Currently I have a 300 Win Mag which I load with 180gr Barnes TTSX to 2950fps. This rifle is used primarily for longer shots (200m+) at large antelope. I also have a 375H&H which I load with 260gr Accubonds at 2650fps for large antelope in areas where shots under 200m are the norm. I'm in the process of getting a 416 Rem Mag, so the use of a 375 on dangerous game if I were to pursue is nullified, it could however always be taken along as a backup. My question in essence is, do I keep the current set up of 300 Win Mag for longer shots and open areas with a 375 for thicker brush, or do I buy a 338 Win Mag loaded with 225gr Bullets and use it to cover both spectrums..?? I must add, the 300 is quite a light rifle (Blaser R93 Std) so when carrying it up and over rocky valleys in pursuit of kudu it really is a joy to have, whereas the 375 is the Blaser R93 Safari and can get quite heavy at the end of the day.

Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated

I would keep the 300wm for smaller game i cant se any use then a 338wm would be better than a 416rm or .375hh.

If you have the means to keep them, keep them. You will never wish you had sold a rifle. You will inevitably always wish you hadn't.

I always felt the 338 was a little big for some things and a little small for others. Granted you are in Africa so you do have game like eland (where a 338 would be perfect), but I feel a 375 can pick up the upper end of the 338's work and the 300 can do the lower end. Maybe ditch the Blaser and find a lighter 375?

I've used a 338 Win Mag on a couple of safaris and came to the conclusion that it doesn't do anything that a 300 Mag can't do. At the same time, there's nothing a 375 can do that a 416 can't do better. With a 300 of some sort and a 416 of some sort, you are ready for anything.

One guy's opinion.

I miss almost every firearm that I've ever sold, with the possible exception of a Winchester 670. AMT Longslide, SPAS 12, Charter Arms Bulldog, Park Hall 1200 ...

Sigh.

quote:

If you have the means to keep them, keep them

My sentiments exactly.

My Blaser collection has smaller cartidges, .223 Remington, 243 Winchester, 25-06 Remington (the long-range Springbok culler supreme IMO), .30/06 Sprg and on the "for tougher & longer range stuff" 300 Weatherby, 9.3x62, 375H&H albeit they are standard-weight barrels, so I understand your carry issues concerning the safari-weight barrel.

The .416 Remington is truly a Whumper in this platform; especially without the additional weight of a Kick-Stop in the buttstock - Whew! A Kick-Stop adds 400 gramms which is almsot a pound and does a great job of helping tame the Boomers. The 375H&H seems to be about the limit of sensible joy to me in a R93; and believe me I gave the 416 Remington a good test in the R93 in my decision-making process of deciding against a purchase; as the only barrel contour option is the safari-weight barrel in this chambering.

I agree with ForrestB on the .338 Win Mag. being a sorta middle-step. If there was one cartridge for Africa I'd never want to be without it would be my .375H&H Mag. but again, a standard-weight Blaser R93 barrel adds a whole new dimesion in portability & effectiveness to this rifle IMO.

I've taken 260's, 270's & 300 grainer to RSA on several trips and I ultimately gave up on both Nosler's & Trophy Bonded's 260 grain weight bullets in all of their various SKU's in the 375 H&H as IMO the 300 grainers (I'm using the Hornady R.N.'s) seemed to penetrate so much better especially on game the size of Zebra, Kudu, Oryx & Gnus? You'll have to be your own judge of that .......

Good Luck with your decision.