After years of saving, and then having plans changed for me by life's detours,I've finally booked my first safari....with Tholo Safaris in Botswana through Wendell Reich. I'm really encouraged by SDHALL's recent post on his hunt there.

Firstly I want to thank this forum for giving me the dream, and to all of you who have made yourselves available to post your experiences here...especially valuable to us that have dreamt.

My first question (more to follow) is hardware-related. I will be bringing a 35 Whelen on an FN Mauser platform and will be hunting zebra, kudu, gemsbok, wildebeest, and eland with, most likely, 250gr. A-Frames. My primary concern is that I can't count on Murphy taking time off, so am considering a second rifle to bring with in a more common chambering.

What are your suggestions? I'm thinking of purchasing either a 375 or a 30-06, as my only two rifles which are remotely suited are a 7-08 (likely not enough) and a 45-70 ( with it's rainbow trajectory).

I know the 375 will easily handle it all ( read it here dontcha know?), but I've an eye on a Husqvarna in 30-06 for about 60% of the price of a 375. My concern is that the 30-06 might be a bit marginal for the larger game. But, then, the price difference would go towards trophy fees.

I'm certain this has been discussed at great lengths before, but, hey, this is my dream coming true ,and I beg your indulgences.

So...any thoughts and suggestions as what to do?

Also many thanks to those that have helped me with PMs!

Bob

Bob - Congradulations on the booking. I am sure you will have a great time.

The 30-06 would be perfect for this hunt. My friend that went along used a 7mm Rem Mag with no problems. Personally I really like the 375, but the 06 would be great. If there is ever a chance that you would hunt dangerous game I would seriously consider the 375. I bought mine for my first buffalo hunt and now it is all I use, from blacktail deer to elephant.

I believe that Tholo has guns available for rent if something happens, so if money is a concern I would recommend checking with Wendell if that is an option.

Botswana charges a gun import license fee, I believe it is $150 per gun, plus they charge tax on all ammo that you import, something close to 15% of decalared value.

Just some things to consider, but any way you go you can't go wrong.

Bob,
You didn't say 40% savings of what price. I assume we're talking a few hundreds bucks difference here at most. A 30-06 with 200 or 220 grain premium bullets will do the job with good shot placement. A 375 H&H with good bullets will certainly handle these animals and all others. High fence or not, You need to keep in mind this is Africa and you never know what is behind the next bush or what critter is having a bad day. Given a choice, I'd opt for the 375 H&H without question.
My 2¢,
Robert

Ask your outfitter and/or PH. They will know what will work in the area for the game you will be hunting.

Have the time of your life.

In your case I think I would opt for the suggestion of checking with your PH and see what they have to offer in a back-up gun. If something suitable is available, just use it for the insurance factor and save your money for other things that will pop up. Two guns can be a reality if DG and plains game are on the menu, but another gun as strictly a just in case something goes wrong thing is probably not a neccesity. JMHO. I am ony taking my 9.3 X 62 to Moz next year, and already know a .416 Rigby is available in camp if the need should arise. Good luck and congrats on your first trip to Africa!!

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Congrats, I too am going to hunt with Tholo next May. I am bringing two custom pre 64 Winchester model 70s in 300 H&H and a 375 H&H as my rifles. I figure I can use either for everything if something happens to one of the rifles. I emailed the PH and he felt they were both good choices. I figure I'll shoot 200 grainers out of the 300 and 300 grainers out of the 375.

Bob,
The 30-06 is plenty of gun for any plainsgame animal up to and including Eland, but are you hunting in dangerous game country where the possibility exist that you might encounter a Buffalo thats been in a snare and broke loose, or a Lion thats been hurt or a mad elephant in which case a .375 would sure be handy...If not then the 06 is just fine. I like the 200 gr. Noslers in the 06 or 300s

The 375 H&H will be great on Eland. 30-06 is a bit light if you hit the shoulder blade.

