safari rifle build

(661) 317-2996

(208) 230-3081.

• Our Clients
• News/Articles

The Ryan Breeding Rifle

The Ryan Breeding Rifle  is the culmination of my long association with noted Riflemaker and African Hunter , Gil Van Horn . This combined effort totals over 90 years experience in methods and design innovations, which guarantees the finest and most dependable Safari rifles available today.

My rifles have been extensively tested and proven in game fields throughout the world by clients and professional hunters alike. Many professionals opt for my 5-shot short barrel big bores for the ultimate fast handling ‘stopper’ in dangerous situations. Ultra rugged design ensures the utmost dependability. You can be assured that the finest attention to detail will be applied at every phase in the construction of your rifle. I sincerely appreciate your interest in my work, and I look forward to building you a Safari rifle to be proud of for years to come.

© 2024 Ryan Breeding Rifles — All Rights Reserved Site built & hosted by Key Design Websites

• Linking Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Testimonials Disclosure
• Terms of Use

• svg]:stroke-accent-900"> 735K
• svg]:stroke-accent-900"> 133K
• svg]:stroke-accent-900"> 54.1K

The Most Iconic Rifles and Cartridges from African Safaris

By Ron Spomer

Posted on Jun 11, 2020 3:05 PM EDT

8 minute read

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

Just as the lever-action .30/30 is iconic in the North American whitetail woods, certain rifles and cartridges are African safari icons. But which are they? Which define the long, rich tapestry of safari hunting on our greatest big-game continent?

A surprising many.

The surprise is as much the variety of calibers and cartridges as the makes and models of rifles. Seen through the lens of the modern safari hunter, classic Africa rifles would all seem a tight knit family of side-by-side doubles and beefy bolt-actions with oversized holes at their muzzles. That is only partially true.

The double-barrel big bores evolved from double-barrel muzzleloading shotguns first used to slow down large and cantankerous animals. A .50-caliber Hawken might have sufficed for a Rocky Mountain fur trapper and even a bison market hunter. But not an ivory hunter. Or even a voortrekker in pursuit of Cape buffalo or cameleopard (giraffe) skins. Even when firing 1/4-pound balls from 4-gauge guns, hunters usually needed multiple hits to bring prey to the ground. The process of reloading a muzzle loader, of course, meant one hired a gun bearer or two to stay at heel with backup guns loaded and ready. The second barrel of a side-by-side double was often the last line of defense.

Hardened and elongated bullets (Maxi balls) improved terminal performance in the mid-1800s, but the real leap forward came in the 1890s with the advent of smokeless powder. The concentrated energy of nitroglycerine boosted velocities significantly. Doubling bullet mass doubles energy. Doubling velocity quadruples energy. This made lighter bullets more effective. Nevertheless, tradition dies hard. So do buffalo. Bore diameters certainly shrank during the 1890s and 1900s, but they seemed to settle between .40 inches and .577 inches.

Oddly and simultaneously, a few hunters, tired of massive recoil and heavy guns, began experimenting with lighter military rifles and cartridges. The most famous and influential was W.D.M. “Karamojo” Bell. This Scottish ivory hunter proved a puny .275 Rigby Mauser moving round nose, 173-grain FMJ military bullets 2,300 fps (feet per second) killed mature elephants and buffalo as effectively as bigger bores when bullets from both were applied to the same vital places (brain and heart.) The .275 Rigby is the 7×57 Mauser with a different name.

Heavy Calibers for Dangerous Game

Despite Bell’s success, African dangerous game cartridges settled firmly in the larger bore sizes starting with the minimum .375 H&H Magnum and running through such famous numbers as .416 Rigby, .425 Westley Richards, .404 Jefferey, .450 Nitro Express, .470 Nitro Express, .500 Nitro Express, and .577 Nitro Express, among others. The rimmed cartridges were engineered for best function in double rifles, which still cling to their romantic position because of their second shot speed and reliability. All spit bullets weighing anywhere from 300 grains to 570 grains at muzzle velocities from 1,900 fps to 2,600 fps with most settling in at about 2,100 fps. This is a sufficient speed and mass to generate anywhere from 4,000 to 5,800 foot pounds (ft-lbs) of kinetic energy.

