best all around caliber. Every other forum post I've read bounces all around the place but from what I can tell is popular is the .416 Rigby , the .458 Lott or just the good ol .308. Anyone have any experience that can shed some light on what I should pack? Optics and other gear included! Thanks in advance!!

 

There are very few true all around cartridges for Africa. The .375H&H and the 9.3X62 are at the top of the heap. I love the Rigby, but I have yet to fire one in what I consider an all around rifle. They are just too heavy for carrying all day. Same with the Lott. If you are on an elephant or buff hunt, sure, the Lott would be great. The Lott is just too short range and too heavy for all around use. It is great for a backup gun for DG though.

I am no expert by any means, having only been once, but the 375H&H served me well.

When and where are you going?

 

June in South Africa , I was thinking of just using a .308 scout rifle with a 2-7 power scope, and then bringing a bigger caliber for the bigger animals, just not sure what one yet.

 

Had a Winchester safari grade model 70 in 375 holland and holland was a great gun

 

For non-dangerous game any of the 6.5's up to as big as you want. If one rifle for everything including DG it'd be one of the 375's. And I'd look awful hard at the 375 Ruger instead of the 375 H&H. I think the 375 is enough for anything, the bigger guns might be a better option for a guide backing you up in case thing go bad. It is also mild enough in recoil, flat shooting and versatile enough to use on smaller game.

 

June in SA will be cold at night and mornings, so take warm clothes. Good binos are a must.

The only thing about two rifles is unless you are specifically hunting a certain species, you never have the one with you that you want when you see whatever it is you are after. Two guns make sense if you will do DG and then plains game, but really one is just easier if on a plains game hunt. If only doing PG, a 30-06 is hard to beat as a one gun option. Really, anything you are comfortable using on animals here up to the size of elk will work.

 

50BMG or bust