I will be going to Namibia in 08 and was tossing around what rifles to take for plains game and maybe a Leopard. I will take two rifles and the caliber choices are as follows:
243 WSSM
6.5 X 55
270 Win
30-06
338 Win Mag
375 H&H
416 Rigby
458 Lott
All are Model 70's except for the Rigby which is a CZ.
Which two would you take? I'm leaning towards the 375 and the '06. thanks for your consideration.---------Pegleg

If I remember well, officially, in Namibia the minimum caliber allowed is the 7 mm.
Simplify your life, one rifle only choosed on one of these calibers:
30-06
338 Win Mag
375 H&H
Bring two scopes instead.
My personal choice is the 30-06, I hunted in Namibia with one rifle, a 9.3x62. I'll be back on June with it or with a 7x57.

I have killed all that you will hunt with
a 300 Win.Mag. 180gr. The 06' should do all
that you need. Add the 338 with 200gr and you
have it. If only the 338 use 220gr.
Best of luck
I am off to Zim in 28 days.

I agree with Stefano's post regarding two scopes. The unknown is leopard and if a kinetic energy formula is used to determine legal cartridge or if .375 DG rule applies.

To answer your post, I like the '06 and .375 H&H pairing. If you decide on one rifle and if kenetic energy calculation is allowed for leopard then the .338 Win Mag.

Good hunting.

I am doing this year, exactly what you will be doing in '08. I will be taking a 30-06 and a .300 WSM. Based upon past experience, those two rifles will do the number on leopard and on plains game without any hitches. In your case, with the calibers available to you, I would suggest that you take the '06 and the .338.

When I lived Windhoek 3.5 years ago it was so much energy... .338 would be nice or the '06. I did everything with a 9.3 and had good results but I think for leopard I'd choose something with higher velocity for shock. I found subject to interpretation of the PH. So ask your PH or guide their opinion.
Aaron

Pegleg:

In my previous safaris I have used the 300 Wea, the 338WM, and the 375H&H. The 300 & 338 were for plains game, the 375 for buff. Both the 300 & 338 worked just fine, with the nod going to the 338. The 300 Wea with 180's was too fast for the conditions in Zim, the 338 with 250gr bullets was a better choice. But none of the animals complained. They all went to the salt pretty quietly.

I'm going to Namibia in September and will be using a 35 Whelen, a cartridge I have not hunted with. I'll be shooting 250gr NorthForks.

Enjoy your adventure!

30-06 and .375 H&H for a lot of reasons.

If taking only one rifle - .375 H&H.

Going to Africa without a 375 H&H is like going to a NASCAR race without beer.

Going anywhere without beer is foolhardy!

make it easy .338 win good luck

There just won't be a choice on one rifle. Hell I can't go anywhere with just one anything. That's like carrying my pistol with just one magazine. I just can't do it. But thanks for all your responses. I'm leaning towards my '06 and the 375.

Pegleg,

I'd take the 338 loaded with lighter (210's etc) bullets and a 375 with 300 grainers.

In a pinch the 338 could do it all............