Safari Rifles: Doubles, Magazine Rifles, and Cartridges for African Hunting

by Craig Boddington

A modern day classic that covers the entire subject of what guns to take on todays safari. Covers types of actions, caliber's, premium bullets, and sighting equipment.

432 pages, Hardcover

First published January 25, 1990

About the author

Craig Boddington is an American hunter, multi-media outdoor journalist, author, outdoorsman, and retired Marine. He has been described as "one of the country's foremost authorities on African safari hunting" by ESPN and "one of the most experienced hunters of his generation" by Outdoor Channel.

Born in Kansas in 1952, Boddington's early big-game experience included pronghorn and mule deer in Wyoming, whitetail and mule deer in Kansas, and mule deer in Colorado. Considered to be one of the most prolific writers in the outdoor genre, Boddington has written over 5,000 magazine articles, including for the Boone & Crockett Club's magazine Fair Chase and for Safari and Petersen's Hunting. He has written 30 books on hunting and firearms. and has hosted six outdoor TV series, including Tracks Across Africa and The Boddington Experience.

Boddington has also been a featured speaker for numerous shows and organizations, including for the NRA's Great American Hunters Tour and Dallas Safari Club. His hunting expeditions have spanned all continents except Antarctica, and he holds numerous hunting achievements, including completing Africa's Big Five, hunting all nine principal spiral-horned antelopes, and holding the Capra Super 30, Ovis Super 20, two North American grand slams, and the North American Super Slam from Grand Slam/Ovis. Boddington stands out as one of two hunters reported to have taken all nine principal spiral-horned species twice. In 2017, he was named the recipient of the Weatherby Hunting and Conservation Award.

Reviews

[J B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book full of timeless information. Some of it is becoming dated (particularly with political changes in Africa over the last 20 years or so), and an update is needed. Fortunately there is one, Safari Rifles II, ca 2007. I’ll be looking for an affordable copy.

[Peter Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much a definitive guide to a technical subject, the style and pace of the book still make it highly readable. Thoroughly worthwhile for anybody with even a passing interest in the subject.

[Martin Stiastny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, many people will only dream of hunting Africa. The romance and lore of stalking dangerous game invades the minds of many. This book is an excellent read of hard recoiling, expensive (mostly) rifles.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finest writers with some of the deepest knowledge around
always a joy to see his musings on cartridges

I'll give a list of my preferences, and a general strength chart for people

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My personal list:

22 LR K0.8
204 Ruger K4.4
22-250 Rem K8.0
240 Weatherby K25
257 Weatherby K33
308 Marlin Express K38
6.5x65 RWS K39
303 British K49
270 Weatherby K54
30-06 Springfield K55
7mm Blaser K58
30R Blaser K68
300 Blaser K71
300 H&H K87
300 Weatherby K91
338 Blaser K94
8.5x63 REB K108
375 H&H K129
375 Blaser K136
378 Weatherby K187
416 Remington K192
416 Rigby K225

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Year of Introduction

1887
22 LR K0.8

1889
303 British K49

1906
30-06 Springfield K55

1911
416 Rigby K225

1912
375 H&H K129

1925
300 H&H K87

1943
270 Weatherby K54

1944
257 Weatherby K33
300 Weatherby K91

1953
378 Weatherby K187

1957
22-250 Rem K8.0

1968
240 Weatherby K25

1988
6.5x65 RWS K39

1989
416 Remington K192

1992
30R Blaser K68

2004
204 Ruger K4.4

2007
308 Marlin Express K38

2009
7mm Blaser K58
300 Blaser K71
338 Blaser K94
375 Blaser K136

2010
8.5x63 REB K108