What would you prefer in a bolt rifle:
Woodleigh .338 300gn@2350
woodleigh .375 350gn@2150

Of the two listed I'll take the 375. I'd prefer my 450 Dakota!

375

I can't imagine anyone looking at a lion (at any distance) and wishing they had "less" gun.

That's like a question my kid asked me not too long ago: Dad, would you rather be killed by crucifixion or by drowning? It's a Hobson's choice.

Neither of the loads you list is optimal for lion, IMO. The bullet choices are too heavy and the velocities too slow.

I have killed two lions, one with a .375 H&H Mag., shooting Hirtenberger factory ammunition launching a 272 grain ABC bullet at 2,700 fps, and the other with a .338 Win. Mag., shooting Federal Premium factory ammunition launching a 225 grain Barnes XLC coated X-Bullet at 2,800 fps.

In both cases, the bullets performed perfectly (even though I didn't--but that's another couple of stories).

IMO, my choices of loads for these calibers were good ones and while they can be equalled, would be hard to top.

Both will work, my choice is the .375 for Lion..and better yet a 416...

quote:

Originally posted by Woodjack:
What would you prefer in a bolt rifle:
Woodleigh .338 300gn@2350
woodleigh .375 350gn@2150

I would prefer the .375, but I would go with a 300 grain North Fork at 2550 fps.

I cannot really quote from an extensive background of lion shooting (2!) but one was with a 7x57, which was a totally defensive situation with the worlds luckiest headshot, and the second was a far more satisfactory result of a hunt using a 416Rem. Of the two, I would take the 416, or bigger, any day!
Having said that, given your choices, I would follow 500grs lead, and go with the 375, and a stoutly constructed 300gr soft point.
Lions look REALLY big and REALLY fast when they are charging at you.
just my $0.02 worth.

Cheers, Dave.
Non Illegitium Carborundum

I think I'll go for the 375 of the options given. However given my choice a 470 Mbogo, 500 A2 , 550 mag or the 600 OK all with one of my expanding FN solids.

It will put the hurt on him and also provide shock value. and in case of a charge the bullet will penetrate deepenough to get to his ass via his head in a pinch.

John

Either of these would work just fine, and I doubt the lion would know the difference.

But, I wonder why you are using such heavy bullets for caliber at relatively low velocity for lion.

I would have preferred higher velocity with lighter bullets myself. Such as 250 grains in the 338 and 300 grains in the 375.

What 500Grains said!

I have no problem with the 338, if I didn't have a 375 H&H, but since I do, I'd use the 375 H&H at 2550 fps with the 300 gr North Fork soft point, or Nosler Partition! Of course what you suggest will kill a lion, I just think the 375H&H with a lighter 300 gr bullet is best!

quote:

Originally posted by Woodjack:
What would you prefer in a bolt rifle:
Woodleigh .338 300gn@2350
woodleigh .375 350gn@2150

I'd take the .375, but not with your heavy for caliber 350 grains, Nosler 300 will be good though. JMO