Which to take for plains game in Namibia? Both rifles are pre-64 Winchesters and I have never hunted with either rifle. I reload and plan to use triple shocks in either round- 210s in the .338 and either 168s or 180s in the H&H. I plan to hunt duiker, steenbok, zebra and eland. Is there a compelling argument for either rifle?

Both guns are outstanding. I would go with the .300 H&H Magnum. One of my favorite cartridges.

I used a .300 H&H....it was more than adequate.

I used 200 grain Swift A-frames.

Both will do the job and do it very well.....

quote:

Originally posted by mrfudd:
..... I reload and plan to use triple shocks in either round- 210s in the .338 and either 168s or 180s in the H&H. I plan to hunt duiker, steenbok, zebra and eland. Is there a compelling argument for either rifle?

No compelling argument, except you should be using 200 grainers in the 300 and 225-250's in the 333, IMHO

Based on my experience on two safaris, I would heartily endorse the .338. I used 225 grain TSXs in 2004 and 225 grain Interbonds in 2005, both with excellent results. I had never hunted with my .338 before Africa, and became quite fond of it there.

quote:

Is there a compelling argument for either rifle?

No. Take the one you like best. Having said that, the .338 will let you take a wider range of shots at eland.

Dean

Not 100% sure why your not taking both, I would.

A good rifle deserves to go to Africa.

having used a .338 on 7 African hunts for everything but my buffalo, i highly recommend it. however i would also recommend at least a 225 gr. bullet ( i also used triple shocks) and preferably a 250 gr., since eland is on the menu. sure it is overkill on the small stuff but both eland and zebra are large, tough animals and the harder you hit them, the less time you may spend tracking them if the shot placement is not quite perfect. both rifles will obviously do the job.

The 338WM will give you the edge on performance, and the 300 H&H gives you the edge on nostalgia.

Bigger is better! An eland is typically bigger than a cape buffalo. If you shoot both rifles well you could take both or if in doubt, take the biggest one. Just my $.02

I like the .338, but either will certainly work. Caliber is more important to the hunter than to the hunted.

The .338 Win. Mag. is flat out the best PG rifle ever thought of.

Still, though, I do not like those light weight bullets, I must say; although with proper geometry on the shot angle, all should and generally does go well.

Because all does not always go well, however, I'd go with a stout 225, such as the TBBC or the NF (of which I have laid away a few boxes).

Two of my favorite calibers! Take them both!

i'd buy a box of solids & make sure they're hitting the same impact as the softs to use on the steenbok and duiker. they're just little fellows and a high velocity soft will blow the chit out of them

With any two individual rifles, one will likely have the edge over the other in accuracy. Take that one.

I have used a 300 Wby on one safari and a 338 Win Mag on another. Both were superb and would have a hard time choosing one over the other. BUT, I am a 338 fan. For one gun it would be the 338. Paired up with a 375 the 300 would get the nod. The 338 just works on almost anything. I plan on building a second one stricly for Africa. Everyone should have one.

I have used the 338 on a half dozen plains game hunts and never found it to be lacking I use Barnes X in 225 Gr. I have also used the 225 Barnes solids for some of the little guys screwed up once and had anX in for Klippy and it didn't "blow him all to hell" just did a fine job.

I use the .338 Win and the 300 H&H, I wouldn't get rid of either of them and I am truly a gun whore would would sell his soul, but not these two calibers...

I'd pick the one closest to me at the time, I suppose!

I guess if push came to shove and I had to choose between the two, I'd opt for the .338 Win., a 210 gr. Nosler at 3010 FPS and a 300 Gr. Woodleigh at 2450 FPS is pretty hard to beat anyway you cut it......

Take both If so;

Load the 168TTSX in the 300 and use the 338 loaded with at least 225's for the eland........

Or if you only want ONE rifle, then load 200 grainers in the 300H&H or 225's in the 338WM.

You'll love Namibia.

quote:

You'll love Namibia

I do. I took a 9.3x62 and 250 gr triple shocks in 2006 for mountain zebra, oryx, hartebeast and kudu. I can't wait to get back over there.

Have both-use both. Would take both and use the 300 H+H for nostalgia.

quote:

Originally posted by mrfudd:

quote:

You'll love Namibia

I do. I took a 9.3x62 and 250 gr triple shocks in 2006 for mountain zebra, oryx, hartebeast and kudu. I can't wait to get back over there.

I was there in 2006 as well. And I'm going back again this year in August. After Waterbuck, Livingstone Eland and a Giraffe

Enjoy your hunt mate

Look forward to the report and the pics!

May I pop in with a question?
I´m going to RSA in May.
First 3 days in Northern Cape for springbuck and black wildebeast.
Shots usually + 200 meter according to the outfitter.
Then 6 days in Limpopo bushveldt for zebra, waterbuck and bushbuck + warthog and baboon if possible.

I have two bullets in mind, both shoots well in my M77 / 338 Winmag.
225 North Fork and 250 Woodleig Round Nose.
I was thinking about using both, the 225 gr NF on the open plains in NC, and the 250 gr Woodleigh along the Limpopo River.

What would you do, stick with one, or go with both?

I have a shot a lot of game in Africa with a 300 WM (200 gr NP)and a 30-06 (180 gr NP), both performing perfectly. I've taken two eland, both with 375 H&H. Recently I picked up a pre-64 Model 70 in 300 H&H. This rifle just cry's out "Africa". When I go back for lighter game I will absolutely take the 300 H&H shooting 200 gr bullets. After 2 eland I would not be hesitant to shoot one with a 300 H&H but only with 200 gr.premium bullets.
Yes the 338 would be better at angles but you won't lose much with the classic.

Arild,
I always shoot heavy bullets for calibre, but either of your selections will work great. In my opinion stick with one and no worries.

Arild, I would stick with one bullet and in particular the 225. Less can go wrong.

I never take more than one load for a rifle on any trip, except for DG when solids are needed. Then one must take care to be sure that the softs and solids hit at or close to the same point of aim at expected ranges.

It happens, but in my experience, getting better than three or four MOA accuracy from composite goups of different bullet weights in the same caliber in the same rifle is pretty rare.

All of the Moose and Caribou (as well as my Brown Bear) I have killed have been with a .338WM and a 250 gr. Nosler Partition. Any reason you previous posters have avoided this bullet choice?

Several individuals have suggested both rifles. If that is the case are they both carried with you in the truck or does someone carry the extra rifle while stalking and then the decision is made based on the particular animal.?
Just curious how that works.
Frank

Frostbit,
Thats the load I use most often. I used it in Zim for some plains animals with good effect. Its hard to beat.
Frank, on my first plains game hunt I carried a 300 Wby and a 373 H&H, I carried one and a tracker carried the other, most of the time. On my buff hunt a carried a 458 WM and the 338, The 338 stayed in the Landcruiser most of the time while we stalked buff. It kind of depends on the type of hunt and the animal(s) your after and any given time.

If those are the only animals you wish to hunt the 300 is in my opinion the better pick. You will need the punch of the 200's for the Eland and Zebra, these are usually shot at longer range, while Duiker and Steenbok are usually shot very close, so the slow speed of the 200gr will not destroy them from a taxidermy POV.

Frostbit,
Even though I don't typically use a 338, when I have I've used the 250 gr.
It shoots flat enough and hits like a Mach truck.