I am leaving for Zim in Oct. for my third safari. The primary animal is elephant and I will be carrying my CZ 550 in .458WM. I am having a difficult time settling on the second rifle. Last time I went for buff, I took my .458 and a .338WM. I really liked the combo as it was most useful. On my first plains game hunt I took a .300Wby. and my Model 70 in .375 H&H. Now I am torn between taking the .375 and the .338. Other animals I might add would be, bushpig, lioness, hyena, giraffe, kudu, etc. If you were in my shoes???

.375 without a doubt. If your .458 has a problem you will have a back-up plan.

Charles is 100% right. I would have posted the same words but he beat me to it.

My safari battery is a 458WM and a 375H&H too.

lioness & giraffe? No doubt; 375. jorge

ele? .375 no question

Another for the .375H&H.

Where can you do lioness in Zim now?

I vote with Charles and the others.

BTW, my safari battery is a 458wm and a 375H&H. Great combo

Make sure you take some 375H&H solids that shoot to you POA (meaning wihin an inch or so of your softs at 50yds), just in case you have a problem with your big gun. And 458 softs in case of issues with your 375.

JPK

I too think the 375 H&H would be the proper choice. I would carry some solids for the elephants if necessary.

I would have to agree with everyone here!

My plains game rifle has always been one that was legal for the biggest animal I had on my trophy list. This is, as some have already said,the rifle that will have to finish the safari if your big bore goes south. Besides you never know if when you are trying to get close to a Wildebeast for a shot, with the light rifle in hand, that you may run into a world record elephant at spitting distance. If you are carrying a 300 Win Mag you will have to pass, but with the 375 H&H and a couple of good solids "IVORY" on the truck, and meat in the village!

If it is a back up rifle your taking, that means it has to be legal and capable of replacing your 458 for elephant. Only the 375 will do that. So, you have no choice.
465H&H

I have to agree with the others. I used to think you needed a "plains game rifle" on a combo DG/PG safari but now I think one rifle needs to back up the other and the 375 is probably your best choice. A big boomer plus your scoped 375 with softs and solids is just going to cover every eventuality and be legal for everything.

Mark

The 3-7-5 seems like a must here. Pack plenty of good solids and it can serve as a backup for your primary ele rifle.

.375

ditto.

quote:

Originally posted by Magnum Hunter1:
I am leaving for Zim in Oct. for my third safari. The primary animal is elephant and I will be carrying my CZ 550 in .458WM. I am having a difficult time settling on the second rifle.
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Other animals I might add would be, bushpig, lioness , hyena, giraffe, kudu, etc. If you were in my shoes???

.375 without hesitation

The M70 .375 H&H period.

This could be a record for this forum --- way to many people agreeing --- what's up with that????

One more in agreement... For three safaris my light rifle is a 375H&H and my heavy was a 458 Lott and for the last one a 450#2 and in four days a 450#2 again...

Mike

It is definitely a record for agreement!!!

3 for me is .308 Win, .375 H&H, & .458 WM.

2 for me is .375 & .458

1 for would be .375

I think the reason we all agree above is that it is such a LOGICAL choice! However, on AR, logic does not always lead the way.

.375 not even a question in my mind!

A 375 if you want but I would just take the 458 assuming you trust it - and surely you do if you are going to hunt DG. Just one load and one rifle. It would be fine for everything you listed. If it breaks borrow one from the PH.

My choice is 458 WM and 416 Rigby. As such, the 375H&H would be the best for reasons stated above.

John