For perspective, the .30-06 with a 180-grain slug might hit 3,000 ft-lbs. Only one .60-caliber was ever marketed, the .600 Nitro Express, throwing 900-grain bullets about 1,900 fps to generate an unbelievable 7,000 ft-lbs muzzle energy. Even burly, beefy professional hunters considered this a bit excessive, best employed in the most dire emergencies only. The 16-pound rifles also limited how far PHs and hunters were willing to carry it.

The Move to Double Rifles

Strong, fast, naturally pointing doubles from Holland & Holland, Rigby, Westley Richards, Boss, Purdey, William Evans, Boswell, and other boutique English gunmakers gave and continue to give professional hunters and wealthy clients the tools and assurance they need in the face of a 1,500-pound buffalo at terminal velocity.

But there is a fly in the double rifle ointment. Expense. Many, if not most doubles, with articulating triggers and intercepter sears cost five to ten times more than a bolt-action of similar quality. This focuses the attentions of average hunters, even professional guides and PHs, on controlled-round-feed bolt actions like Bell’s Rigby Mauser M98. This controlled-round-feed magazine rifle provides four or five quick shots with remarkably reliable function. It wormed its way into the batteries of professional hunters when magnum versions came chambered in .416 Rigby, .404 Jeffery, .425 Westley Richards, .450 Rigby, and .505 Gibbs.

The Rigby Mauser was the standard bolt-action big bore in Africa until Teddy Roosevelt and Stewart Edward White carried Griffin & Howe modified 1903 Springfields on safari prior to WWI. They and others proved that the .30-06 could handle leopards, lions, even buffalo and rhino. Then, in 1956, the affordable Winchester M70 CRF bolt-action came along in .458 Win. Mag. This round throws 500-grain bullets to within 250 ft-lbs of the .470 Nitro Express’ energy levels. Dozens of PHs adopted it. The CZ 550 bolt-action is another rugged, dependable CRF, as is the superb, high-end Dakota M76.

The .375 H&H is Just Right

The most common chambering among African bolt-actions is the .375 H&H, one of our first belted magnum cartridges. Ever since its introduction by Holland & Holland in 1912, the old .375 H&H has clung to its well-earned fame because it’s a Goldilocks round. Not too big, not too light. Just right for the sport hunter with insufficient time to become proficient with heavier recoiling rounds. It may not be the equal of the .458 Lott (a stretched .458 Win. Mag.) or .505 Gibbs for stopping a charge, but the sport hunting client is always backed up by a professional PH. Loaded with 235-grain bullets going 2,800 fps gives the .375 H&H 300-yard reach for smaller antelope while 270-grain spire points make it a trajectory match for a .30-06 shooting 180-grain spire points. Step up to full-house 300-grain loads and with 4,100 ft-lbs muzzle energy you enjoy sufficient energy for not just eland, lion, and leopard, but rhino, buffalo, elephant, and hippo on land.

Read Next: How to Plan a Hunting Trip to Africa

Bolt Guns vs. Double Barrels vs. Single-Shot

The most significant feature of the Mauser 98 and its near copies that cement them as safari ideals is their massive, leaf-spring, claw extractor that grabs rounds from the magazine, holds them firmly against the bolt face for a straight, unencumbered ride into the chamber, and yanks them out with a wide, firm grip. Additionally, bolt-actions are much more precise for long shots and can be easily fitted with quick-release scopes for additional precision, something needed for many plains antelope. In contrast, double rifles are at their best inside 50 yards, the distance at which most are regulated to print near the same point. You can’t free-float a double’s barrels, and getting both the throw bullets to the same spot is a slow, expensive process.

One surprise safari classic is the falling block single-shot. More than a few African hunters worked with the old Winchester M85 single-shot with its external hammer, but the most famous falling block is the Farquharson as built by Gibbs. Few were actually made, but Frederick Selous used one, and that accrued to its fame. Today, the Ruger No. 1 is the go-to falling block for Africa. More elegant and expensive is the superb Dakota Model 10. Of course, a single-shot is not ideal for dangerous game, but, again, the PH is at hand to stop a charge. Knowing you have but one shot tends to focus your attention on making it a good one.

