All of my plains game, including zebra and oryx, has been shotwith my 30-06 w/180g a-frame rounds

Wink, I'm just not a .30 caliber fan, though I have some .30 rifles, I rarely shoot any of them. I hunt most so-called big game in the USA and Canada with a 375 H&H when useing a bolt rifle, and as a result I shoot it well, and can hit anything at any distance that I can with the .30 cals.

Haveing said that, of the rifles you mention my choise would be the 375 H&H for "ME", but if you shoot the .300 WM better then it will do the trick on the animals you seek, with proper placement, and a good bullet.

It's obvious that either will work very well. I would take which ever you can shoot the best with at the longest range you feel comfortable shooting. My preference would be my .300

The 375 H&H might actually be a little easier to shoot with 250-260grn bullets than the 300Win Mag with 180-200grn bullets. Some 375H&H rifles seem to kick less than lighter 300Win Mags. You're not loosing enough trajectory to worry about between the two out to 300yds. Pick the one you shoot most comfortably and you'll get better with it faster.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
What you will need is a HUGE and IMPECCABLE rifle preferably shooting Platinum bullets. If you can't afford platinum bullets, then gold or silver bullets might work but aren't as much of a sure thing. With platinum you should have no problem. Don't worry about not being able to hit the broad side of a barn with the rifle.

Wink, you can't go wrong with this kind of sage advise right from the horse's mouth. Or is a grumulkin at the other end of a horse?

If you've got the cash go with the Silver bullets. They always worked for the Lone Ranger.

Wink, I know you can't hit a cow in the behind with a snow shovel... However the 300 Win mag. with a TSX 180gr. and 4 inches high at 100yds will shoot an awfull long way...

But a 375 in 270 gr shoots very far also... It will drive a TSX from front to back on both animals...

Good shooting... Make the shot!!!

Mike

I have shot both, a 7x57 and up will work quite nicely, although zebra are notorious for running off at least according to the PH's. By my experience, they fall in their tracks when hit properly with a .375 H&H. I think a .338-06 or .338 WM is pretty much an ideal round for a big percentage of plains game. It SHOULD work a little better than my beloved 7x57 at least in theory. The gemsbok and kudu I shot with the 7x57 are still dead however.

Thank You. I'll take that as yes, not knowing the muzzle velocity of your wildcat. My rifle launches a 150 grain partition at 3050 fps and I'll assume my bullet is traveling as fast at 300 yards as yours was at 500 yards. I guess I'm just fearful of caliberitis and that the average PH would laugh himself silly if I said I had a 270 Weatherby and wanted to hunt all non dangerous game available. Its just that I shoot this particular rifle better than all my others. Not a single person who has replied to this thread has gone below 30 caliber

Funny thing is, the rifle I seem to shoot the most accurately is the 404 Jeffery.

The 270 will work fine flat shooter just stay away from balistic tips and have a good construced bullet and youll be fine ive had a ph say he once had a client take one with a 243 does that make it a great choice but it will get the job done

Bill will that 404 shoot out to 250yds? If the answer is yes then use it...

Mike

I went rummaging around in the huge mess I call a reloading bench and found half a box of Nosler 260 grain Accubonds for the .375. With the white plastic tip it looks like some sort of varmint bullet, but I guess at 260 grains it's for the really big varmints. Anybody have load suggestions with VihtVuori powders? Could these shoot flat enough? I've also got a box of 285 grain Speer Grand Slam bullets (boy are these old!) which, according to my French powder tables will allow 2,625 fps. Would these shoot flat enough?

Wink, I would be inclined to take the .375 loaded with 270 grain premium expanding bullets and some solids as well.

But of course the .300 will do the job, if you want to take that one instead.

So will the .404. I have used a .416 Rigby on plains game, including zebra, and a heavy medium bore will surely smack them down!

But all things considered, I think that I would take the .375.

Couple of reasons.

The first is the maxim that when in DG country, one should be carrying a DGR. Much, but certainly not all, of Namibia is DG country. If you won't be hunting in a DG area, then you can discount this factor.

The second is that in Namibia, one never knows whether or when a problem lion or elephant may be declared by the MET. With the .375, you will be ready for either or both. If you have no interest in problem lion or elephant hunting, then you can discount this factor as well.

Namibia is a great place to hunt.

Best of luck!

Ahhhh, Wink my friend. You are seeing the light. Your .375 H&H with 260-grain Noslers would be my choice. My elk load for the .375 H&H uses 260-grain partitions at 2,750 fps, and I never felt at a disadvantage regarding range.

And having watched you shoot my shotgun better than me, I am confident that you will do ok with your rifle. On the other hand, I am a notoriously bad shooter myself .

Code4- How many times has a client AND his PH gotten into trouble while hunting non-dangerous game in a dangerous game area? Its my recollection that is how Bob Fontana met his fate. A Cape Buffalo came out of nowhere(tall grass) and nailed him while hunting one of the big antelope as I recall. They did not know the buff was even in the vicinity. This sort of thing happens from time to time. Did not matter in his case what he was packing; he never had a chance to get a shot off- nor did his PH. So, shit happens-and often when least expected. When in DG country just seems sensible to me to carry something that can better handle it.

I am graciously accepting load recommendations for the 260 grain Accubond in the .375 H&H, with special consideration for those who have tried VihatVuori powders, since I cannot obtain American powders here. But if all you've tried is IMR or RL, post it anyway and I'll ask Shootaway to extrapolate for me.

quote:

Originally posted by SGraves155:
There are occasional opportunities to take newly declared problem lions or problem ele's at bargain prices in some areas, and for that reason, I would recommend the 375 H&H or larger.

Beat me to it!

Always a good question to ask your potential PH/ Safari operator in choosing a hunt, what the chance of taking "problem children" out of circulation might be.
Great hunts for these"kids".
IMHO

Good problem to have, a hunt coming up and more good rifles than you need. Take whatever one you want and have a good trip.