I would suggest buying both and taking both for the following reasons:

1. Gun cases take two guns.
2. You are going all the way to Africa to hunt, if one breaks, the added expense of an extra rifle is nothing compared to a ruined hunt.
3. Both are excellent and sufficient for anything you are likely to be hunting, but you are right about the 30-06's heavier bullet being more effective on really large animals while the 7mm has slightly better external balistics at long range. Optimize your battery.

If I were to take just one gun to Africa, which I could use here equally well, it would be the 9.3x62. It is a 30-06 on steroids, and has the advantage of being more than marginally suited to the task if you are in dangerous game territory. If taking one gun, I'd make sure it has iron sights and take an extra scope. Ku-dude

Gentlemen,

First of all...Hi Wayne, good to see you on here..I haven't been on much, but I just moved back to Oregon from South Africa...Hope you are doing great..!!

I love my 7mm, and it has worked very well for me. If I was going to step up from my 7mm, it would probably be to a .338, but as Wayne said, the .300 Win Mag is an excellent choice as well. I've seen it used a lot on African game, and it always works great.

I will keep my 7mm with 175 gr. Partitions or Barnes X and go ahead full speed. I have the utmost of confidence in that rifle and cartridge.

I also have been to Africa only once. I practiced a good deal and am a decent shot. Still, I went over thinking I'd avoid taking a shot over 250yds.

The first day, we chased a nice impala for a few hours, and when he appeared on a ridge at 250 yards, I shot him. Later, I took a few shorter shots, but I also made some significantly longer shots.

My preference would be a .300 magnum, but of the two you mention, the longer range of the 7mm Mag might be an advantage.

Steve