Despite more than a century of these doubles, CRF bolt-actions, and single-shots, modern safari hunters are broadening the category to include push-feed bolt-actions and even lever-actions. The same rifles hired for elk, moose, and mule deer in the U.S. are proving just as effective for kudu, oryx, and even buffalo in Africa. I’ve personally used multiple CRF and push-feed bolt actions chambered for everything from .223 Rem. to .450 Lott during some 15 African safaris and suffered no ill effects but a poor trigger and a dropped magazine from any. Lever-actions in traditional chamberings like .45-70 Govt., .405 Win. and newer magnums like the .475 Turnbull are turning heads in African safari camps these days. This hardly makes lever-actions or push-feed bolt-actions safari classics, but they can certainly do the job.

Shooting Small Ammo

Finally, we’d be remiss if we ignored the long history of small caliber rounds in Africa. While some consider Bell’s .275 Rigby an exception to the big bore rule, in reality most African game has probably been taken by such small bores. Since the early 1800s local farmers, ranchers, meat and hide hunters have made do and done well with a wide variety of affordable, often military surplus rifles and ammo. In addition to the 7×57 and .30-06, the .303 British, 6.5×55 Swede, 6.5 Mannlicher-Schoenauer, 8mm Mauser, and 9.3×64 Brenneke were quite common across Africa. Many are still collecting biltong, increasingly joined by 7mm and .300 magnums, .308 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., .270 Win., and even the loved/hated 6.5 Creedmoor.

Read Next: 10 Life-Changing Lessons I Learned From My First Africa Safari

The point is, any good shot with a good bullet can use virtually any rifle/cartridge effectively on appropriate African game. But when campfires glow against dark African nights, the appeal of the classics dominates hunters’ dreams and conversations. And the most recognized and venerated of all is the controlled-round-feed bolt-action chambered .375 H&H Magnum.

Latest in Hunting Rifles

Fudd lore: 5 of the worst myths in rifle shooting and hunting fudd lore: 5 of the worst myths in rifle shooting and hunting.

By Tyler Freel

The Best 300 Blackout Rifles of 2024 The Best 300 Blackout Rifles of 2024

By Joshua Skovlund

• Leaderboards
• Media New media New comments Search media

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

Site Updates Coming Monday

We’re planning to start making changes bright and early on Monday so you might see the site down fir a bit, but no worries, we’ll make our changes and be back as soon as we can!

Watch Out for Scammers!

We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Hunting & Fishing   Safari rifle build - action?

• Thread starter Nitrosteel
• Start date Sep 29, 2019
• Advanced Marksmanship Unit
• Sniper’s Hide Fieldcraft

Sergeant of the Hide

• Sep 29, 2019

Have any of you ever built a CRF rifle in a large caliber like 416 rigby or 458 Lott on an action like a Defiance? I like the fact that there are manners stocks inletted for these and there are so many triggers, etc available for them also. Any advice or thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise it will likely be a CZ550 or just buy a Dakota rifle.  

Habituallinestepper

A dude, playing a dude, disguised as another dude.

Had the same question. Eventually dropped it because I wanted irons and it was pretty taxed to get them added to a barrel. Still curious though. There was a Cooper 375 H&H with a nice stock in the PX that I almost pulled the trigger on. Could be a nice start on a build if you dont mind a push feed.  

Similar threads

• Jun 6, 2024
• Bolt Action Rifles
• Mar 15, 2024
• Apr 12, 2024
• Feb 15, 2024

• Nov 21, 2023

Free Shipping on Orders Over $300

• Gen 3 Self Timing Muzzle Brakes
• Gen 2 Self Timing Muzzle Brakes
• Gen 1 Muzzle Brakes
• Cherry Bastard
• Muzzle Brake Accessories
• Little Tuna
• Gen 2 Tru-Loc Scope Rings
• FR-1 Unimount
• FR-1 Accessories
• Gen 2 Tru-Loc Scope Rings for ZCO - Scratch & Dent
• Short Action Tactical RTG*
• Short Action RTG*
• Long Action RTG*
• Long Action CIP RTG*
• XM Action RTG*
• Bolt Knobs & Adapters
• Stock Stuff
• Rifles In Stock

Your Cart is Empty

• $0.00 Subtotal

Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout

Safari Rifles

We consider these rifles to be the highest possible rifle we can make with our God given talent.  There is no detail spared to save a few dollars.  There are so many hand made one off parts that are sculpted for each individual rifle that we couldn't possibly attach a generic price. Each rifle is custom tailored to the end user.  For this reason every rifle will have to be priced up request.

