The 338WM is perfect, and if something were to happen to the heavy, it is what I would want to do double duty. However the others on the list will work also. I have one and am building another.

Woodjack
I love that rifle it's just what I going to have built. Is it your gun? Who was the gunsmith
Dr B

I just returned from a hunt in RSA where I took eight animals, ranging from Impala to Kudu, at ranges between 20 yards to 275 yards, with one shot each from a 300 Weatherby using 180 grain Nosler Partitions.

Therefore I think all of your choices are either not as good or, perhaps, only add fluff. If you stick that 180 behind the front leg, the animal dies. Same with your choices.

One of my longest shots broke the off shoulder of a Gemsbok after passing through the heart/lung area. What more could you expect from a .33 or .35, or with a heavier 30 caliber bullet?

If action length is a problem, I would choose a 300 Winchester Magnum with 180 grain NPs. Sighted 2" high at 200 yards, your point blank range is about 300.

Indy: I'm with you 100% as I think the 300 Weatherby is arguably the greatest all around caliber extant for about 99% of the worlds big game with the execption of the elephant, hippo, buff rhino, etc. However, I stuck with the choices enumerated and that is why I went with the 338 as it offers a very flat shooting cartridge, penetration/ energy AND availability. All the calibers mentioned were fine, but I like the extra flat trajectory the 338 offers over the others with the exception of the 358 Norma Mag of course which is a hell of a caliber, but it's rarity makes it practically a wildcat, with the possibility of finding replacement ammo all but impossible. jorge

My vote was for the .338. You can get ammo just about anywhere, recoil is manageable, accurate, and in a pinch it can serve as DG rifle if the law allows.

I voted for the 9.3x62 because I've used it and just because of its long and successful history of use in Africa. I load with the 286-grain Nosler Partition, and it worked extremely well for me.

For non-standard cartridges, the one that I think deserves more support is the .376 Steyr. It can practically match the venerable "all-arounder" .375 H&H in same-length barreled rifles but with recoil more like the 9.3x62.

If there is DG in the area I'm hunting plains game, I like to have a rig that is at least adequately capable of taking them down if necessary. The 9.3x62 and .375 H&H with their traditional weight bullets of 286 and 300 grains, respectively, have long filled those roles, and the .376 Steyr should match the .375 H&H in that respect.

So, on my first African hunt I used a .350 Rem Mag with 225-grain Nosler Partitions for plains game up to blue wildebeest. Second time around was the .376 Steyr with 300-grain Woodleighs up to eland, and third time was the 9.3x62 with 286-grain Partitions up to sable.

quote:

Woodjack
I love that rifle it's just what I going to have built. Is it your gun? Who was the gunsmith
Dr

Dr. B,
That rifle is actually a 9.3x64 built by Lon Paul. It was for sale at Hallowell's awhile back. Don't know where it is now.

Dr B,

No, it does not belong to me, dont know the smith. Just posted it to give some inspiration.
if considering 9.3x62, the 9.3x64B is a dandy round in my eyes as well, I like it cause a person can run heavy 320woodleigh faster than the 9.3x62(but not necessarily to the max)and still maintain moderate pressures.
Having said that,the 9.3x62 is hard to pass up and makes a lot of sense,heres another picture of one. I feel I have seen this rig before.
Hallowellco once had it, at around $3950.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976720405.htm

bawanamrm
Thanks for the info on the 9.3X64. Lon Pauls rifles are some of my favorites. Do you remember the price that Hallowell was asking.
Thanks
Dr B

Dr. B,
I think it was around $3400 to $3500. I really like it but I have three custom .375's and a custom 9.3x62 and really couldn't fit it in as anything but another safe queen...I have enough of those already!

I'd go for the 9.3x64 - standard action and very near 375H&H ballistics but better SD with lighter bullets (eg 232gn).

I get 1" 100yd groups from my Mauser 66 with less recoil than my 375H&H double, and have dropped a 1 ton bull camel at a lasered 227yds with one shoulder shot.

Factory ammo - 2490fps 293gn RWS TUG from a 26" barrel.

mike