This trip (<---haven't been to Africa yet, but I'm already planning a return ) I'm taking my 300WSM and 375HH for plains game.

Now I'm thinking of my second safari already. For a long time, I've had a desire for a 338 Win Mag. If I bought one, would it be redundant to take it and the 375 on my next trip? Their capabilities seem to be quite close, but 375 is the minimum for buffalo, and that is what I want on the next trip. Maybe buy a 338 for the light rifle and rebarrel the 375 to 416? My only regret in doing that, is that the 375 shoots so well, and everyone "needs" a 375. What do you think? Jeff

The .338-.375 combo sounds like an excellent idea to me, you'll have some overlap in the capabilities of your two-rifle battery. If one rifle breaks or is not in your hand when you need it- the other will do in a pinch. If you have a .25-06 and a .470 and one breaks, well, things aren't as simple. My first trip will be this summer and my M70 Supergrade in .300WM arrived this morning.

Jeff,

The .375H&H is de rigueur for any self-respecting bwana. You simply must have one.

A .30 and a .375 are an excellent combination when buffalo and plains game are on the 'menu'.
A .338 and .375 are pretty close to each other in regards to plains game, but that is no reason not to use just such a battery. .338s tend to be built in lighter rifles which can save some wear and tear on your arms.

George

The best way in which to "get dangerous" with your .375 is to use it, both at home and abroad. Take all your plainsgame with it and you'll have a very capable and very legal backup rifle for your new .416 Remington buffalo rig. You will find that they are indeed, not too close, to use in tandem, as it is a good bit easier to reach out effectively on plainsgame with the .375 and the .416 is clearly better suited for use on buffalo. I have used this combination in Africa and was quite comfortable with it. Plainsgame only, there is no argument of the .338 being a solid choice.

While I am a huge fan of the .338 bore, I would keep the .375, skip the .338 & get a .416 or .404jeff. Nothing wrong w/ a .375 & .416 as THE African comb.
I rebarreled my #1H to .338x74 so I am w/o a .375h&h. For me, it should be a bolt action anyway. The .338 is more usefull in the US & for DG hunting in Africa, I'll have a .404jeff.

[ 03-28-2003, 00:14: Message edited by: fredj338 ]

Although the 338 is one of my favorite and most used calibers if I were going to Africa, then I would take one or the other...A 375 one gun Safari or a 338-big bore combo....My favorite combo being a 338 Win/416 Rem....

Although a 338 is perfectly capable of killing Buffalo and Lion a 375 is just that much better...and a 416 is even better yet perhaps.

Ngrumba
I would think it depends on the nature of your next Safari. The 338 and the 375 are close in performance with similar bullets. For a Plains game Safari in Bushveld conditions it makes good sense.... However if you would be doing a 21 day Safari with one or two Buff, Lion, Hippo, and an Elephant I would take the 375 and get a new bigger rifle to go with it. My recommendation would be a double in one of the 40 cal's up to a 475. Once you have hunted with a double you will be hooked. However if for some reason you can't see a double in your future, do not commit suicide....go ahead and get a 404, 416, or a 458 Lott. If you are good with your 375 the only way to go is up. Move up into the world of BIG BORE. Just remember the real Utopia is a Double Rifle.

I second the 375 and 416 or 404 battery, that some of our esteemed forum members have suggested. Keep a few solids and premium softs with you for which ever you are hunting with, and you will always be prepared for that buff you may run across while hunting plains game. Another option is to use good 250 to 270 grain softs in the 375 for plains game, with 300 grain softs and solids for the heavier stuff on a one gun safari as Ray mentioned (I have done this a number of times with complete satisfaction, and it is essentially like a 338/375 combo with only one rifle to have to pack .)

Good hunting,
Jim

I think the 338 Win. mag along with your 375HH is a good all round combo with the 338 backing up the 375 if need be. I shot my plains game in Tanzania with a 338 with ranges varying from 125 yards to 300 yards plus. It's nice to have just a little more gun, for a plains game gun, in that part of the country.

Two versatile rifles with the 338 being a little lighter in weight and a bit more useful for lighter game and all round use. It's a great pair IMHO.
Regards,
Terry

If you want a .338, buy one it's a great caliber. I've shot eland, kudu and zebra with the .338 WM 210 grain Nosler partitions and they worked great! However, it's hard to argue with a .30 mag and a .375 combo for anywhere in Africa. And don't rebarrel a rifle thats shooting really well, you never know what you might get. Besides it allows you to shop for a new .338 AND a .416 Rem. Mag.!

Gentlemen

I would forget the 375 if it was a two gun set for Africa. A single gun safari for all kind of beasts, it would either be a 9,3X64 or a 375 of some sort.

I would have choosen a 338 of some sort and then a 416 or 450 RIGBY. The 338 loaded with proper bullets are fully capable of buff's and cats.

Once upon a time there was 318 W&R and 333 Jeffery. Both became very popular in Africa because of their penetration on african game. Both rounds had were loaded with 250 or 300 grain bullets. 9,3X64 is also a very good round for Africa.

/ JOHAN