You can have all your shotguns, any quage, any loads.

You can have all your varmint rigs, any caliber, any loads.

You can have but a single big game rifle, any caliber, any load, but that's it. One rifle, one bullet, one loading ... for all your big game hunting, worldwide, pronghorn to elephant. What might you consider?

Damn Nick,how we poor boys spo's to pick who haven't shot ele's yet,But for all the others here state side I'll stick with the 300 weatherby and shoot the 200 grain Nosler,I know too heavy foe someabout right for others and maybe a little lite for the rest,but you'll keep preaching shot placement

Hi Dave,
This fella can't afford to hunt elephant either but I posted this here so All the hunters might contribute, rather than just the folks hangin' out in the African section. BTW - I think your choice is quite a good one!

Just a thought ... all choices will be considered perfectly "legal" for use anywhere.

Nick,

I have two answers to your question. The one I would choose depends on where I did most of my hunting.

If I was going to hunt Africa and other places north of the Equator, I would choose the .375 H&H with the 300 grain bullet. I would seat it backwards if I needed a solid.

If it was mostly north of the Equator, then I would use the .30-'06 with the 220 grain bullet.

jim dodd

375 H&H
300 grain Swift A Frames.

BOWHUNR

Let's assume we are worldwide hunters. I take as it two votes for the .375 with a 300 grain bullet and one for the .300 Weatherby Magnum with a 200 grain bullet. I wasn't counting on turning the bullets around to create a solid and would have to consider that as two bullets or two loads. I'm looking for whatsingle bullet, soft or solid you would elect to go with.

1-.300 Weatherby Magnum with 200 grain bullet.
2- .375 H&H with 300 grain bullet.
.375 H&H with 300 grain Swift A-Frame bullet.

These are all highly defendable choices, to be sure. Thanks for your input, guys.

I would choose a 416 Remington with 400 gr. GS Custom FN bullets at 2500 FPS.....and never feel less than properly armed for any situation.

You've got guts Raymondo! You know you may be shootin' at springbok and pronghorns, caribou and oryx to 250 yards or more, right? O.K. Then.
.416 Remington it is.

1-.300 Weatherby Magnum with 200 grain Nosler.

1- .375/.338 with a 275 grn X.

2- .375 H&H with 300 grain bullet.
---.375 H&H with 300 grain Swift A-Frame bullet.

1- .416 Remington with 400 gr. GS Custom FN bullets at 2500

[ 11-10-2002, 05:26: Message edited by: Nickudu ]

This is an exersize in futility, what makes sense at one end of the spectrum makes no sense whatsoever at the other. But what the hey!

Im guessing the 375 H&H will run away with this one so just for the sake of argument lets say a 375/338 with a 270 grn X or failsafe.

[ 11-10-2002, 05:38: Message edited by: Wstrnhuntr ]

What Wstrnhuntr said but leave the failsafe at home cause I'm an "X" kind of guy.

Nick

.375H&H, Nosler Partition and Life is Good!

Joe

Nick,

If I was to remove any personal likes, I would select the 7mm Remington Magnum and for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, only a very small amount of very large game will be shot and luck would determine that outcome. In other words my one buffalo just might go down quicker with a 7mm Rem than had I used a 416 or 45. It will be on the smaller game where caliber differences will show up because of bigger numbers.

I would pick the 7mm Mag over 300 Mags because of recoil. I would pick the 7mm Mag over 30/06 because the 7mm Mag is nearly always more inclined to shoot different loads to the same point than is the case for the 30/06. Same applies when comparing 7mm Mag to 300s, but to a lesser degree. Shooting different loads closer to the same point will have relevence because of what factory ammo I might have to use.

I would pick the 7mm Rem over the 270 because 150 grain bullets have that military weight and the 7mm Rem easily goes over 3000 f/s with them. Not important in reality but more relaxing mentally.

270 Wby and 7mm Wby and STW do not really offer anything over the 7mm Remington to offset poor ammo and component availability.

Mike

[ 11-10-2002, 06:59: Message edited by: Mike375 ]

.300 Winchester Magnum, 200 grain Nosler Partition, IMR7828, Winchester Brass, and CCI 250 Primers.

