Matabele,

I've got a Belgian 20 guage of about the same description, although the barrels are too good to trash.

Mine was "off face" but I've sorted that out.

My first thoughts were .30/30 as a good "kick em out and shoot them" pig rifle. I believe that weight for calibre it would make up into a good light "carry always in the hands" rifle.

Friends are trying to push the .303 British.........to some success. However I'm wondering whether it'll finish up too light for calibre.......and I don't really need more than the .30/30....!!??

.30/40 Krag was another option though cases may prove difficult to come by.

Both cartridges would be a great rifle for most plains game..........not eland....given good projectiles and bullet placement. Certainly it would suit the smaller stuff like Impala, Reedbuck, Warthog, Bushpig, Sprinbok, Blesbok, Inyala..........but I'm sure nobody would want me shooting at their pet Kudu, Zebra, Waterbuck with it........or for that matter Eland.

With long/heavy for calibre projectiles both would provide good enough penetration for most game.

Ellis' book provides calculations to help determine cartridges for you conversion........keep reading it.

I believe that you'd go far with a scope sighted double in .30/30, .303 or .30/40 Krag while enjoying the handiness of a light gun to carry and mild recoil.