Home Forums Gear Free Classifieds Going to Africa -looking for a larger caliber rifle.

Look up the development of the 325 WSM, this is what this cartridge is designed for and fast reloading should a second or subsequent shot be required.

MRKbass,

IF that VERY NICE rifle in .400 Whelen had been in LH, it would have been coming to The Alamo City. - Alas, it was for a RH shooter.

yours, tex

Unless you enjoy shooting a big bore at targets to get proficient at it, what you have in a 300 Mag is more than enough for plains game of any type. Load up some heavies for it and you'll be good to go.

However, I would never discourage a guy from buying a new rifle- especially for an African trip. A .338 WM would be terrific for what you are planning. That is what I used and it was uber effective...... .225 partitions or Aframes at 2800 +/- impresses the guides a bunch if you shoot it well.....

Bob

Good Morning Whitetail,

I have a very nice tang safety Ruger 77 in 338 Win Mag. Has open sights and real nice wood. The only modifications are that the action is bedded to just in from of the lug, sanded off the pressure pad and the very hard red rubber pad was replaced with a kick-ezz to add a little length and soften the recoil. Shoots 250 gr Partitions very well (less than 1" three shot groups). This rifle has been to Africa a few times and has the usual hunting marks, but very well cared for. Its currently sitting at my LGS on consignment but i can get it and take some pics if this is anything you are interested in. $650

Also have a custom 35 Whelen built on a 1903 Springfield action with a Shilen Supreme barrel. Also been to Africa many times and taken 20-30 head of game with this rifle. Shoots 225gr. Barnes TSX and kills everything. At the LGS so I can get pics if interested. Hate to get rid of it, but just have too many medium bores (if there is such a thing). $600

[img]https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...emington-700-xcr-ll-375-h-h#Post13455991[/img]

Whitetail,
As i think about this a bit longer i also have;

- Rem 700 Classic in 375 H&H. Nice lightweight rifle.
- Rem 700 Classic in 350 Rem Mag.
- Ruger M77 Hawkeye in 375 Ruger.

All good quality, well maintained rifles.

All this being said and as i read your original post, this is just my opinion for hunting plains game in Namibia,load that 300 Win Mag with 180 TSX or 200 gr Partitions and go hunting.

Another advantage of the 375 H&H is that cartridges will be easy to find if yours don't arrive in Namibia. Odds are, there will be 375 H&H rounds in camp.

The 375 H&H's recoil does not hammer you like the newer, fast magnums. It is more of a push. I have a couple 375 H&H's, a 338 Remington Ultra mag, a 458 Winmag and a 458 Lott. The 375 H&H is the easiest, by far, to shoot accurately. Also, while penetration is very good, collateral tissue damage is nominal. The old saying is "You can eat right up to the hole."

T.S.

There is a Winchester 1895, in 405 Win posted on the Forum....

Ruger no.1 458 win mag with leupold vx iii in classifieds

I have an unfired Blaser Safari Pro in 500 Jeffery with a case of Kynoch ammunition, if you're going big.

I have a 375 H/H Whitworth manchester with orginal wood stock , Magna ported . $1000. Can send pictures if interested

Whitetails45,

You might also consider (IF you reload) a standard length ,270 or .30-06 bought "on the cheap" used & rebored by JES to .375 Whelen, which "kicks" a LOT less than the BIG magnums & kills all of the DANGEROUS GAME species DEAD. ======> 2100FPS with a 300 grain JSP for 3,000 foot pounds of muzzle energy is A KILLER on most anything.
(The older that I get, the LESS that I enjoy "punishing kick" & muzzle blast.)

The .375 also doesn't "kick" nearly as much as your .300 WIN MAG does (it kicks about the same as a .30-06 with 200 grain JSP.), it's CHEAP to load, is easily formed from cheap/free "once fired" .30-06 cases, handles CB well in both PB & GC & is a VERY EFFICIENT round, too. - The round is known for DEEP PENETRATION.
(I don't currently own a .375 Whelen of my own, as I have/love my 9.3x62mm, but my BIL does & likes his for everything from coyotes & UP with cast bullets. = I believe that Peter is one of those rare individuals who LIVES TO HUNT.)

yours, tex

TexasShooter,

NICE HEADS.

I hope to take a CAPE BUFF as nice as yours next Fall & (hopefully) a LEOPARD, too
(My Darla wants a "spotted kitty pelt" to drape over the couch in the den. - She's NOT nearly as happy about possibly having a Buff looking down from the den wall.)

yours, tex

Thanks Tex. I wish you the best of luck on your trip!!

T.S.

TexasShooter,

THANKS for the good wishes.

yours, tex

If you want a larger caliber than a 300 Win Mag, many good choices have been mentioned. Based on my own experience, my 300WSM with 280 grain Nosler Partitions has worked well on all PG animals I've taken, up to and including eland.

If you're familiar with your 300 WM and if it's accurate, no other rifle is really needed for PG, even at the longer (for Southern Africa) ranges you might run into in Namibia. IMHO choosing a good bullet and practicing shooting from sticks and offhand is probably time better spent than in mastering a larger cartridge. YMMV

I have a Winchester Safari Express in 375 H&H control round feed in very good condition. It is in a wood stock and a blued finish The classic safari gun.... $1000.00
I also have a Model 70 pre 64 375 H&H in great shape... $3300.00
I have a Sako L671 action with Mcmillian stock custom barrel very nice gun in 338 Jarrett with dies. $1850.00


ps.. correction from safari classic to safari express.

pss. Use as much gun as you can shooting an eland. Their size, muscularity, wariness has to be experienced to understand. Those stating that a 300 wm is plenty are just wrong, and im a huge fan of the cartridge. Not trying to start an argument, but eland are special in many ways and deserve great care when hunting. With all respect, boyscout.

A friend of mine did some bang-up work in Africa with a .270 & .308.

Buy a Remington 798 in 375 H&H. CRF, several on GunBroker, couple are new in the box. Best deal out there.