Options include but are not limited to:

Every rifle is rust blued

Scope set up with custom bullet drop compensator

Custom load development 

Custom quarter rib with hand filed leaf sights

Leather wrapped butt pad

Jeweled bolt body

Color case hardening

Recently viewed products

You may also like.

Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …

Custom Bespoke Weapons

• Online Catalog
• About US & Our Company
• Our Business - Your Custom Shop...
• Accurizing & Gunsmithing
• Overwatch 375-416
• Adaptive Modular Tactical Platforms
• ELR Lite & ELR Heavy Builds
• High Energy Transfer Series
• BIG Bore - Safari Grade Weapons
• Extreme Smokeless Muzzleloaders
• Custom Ammunition
• YOUTUBE & Media Links
• Business Partners

big bore safari Series --

Go BIG or go home, BIG Bore here starts at .416 Caliber. 416-458 Lott Bolt Action Safari-Grade Rifles are control-feed, Mauser and Mauser Claw extractor-style actions.

Big Bore Bolt guns need several aspects to compete with Double Rifle Dangerous Game Weapons. Bolt guns need flawless feeding, high capacity, flawless extraction and serious Knock-Down Power.

We will not build smaller than the .416 Caliber in any of our custom Safari-Grade Bolt Guns. We custom load all our clients Big Bore rifles with premium Cutting Edge Bullets (CEBs), or Woodleigh Bullets designed specifically for their intended quarry.

416 to 620 Caliber or Safari-Grade Bolt BIG BORES are surely not for the faint of heart. The 600 Overkill pushes 825 Grain CEBs in excess of 2,400 FPS generating north of 10,000 ft-lbs. energy. 725 to 900 Grain custom CEB Bullets are available exclusively here at Bayou Advanced Weapon Systems, LLC. for the 600 O.K.

416 Rigby to 620 Caliber (600 Overkill) our Bolt Safari Weapons are built on the CZ550 Safari Magnum Actions, MRC PH 1999 Actions, and the Granite Mountain Actions. If you have another action in mind that is ok too... we will help you navigate the right action for the intended cartridge with the utmost in reliability and safety.

Cartridges from .416 Rigby to 600 Overkill are built with the utmost respect for reliability, capacity, performance, and fast deployable weapons exceeding the capacity of most other modern big bore rifles.

For the 600 Overkill Cartridge we are but one of only 2 suppliers in the United States that have Lathe Turned Cases for extreme high-pressure loads. RCC has designed these cases just for Bayou Advanced Weapon Systems and they are available here for direct ordering >> 600 Overkill RCC Cartridge Design <<

.416, .458 Lott, 500 Jeffrey, 505 Gibbs, 500 A-Square, and 600 Overkill are our primary offerings in our Safari-Series Rifles. High-capacity Safari Bolt Guns are our specialty in design and reliability for the ultimate stalker or stopper.

True swap-barrels are also available in either a true floating barrel switch-barrel or multiple-lug barrel-forearm configuration.

Our BIG BORE builds are only limited by your imagination and of course your pocketbook with premium grade AAA+ fine woods, Laminate or Composite Stocks available in almost any configuration possible.

Please drop on by and Join our BIG BORE ONLY Group Site in a B.S. Free, and Censorship-Free Group Site.

You may even post your guns, hunts or weapons of any kind on this site. You may post pictures, videos of hunts, shooting, your favorite weapons or whatever you so desire. You may post weapons or hunts for sale, trade or if you are looking for BIG BORE Guns this is the absolute place to look.

Our Company, Bayou Advanced Weapon Systems, LLC can source anything you desire, help acquire, sell or find the hard to get weaponry or ammunition you seek.