Nickudu

To be different, I would choose a .340 Weatherby built on a rechambered Mod 70 .338. McMillan Stock shooting a 300 grain Woodleigh soft.

Bullet at 2700fps with high ballistic coefficient, reasonable recoil and can be loaded down to 2000fps if desired.

Would be able to shoot anything with 'High Confidence of Sucess.'

Jeeze, guys, you all have absolutely no sense of adventure.

I'll take my bow.

Remember, shot placement is everything.

Okay, ok, ok, if it HAS to be a rifle, I'm pretty partial to my .375H&H. A child could shoot it accurately.

1- 7mm Remington Magnum - ? Bullet

2-.300 Weatherby Magnum with 200 grain Nosler
--.300 Winchester Magnum, 200 grain Nosler

1-.340 Weatherby with 300 grain Woodleigh

2- .375/.338 with a 270 grain "X"

4- .375 H&H with 300 grain bullet (2)
---.375 H&H with 300 grain Swift A-Frame
---.375 H&H with 300 grain Nosler

1- .416 Remington with 400 gr. GS Custom FN

[ 11-10-2002, 08:54: Message edited by: Nickudu ]

Mike375,
One bullet type and weight only, my friend. Would you go for the 175 grainers or would you switch to another caliber?

Joe,
Playin' it real safe, eh?

Very interesting choices and justifications. I am a bit surprised at the overall range of caliber selection but, at the same time, I can't argue against them as much has to do with the shooter, here.

Nick,

160 grain Failsafe. Might have picked 150 grain Barnes X if loading backwards was not considered another bullet.

My caliber choice is not necessarily would I would choose but rather the caliber that I think I could defend most strongly and if asked again next week or next year I think my answer would be the same.

As to my personal choice, that would almost vary with the passing of each hour

Mike

[ 11-10-2002, 09:32: Message edited by: Mike375 ]

Nickudu,

Okay! Okay! I played it safe! You want me to say MatchKings?????????Well there, You've got it! Actually, I would have chosen a bit larger caliber, but I have a problem from concussions with the big stuff after some head injuries earlier in life and continuing to shoot the big stuff instead of waiting for the healing process to take place properly. I can shoot a .375H&H quite a bit and remain very proficient with it but anything larger leaves me with a bit of blurred vision and dizziness for a few days after only a handful of rounds. But, hey, who's complaining???? I've only got two more major areas to shoot, Africa & Oz. I think the .375H&H will settle any troubles I can get into there.

Life is Good
Joe

Gentlemen,

I think I would probably pick a .375 with 300 gr. Nosler partitions if I could only have one gun, but I do really like my 7mm Rem Mag with 175 gr. Partitions at 3000 fps. I also love the .416 Rigby.

I guess I just can't narrow it down to just one....sorry

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
www.slatesafaris.com

7mm Rem Mag Page www.slatesafaris.com/7mm.htm

1- 7mm Remington Magnum - 160 grain Failsafe

2-.300 Weatherby Magnum with 200 grain Nosler
--.300 Winchester Magnum, 200 grain Nosler

1-.340 Weatherby with 300 grain Woodleigh

2- .375/.338 with a 270 grain "X"

4- .375 H&H with 300 grain bullet (2)
---.375 H&H with 300 grain Swift A-Frame
---.375 H&H with 300 grain Nosler

1- .416 Remington with 400 gr. GS Custom FN

[ 11-10-2002, 16:27: Message edited by: Nickudu ]

Mike375,
- Good bullet. I have been sitting here vacillating with each excellent posting but I wind up back where I started each time.

Joe, I thought for sure you would select the MK.

Joel,
I understand! Think on it more and come back, please.

Nick,

This will sound wimpy to the "more experienced", but I would like to put in with .30-06 and 160 gr GS HV.

I think that bullet could be put behind the ear of a buffalo.

Nickudu,
....."pronghorn to elephant".... Well then, it HAS to be the .375 H&H with 300 grain SOLIDS! My choice would be the old Hornady Steel Jacketed Solids. Hope I don't get arrested for using FMJ's on game animals in the USA.

Rich Elliott

I would proberly take my .458 wincester M 70 loaded with 400 grains hornady soft points and for the big ones like elephant and buffalo, barnes 400 grains solids.

