500N,

I have a CZ550 in 505 Gibbs from the custom shop in St Louis. That cost about $2700 a few years back. It has walnut stock, 24 inch barrel and other wise looks about like any other cz safari model rifle. A think it was a heck of a value. It has been as reliable and good looking a gun as anyone could ask for. No tinkering required.

To chit chat some more: I also went out and got a safari(?) cz550 (assembled in the check republic) in 458 Lott. Costing about $1,000. That gun may outwardly look about the same as the St Louis guns but it was a lot of trouble and just goes to show you get what you pay for in life.

I also have Winchester 375H&H and Ruger in 416 Rigby. Both are wonderful guns. FWIW, You cannot compare the Winchester 375HH to the CZ in 458 for the same ball park price. It seems odd that Winchester won't offer a 458Lott. If they do, I'll dump my CZ and get one. That will complete my battery, unless I go ahead with a 585 someday.

I am new to this forum, so; in the nature of full disclosure all my hunting is limited to N. American and my big 'safari' guns are just a hobby for me. I am on a limited budget. Gun quality and price is pretty subjective, there was a time I would never imagine paying 3k for a gun. I guess I consider my self pretty luck to come this far in life. Yet, I know its all relative and its become apparent I'll never be in the market for a nice double gun.

Its interesting to read a guy like Ash, is planning to assemble a set of big guns almost exactly the same as me. With no apparent need to justify each and every size, beyond the joy of ownership. Or thats just me - reading it my way again.

And this is totally irrelevant as I never will hunt Africa, but if I was, I would like to try my M70 in 375H&H and hope good shooting and a cool head would serve me well. But again, I dont know squat about Africa beyond my reading and make no pretense otherwise.