I used a 9.3x62 built on a Mark X action with composite stock with 250gr Nosler BTs for all but three of my animals on my last two hunts. I used my 30-338 built on a M70 action with composite stock for mountain phase of my last two hunts. Since I had it built, the 30-338 has made every trip. The standard load is a 180gr Nosler Partition over 71.3gr of 4831.
The 9.3 was on the last two trips. Prior to that, I have had carried a 375HH for a second rifle except for 2000, when I carried a Sako 300WinMag.
I used a 416 Rem M70 Classic Express for plains game. Overkill it is, and kill it did. Recoil is not bad except off the bench. My rifle weighs 10.2 lbs with scope. I don't think I could shoot a bigger rifle day in and day out, though.
As I get older and softer the 375 seems more and more attractive!
Quote: I used my 30-338 built on a M70 action with composite stock for mountain phase of my last two hunts. Since I had it built, the 30-338 has made every trip.
Isn't the 30-338 the same as the .308 Norma Magnum? Are loads interchangeable between the two?
Posts: 5883 | Location: People's Republic of Maryland | Registered: 11 March 2001
Model 70 .375H&H stainless classic. .270gr X bullets. And when plains game hunting I usually bring along my .308 shooting 180gr Federal HE NPT's as well but it almost never comes out of the case.
I do like the little fellar for springbok hunting.
I think I'll go with the 375. Just looked at ammo prices for the 416 rem mag. The 416 isn't very economical if you want to shoot it alot. A lot bigger hole than neeeded for plains game as well.
Do most of you guy's leave your m70's stock or do you have a smith tinker with them?
For the bigger plains game I used a custom stocked .300 H&H with 200 grain A-Frames.....for the little stuff I used a Winchester M-92 .25-20 with handloaded Hornady 60 grain bullets.....It worked well on Duikers!!!
The little winchester was loved by all the PHs ....they had never had anyone bring a cowboy gun on safari before.
Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003
7mm rem mag on wildebeest, hartebeest, impala, warthog, grant's, tommy at various distances - closest was 83 paces longest being 318 paces for the grant's.
.303 british (1902) on tommy about 75 yds
.375 on bushbuck (I was looking for buff ) at 92 yds
.22LR on impala at 33 paces
Good hunting!
Posts: 3035 | Location: Tanzania - The Land of Plenty | Registered: 19 September 2003
This TRG-S was originally 375 H&H. Sako made the TRG-S in many calibers and imported them to the U.S. before 2003. My 450 Ackley was purchased as a 300 Weatherby.
Mike
Posts: 1879 | Location: Prairieville,Louisiana, USA | Registered: 09 October 2001
On my plains game hunt, RSA, September, 2001, I used a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker in 338 Win Mag. The ammo was Federal Premium, 225gr TBBC. The longest shot was 200 yardsto an impala the was a chest on shot. He dropped on the spot. This combo was very effective on Kudu, Wildebeast, Zebra, and several smaller plains game. Jeff in Texas
Posts: 903 | Location: Texas | Registered: 14 July 2002
I used a Win. Model 70 Classic Stainless in 375 Ackley Improved, with a Leupold 1.75x6 scope, shooting 250 Swift A-Frame bullets. I won't use the 250 grain bullets again, as I had poor penetration on both Zebra and Blue Wildebeest. I'll use the 300 grain A-Frames in the future.
My last trip I used an XI bow with carbon arrows and either Steelforce or Rocky Mt. Supreme Broadheads. I did follow up on a wounded Mt. Reedbuck with my wife's Ruger 30-06(she'd accidentally shot 2).
Previous trip I used either my 375 H&H in Mark X action using X, TBBC, Swift, or Sierras or I used my Remington 700 in 416 Rem Mag.
Quote: "Do most of you guy's leave your m70's stock or do you have a smith tinker with them?"
A M-70 should be glass bedded in the original stock or moved to a McMillan or Rimrock stock and glass (or pillar) bedded.....the barrel free floating as well. They always need a trigger adjustment too.
If you can't do this count on hiring it done.....it's just part of the cost of a M-70
Custom bedding and floating the barrel is around $100 and add another $400 for the composite stocks.
I'm a fan of fancy walnut.....don't even ask the cost.....
Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003
LE20 Although the 30-338 and the 308 Norma are balistic twins, I don't believe that they are interchangeable. Loading data is transferable, but there must be slight differences in the case dimensions. The 30-338 being a wildcat, there are not SAMMI standards, so I can't give you 30-338 dimensions. Hope that this answers you question, and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Ku-dude
Quote: LE20 Although the 30-338 and the 308 Norma are balistic twins, I don't believe that they are interchangeable. Loading data is transferable, but there must be slight differences in the case dimensions. The 30-338 being a wildcat, there are not SAMMI standards, so I can't give you 30-338 dimensions. Hope that this answers you question, and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Ku-dude
Thanks for your reply.
I suspect that this may be similar to the .280 Remington and 7X64 comparison. Ballistic twins with transferable loading data, but not exactly the same.
Posts: 5883 | Location: People's Republic of Maryland | Registered: 11 March 2001