Come on and join our Group Site below:

Join us here! >> http://www.mewe.com/join/bigboreonly

Recent projects The 505 Gibbs safari elite Hunter

Aaa grade walnut, old school line checkering & detailed accents, satin hand rubbed oil finish, exhibition grade woods upon request in any grade for any purpose - restorations available, fine engravings & engine turned jeweling, no laser engraving but hand engraving, premium everything, carabon fiber bedding, dual crossbar lugs 3 tier lugs on the big bore boys..., french file by hand - no machines used in our detail, we can do aaa grade woods, carbon fiber or composite stocks, massive professional hunter-series actions, metal work done with detail & perfection, from deep charcoal bluing to royal blue we can do any fihish desired including oxide under cerakoating or diamond like coatings, ph1999 actions or granite mountain actions, when you build big bore you go big or go home ph1999, gma, cz550 or other actions available up to 700 caliber capable in a bolt gun, big bore safari hunter & professional grade series, back to home menu, bayou advanced weapon systems, llc, by appointment only natchitoches, la. 71457 833-aim-fire - 731-607-6527 direct copyright 2024 -2025 social media links.

READ ME: HOW TO ORDER FROM LRI

Custom rifles - all weather safari and dangerous game.

Going to Africa is a rare opportunity and life changing experience.  Your commitment as a sportsman must be mirrored in the rifle you carry.  Our Safari and Dangerous Game rifles are typically built on proven control round feed action designs like the Dakota Arms Model 76 and Pre 64 Winchester Model 70’s. 

The use of modern composite stocks, processes, and firearms coatings gives these guns an all weather capability  intended for rugged and intense use. 

Our unique pillar bedding system combined with double cross pinning the  stock ensures your rifle delivers exceptional accuracy anywhere in the world.

Detail items such as Ken Howel Sling studs, properly timed screws, and clean lines deliver the respect and legacy inspired by this kind of rifle.  LRI makes the effort to pay homage to this exclusive community.   

Barrel crowns are not an afterthought, but rather a careful variation of the traditional sporter crown.  Ours feature a true single pointed 11* relief angle that transitions elegantly to the well established radiused style sporter crown.

Our efforts are in no way intended to replace the classic designs of days past.  They are meant as an alternative more suited to the modern sportsman.  This is done through the use of advanced composites and finishes designed to go anywhere in the world.

As always, we strive to build rifles that tell a story with every scratch and dent acquired only after a lifetime of faithful service.

See our products Contact LRI

• Hunting Rifles

Big caliber rifles for the hunt of your dreams-- whether on the hunt in the African plains on a safari, or in the Rocky Mountains of North America. Bolt action rifles are the most common for large animal hunting all over the world. Always "bring enough gun" to get the job done, and practice for the terrain you plan to visit. The classic rifle caliber for almost any situation is the 375 H&H, but we carry guns in almost every hunting caliber available, and as always- at great prices! 

Smith & Wesson 629 Performance Center 44 Rem Mag, 7.5", 6rd, W/Red Dot Sight

Sig KILO8K-ABS, Rangefinder Monocular, 7Xx25mm, FDE, Circle, Duplex, Box + Milling Grid Reticles

Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan .375 Ruger, 20" Barrel, Hogue Overmolded Black Stock, Stainless Steel, 3rd

Savage 10/110 Bear Hunter 375 Ruger 23" Barrel, Stainless Steel,, , AccuFit Mossy Oak Break-Up Stock, 2 rd

Savage 10/110 Brush Hunter 375 Ruger, 20" Barrel, Stainless Steel,, , Synthetic, 3 rd

Chapuis Armes Elan Classic Double Rifle, .470 NE, 24" Barrel, Ejectors

Sabatti Classic Safari Big Five EA 500 N.E. Color Case Hardened

Chapuis Armes Elan Classic .375 H&H, 25.5" Barrel, Engraved, Box-Lock, Circassian Walnut

Chapuis Armes Elan Artisan Double Rifle, .375 H&H FL, 25.5" Barrel

Chapuis Armes Elan Artisan Double Rifle, .470 NE, 24" Barrel

Sabatti Classic Safari Big Five EA EDL 500 N.E.

Remington Model 700 North American Custom 300 Win Mag 24" Fluted Barrel, Muzzle Brake

Chapuis Armes Elan Artisan Double Rifle, .450-400 NE, 25.5" Barrel

Chapuis Armes Elan Classic, .450-400 NE 25.5"

Sabatti Classic Safari Big Five EA EDL 470 N.E.

