I have read that many prefer the .338/.416 combination these days when it comes to all African hunting. I believe this is a great selection. Flat trajectory and hard hitting on game with the .338 caliber for plains game. The .416 for everything the .338 can not take care of. What are some of the other dual selections that have been successful in the past? I have often wondered if the .375 caliber along with the .416 caliber would be good also. Perhaps the .375 and the .474 as in the .470 Nitro Express. What is a good selection these days? I am guessing that the larger bore rifles such as the above .458 crowd are best for stopping and the .338 to .375 calibers are best for all-around game animals. What is your opinion of caliber selection when it comes between the medium bores and the large bores for DG? Happy to hear your answers.

Thanks,

jfm

My probable two gun battery for Zambia in September is a .450 Dakota and a .375 H&H.

Cheers,
Andy

Depending on what your after I can think of 2 good combo's

Plains game: 6.5x55 Swede & .375 H&H

Combo or Big game: .375 H&H & .470 or .500 of some flavor

I am bringing my 338 Win for PG, shoots flat enough, hits hard enough, and the recoil is relatively mild. For DG I will carry a .416 Rem. It is plenty enough for buffalo and I am keeping all my fillings in my teeth while practicing nearly every weekend. My PH will have a stopper rifle. I am a firm believer in having confidence in your rifle and being able to shoot it well is far more important than having the biggest rifle on the block.

The more I shoot the .416 it seems like the recoil lessens and my standing groups continue to shrink. Maybe that is why everybody says to practice.

With that being said I am having a MRC rifle built in 458 Lott. Looking for 2200 FPS with 500 grain bullet. This will be to hunt bull elephant in 2010.

Of course this all IMHO.

108 Day until Africa.

For buff and plains game I'm planning on 404 Jeff and 375 H&H. If something happens to either one, I've still got something suitable for buff and plains game.

I think a very common combo taken by many is a 375 and a 30 caliber of some sort.

On all 3 of my Safaris to Zimbabwe I took a scoped 9,3x74R double rifle and a 450 No2 scoped double rifle, and a handgun as well.

On my last tripo I also took my wife, she took a 308 Blaser R 93 and a 450/400 3 1/4" double rifle with a scope in QD mounts, and we both took 12x12x30-06 drillings as well.

The 9,3 and the 450 No2 worked perfectly on the first 2 trips.

On the third I used the 9,3 and the 450/400 since it was the first time I had it in Africa. That pair worked great as well.

I did shoot a 3 animals with the 308 Blaser just to say I have taken game with it in Africa, but the 9,3 would have worked as well.

Since elephants are always my main game being hunted, I want both of my rifles to be elephant capable.

If you take a 338, [or whatever] just have a at least 10 or so solids.

If the solids hit the EXACT same place as my softs I would take more as they work great on the real small stuff with monimal hide damage.

Next year, I am taking a .500 Jeffery for elephant (and possibly hippo) as well as a 9.3x62 for plains game. It's a good combination for most of what I do as I prefer to have a heavy and a medium.

I have consistently taken my .300 WSM and my .375 H&H, with the exception of one year taking my .375 and .470 NE when elephant and cape buffalo were together on the ticket. I have taken over 75 plains game, from livingstone's suni to Eland, and a majority of them were taken with the .300 WSM. Many of the smaller ones were taken with the .375 using TBSH solids. Croc, hippo, rhino, leopard, lion and one buffalo were all taken with the .375. I do have a .458 Lott that will go back with me in the future, along with either my .470 NE double rifle or my .375, depending on what DG will be on the menu at the time, and what my preferences will be.

These are my humble opinions only and I am no expert.

First, and how's this for obvious, it depends on what and where you are hunting. More on that later.

Second, be warned that I am a big bore fanatic. Still, I do love the .338 Win. Mag. It's perfect for everything up to thick skinned DG. I would not hesitate to use it on any leopard or lion and have, in fact, killed a lion with mine.

If it were legal, I would be willing to use it on buff with 250 grain bullets.