I have experience with all but the Gemsbok and would have no hesitation taking them with my 7x57 with 175gr Partitions and have infact done so with the Kudu, Wildebeest and Zebra. Have no first hand knowledge of the 7-08 but have used 30-06 on the same animals with complete success. If a rifle is for hire with the Outfitter as a backup I certainly would put the money toward extra animals and then make a decision after my return on another rifle as I'm sure your wants will change after hunting in Africa the first time. I know mine certainly did. Good luck and good hunting.

Bob,
I will be hunting with Tholo next May and plan to take a .338 with 250 grain Nosler Partitions as I did in Namibia in 2005. Had great luck then and hope I do again. My wish list is similar to yours. It seems that several of us will be there next year.
John

Hi, I've hunted all the animals you're after with 100% success with an 06, I used 168gn tsx's which performed faultlessly, and have been on safari when one of the other hunters shot his eland from 150yds with a 270 with no problems at all.

Take the .375.

The 375H&H would be my choice as well! The 30-06 is too close to the 35 Whelen, and neither is legal for the dangerous game you may want to hunt on your next safari, or you may run afoul of this time!

In any event what ever you decide, enjoy your safari....................

The '06 will do it all, the .375 will do it all and more.

Sounds like you can't choose wrong.

Buy the husky. Sight it in with heavy bullets and save the extra money for all the other sundries you'll be buying.

BB:

Unless you want an excuse to buy another rifle, and who here doesn't, find out if your PH has a decent loaner rifle. If he does, save your money and use it on extra trophy fees. On the other hand, you can't go wrong with either of your choices. I would get the .375 if I was you as once you go to Africa, you will definitely want to go back and you will soon start day dreaming of buffalo!

Good Luck.

RCG

Thanks for all the input folks. I'll check with Wendell into the loaner issue.

The thoughts of running into an irrate buff has me thinking a bit more of my choices. Being fresh to this it hadn't crossed my mind.

Bob

Bob:

For what it's worth, I just returned from Namibia and shot all the game you will be hunting with my 35 Whelen, also in a custom mauser action. I shot 250 grain Northforks and other than a poor first shot on a Mountain Zebra, the 35 thumped 'em all. And I mean thumped 'em. But an 06, or a 375, or anything in between would have done just the same.

I think you should consider what others have already said. If you don't want to spend the money for an extra rifle inquire about a camp loaner should something go wrong with your primary. If, however, you do decide to take a backup, take one chambered in a cartridge that can be purchased in-country.

Here's wishing you a wonderful hunt. Relax and enjoy the experience!!!

Tom

Think to your future hunts. I assumed I was going to only hunt North America and went with a 30-06 and 338 Win mag combo. I took them to Africa and they worked well for plainsgame but now I feel I would have bought a 375 H&H mag instead of the 338 Win. mag if I had to do it over. As is repeated here ad nauseum, the 375 can do it all.

That said, both will work well with good shot placement. That cannot be repeated enough.

quote:

Originally posted by Borealis Bob:
Thanks for all the input folks. I'll check with Wendell into the loaner issue.

The thoughts of running into an irrate buff has me thinking a bit more of my choices. Being fresh to this it hadn't crossed my mind.

Bob

It is my understanding that Buff won't be an issue there. Maybe a Lion or Leopard or an Elephant that breaks in but the risk of DG there is almost none.

quote:

Originally posted by SDHall:
The 30-06 would be perfect for this hunt.

Ditto's SDHall,
Bob, the 30-06 will do everything you have on your list, yes, the eland is a big critter but if shot correctly with a 180-200 grain Swift a-frame it will go down quickly, they are not notoriously tough. My son and I hunted Namibia two years ago with 30-06's and 180 grain bullets and we each shot gemsbok, Zebra, kudu, warthogs, an ardvark, jackels, springbok, klipspringer shots ranged from 60 yds to 330 yds on the Zebra and gemsbok, one shot kills. As far as the 375, IMO save your money for some trophey fees and borrow the PH's rifle if needed.

Dirk

Still mulling over this issue, but went shopping yesterday to see what was available in a 375. Nothing on the shelf around here except the Ruger 375 in it's proprietary cartridge. Suppose this could present the same problem as the Whelen should ammo get seperated in transit.