Remington Custom Shop North American . 375 H&H, 24" Barrel, Tan Stock /w Black Webbing

Remington Custom Shop 700 NA 338 Lapua, 26" Barrel W/Muzzle Brake, 40X Trigger, Tan Stock W/Black Webbing

Smith & Wesson 500 Hunter Performance Center .500 S&W, 10.5" Barrel, Synthetic Grip, Matte Stainless, 5rd

Dakota Arms Model 97 Long Range SS Hunter 300 Win Mag, 24" Barrel, Falcon Ceramic Coating, Swarovski Z6 1.7-10x42 Scope

Remington 700 SPS 375 H&H 24" Barrel, Sythentic Black Stock

Dakota Arms Model 76 African Custom 416 Rigby Upgraded, Color Case Hardening, Rings and Base

Montana Rifle Co. Colorado Buck Edition 300 Win Mag, 24" Barrel Synthetic, Cerakote, Right Hand, Brake

Sako 85 Brown Bear 375 H&H Magnum 21" Barrel 1/12 Twist

Montana Rifle Co. Extreme Vantage V2 375 H&H 24" Barrel, Muzzle Brake Synthetic, SS, Sights, RH

Sabatti Classic Safari Express, Double Trig, Extractors Only 9.3X74R

Marlin 1895 SBL Modern Lever Hunter MLH 45-70 18" Threaded Barrel, Sniper Gray Cerakote, Black Stock, Light Splatter XS Ghost Ring Sight

Winchester M70 Safari Express Bolt 375 H&H Mag 24" Barrel Grade I Walnut Stock

Winchester M70 Alaskan Bolt 375 H&H Mag 25" Barrel Walnut Stock Blued

Seekins SP10 6.5 Creedmoor, 22" Barrel, Flat Dark Earth, 20rd

Marlin 1895 Cape Hunter Package 45-70, 18" Barrel, Leupold VX3i Scope W/Super Low Mount System

Sabatti Classic 92 EA Express, Double Trig, Auto Ejectors 9.3X74R

Ruger M77 Hawkeye African 9.3x62 24" Barrel Satin Blue Finish American Walnut Stock 3 Round

Savage 10/110 Brush Hunter 338 Winchester Magnum, 20" Barrel, Stainless Steel,, , Synthetic, 4 rd

Sabatti Classic Safari Big Five .450/.400 Nitro Express, ExtractorsDouble Trigger

Browning X-Bolt Medallion Safari Bolt 300 H&H Mag 24" Barrel, Black Walnut Stock Blued Open Sights, 3rd

Browning X-Bolt Medallion Safari Bolt 338 Win Mag 24" Barrel, Black Walnut Stock Blued, 3rd

Browning X-Bolt Medallion Safari Bolt 300 WSM 24" Barrel, Black Walnut Stock Blued, 3rd

Kimber Talkeetna Rifle, .375 H&H Mag 24" Barrel Kevlar Carbon Stock

Browning BLR LiteWeight 81 Takedown SS 300 WinMag 24" SS Barrel Gray Stock

Browning X-Bolt Hunter 375 H&H Mag 24" Barrel, Satin Walnut Stock Blued, 4rd

Rigby Safaris

Lasting memories, rifle in hand.

Adventurers and sportsmen have been knocking on our door since the second John Rigby brought his business to London, in the 1860s. Since then, legendary hunters, like Jim Corbett and ‘Karamojo’ Bell, have numbered among the more famous of our customers but the name Rigby has inspired generations of sportsmen from all walks of life to take to the wild places in search of adventure. Today, the team at Rigby offer our clients safari experiences that equal the quality and sentiment that we put into our rifle building. For a bespoke hunting safari, Rigby is your outfitter. Come with us and forge some lasting memories, rifle in hand.

All destinations at a glance

Hunting in the scottish highlands.

Discover the thrill of hunting wild red deer in the remote Scottish hills, hosted by an iconic gunmaker whose name is synonymous with wilderness adventures.

How can we help you?

• Our Products and Ordering
• Barranti-Myres®
• Texas Safari Line
• Barranti Woodshop
• Sixgun Heros
• Recommended Sites
• Gunleather Gallery
• Leather Art Gallery

The Texas Safari™ Line

Introduction by mark hargrove.

