I have the oportunity to buy a Remington Guide Rifle in 350 Remington magnum. Remington is re-introducing this cartridge, and I have found a fellow cop who has this rifle and wants to sell it cheap. It is almost new, and has had about ten rounds through it. In looking at the ballistics, I think it would make a dandy plains game rifle. Anyone have any experience on the dark continent with this caliber?????

The .35 Whelen and the .350 Rem Mag closely duplicate the original ballistics of the old .350 Rigby Magnum (rimless) cartridge. The .350 Rigby used a .358" 225 gr bullet at approximately 2600 fps. It had a good reputation in Africa. Another .35 caliber rifle that saw fairly common use in Africa was the 9x57 Mauser. It's ballistics are similar to the .358 Winchester.

Some articles you may find of interest:

F.R. Mitchell's Safari With Roy Vincent (a .350 Rigby is used)
http://www.accuratereloading.com/frsafari.html

The 9x57 Mauser
http://www.african-hunter.com/9x57_mauser.htm

The .35 Whelen in Zimbabwe
http://www.african-hunter.com/35_whelen_in_zim.htm

Bottom line: With proper bullets the .350 Rem Mag will work just fine for plains game. I wouldn't take it to a region where you might expect the ranges to be on the long side (like some areas of Namibia for example) but in typical bushveld country (we'd call it brush hunting here) it will work fine.

Personally, I'd use a good 250 gr bullet at around 2400 to 2500 fps if you handload. If you are restricted to factory ammunition only, then I do NOT think the Remington 200 Pointed Soft Point (PSP) Core-Lokt ammo would be a very good load for Africa. IMHO, the 200 gr .35 cal bullet does not have enough sectional density for Africa. I think the Rem 200gr PSP load is the only factory loaded .350 Rem Mag ammo offered at this time. You really need to be a handloader to make the most of a .350 Rem Mag. Of course, Superior Ammo http://www.superiorammo.com/ could load some for you. And Nosler Ammunition http://www.noslerammunition.com/store.htm has it listed.

My two cents worth...
-Bob F.

If you handload, and can remove that stupid rib and change the front sight, it should work well in bush and woodland savanna.

It would not be my choice where long shots are the norm.

George

1115:

I took a .350 Rem. Mag. in a Remington Custom Shop (McMillan stock and some kind of matte finish) to Africa in 1998. I shot a roan, a hartebeest, a waterbuck and something else with it. I used Barnes X bullets at 2600 fps. Everything died right where shot.

If you want to shoot my rifle before making up your mind, just call me and I'll be at your door at first light about any morning you wish.... or could come down for a toddy in the evening????

I have used the 35 Whelen on Plains game, and would not hesitate to do it again.

Thanks for all the input. I have my trusty CZ 375 that has served me well in Africa and stateside for that matter, and when I go to Africa again (notice I said when, not if) it will be my primary weapon. I am going to get the 350, because this guy needs the money. Loaded with the factory 200 gr corelokts I will at least be able to do severe damage to the local deer and hog population here in Georgia. I may play with some reloads, but if it groups factory ammo well I will probably just stay with that.

1115,

I beleive it would make a very fine plains game rifle. It will serve you well in that capacity. IMO,just use proper ammo for the job and it will tackle all manner of plains game to 300 yards.

BigBullet