Rifle for Alberta and Africa??
- Thread starter TikkaWSM
- Start date
I know I'll get flamed big time for this but......a 300 mag with 200 gn bullets is superior in both velocity and BCs to a 338 with 200-225-250s, it will out penetrate the 338 225 gn and will shoot flatter over longer distances than the 338 (200-225-250) with greater retained energy. The only significant step up from a 300 magnum is the 340 Wby, 338 RUM, 358 Norma or as Dogleg suggested the .375 H&H. I have owned, loaded for and hunted with several 338s and they have never failed to underwhelm me. And I'm only referring to the WM and the Wby, if you step up to the 300 RUM well, it leaves the 338 so far in the dust as to be laughable. Caution with the RUM though, super quality bullets only as it is a bullet destroying caliber, Parts, A-frames and Accubonds......or TTSX/TSX. My son and I found the copper fouling from the Barnes bullets to be extreme in both the 300 RUM and the 257 Wby but YMMV.
If you are not comfortable with shots beyond 250 mtrs, the 30-06 or 338 WM would both be excellent choices, though.
If you are not comfortable with shots beyond 250 mtrs, the 30-06 or 338 WM would both be excellent choices, though.
I won't flame you but I think the one factor you didn't bring up when comparing the 338 and 300 is that the .338 makes a bigger hole. With modern bullets penetration isn't an issue with either. When comparing average loads of the 338/185 grain vs 300/180 there is about 4" drop difference at 500 yards and both hit with over 2,000 fps impact velocity so there's lots of velocity for premium bullets. If you step up into the RUM then ya, there would be some significant +500 yard performance. Both would do the job for sure. I used to be a big .30 cal magnum fan but the more I play with the .338WM, the more I appreciate its versatility, at least for a sub 500 yard rifle.
A nice cartridge for sure but I think it would be too range limiting for plains game.......My experience is that 4-500 mtr shots are a definite possibility when hunting certain areas for plains game. Limiting ones self to a 2-300 mtr rifle may have some very negative effects on the outcome of the hunt, PROVIDING the OP is comfortable with 4-500 mtr shooting. As far as locals using 30-06 and 308, yes it is very common, but then they aren't there on a once in a lifetime opportunity as are many NA hunters, so if they pass on a super trophy they can always get one next week or next month. We NA hunters have to make the most of our one trip in the 10-21 days that we have and to do that sometimes 400 mtr shots are the only chance we may have to harvest an animal we really want to have. My advice to the OP it to buy a rifle capable of making 400 meter shots as easy as possible and practice, practice and practice some more until you are comfortable with a 1/4 mile shot. For this shooting my advice is a 300 mag with 200 gn accubonds............You do your job right and your PH and tracker will do theirs !!
I stand by the 8x68 as being the best long range round balanced with good velocity and decent diameter and weight bullets. 500 yd shots are very doable.
BUT - My 300 weath with 180 gr Accubonds / Ballistic tips has worked very well at long ranges on everything here and there. Up to Eland there and Elk here.
I agree in that you have only limited time overseas. Make it count, and if you need to take a monster at 500 - be prepared for it. It may be your only chance in your lifetime to do so.
A 300 with 180-200 gr is a fine rifle as said - practice and you will do fine.
Once you get to the dangerous game portion of your list - 375, or even the 416 will cover all your bases.
BUT - My 300 weath with 180 gr Accubonds / Ballistic tips has worked very well at long ranges on everything here and there. Up to Eland there and Elk here.
I agree in that you have only limited time overseas. Make it count, and if you need to take a monster at 500 - be prepared for it. It may be your only chance in your lifetime to do so.
A 300 with 180-200 gr is a fine rifle as said - practice and you will do fine.
Once you get to the dangerous game portion of your list - 375, or even the 416 will cover all your bases.
Other than making a bigger hole...you could have a long wait.
I was going to suggest the 8mm rem mag but I think 8x68s would be just great. I like to be a little different. If you hand load ammo won't be an issue but bullet selection is a more limited than in 338 winnie. Both of those 8mm's will be able to reach out far enough to get the job done for you.
An older sendaro in 338 Ultra mag would be fun too
Great idea - save your money for trophies and taxidermy.
Here's a tip - when you get there, buy some PMP ammo (locally made by Denel) - you want the "super" stuff in the black box - sight your 30.06 in at 2" high @ 100 meters and you will be good to go out to 300 comfortably, most importantly, have confidence that the combination in your hands has killed everything from Steenbok to Eland in the last 50 years or so......
Like I said before if you are hunting in the low-veldt go to 200 grain, for everywhere else 180 will work fine.
Post some pics when get back.
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westcoaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central BC
To the OP, I would recommend the 338wm. This cartridge really comes into it's own with 250 grain bullets. I use mine for everything from whitetail to grizzly - works very well. It has been my experience that cartridges like the 3006, and 338wm blood shot meat less than cartridges traveling at the fast 30 speeds.
Not sure I would agree with C-FBMI on penetration. I do agree the 200 grain .308 bullets look good on paper and would be my choice if shooting a fast 30, but consider the following.
The gong is made from 1" mild steel. The divots are from a 338wm shooting 250 grain bullets at 400 and 500 yards. The spots where the paint is dusted or there is a little mark is from a 300wm and a 7mmrm. I'm thinking the 338 was doing a better job of penetrating and keeping energy longer. Mind you the 300 was shooting 180's but I'm not thinking 20 grains will make that much difference.
I know exactly what you are experiencing Dogleg........like I said my various 338s never failed to underwhelm me.......
If it makes a bigger hole.
To the OP, I would recommend the 338wm. This cartridge really comes into it's own with 250 grain bullets. I use mine for everything from whitetail to grizzly - works very well. It has been my experience that cartridges like the 3006, and 338wm blood shot meat less than cartridges traveling at the fast 30 speeds.
Not sure I would agree with C-FBMI on penetration. I do agree the 200 grain .308 bullets look good on paper and would be my choice if shooting a fast 30, but consider the following.
The gong is made from 1" mild steel. The divots are from a 338wm shooting 250 grain bullets at 400 and 500 yards. The spots where the paint is dusted or there is a little mark is from a 300wm and a 7mmrm. I'm thinking the 338 was doing a better job of penetrating and keeping energy longer. Mind you the 300 was shooting 180's but I'm not thinking 20 grains will make that much difference.
There is a significant difference between the 180 and 200 gn 30 cals as far as downrange energy and penetration and I speak from experience not published numbers. All the metal gear proves is that you were using different types of bullets in the 338 than in the 300 WM. Performance on steel does not translate to game I'm afraid. As far as the 30s wasting more meat, who gives a flying rats a$$.........you can't bring it home anyway and you are NOT meat hunting if you're shooting plains game in Africa..........next will come the eyelid wasting post JEEEZZZZ........
All things being relatively equal with a quality bullet you can pretty well count on it.
Willy Tincup
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Owen Sound
I was there this past June. 30-06 is by far the most popular calibre in RSA and most easily obtained if you run out of ammo. Personaly, I think your choice of scopes if more significant than your choice of calibre. JMO
