If you could pick any caliber of rifle for plains game in africa and then big game in the U.S., what would you choose? The reason I am asking, is I bought a new rifle at an auction the other evening and I can pick the caliber. I already have a 30-06 and an 300 Weatherby.
i took a 300wm and i took up to kudu with no problems. what ever u decide on make shure u can get ammo if yours gets misplaced on the way over. also use ammo with a primum bullet. not worth the problems to cheep out. i took 180 grain tbbc in federal preium. good luck
brian r simmons
Posts: 186 | Location: nj | Registered: 10 January 2005
For me it's simple.....a .30-06 and handloads in a featherweight rifle.
Works like a charm and easy to carry all day long.
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Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003
As you already have a 30-06 and 300 Weatherby, I'd go a step up. Even though you said plains game, I'd get a 375 H&H to be ready for when the dangerous game bug bites.
Caleb
Posts: 1010 | Location: Texan in Muskogee, OK now moved to Wichita, KS | Registered: 28 February 2005
If you don't want to go as big as the 375 (which is a great round) I would get a 338 Win Mag. It will have a bit more punch then the ones you already have. If you have ever wanted to hunt DG or just want a big bore then get the 375.
I have to agree with cable68. If you decide you want a Giraffe or Eland, then (I) think the .375 would be about the perfect medicine. Shoot, you could even go bigger, like cable said if the DG bug ever bites Eland and Giraffe are big enough critters that you're never going to be over-gunned and you might be able to choose a caliber you're comfortable chasing DG with. I don't know what choices you have available but there's my 2 cents.
Originally posted by cable68: As you already have a 30-06 and 300 Weatherby, I'd go a step up. Even though you said plains game, I'd get a 375 H&H to be ready for when the dangerous game bug bites.
Ditto. The 375 is my go to gun for big game. I have killed deer, 1 elk and an antelope with it.
****************************** There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor polite, nor popular -- but one must ask, "Is it right?"
I'm with WyoJoe and the other guy's that picked the .375 H&H.....It would fit in well with your present battery without crowding that .300 Wby like the .338W would.
-Ron
Posts: 192 | Location: Anchorage, Ak | Registered: 16 February 2005
With a 30 caliber and a 375, you would be ready to tackle anything. That really is a classic 2 rifle battery. Either of your 30 cals will fit the bill for the light rifle. BigBullet
You are not recoil sensitive (proven by the shooting a 300 Wby)so a good .375 H&H in a CRF rifle like a CZ 550 or a Winchester 70 would be a great choice.
I have a 300 wby and it kicks more than my 375 H&H.
I've hunted Hogs, Deer, & Coyotes with mine.
Lance
Lance Larson Studio
lancelarsonstudio.com
Posts: 933 | Location: Casa Grande, AZ | Registered: 11 June 2005
If you are looking for a reason not to buy a new gun (don't know why that would be) stick with the 300 wby and you are good.jj
LostHorizonsOutfitters.com ---------------------------- "You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas" Davy Crockett 1835 ----------------------------
Posts: 696 | Location: Texas, where else! | Registered: 18 July 2003
Originally posted by Uplandhunter: The rifle will be a H-S Precision. It will probably be my one gun for everything when it is all said and done.
You ought to see what the 270 gr Speer BTSP @ about 2600-2650 fps does to prairie dogs.
****************************** There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor polite, nor popular -- but one must ask, "Is it right?"
Originally posted by Uplandhunter: The rifle will be a H-S Precision. It will probably be my one gun for everything when it is all said and done.
Ok, I'm going to ruffle a few feathers. I love my 375 and I will never be without one but it is not "my one gun for everything" in North America. You have a 30.06 and a 300 Roy so you have two guns already that meet the one gun for everything title.
Anything that you buy now is just a fun gun. So go with whatever's your idea of fun, whether that's a 25.06, a 338 or a 375.
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
Posts: 13051 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002
Just to be different, because the 375HH is the choice that jumps immediately to mine, I'd go with the 9.3x62.
The 9.3x62 is an excellent choice for the lower US and Alaska, and is also an excellent choice for African plains game.
You can build a slightly lighter rifle in this caliber than the 375, and still not have to be over the top with recoil, and it is really a good deer cartridge for the woods. Kudude
Keep it simple, its has to be a 375 H+H. Its easy to get ammo for, it kills everything everywhere legally. In addition a 220 gn flatpoint is great for the smaller deer species. Never make hunting more complicated than it needs to be.
regards
Mark
Hunting is getting as close as you can, shooting is getting as far away as possible.
Posts: 537 | Location: Worcestershire, England | Registered: 22 March 2005
The obvious answer is 375 H&H. However, if they say that big bores are not eligable than I'd go for a classic old school caliber, the 7X57. Try one, they are addicting.
The .375 H&H is a marvelous round. it shoots flat enough for most applications, is enough gun for most critters, has manageable recoil and does not destroy an excessive amount of tissue. As the old saying goes; you can eat right up to the hole.
Recoil? -My model 700 in .338 RUM is still the worst and that includes comparing it to my .458 Lott RSM!
One cannot go wrong with a one rifle battery in .375 H&H.
