Trying to plan a trip to the dark continent and have been struggling which two gun battery to take. I have a .458 Win Mag. a 416 Rigby a .375 H&H a .338 Win Mag. 30-06 and a 270 win.
I plan on mostly plains game but will be after a buff also. What would you take? I feel compelled to decide and then concentrate on those two rifles with my range practice. Thanks for your replys.

I'll bet you'll get the most votes for the .416 and the .338 but I'd say take the two that you shoot the best. Whether it's because of stock fit, trigger pull, reliable feeding, accuracy or love.... if you shoot it better it will make your trip better.

If you're really torn, take them all to the range (maybe not all at once) and do "try outs". Use an 8" bull at 100 yards and fire groups of 3 rapid shots for a total of 9 or 12 from each gun off of sticks. That should really narrow it down for you.

All that said, I've been really happy with a .375 as my "light" gun because it will work for DG or PG.

Kyler

Out of the caliber selection you mention, the 416 Rigby/338 Win Mag is tough to beat for the game you have in mind and also taking into consideration what Kyler says wrt reliability, accuracy, etc.
The 375/416 combo also makes some sense, but it also depends on the terrain you are hunting as there are some rather longish shots where the 375 as your primary PG rifle, is really not optimized. For the same type hunt, I took a 300 Weatherby and a 416 Rigby. jorge

S9nce plains game are your main goal I would take either the 270 or 30-06 (which ever is your favorite) and use good quality bullets. For the buff the 375 would be my choice as it can then be used effeciently for most plains game situations if your light rifle goes belly up for some reason. But if one of the other rifles tickles your fancy for some reason, they will work just fine also.

465H&H

If Buff is on the menu, in most places you need something .375 and larger. So one of the rifles that goes needs to be a heavier one. Except for the .270 all of them will be fine for even the heaviest of plains game with proper bullets.

I'd take one of the larger bore group (.458 and .416) and one from the medium bore group (.375 and .338).

Buff can absorb a huge amount of abuse. The larger calibers are better than the smaller ones for that use.

For plains game a little larger never hurts therefore my choice.

Choose high quality bullets and things will be fine.

Any combination of the 458, 416 or 375 would let you use any two of the weapons in a pinch for the whole hunt if one broke or you had an ammo problem.

You should consider the terrain in which you will be hunting. If it is more open, you can take a flatter shooting rifle with longer barrel. If you are in thick stuff, I'd go with the bigest bore and shortest barrel for one of my rifles.

For plains game, you could use any of the rifles, but I'd caution against the 270. Clearly from the rifles you mention, which I assume you shoot reasonably well, recoil is not a major issue for you. I think the 30-06 will kill more effectively than the 270 at the ranges you ph will let you engage.

Use solids in the big bores on small plains game which will not tear up the smaller animals. Use the heavier loadings for the smaller cartridges you take one of the: 270=140's or 150's; 30-06=180's or 190's. I don't shoot 338, but would think 225 would be about right.

With the 375, 416 and 458, you'll want your soft points to be "tuned" or "harmonized" to your solid loads at 50yards when the soft point is about 2" high at 100yds. By the time you get this done, you will have plenty of practice with you rifles.

Good luck and good hunting. We all look forward to hearing about your hunt. Kudude

If you were to only take one rifle, I would take the Rigby. If you are taking two rifles in separate cases, I would take the .375 H&H and the Rigby. That way, if only one rifle shows up, you are still covered for everything on your list. Two rifles in one case; I suggest the .458 WinMag and the .375 H&H. That will give you more spread in terms of capabilities.

I just returned from Tanzania last night. I carried a .458 Lott and a .375 H&H. I shot buffs with the Lott and plains game with the .375. I had an opportunity on a third buffalo while stalking waterbuck. I was carrying the .375. I passed him up (I had already taken two) but I knew I was adequately armed should I have wanted him.

.375 and .30-06 if taking two; .375 if taking one.

I also recommend the 416/375 combination. If the 375 is sighted in for 250 gr bullets then you have a relatively fast rifle for plains game. You have the Rigby for the dangerous stuff. Don't forget to bring along an extra scope in QD mounts incase one of your scopes shells out. I have had it happen on both a Leupold as well as a Pro Hunter Swarovski.

quote:

.375 and .30-06 if taking two; .375 if taking one.

My thoughts exactly. Haven't found a buff yet I couldn't let the air out of with a .375 and premium bullets and the 30-06 has proved itself throughout the world time and again.

Rule of thumb for me is to always have a .375 H & H and better in dangerous game country. That narrows the choice to .375 and 416 Rig. I would select the .458, but it isn't a Lott so I would go with the .416. Now if your also going to South Africa shooting plains game then you might consider the 30 cals.

Dak

.458 and .375.

The .458 for buff, because of the three Bs: Bigger is better for buff.

The .375 for PG, because even when hunting PG, you'll have enough to snuff a buff should a buff show his stuff or decide to get tough.

Edited to add:

In buff country you may not be hunting buff, but that does not mean that you will not find a buff or that a buff will not find you.

So, many (including me) advise that when hunting anything in buff country, one should always carry a gun suitable for buff. And I don't want any guff. And that's no bluff!

416 Rigby and 338 Win mag.

.416 Rigby and the 30/06.

Good hunting-
Locksley,R.

458 and 375

I just got back from Tanzania and I think the .458 using A-Square Triad solids, DT soft points which both shot to the same point of aim for my gun would handle any Buff issue. The Lion load is sweet music for lion and leopard.
The .375 or .30/06 would be my next choice, but you have been given great advice on taking the gun you shoot best.
Robert

If you're definitely not hunting buff while you are hunting lighter game then take the 30'06 and what ever rifle you are most comfortable with for buff. If you are hunting for a mixed bag then I suppose a 375 and 416 mix makes sense. A 416 can do more of the 375's work than the 458 can. Likewise a 375 can do much of the 416's work. Of course a fella could always take just his 375 with the correct mix of ammo, and a spare scope (already zero'd in its own rings) and call it good.