Rifle for Alberta and Africa??

Dogleg said:
The biggest wound channels I've seen were always from fragmenting bullets.
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And the larger caliber didn't fragment out further creating a bigger wound channel with all other things being equal? It would seem somewhat logical if you started with a larger hole and all other things were equal that you end with a larger hole....no?
 
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svergas said:
One of my friends went to Africa few times. First time for the plains game he took Tikka in 30-06 and was perfectly happy with it. After he came back he purchased 375H&H and just loves it. Takes it for everything now.
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I second the 375 H&H formally The Nitro Express. Great on Moose, Bear and everything Africa has to offer ;)
 
sheephunter said:
And the larger caliber didn't fragment out further creating a bigger wound channel with all other things being equal? It would seem somewhat logical if you started with a larger hole and all other things were equal that you end with a larger hole....no?
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All is seldom equal. The .338 looks a lot better with a Weatherby or RUM case. That wakes it right up.
 
Dogleg said:
All is seldom equal. The .338 looks a lot better with a Weatherby or RUM case. That wakes it right up.
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No but when comparing hole size it was kind of the point. Moving on, for a 500 yard rifle I honestly don't get the point of more speed/recoil for the same size hole but after that....sure.
 
Willy Tincup said:
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
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so for that big and huge country with your experience this is the 30-06 that locals are using the most ..... next time you ll go there on cull hunt for biltong and I want to see the faces of the guys about that huger caliber ....

I lived there a while too and I ll never make a statement about calibers used it is really depending about the usage and the kind of hunts ...

myself I ve seen a lot of 7x57 and 7x64 there but again everybody may have a different vision and experience.

all the best.

Phil
 
Back to the OP- if the law allows for it - use what you are comfortable with and can shoot well.... seriously. As one ph told me once, with his 30-06 in hand as we went out for cleaning up an elephant issue "what did you expect... a cannon?"

7x64, 7-08, 30-06 ...... etc.
 
c-fbmi said:
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........
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The bullets were blue box federals for the 300 vs cheap Hornady Interlocks for the 338. Judging from your emotional response I am sorry to have burst your bubble.

Facts are friendly.
 
Wow, lots of ideas here! I have a fair graph going comparing different calibers/ bullet prices/ availability and it may still be a toss up. I see there's lots of choice and that's always good because finding a rifle in a certain caliber could be the trickiest part in the end (especially if my retired family friend decides he wants to keep his sako 338). Long range capability and comfortable hunting range vary for me greatly but flatter shooting always means more fun when playing around out at the farm. I'm a firm believer in bullet placement verses caliber size, I simply have always thought being able to fire a big chunk of lead would be cool. I have shot long range with my 270WSM/223 for years but have only taken long range dispatch/ mercy shots as I enjoy getting close (antelope, bighorn ram, last 3 mule deer bucks all taken at under 200 yards). I did dispatch a badly injured prairie elk last fall at just over 400 yards, it piled up like a sack of potatoes. I did recover a 30 caliber (all I could measure) bullet from its hind and a very small bullet from its flank (measures bit bigger than .22 but I have no idea what it came from). If you don't hit the right end chances are it wont die anyways, no matter how big the bullet is. Funny thing with that shot is I had a range patrol guy witness the shot ask what kind of cannon I was carrying to drop an elk like that ha ha. Really appreciate the dialog though guys, nice read. I will provide updates/ post pictures if it all comes together. I have been noticing there are not a lot of rifles available in the calibers mentioned (aside from 30-06 and 300's) so that adds to the decision as well.
 
I would look at the 'Montana Rifle Company'. They have a terrific 'budget' rifle chambered in 338 lapua; however, this could be hard to source hear in Canada.. This caliber is awesome. Otherwise, I'd opt for the well proven .375 H&H. One can't argue with the capabilities of this round. Given the choice between the .300 and the .338? I'd go with the .300
 
westcoaster said:
The bullets were blue box federals for the 300 vs cheap Hornady Interlocks for the 338. Judging from your emotional response I am sorry to have burst your bubble.

