Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa .338 Win for PLAINS game ?

Will have to look into cull hunts. Thanks for the info!

Just got back a few weeks ago from SA. My buddy took a 338 WM and I shot it to. Shot 27 head from duiker to eland with 200 grain ballistic tips the old one they don't make anymore. From 70-464 yds. had a pass thru on almost everything and didn't loose a single head. Needless to say he will always be taking that gun every trip.

Actually, they do make the same bullet--but only in the black-and-silver Ballistic Silvertip version. But otherwise it's the same bullet.

I recovered one of the originals in 1999, after shooting a bull gemsbok that was quartering toward me in the shoulder. Found it under the hide of the rump on the opposite side.

They are loads of fun. Going on my 3rd one to Namibia in August.

It

Just as a note of information. In the 60's, Elmer Keith took his .333 OKH for his light (planes game) gun on Safari to Eastern Africa. It's the predecessor of the .338WM. He had high praise for that gun. Because of the manufacturing process of bullets in those days, He used both softs and solids in the 300 grain weight. As an aside, When I got my .338WM he had me take it over to Iver Henricksen and he put the long magazine box in it so that it would shoot the 275gr. Speer's. I whacked three bull elk and a few mule deer with that load. BIG exit holes!

I would carry a 338 Wm without worry in Africa, particularly loaded with the 250 gr A-Frames, same bullet I fire in mine, got about 600 of those things to shoot up.

Good luck on your hunt.

I took a 338 WM to SA on my '07 safari. Shoot 14 animals, no issues. Used 225 Barnes. All plains game.

Interestingly, at the end my PH gave a nice compliment on my shooting, but recommended lighter bullets in the 338 for my next trip.

I did a LOT of pre-trip practice and was comfortable off the sticks.

Nothing wrong with the caliber! I have had loads of guys bring a .338Win and they work just fine.

If I may ask, which area will you be hunting, and why you have settled on such a heavy bullet for the caliber such as a 250gr?

I have a note from Brian Herne stating that caliber restrictions not withstanding, he wouldn't hesitate to use the .338WM on anything that lives on the African continent. That's some endorsement.

I've used the 338 Mag for 25 years in Zim, SA & Namibia on Plains Game. Used mostly 200-210 & 225 gr bullets, some Hornady, and some Barnes TSX. They work great.

Nice to see you posting here, Terry. J

If you are going to be shooting lighter bullets, you might as well be packing a 300 wm.

Even if the 300 was shooting a 200 grainer and so was the 338, I'd still pick the 338 over the 300 for shots under 500 yards. Open choice of bullet weight and I'd rather be shooting a 338 over a 300 for anything on the front half of 1200 yards.

You sound a little biased towards the 338, so your comments shouldn't count. I, on the other hand, hate the 300 win mag: They kick too damn hard!!!!!

How come?

I'd take the 300 WM myself any day.....

Take some advil with you too Bob...

bsa: BTDT with the 300 WM....hunted one for a couple of decades. Punched lots of elk tags with mine.

While I own and use both, make no mistake the 338 hits large game harder than a 300. Both will most certainly work.

Bob,
I've always liked the 300 but these days I prefer 30-06, 270 or a 338 over one. Conversely, if I owned just a 300 and not other cartridges I'd be fine. I am not a long range hunter and the advantages of a 300 over say a 30-06 for me are few. The 300 shoots flatter than my 338s but not as much that I can fully appreciate at the ranges I shoot. A lot of people poop-poo the 338 but where people have scared themselves $hitless over it, I've found it effective and with no more attitude than the 300. I find the attitude curious when so many bash a guy for wanting to take a 338 to Africa but are ok with him taking a 300 wm. Hilarious really. A guy could do a great job with 210 gr NP, TSX or any number of other bullets. The argument is usually, "Well you can't shoot a buffalo with it" I suppose if that was what the regs say but your not going to with your 300 then either so big whoop. It's like people are trying to pit a 338 up against big bores instead of just a medium magnum.