The .375 (meaning, of course, the Holland & Holland) is better for all around purposes, as it is usable even on thick skinned DG. But it's not as good a long range rifle for PG as the .338. Great, to be sure, but not as good, and so the latter would be my choice in the wide open spaces one encounters in places like Namibia.

(I should say that I do not believe in using radically different bullet weights in any given caliber on safari - too much variance in point of impact and too much to think about.)

For PG and buff hunting, the .375 also has the distinct advantage of being very well suited for buff.

But if I were to choose something ideal for buff, and also for hippo (on land) and elephant, I would go with a true big bore. At least a .458 Lott. Better still in my personal battery would be my .500 A-Square.

This year, in Tanzania, with all of the big four and everything else on license, and ranges being short to moderate, I plan to take one of my .375s, my .458 Lott and my .500. As I say, I like the big bores.

If I were to choose only two for this safari, I would choose the .375 and the .500.

I've been rethinking the same thing and it very much depends on what you're hunting.

Anything bigger than cape buffalo probably should be pursued with a .416 or larger however a .375 H&H will do for everything I'm told.

If Cape Buffalo is the nastiest thing on my menu then I just might go with one gun as guns and ammo can be a hassle in airports and one might be easier to deal with than two. That one would be either a .375 H&H or a 9.3 X 62 and that one gun be used for everything unless one wants to borrow a .222 or something from the outfitter in Africa.

A .375 H&H and a .30-06 is a fine pair indeed but I'm more and more inclined to take one gun and borrow one if need be......and as a matter of fact one can eliminate a lot of hassle if he just leaves his gun home and just go hunting!

blasphemous I know.....

When I went to Tanzania in 2006 with the family I took .243 win., 30-06, 375H&H.

I'd take a .30-06 and .375H&H. But then again, I'm boring.

When I go to Botswana next year I'm bringing a 300 H&H and a 375 H&H, both are built on pre 64 Winchester model 70 actions with the same stock design.

The 375 will be for the bigger plains game and the 300 for the medium and small stuff.

If something breaks on one of the rifles I'm fine with either rifle.

If DG was on the menu it would be the .375 H&H and a 404 Jeffery or 416 Rigby.

In the past I have usually taken a .375 and a 470 or .458 Lott.

In future DG hunts I will downsize. A .375 and a scoped 450/400 3" are now my choices. I am going to focus on more accurate shots in better places. They will be in separate cases and if one does not show up the other will work fine.

The exception is if I am only plains game hunting as I will be this year. Then it will be a 300 WM or a drilling in 8x57JRS.

I am taking my 450/400 Osbourne with Woodleigh solids and softs for Buff and Hippo and the .375 for the rest including small stuff by using solids out to around 150 yards.
I chose to take two scopes- a Leupold 3x9 and 1.5x5
I have also been practicing with my .416 Rigby as my PH also shoots the Rigby and just in case something goofy happens I won't be caught like a deer in the headlights.
Frank

9.3mm & 470NE
9.3mm & 450/400
9.3mm & 425WR
Are my combos with the 9.3 suitable for most plains game options and can be used for Dangerous Game if a scope is needed.

Tanznaia - 416Rem Mag & 470NE.
SA - 300 Win Mag & 416 Rem Mag/350gr A Frames

Actually that is an inquiry into a non existant problem inasmuch as the .416, 404, 375 etc. are all excellent plainsgame calibers and are used as such more often than you might think, especially by the more experienced African hunters and PHs....

However either of your choices are excellent and will work just fine...

The only thing that comes to my mind is I kinda like a plainsgame rifle that will kill and elephant, Lion, or Buffalo if the need arose in an instant..I feel this way because I have experienced such an event on two seperate ocassions and have been in camp when these things have happened to others in our camp. On one ocassion I was only armed with a 30-06 but got away with it. On the other I had my 404 and it felt really good..

For that reason I have shot a lot of plainsgame in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Botswana and even in RSA with the big bore rifles, and I have never found them lacking in killing power or trajectory for DG areas of Africa.

