375 HH Velocity is not particularly slow. It's essentially a 30-06 on steroids (similar velocity, 2x the bullet weight.) With lighter bullets, it's >3,000 fps. As it's primarily a DG caliber (but excellent for everything on earth,) most bullets are constructed tougher, notwithstanding its dimensions alone, and thus (much like a 3006) meat damage does not often occur.
Different calibers/cartridges for different purposes. I see the 3006 as the minimum for PG in Africa (there are hotter, smaller calibers with equal or larger cases that would do the job well, or dare I say better.? 6.5, 7 magnums, etc.) In America, the 3006 is a longer range 308 (and the 300 mags longer range 3006s.) In Africa, you will need some velocity and bullet mass (and a higher SD, better penetrating bullet) to get the job done effectively. A 100 lb impala in Africa is NOT equivalent to a deer in the US. Rather, it is constructed to withstand attacks by large toothed/fanged predators. I have seen even well-hit impala and springbok run quite a distance before expiring! Use more gun is not a fairy tale. It's fact-based. Read Kevin Robertson's books on same. Art Alphin has some great writeups in his book as well.
If you limit your range w/ the 308 (or better yet 7-08,) and select the proper bullets for the job at hand (it's not always the same,) you'll do just fine. I personally desire something with a tad more steam to get the job done no matter what the angle or (practical) range. Although my son shot piles of animals in Africa using a 3006 (and high SD 200-220 gr bullets,) I always opted for a 300 Win Mag, various 338s 375s when hunting PG in DG areas, and in some cases a hot, flat shooting 6.5. I look forward to bringing a 757AI (on par w/ a 7 mag) over to the Dark Continent oneday...If you handload, it is possible to make a 308 perform like a 3006 (the idea behind Hornady's Superformance ammo line, although I chronographed some loads using their powder and it didn't live up to the marketing claims!)
Far better in my opinion to immediately dispatch and collect an animal (that provides 1 less burger due to "meat damage," than blood-trailing in the bush (this holds very true for Kodiak Island as well!) Such meat damage can be reduced by using heavier, higher SD bullets. No matter what the MSM ad trends say, heavy for caliber bullets get the job done well on larger game and especially African game!
In the end, it's "whatever floats your boat," but when that first bullet strikes your Oryx and it charges to spears and rip your guts out, (or you spend extra time tracking wounded animals on a limited time safari) you may have wished you had more gun (.338 A-Sq in my case. Straight down! 'Had one come after me using a .338-06 prior, but luckily the 2nd shot put it down. That was its first and last "DG" hunt!) Fond memories...perhaps a little too fond! Good luck & Enjoy. .223-.243 need not apply in Africa...Here at home we use them for woodchucks.
.... actually wait, hold my beer...
