Sensibly is the correct word, though it applies to any caliber, and hunting in general, IMO. Having a big 400 or 500 is only effective IF the hunter can handle it, and lets be honest in saying that many people can't. 9.3x62, 375 H&H, 458 Lott, 460 Weatherby, etc. are all fine calibers that have all taken a lot of game in Africa, and worldwide, but the correct choice is the one the hunter can handle effectively, most importantly on the first shot.
I've not been to Africa yet, going this coming February, however I've hunted big browns and they are high up on the ladder of nasty DG. Can't think of anything I'd rather not have to face than a pissed off big brown. Have used a 338 win mag for bear hunts and never felt under-gunned, dropped each with one shot. Next bear trip, however, my Mauser M12 Max 9.3x62 is going to be my choice as I've quickly become very efficient with this rifle. It's a dream to carry, carries a big punch with a 286-300 grain bullet at the distances I'm shooting, is very accurate, is quicker than my 338 win mag to cycle follow up shots, carries 5+1 rounds, and doesn't kick the crap out of me when fired. I'm going to be buying a Blaser 375 H&H for DG hunting in Africa, but only so I'm "legal" per their laws, but if I could use my 9.3 I wouldn't hesitate to do so (.366 vs .375 caliber isn't enough to worry about IMO with quality ammo).
Now I know some are going to start with the bigger is better thing, and while I appreciate that to a certain degree, let's look at this in context. I'm not hunting solo, don't even do that in the States, or anywhere else for that matter. In Africa I'm hunting with a Professional Hunter (PH) who is well versed/practiced in stopping caliber/power rifles, is carrying one as my back up, and knows his shot placements. My 9.3x62, or the upcoming 375 H&H, is plenty of rifle for me as the client as either will drop buffs or big cats, if I'm proficient with them, and the PH has a stopping power rifle ready in the event I make an ass of myself and take bad shots. I'll probably hunt Africa 2-4 times during my lifetime, if I'm lucky, so see no sensible/practical reason to invest the money nor the time required to become proficient with one of these big bore rifles, that's the PH's job. The 9.3x62 and the 375 H&H are useful anywhere, the big bores not as much. No disrespect at all to those that want to invest their money and time in the big bores, they are really cool after all, but don't see the big bores as a necessity within the context of how most folks are going to hunt in Africa.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. I use the .375 HH Magnum on Australian Water Buffalo myself. The ones l killed till now was done with a Winchester Model 70 . The ones in the future will be killed by my .375 HH Magnum BRNO ZKK - 602 . I used 300 grain Kynoch Round nosed full patch solids . In the future , l will use Swift A frames. I made an observation similar to yours. Being backed by a PH with heavy artillery ( or in my case , a childhood friend carrying a .470 Nitro Express Double Rifle ) is certainly reassuring when you're going after these Bovines with anything less than a .400 .
