Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Largest game with .300 H&H Magnum?

What is the largest game you would feel comfortable taking with the .300 H&H Magnum? I am thinking Eland for plains game and Leopard. Would you use it on Lion?

200 gr. NPT at optimal velocity is a pretty effective load for lots of stuff.

DF

I used a 300 Weatherby on lion once. 200 gr. A-Frame. Sitting, facing me. Chest shot. Crumpled him. Had no time to use my 375. In Namibia I've used 300 Win and Weatherby on all plains game. Not a H&H, but close. Little more power. I would love to own a 300 H&H. Maybe someday.

I've taken elk with mine.

I have a friend who has hunted Africa several times and owns just two rifles. Both are pre 64 model 70s, one in 300 H&H and one in 375 H&H. On one of his trips he and the PH were looking for a nice kudu when they stumbled onto a very nice old cape buffalo bull. Cape buffalo was in his plans for that trip and the PH asked if he wanted the bull. My friend said yes but only had the 300 with 180 grain Partitions. The guide said take the shot. He had seen my friend shoot game before. He said that bull went down faster than the four he'd killed on prior hunts with his 375.

I wouldn't hesitate to take a good clear shot at a buffalo with the 300 H&H Super with 200gr Partitions. I've taken game from steenbuk to eland with it. It's a true African Classic.

I would use my 300 H&H on about anything, if I get to use the bullets I want.
I have other rifles I might prefer for some hunting, but I can't think of any game I would be unwilling to shoot with my 300 H&H, up to and including elephant and hippo. The "trick" is to turn down shots that are not perfect. That can be exasperating and expensive in today's economy. (that's why I would choose other rifles some times) but if I could use 165 gr Barnex X, 220 grain Nosler partitions and some good 220 grain mono-metal solids, and if time and money were not objects, I would gladly take a 300 H&H for any game I can hunt.

Brain shot on elephant...but would actually prefer the .30/06.

Yes.

No.

I've used the 300WSM - ballistically identical to the 300 H&H - with 180 grain Partitions on eland. I believe a medium - 375, 416, 404 - would be a better choice on lion. If the angle is not ideal or follow ups are needed to stop a wounded animal, the mediums would offer greater power.

In theory, just about anything. Mu uncle took his two lion back in the late 60s with (the horror!) a 270 w Winchester Silvertips. Personally, eland would be the limit for me.

Just 'cause you can, doesn't mean you should...

Your Uncle was probably an excellent marksman, knew what his gun would do and delivered the goods.

I'd be shooting my .375 H&H. I don't feel I'm good enough to try a lesser round...

DF

Agreed!

Yes, eland, lion and Kodiak brown bear.

I would personally draw the line at Buffalo, elephant and rhino.

I used my 300H&H last year in Namibia with 180gr TTSX. PH told me to not change a thing.
Cleanly killed six PG animals with no bullets recovered.

Eland did not happen, but would not have hesitated if the opportunity had presented.

Talking around the campfire, the PH's and the owner felt that the 300 magnum class of cartridges is perfect for PG.

Like others have said, the .300 H&H spits bullets out at speeds similar to the .300 WSM and .30-06AI, and is not much slower than a .300 Win or any other 300 Mag.

Eland are about the size of an AK moose, and I doubt anyone would pass a moose up with those rounds and a good bullet.

Lions average what? Around 300-400 pounds? They're supposedly tough, but I wouldn't hesitate to put a TSX, A FRAME or even a damn partition into one via .300 H&H.

Put it to you this way,lions eat eland,buffalo,zebra and on occasion,people.

I value my skin and would use something in the .375 H&H to the .416 Rem/Rigby.

If using a .375 H&H,I would use the 300 gr Sierra.

300 H&H would not be my first choice, but had a lion showed up and the PH said shoot. I would not have hesitated.

Next year for buffalo and Sable I am taking my 375 H&H, with a 9.3x64 as back up.

Allen Day told me a couple of times about the running buff he shot with his 300 win mag. Saw the video too. If I were out with my 300HH and saw a nice buff that I could get a good shot at, I'd take it. But I'd certainly rather have my 375.

I have had catastrophic bullet failure with a 375 H&H 300 gr. Sierra soft point. Was just too soft and fragile. Had better success a few times when I was so damn busy that I had to use factory ammo instead of hand loading my own. Federal "Blue Box" 300 gr. Soft point ( I think they are called power shock) and Remington plain old green box 270 gr. Core-lok soft points. Typical cup and core separation or small weight retention on both these bullets. But they absolutely crumpled game. At 30-200 yards. Used with these results on several Gemsbok, hartebeest, springbok,warthog, wilderbeast, and others. IMHO I would use these standard economy bullets in 375 H&H over the Sierra. Elk was too much for it as well.
I am currently looking for a 300 H&H. Have always wanted one just for Africa. Sooner or later I will trip into one that fits the bill. Maybe I will have a Zastava rechambered or a Husqavarna.