'Have hunted Africa with the .338-06 and don't recommend it (for PG.) Several others do, but that's their choice. My son collected much camp meat using a 30-06 and 220 gr (higher SD/BC bullets than comparable in .338 w/ same cartridge/bullet weight as it's longer/trimmer) and it performed much better. 'Hunted much with larger-cased .338s and then those 250 gr bullets are right at home. With the largest .338s and 300 gr bullets, one could hunt Buffalo in countries that allow it (1,000 ft-lbs more energy than a .375 and much flatter shooting on longer PG shots.) No complaints with the 375-if setup properly, it's a do-it-all (PG/DG) cartridge. If hunting PG in a DG area, it's wise to have that 375 (or Hot 338). I believe the 8mm, the 338-06 and 35 W cartridges are nearly identical. They can work, using the heaviest-for-caliber bullets, but I'd like more steam (shot placement is ultra-critical if you do decide on one of these, and limiting range which is typically not a problem on most safaris.) 'Once shot a wildebeest at 275 yds off of a cliff in Zim, and we watched it run for miles (perfect shot placement.) My conclusion is that anything big in an 06 or Mauser case effectively runs out of steam for quick African kills at 150ish yards (depending upon species hunted.) Go bigger or go .375! African PG are def not NA or Euro deer/elk-they are constructed much tougher to withstand predator attacks...I do love my 7mm M and 338-06, but the latter is best suited for more thin-skinned game at home. The improved Mauser i may bring to Africa sometime, as akin to my 30-06 comment above, it too has fantastic ballistics (SD/BC) in 175ish gr for better penetration and flatter shooting. Whatever you decide on (sans the 375-nearly any of the lighter 260-270 gr and up will perform well on PG,) use heavy-for-caliber bullets and don't take shots beyond the effective range (energy) of that particular round. Enjoy!! By now, I'm thinking you've made your decision. How did it work out for you?
