35 Whelen, 9.3X62, 358 Norma Mag., 375 H&H or 375 Ruger

Most of the appropriate calibers to fill this nitch fit in a window:
.338 to .375 caliber cartridges capable of launching bullets of at least 250gr weight with between 3500 and 4500 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.

I have an '06 and a .416 RM. Between these two, I have a .338 WM, a 9.3x62 and a .375 H&H. If I could only have one of these, it would be the .338. But I won't fault anyone choosing something else fitting the criteria in my first paragraph above.

To add versatility, you could use 250 TBs, 260 NABs or 270gr TSXs in the 375 to make it more of a mid-power weapon, and use 400gr in the 404J.

Get a 338-06 and leave the 300 home..

Or, for sheer elegance factor, a .350 Rigby Magnum.

a .338 Win Mag, 9,3x62 or .375H&H would be my pick...

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Nderobo:
Im building a 318 Westley Richards, but that's another post...

Well, good for you! I am a great fan of the .318 and was going to suggest it for the 'in between' caliber. So I will.

Greybird, getcherself a .318 WR. Nothing finer . . . except a .375.

May I suggest something like the 375 Remington Ultra Mag?

We have been using our own version of this, the 375/404 for many years in Africa.

In fact, it is the only one we use now on all our safaris.

We have two rifles for this caliber, and both use the same load. Several of us use them on safari.

So far they have accounted for several hundred heads of game animals. From elephants to dikdiks.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
May I suggest something like the 375 Remington Ultra Mag?

We have been using our own version of this, the 375/404 for many years in Africa.

In fact, it is the only one we use now on all our safaris.

We have two rifles for this caliber, and both use the same load. Several of us use them on safari.

So far they have accounted for several hundred heads of game animals. From elephants to dikdiks.

Is this a little poetic license ???If not how much was there left to eat from the dikdik?
5 min. before I read your posting I was looking at a .375 UM case and asked myself why it really didn't catch on any better than it has. roger

Many years ago, I was given several metal cases full of RWS sample ammo.

They included every caliber RWS made!

While looking at these, I remember seeing the 404 ammo for the firast time in my life.

I called my friend Dwight Scott, and had a long conversation with him on the phone.

The end result was several wildcats based on that case.

270/404
30/404
338/404
375/404

We had great success with all of them except the 270/404.

We then made another version, slightly shorter. And that worked much better

The first time I took it on safari to South Africa, I shot an eland at over 500 yards with it. Using Jensen 150 grain bullets.

Both shots him less than 6 inches appart on the shoulder. One bullet went through, and the other one we recovered.

A few years later Remington came up with their Ultra range.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Many years ago, I was given several metal cases full of RWS sample ammo.

They included every caliber RWS made!

While looking at these, I remember seeing the 404 ammo for the firast time in my life.

I called my friend Dwight Scott, and had a long conversation with him on the phone.

The end result was several wildcats based on that case.

270/404
30/404
338/404
375/404.

Probably ,near the same time I built the .358 X .404 IMP. I can see if you did both the .338 X .404 and .375 X 404 the .358 might be considered superfluous and heavy bullet choice is limited .But tell me; is the .375 UM popular in your part of the world? roger

Saaed,

In your 375/404 what bullet and what bullet weight do you shoot. Do you shoot only one bullet weight for everything?

With the bullet options that are available; 232 grain up to 320 grain, I would choose the 9.3x62. It is a versatile rifle regardless of where, (and within reason), what you hunt.

I found that between the 338 win and 375 H&H, the 338 with 250 gr bullets kicks harder and hits lighter than the 375 with 300 grain bullets. I wonder if anyone else felt that way, since perception of recoil has a lot to do with it. Shot elk with both and the 375 really stuns them. Never have to wonder if you missed or if you hit them and they just don't care when using a 375.

375 Weatherby, hard to beat a 300g A-Frame or Partition at 2700 fps or a 270g Accubond at 2850 fps and it can also shoot 375 H&H ammo just fine.

SG Olds
I have to agree with you on the recoil of the .338 and .375. We, here in AMERICA, are fortunate to be able to own just about as many firearms as we can afford. BUT, If I had to choose between all of the calibers I most likely would choose the .375 H & H. With a 235 Barnes TSX at just a touch over 3000 fps, it is a wonderful longer range cartridge. The Sierra 250 gr at 2840 fps works just as well and is hell on elk. I see no need to shoot anything in North America with anything larger. I must confess that I have not had the opportunity to use the heavier weights on African game because I have always taken larger calibers for everything else but I have heard and seen the results of the .375 and it is more than enough gun with the right bullet and placement. I have not had the opportunity to shoot the 404 but most likely will end up with one of my .375's being converted. Lots of us .375 lovers here.

I've shot a bunch with the 300 grain (old style silvertips) in 375. I'd use it on everything in North America if it wasn't for it tending towards a heavy rifle. What a great elk cartridge. Flat enough shooting, doesn't scope you and the elk FEEL it. I've shot game up to nearly 400 yards without a problem, just don't do it off hand. Honestly, how crappy of a hunter do you have to be to need to shoot beyond 300 yards in North America. I enjoy shooting gongs and paper way out there, but the hunters I admire all take pride in getting close. That's my goal to. Try to burn hair.

You have the long range covered with your 300 WM and the short range dangerous game covered by your 404. If it were me, I choose a lighter weight 9,3x62 for its versatility and stopping power...especially if it is to be used mainly in NA.

quote:

Originally posted by Biggs300:
You have the long range covered with your 300 WM and the short range dangerous game covered by your 404. If it were me, I choose a lighter weight 9,3x62 for its versatility and stopping power...especially if it is to be used mainly in NA.

Ditto !

quote:

Originally posted by Ingvar J. Kristjansson:

quote:

Originally posted by Biggs300:
You have the long range covered with your 300 WM and the short range dangerous game covered by your 404. If it were me, I choose a lighter weight 9,3x62 for its versatility and stopping power...especially if it is to be used mainly in NA.

Ditto !

Yeah, I'm kinda in this camp too. My 9,3x62 seems to get more play these days than even my beloved .30-06.

What is a 30-06? Heard them Yanks were stretching our good old 8x57mm JS.

Seriously, I am coming up on a ten year anniversary with the 9,3x62. It serves well in any barrel from 18" to 24". 20" is perfect for short range hunting in the thick stuff/driven hunting (DO NOT SHOOT MY HOG DOG!). Otherwise, just set the barrel to achieve the best balance for you (i.e. Start out at 26" with a hacksaw handy; then trim it back SLOWLY until balance bliss is reached, re-crown, hit the muzzle with some Rust-Oleum and go git 'em Hopalong.

PS No in-flight movies in the F-16. You have to make them yourself in the course of a mission.

WoW! Been awhile since I started this thread!!!

Since then, I've picked up a 375 H&H and a 416 Rigby!!!

I guess I need to fill the gap between the 300 WM and the 375 H&H now!!!

Easy 338-06, 338 RCM, 338WM, or Lapua. Pick your power level and go.