But my Sako 75 or Krieghoff Teck double .375 loaded with 300 grains hornady soft points and 300 grains RWS solids will also work very well.

Jan

Nick

Simple choice. I agree with Jim & Rich. The all time, worldwide cartridge. .375 H&H with 300 grainers. If only one bullet. Toss up between a X-point and a solid. Have to go with a solid. It will kill all of them except one may need to be a bit fitter to follow-up some a little.

[ 11-10-2002, 18:24: Message edited by: NitroX ]

.416 Rigby, 410 grain Woodleigh

338 remington ultra magnum loaded with 250 grains swift A-frame, I will have a 44 magnum revolver in a holster for backup for the DG.

[ 11-10-2002, 19:31: Message edited by: cchunter ]

1-7mm Remington Magnum with 160 grain Failsafe
__________________________________________________

1-.30-06 Springfield with 160 grain GS HV

3-.300 Weatherby Magnum with 200 grain Nosler
--.300 Weatherby Magnum with 200 grain Barnes "X"
--.300 Winchester Magnum with 200 grain Nosler
__________________________________________________

1-.340 Weatherby with 300 grain Woodleigh

1-.338 RUM with 250 grain swift A-frame
__________________________________________________

2- .375/.338 with 270 grain "X"

10- .375 H&H with 300 grain bullet (2)
---.375 H&H with 300 grain Barnes "X"
---.375 H&H with 300 grain Swift A-Frame(2)
---.375 H&H with 300 grain Nosler (2)
---.375 H&H with 300 grain Old Style Hornady Solid
---.375 H&H with 300 grain Solid
---.375 H&H with 270 grain Barnes "X"

1- .375/404 with 300 grain Barnes X
__________________________________________________

1- .416 Remington with 400 gr. GS Custom FN

1--.416 Rigby with 410 grain Woodliegh
__________________________________________________

1- .458 Winchester with 400 gr. Hornady (?)

[ 11-10-2002, 20:50: Message edited by: Nickudu ]

Nickudu,

375/404, 300 Barnes X, 90 grains of H4831

My vote goes to my 300 wby and 200 gr barnes X, just cause it hits where i point it.

Barny

jan458 - Kindly select the one bullet you would go with. Thanks!

NitroX, cchunter, 416nimrod, Rich, Dave - Thank You! Easy to see the merit in your selections. It's also becoming evident that we tend to lean towards the game species we feel are most important to us, in our selection. Perfectly natural, this.

Saeed,
I'm flabbergasted by your selection! Who'da thought? How about Walter?

O.K. Barny - you're in!

[ 11-10-2002, 21:00: Message edited by: Nickudu ]

The question, if I'm not mistaken, was one rifle, one load, for everything from pronghorn to Elephant!

With those rules in place there is only one choice. My choice would be an FN Mauser with a quality set of Iron sights, a 1-5x20 Leupold scope, in quick detachable rings and bases, with a walnut , and a matching synthetic stock, chambered for 375 H&H. The load would be a 300 gr Nosler Partition, or Swift A-frame, pushed at the most accurate load I could work up at around 2500 fps. Now just give me enough money so I can hunt everything from pronghorn, to Elephant, I have the rifle, and I ain't scared of no Elephant!

There is only one right answere here:

A 375 H&H shooting a 300 gr X bullet

All the other suggestions do follow a close second.

However shooting a elephant with an X bullet even on a side brain shot is still risky. I wouldnt do it under any normal circumstance.

[ 11-10-2002, 20:33: Message edited by: LV Eric ]

O.K. Mac, you're in! Thanks for the weighty and insightful response, my friend.

DaggaRon, 470MBOGO, RGB, Cannuck, Don G, Pecos45, GeorgeS, GeorgeH, Stonecreek and all you others ... are you around today? We'd like to have your input, please.

O.K. LV Eric, you're in. Thank You!

[ 11-10-2002, 20:58: Message edited by: Nickudu ]

/

.375 H&H with 270 grain "X"'s

O.K Alf, you're in! I hope you'll be around to assist in the interpretation and discussion of this compilation, further on.

John Palmer, welcome and thank you for your input. You're in!

.375H&H, 300gr. Swift A-Frame, because it HAS to be legal for the largest game, and in order to hunt most of the U.S. and Canada, it has to be an expanding bullet!

George