Rifle for Alberta and Africa??

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TikkaWSM

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Hello folks. So I may have the opportunity to head to Africa for plains game with a group of friends in 2014. I figured a chance at a trip like this was at least 30 years off but a good price and good friends is tough to pass on. Not sure if its going to work but seriously hoping everything can come together. Wondering what kind of large caliber available guns I should be looking at on a budget. I would like to spend under $1000 on the rifle and already have optics in mind. The outfitter requires 30 caliber or better otherwise I would just take my 270WSM (it takes elk just fine) but at least this way I can get a new toy. Another factor at play is I want this gun to become my moose/ prairie elk rig back home. Leaning towards 338 Winchester Magnum at this point (have the option to buy an old sako from a friend) but open to suggestions to look into. Not interested in something just a bit bigger than a 270, have enough of those. Suggestions on something that is readily available and makes a big bang are greatly appreciated. Also, I have a 500 yard range at the farm so anything with long range capability will at least get lots of play time.
 
I faced the same question on my first African trip and I ended up going with a .338WM...it served me well on both continents. With the range of bullets available for the .338 these days, the 30 cal magnums are almost becoming obsolete. The .338WM is certainly a 500-yard capable rifle with the right optics.
 
.300 isn't as significant of a step up as one would think.
Personally I would choose to get a .338 Win Mag. But .300 Win Mag I understand is far more available in Africa.
This could be a golden opportunity to grab a nice .375 H&H as well....
 
I took a 300 Rum with 200 gr accubonds. Never felt under gunned. I used the 2506 for the lighter animals.

Neil
 
A South African doctor friend grew up on a ranch there near Kruger, and the .338 Winchester was his go to gun; IIRC, he liked the high velocity and flat shooting attributes of the lighter bullets, which seemed to fly in the face of every thing I'd ever read about the conservative minded Boar's preference for heavy for caliber bullets at moderate velocity. Depending where you go, long range shooting is not considered common in Africa - 300 yards is usually a long poke, which is well within the limitations of the .338 with almost any pointed big game bullet. When we hunted in Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve, the ranges tended to be short, but that is not true of everywhere. Lands bordering the Serengeti provides one with the opportunity to spot game a very long range, and South Africa and Namibia might provide the opportunity for a longer shot. If you like the .338, work up a load that gives you confidence, and you're good to go. I assume the largest game you'll encounter is eland, but both wildebeest and zebra have a reputation of being difficult to rug with a single shot, so choose your bullet carefully.
 
I could think of all kinds of cool calibers to suggest, but I think this advice is probably best from those who have actually been there.

What kind of animal should you be prepared to shoot on your trip? Sounds exciting though.
 
I'd have to say 300 win or weatherby would be my choice as if your ammo doesn't show up 338 isn't very common where as the others are not that difficult to find ammunition for last time I was there a friend took a 338and ammo didn't make it so he ended up sharing my rifle
 
No experience here but I thought about going and would probably do a .30-06 with 180 grain nosler partitions in your shoes, or go a bit heavy and bring a .375 H&H, in case something large and angry turned it into another situation. Either way I'd practice a lot. I would bring a .270 Win and a .375 H&H if the guide permitted.
 
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I have used the 300 WM and 300Wby for plains game and either one with GOOD bullets is ideal. I used 200 gn Nosler Parts in the Wby and 200 A-frames. In the Win Mag I used 180 gn Parts and wished for more penetration on 2 animals.........hence the 300 Wby with 200 Parts next trip. Either one would also be right at home in Alta, for any hunting need. For the last few years I have used 200 gn ABs in my 300 Wby and find them to be quite effective as well and a lot higher BC when I need to reach out. I have found over the past 25 years that my 300 Wby has become my most trusted companion and my go to rifle for game under a ton and don't bite back. Don't get me wrong I would have no qualms poking a large grizzly or lion or what have you with a 200 gn AB, but when intentionally hunting these critters I have larger calibers more suited to bang flops for them.
I have said it before, I have taken game from 15 lb duiker to 150 lb whitetail to 1500 lb eland with my 300 Wby, from 15 mtrs to 750 mtrs................I love my 300 Wby........... but still hold great respect for, and would happily hunt with a 300 WM or a 300 RUM
 
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For plains game in South Africa a 30.06 will do fine, and there will be loads of ammo available in the shops (99% of us living there use that all the time) - big fancy magnums are for the American / want to be American tourists.


If you are hunting in the low-veld ( Limpopo province) use a heavier bullet like a 200 grain. if you are hunting around the high-veld - Eastern Cape / Karoo / Kwa zulu Natal - them use a 180 grain bullet.




Have a great time.
 
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I wouldn't agonize about it too much. If you like that .338 get it. A .300 is fine, and if you wanted to go the other direction then using a .375 for everything works pretty good too. Spend the rest of your time picking out shirts that will look good in pictures and practicing with whatever you decide on.
 
That sounds great guys, appreciate all the responses. I'm not sure what game I want to take yet but figured several on the choice list are elk size+ so why not go big. I definitely want a kudu and a gemsbuck but still need to get final quotes so something bigger could make the list. I'm going to spend a bit of time going over more ballistic tables for all of the recommendations. I see 30-06 and various 300's mentioned but I think I really want to step it up even if its just reserved for the odd big game animal back home, if budget ends up being tight I will borrow the 30-06 I sold to my brother last fall. I do have a 25-06, 270, 270WSM, and 303 British already so would rather go up from there substantially.
 
As far as a great .338 load, if look hard at the 225gr selection. Plenty flat and hits like a freight train. The TTSX, Partiton, Accubond, and new Bear Claw would all suffice nicely.
 
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