This choice also leaves you free to take along a nice 20 ga. double or 22 L.R. or 222 or whatever..

For what its worth and for your consideration in your choice..

On my trip to Tanz in 2006, I took a 416 Taylor as my "medium" and a 470 Mbogo as my "heavy".

I have done this in the past, then deecided on a much simpler method.

2 guns of the same caliber!

I have tried:

25-06 Remington and a 375 H&H
270 Ackley and 416 Weatherby
270 Ackley and 416 Rigby Improved
270 Ackley and a 375/404
7.21 Lazzeroni and 375/404
338 Lazzeroni and 375/404

And finally settled on two 375/404 for all hunts where elephant, buffalo and lion are to be hunted.

Bad medicne to follow Saeed, but here goes.

Two things to think about, 1) If you are in DG country it's good to have a rifle in hand (and not on a sling by the way) that can stop ANYTHING. And 2) If one rifle goes bad the other should be able to handle the load the ohter was going to take.

So far I have only hunted in DG areas. First time I used a 416 Rigby and 375H&H. Second and third a 470 double and a 375. For me, this is ideal.

If I were hunting plains game only in an area without DG I would consider a lighter rifle, both flatter shooting and easier to carry.

Best regards;
Brett

Call me crazy, but next year on a ten-day to Masailand I'm taking my .375 with Woodleigh 350's for buff, backed up by some Speer tungsten solids if necessary, along with my Dakota 7mm Rem mag for plains game with 175 A Frames. I've had very good luck with both calibers. If elephant was on the menu, I'd try to obtain a .470 NE, as well.

Africa measures 11608000 sq miles!

I think you would really need to be FAR more specific about the where, what & under what circumstances of your planned trip before this topic starts to generate more light than heat!

I take what I have: since my 375 was stolen I go with my 458 wm and 30-06; everything, so far, has worked out fine.

Stephen, I totally agree. I have taken my 375 H&H and 338 WM on prior hunts because they suited what I was planning to hunt. I have also taken the 338WM and 9.3X72R/16GA drilling combo. This fall I am taking my 416 Taylor and my 9.3 X 72R/16Ga drilling. On the menu are Tuckless Elepahnt, Croc and Hippo - 416. Red Duiker, Suni, Sharpes Grysbok and Chobe Bushbuck - drilling. The small stuff will be up close (well I hope all will be up close) so flat shooting (9.3 X72R)will not be necessary. If I had Kudu or other such plains game in place of the pygmy antleope on the menu my favorite (338WM) rifle would be in the tuffpack for sure.

i think the 375 is to heavey for just a straight out plains game rifle...any of the standard 30 cal magnums is plenty for plains game
Daniel

Anymore I take the 375 caliber as my smallest caliber, I have great respect for the toughness of African game compared to North American game species. I honestly shoot my 375 from any position, even prone, as well as my 30-06 and they both weigh the same, so for me, no brainer. Even if I will be hunting in SA or Namibia and having the occasion for a long shot, 375. You just never know what your going to run into and what species might become available when you are there. The 338 or a 9.3 are great choices with a big bore as the other rifle, unarguably more balanced than my battery.

My preferred battery: 375bolt and 500N.E. or 375 bolt and 450/400 double.

I've taken the .300 Win Mag/ .375 H&H combo, but ended up using the .375 for everything. When I take the .375/.416 combo I used both.

A .375 H&H plus a 12 ga pump works anywhere in the world, on anything.

It all depends where, and for what you are going to hunt! Then the right combination can be chosen.

If, for instance you are planing a plains game only safari, then the factor that is the most important is, the terrain is the best indicator of the system you will do best with. many places like Namibia much of the terrain justifies very flat shooting rifles, with good scopes. The power will be fine with any of the fast 7mm to 340 Wby, and if you want a second rifle, a good rifle chambered for 30-06 is tough to beat, as a back-up.

If you are hunting in heavy jesse, then a 375 H&H, backed up by a good 300 WM both with low powered scopes. If this jesse contains a large population of Buffalo,and/or elephant, then I wouldn't go lower than a 375H&H.