The Barranti “Texas Safari” line was born sitting on a ridge in West Texas in the late afternoon sun.  Mike had just shot an aoudad after a lengthy stalk over tricky terrain, with a red pad Ruger No. 1 in 7x57.  We had about an hour to kill before our ride would show up, and it was one of those days when the light was perfect.  I was casually glassing the country to the east, and was struck, as always, by the quantity and variety of game and other animals in our part of Texas, the Rolling Plains.  “You know, Mike,” I said, shifting my binoculars back under my shoulder, “the gear on this trip has been just about as cool as the hunt itself.”  That was true.  Every evening we would sort of pile all our stuff on the kitchen table and decide what to use the next day.  Everything from knives to cartridge carriers.  Mike looked at me with this raised Sicilian eyebrow.  “I know that’s right,” he said.  He laid the rifle down in the thin grass.  “Like a Texas safari.”

This led to a good discussion on the merits of single shot stalking rifles and the little things that can make or break a hunt.  Finally, Mike said, “Maybe I should put together a line of gear – call it the ‘Texas Safari’ line – come up with a special stamp, some new patterns.  With a Texas kick to it.”  Inspired, he was writing stuff down. “So much of what I build is sixgun or pistol related.  It’s time,” he mused, “to add some more things for the rifle hunter.” A new rifle sling design, with a Cowpuncher Bit and Spur buckle on it and no Chicago screws.  A culling belt, and an open-top cartridge slide.  A binocular strap that is near heirloom quality.  An offering of handmade knives suitable for the field or daily carry, all ready to go in a variety of first-quality sheath designs.  No need to get fancy with the leather, just the oil tanned good stuff that will last forever.

The next morning, one of our friends along on the hunt, Matt Grabbe of Tyler Gun Works, brought out a set of shooting sticks, more of a cradle, that he had built, and asked Mike what he thought of trying to build them.  An intriguing design, they had just started working through the details when some movement caught our eye at the edge of the tree line, a coyote chasing back and forth among some crows at 420 yards.  Dylan Tyler went to fetch a rifle, another 7x57, and Matt settled in to a sitting position behind the sticks and pegged the coyote with his first shot.  I am not a very good rifleman, and I sat up and took notice.  Mike did, too.

Everything about the hunt turned out to be memorable.  By the time Mike landed back home, his tablet was filled with sketches of ideas and within a few days, he was already building the prototypes.  It is fun watching a craftsman get excited about his trade, especially so when the quality is extraordinary. The logo for the line comes from a nontypical drop tine whitetail I shot some years ago, shortly before I met Mike, and I am thrilled to see the Texas Safari line of leather come together and grow.  

What is the Texas Safari Line?

Much of our effort has been directed towards handgunners. This line of gunleather is geared towards the rifleman. Just as the North African Aoudad has thrived in the Rolling Plains of Texas, this gear is just as at home here as it would be in the African Savanah. 

Texas Drop Tine Logo

The Texas Safari logo is sketched from a unique, nontypical drop tine buck shot by friend Mark Hargrove. It seemed appropriate to use a deer he had taken since he has had an active hand in the creation of the Texas Safari™ gear. 

Clean and Graceful

Like all our gunleather, the Texas Safari™ Line is built with aesthetics in mind, and an eye towards ‘minimalism’. This, combined with the ‘form follows function’ approach to design,  gives you great looking gear with clean and graceful lines.

Functional and Practical

Each product in the Texas Safari™ Line is built with the input of rifle shooters and hunters. With function and practicality in mind, the goal is to provide the hunter with everything they need, and nothing that they don’t.  

Classic and Timeless

These products would be just as at home on a late 19th Century African Safari as they are here in the hunting fields of the early 21st Century. The classical style of this gear could let it be confused for vintage gunleather. The timeless design and quality construction of this gunleather gives you a product that you can use everyday, and pass on to the next generation of hunters.   

Classic  and  Timeless:  

The  Texas  Safari™  Line  by  Barranti  Leather  

The Texas Safari™ Line Gear

Texas safari™ belt knives.

Price, maker and knife models will vary, and availability will be based on what is in stock.

Texas Safari™ Culling Belt

Texas safari™ rifle sling, texas safari™ cradle sticks, texas safari™ slide, texas safari™ binocular strap, texas safari™ accessories.