Facts are friendly.
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No emotion in my response, and no bubble to burst, sorry. I have hunted with several 30 cal magnums and several 338s and I will say it again that the 338 has never failed to underwhelm me. On the other hand I have taken well over 100 head of just African game with 2 - 300 mags, the Win and the Wby and of the 2, I find the Wby with 200 gn bullets to be about ideal and capable right out to 500 mtrs and beyond. I have also taken several animals right out to 500 mtrs and beyond with a 340 Wby, now that's a whole 'nother ball game. I just wouldn't recommend it to most people as it's recoil level is getting well into the uncomfortable range and most guys would not shoot it well enough to be proficient unless they are very familiar with heavy recoiling rifles. But it is one long range killing machine, let me tell you !!
I have made seven trips over there, and other than when primary target is DG, you can count on me using my 300 Wby with a 200 grain premium bullet of one form or another. Any DG other than elephant will most likely see me with my favorite 375 H&H in hand and if I ever go for elephant again it will be my double 470 NE, or for land hunting hippos would be my double as well.
A person may use whatever caliber he likes, but when asked for advice this is my experience after more than 100 head of African plains game..........OP can take it or leave it, that's entirely up to him, but it is given with significant experience supporting it.
Yep facts ARE friendly and there is no substitute for experience...........
 
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Alberta I use a 7 rem mag.
For Africa I would use a 338 Win with 250 Partitions down to 210 TSX if DG wasn't on the list, if it was, a 375 H&H. If a heavier gun isn't an issue for you, a 375 is very versatile with the lighter 235 TSX's near 3000 fps right up to some heavy solids. If you go to Africa once, chances are you will go again, so set up a 375 today would be my suggestion. You will have one some day I assure you.
A 300 win is probably as effective as a 338 but has always been an in-between for me as I have too much to choose from.
 
Admittedly with no african hunting experience I would say that the 300 WM would be my first choice. I shoot a 300 WM and love it, capable of any plains game you'll encounter. However if I were in your position I can agree that you may want something with a bit more punch to fill the gap from your 270 WSM...The most logical choice is to sell that silly 270 WSM, then you've got a 270 win and a 300 WM, that's a great no gap combo :) but aside from that getting a 338 would allow you to load some lighter bullets for high velocities on the longer shots, but i'd lean towards a 375 H&H. It's such a classic round, and when do you have a better excuse to buy one than for a trip to africa?
 
TikkaWSM said:
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.
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I've been twice (which is nothing compared to some others). The first hunt was for common game only and I took my 300 Winchester and my 416 Rigby. The Rigby was more than needed but I shoot it well and it just seemed right to take it. On the second trip I used a camp rifle in (I hesitate to admit it) 375 Ruger. It worked very well and I have no complaints about the cartridge (though the rifle did jam as I cycled it for a follow up shot on my buffalo).

The biggest question is what are you hunting, common or dangerous game? Given the original post I would presume it's a common game hunt in RSA.

For a straight common game hunt it would be hard to go wrong with a 300 Winchester (Weatherby might give you a bit more performance but the ammo is pricier and not quite as common). The 338 Winchester is a good idea if you're hunting the bigger animals (gemsbok, zebra, wildebeest, eland) but would give up a bit of open country reach...not that you're really likely to take long shots. I like the idea of the "old Sako" so I would tend in that direction personally, but I'm a guy with plenty of 30 caliber rifles.

Have fun. I took my first trip when I was 29. The only downside to going to Africa for the first time when you're young is that there are that many more years and opportunities to go after that. It ends up costing you a lot more than if you had started when you were 60. But the fun you will have!
 
I would have to agree on the 338 WM being the best compromise. Useful on both continents. Perhaps try to find a friend with a 375 H & H, or better that you could take. You might even find something useful on the EE that you could pick up specifically for this trip and then resell it when you return. Having a 416 or bigger for one trip seems wasteful. I understand that most PH's will not allow the use of muzzle breaks, so get something you can shoot well and still tolerate the recoil.

Just my two cents
 
I am a 300 Win Mag fan, I used one in 2007 on a plains game safari.

All animals dropped quickly, except an Eland I shot face on.

I would take the 300 again no problem, except in Eland where if I was really hooked on getting a nice one I would bring a 375 and shoot everything with it.

The Eland is a huge animal, bigger than any moose I've ever seen.
 
Plains game ranges from tiny duikers to 2000lb eland, and includes elk-sized kudu as well as some very tough critters like zebra, wildebeest and gemsbok. A .375 is very appropriate for this stuff. Plus, how could anyone consider going to Africa without one? :) Visit the Accurate Reloading website and get answers to just about any possible question about African hunting from lots of guys with lots of experience. Check out the hunts being sold on their outfitters' forum. Compare the prices, read the reviews. The more research you do ahead of time, the better the chances of having a great trip.

And seriously consider adding a Cape buffalo hunt to your trip. It might or might not be feasible depending on where you are going, but good deals can be had on these hunts, and if you're going to spend the big bucks to go to Africa anyways it's at least worth considering. Good luck!
 
Now ya gone and done it! That "new king" guy will be here any second now...what's his name...Fencepost? Doorstop? :)
 
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