For a dangerous game hunt that includes Buffalo, 375 H&H for bottom, and one of the over .400s for the top, and if elephant will be on license, I would still start with the 375H&H on the bottom, and my big rifle would likely be no smaller that a 450/400 3" double, or in the case of the bolt rifle no smaller than a 458 WM, and would prefere the 458 LOTT.

If you are looking at RSA, then I would take a 338 WM, backed up with something like a 270, 280 Rem, or 30-06. However if you want to take only one rifle, for plains game in RSA, I would betempted to take a 338 WM, especially if Eland was on the minue!

The first trip was a single rifle for PG, 338-06 with 250 gr. bullets.
The second trip was just a 375 H&H. with 270 gr. Barnes.
This July it will be a 375 H&H and 300 gr. Hornady soft and solids and an O/U 12 guage.
Just about anything will work if you shoot straight.

Since I'm a puss when it comes to recoil, the 375 H&H is all I would usually take and besides, one gun is just a lot less hassle. I do have to say that having Mrs Blacktailer's 308 along for the impala, warties, etc. is very nice. Both wear low power variables(1.5-5 and 1.5-6 for the 375 and 2-7X for the 308).

Zambia in August.....a Heym 404 Jeff for leopard, buff, hippo, puku, bushbuck and whatever else. A Heym 500 Jeff for "back-up". Actually I want to take my buff with the 500 Jeff, but it will wear open sights so we'll see.
The 404 will do anything I need it to out at 200 yds or so with 400 gr A-frames. 400 gr Woodleigh solids shoot to the same POA.
I think I've got most anything covered .

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I have done this in the past, then deecided on a much simpler method.

2 guns of the same caliber!

I have tried:

25-06 Remington and a 375 H&H
270 Ackley and 416 Weatherby
270 Ackley and 416 Rigby Improved
270 Ackley and a 375/404
7.21 Lazzeroni and 375/404
338 Lazzeroni and 375/404

And finally settled on two 375/404 for all hunts where elephant, buffalo and lion are to be hunted.

Isn't two guns of the same caliber not allowed in some African countries?

We took:
1926 Manton & Co .470 double with 500 grain Westley Richards solids for the big boys

and

A 1930s Rach drilling - 16-bore shotgun over 8x57rifle barrel firing 196 grain soft nosed S&B

this did the business on everything from Elephant to guinesa fowl

If you really must get an answer here then it's

a 30-06
a 375 H&H

Will cover all bases, except a MAJOR charge, and you WILL find ammo when yours is lost, stolen or finished!

Boring, I'm sure, but the safest bet.

Take a backup that can double as your dangerous game gun so if something happens to your main gun you willl have something that is legal to hunt with.

JFM,

Interesting post as I recently had to go through the same process. I had planned to take a .416 Rem and a 470 double to the Selous this year, but the double recently developed the nasty habit of jumping back on safe after the first barrel. So I guess I'll take the .416 and a .375.

quote:

Originally posted by GeoffM24:

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I have done this in the past, then deecided on a much simpler method.

2 guns of the same caliber!

I have tried:

25-06 Remington and a 375 H&H
270 Ackley and 416 Weatherby
270 Ackley and 416 Rigby Improved
270 Ackley and a 375/404
7.21 Lazzeroni and 375/404
338 Lazzeroni and 375/404

And finally settled on two 375/404 for all hunts where elephant, buffalo and lion are to be hunted.

Isn't two guns of the same caliber not allowed in some African countries?

I think only South Africa does not allow two rifles of the same caliber.

My two gun battery will be a Krieghoff .470 and a Dakota Traveler in .416 Rem/.300 H&H.

My choice for 1st safari(plains game) 300win mag & 45-70 gov lever action Are we allowed to mention 45-70 gov levers here?

on my second safari(buff & cat), 300 win mag & 375 ultra mag (later sold the ultra mag)

third safari(cat & plains) 300win mag & 375 H &H

my next safar will likely take 470nitro double & 375 H&H -buff and ele on the menu
just my choices