 Copyright © 1986-2023 Barranti Leather Co. - All Rights Reserved.   Website designed  and built by Doc Barranti

Barranti-Myres® and the Barranti Bear Track logo are Registered Trademarks of Barranti Leather Co.

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Bansner & Company Custom Rifles

We believe that a true custom rifle embodies two words in equal measure. Performance and craftsmanship. They’re at the very core of who we are as a custom gunmaker.  Accuracy and smooth feeding are as important as stock fitment and clean, sharp lines.  Everything combines to create a system. Beautiful both aesthetically and functionally. We hand-craft our rifles with painstaking attention to detail to ensure each one lives up to that standard. The rifles you see below are examples of our work, but as a true custom shop, we build the rifle that will suit your needs best.

Bansner & Company

Custom rifles, the yukoner.

The pinnacle of lightweight mountain rifles. 

The Standard

The Standard by which others are judged.

Hunter. Varminter. Tactician.

The Classic Safari

Elegant and lethal.

The Grand Safari

You could hang it on your wall… but we built this to hunt!

• Introductions & get togethers
• News & articles
• Safari planning guide
• Hunting Africa
• Hunting reports
• Firearms, ammo, optics & gear
• Hunting & fishing worldwide
• Shows, books, jokes & more
• Search forums
• Firearms, ammo, optics & gear
• Firearms & ammunition

Best Safari rifle builders in North America

• Thread starter StevenQ718
• Start date Oct 11, 2023
• Oct 11, 2023

Hi guys!! Looking for a professional rifle builder to build me a rifle chambered in 416 Rigby using Mauser action. Any recommendation?  

Matthew Roberts, I don't what kind of action you have but he can help with that also  

Hunter-Habib

Joe Smithson Reto Buehller Ryan Breeding John Boliger  

Gene Simillion  

James Anderson  

Ralf Martini. He is the design genius who created the Heym line of Safari rifles. Martinigunmakers - he has a nice used one in stock right now, ready to go.  

I’m not sure how “fancy” or embellished of a rifle you are looking for but if you want a hard working custom rifle that will look and perform great, I would look into Gostomski Gunsmithing in MT Savage Maryland. They have built all of my custom rifles to date.  

• Oct 12, 2023

Let's not forget Duane Wiebe.  

Major Bonkers

(1) Buy a copy of Terry Wieland's Dangerous Game Rifles. (2) The most expensive way to buy a rifle is to have it made for you. Keep an eye on the second-hand market and try and find someone who has spent their money on a custom-made rifle and buy it at a more reasonable price.  

Wayne Jacobson at AHR  

Don't forget about Stuart Satterlee. He would also be in the mix and can provide an action as he builds those as well.  

Ontario Hunter

wvfred said: Let's not forget Duane Wiebe. Click to expand...

mdwest said: Mdwest built an awesome 416 Taylor on an m98 action once… Click to expand...

All the above and I'd add, Lon Paul Darcy Echols  

Green Chile

Duane Wiebe all day long...Sterling Davenport if you can find one. I might be getting out of my 500j he built.  

• Oct 13, 2023

Griffin & Howe would absolutely be my choice.  

• Oct 14, 2023

Lon Paul  

jamitchbikes

Canyon creek, canyon creek custom, canyon creek custom gun stocks, canyon creek custom gunstocks,, attachments.

jamitchbikes said: Leroy Barry canyon creek, canyon creek custom, canyon creek custom gun stocks, canyon creek custom gunstocks, The Finest Show Piece Custom Gunstocks for Our Customer the Old Fashioned Way, where Time and Production is Not a Concern. canyoncreekgunstocks.com Click to expand...

Members online

• Troubleshooter
• shotgungibbs
• Graham Hunter
• John Wasmuth
• Gert Odendaal
• piratensafaris
• Mtn_Infantry
• whisk(e)y hunter
• Bwaybuilder
• .50 Express
• Nevada Wapati
• HuntingFreak
• Hunt anything

Forum statistics

Proudly sponsored by.

• More sponsors

Latest posts

• Latest: Troubleshooter
• 6 minutes ago
• Latest: Dyls85
• 10 minutes ago
• Latest: xbr897
• 11 minutes ago
• 13 minutes ago

• Latest: PARA45
• 17 minutes ago

Latest profile posts

Share this page

• This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…