Did fondle a CZ 550 American Safari in 416 Rigby as I assumed the weight and feel would be similar to a 375. Nice rifle, but they seem rather heavy and clunky. Are there other good choices in a lighter package?

Again, thanks for all the comments as they get me thinking and planning even more....which is great fun!

Bob

Another vote for the .30-06. My Tikka loaded with 180 grain Nosler Partitions did amazing damage on all plains game I took in Namibia - proper shot placement, of course, helped. I truly was suprised, as was my PH, with my 1 shot takedown on my 600+ pound zebra, as they are known to be pretty damn tough animals.

With a lot of practice and good loads, I think a .30-06 would be just fine.

I would vote with the .375. It's "Africa" and if you do run into something big and mean, it would give you a reasonable chance of putting it down in the absence of extraordinary shooting.

As someone who has and shoots both a .416 Rigby and a .375 H&H the .375 is definitely smaller, lighter and less punishing to shoot given a equally well fitting rifle. The "clunky" feel of the CZ .416 is more that rifle than anything else- but the .375 will be more trim.

In my experience, with judicious loading you can get similar trajectories out of a .375 to a .30 06, but it will hit you harder.

If you have the recoil tolerance to shoot the .375, I would get that and not look back. The .30 06 is a great gun, and I doubt there is anything that it won't handle in what you are set up to hunt, but to me its more a issue with what may happen with a bad situation and to some extent, esthetics.

In any case, have fun with the anticipation, which is not as much fun as the hunt, but it beats most anything else you have to do until you leave!

Good Luck!

cb

I think it is interesting that my friends in Namibia use 180 grain PMC's in 30-06 with a suppressor, for all of their kudu, gemsbok, and eland culling. They have literally killed hundreds, if not thousands, over the years on the ranch.

I would certainly not feel under-gunned with one, and I bet you would shoot it good also!

I did my first hunt, a plains game hunt in RSA, wth my deer rifle, a Browning 7mm Rem mag, using 160 grain A Frames. I downed ten animals and all but one were one shot kills up to Gemsbok at 300 yards.

But for my next hunt, a buff hunt in Tanzania, I bought a Model 70 .375 and am taking very likely that one rifle to Masailand next year for buff and plains game. Shooting the 300 grain A Frame, you can take everything but elephant. I've killed whitetail with that bullet and had less meat damage than from the 7mm 140 Partition. I'm in love with the .375.

I'm not reccommending that you spend the extra money now, though, as a 30-06 loaded with A Frames or Partitions will kill anything on the menu if the .35 goes sour on you.

quote:

Originally posted by Blank:
I think it is interesting that my friends in Namibia use 180 grain PMC's in 30-06 with a suppressor, for all of their kudu, gemsbok, and eland culling. They have literally killed hundreds, if not thousands, over the years on the ranch.

I would certainly not feel under-gunned with one, and I bet you would shoot it good also!

Oh but they don't pay a trophy fee if they lose one now do they. Just one lost animal can cost you $500-$1500. Big difference. They also take the easy shot not caring much about the animal vs a trophy hunter that will pick the animal and try to get the shot.

Bob,
Get the 375. They are fun to shoot (I've virtually retired my other rifles) and when the dreaded "Safari Fever" strikes and you can bet it will, you will already have the gun for your future safaris. As far as finding a rifle, your area is probably like mine- you don't find rifles in DG calibers on the used rack at your local gun store. I have bought a few rifles thru Gunsamerica website. They even have a locator for FFL's who will recieve guns in your area. Don't know what the firearms laws are like in Ill. but it can't be much worse than Kalifornia.
Have a great safari!

I don't believe that you need to worry about the presence of dangerous game on Clive's ranch. Unless things have changed drastically there are no buffalo, elephant or lion there. The brush is heavy so your shots will be relatively close. You probably are OK with your 35 Whelen, although an African hunt is a great reason to buy a new rifle. If you do buy one I would suggest the 375.

Thanks to all. Still thinking of that Huskie 30-06 but realize it is not so much a need as a want that could be conveniently be rationalized at this time. Yes, the .375 would make more sense, based on your inputs.