Why a .338 WM in Africa?

[UpNorthMI]

I own several .338 WM rifles but have yet to take one to Africa as my hunts have included dangerous game. I would not think twice about taking a .338 WM to Africa for non dangerous game, it's a great caliber.

I spent 20+ years using .338 WM for red deer culling in Scotland with 180gn Nosler ballistic tips, it was a super flat shooting round and very effective for long range shooting. Others thought it was overkill but it knocked down large red deer at great distances with authority!

If I was taking a .338 WM to Africa I would select a 225 gn quality bullet, I loaded .338 WM ammo for a friend who took his rifle for a large plains game trip, it killed everything he shot at very well.

I guess having too many rifles is a good problem to have, I hope to also get my 9.3 x 62 on a trip some day.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I own several .338 WM rifles but have yet to take one to Africa as my hunts have included dangerous game. I would not think twice about taking a .338 WM to Africa for non dangerous game, it's a great caliber.

I spent 20+ years using .338 WM for red deer culling in Scotland with 180gn Nosler ballistic tips, it was a super flat shooting round and very effective for long range shooting. Others thought it was overkill but it knocked down large red deer at great distances with authority!

If I was taking a .338 WM to Africa I would select a 225 gn quality bullet, I loaded .338 WM ammo for a friend who took his rifle for a large plains game trip, it killed everything he shot at very well.

I guess having too many rifles is a good problem to have, I hope to also get my 9.3 x 62 on a trip some day.

Never having been to Scotland, I would never have thought there was that large of a population of red deer that they would need to be culled? Guess I need to get out more. LOL

 

[UpNorthMI]

Never having been to Scotland, I would never have thought there was that large of a population of red deer that they would need to be culled? Guess I need to get out more. LOL

Current Scottish deer population is estimated at just over 1M. The Forrestry Commission (DNR) employ guys all year round to work full time culling deer. Many areas are so remote and not accessible to a 4 wheel quad bike, the problem becomes getting the shot deer down the hills. I’m too old for mountain deer culling but still enjoy the slower sport hunting in reasonable accessible locations.

I have a lot of contacts if anyone is looking for Scottish deer hunting for Roe, Red and Sika deer.

 

[CZDiesel]

I wonder why the Failsafes were discontinued? From everything I’ve read about hunters who have used them they are great hunting bullets.

They were very very expensive to make! Unfortunately ended up on Winchesters chopping block…

 

[Choupique]

When I finally get the chance to go to Africa, I'm going with a .338 and a .458

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Never having been to Scotland, I would never have thought there was that large of a population of red deer that they would need to be culled? Guess I need to get out more. LOL

@CoElkHunter
There's more places in the world than Colorado Dorothy.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Bob

 

[Choupique]

I'm probably the only one dragging a 26" barrel .338 win mag around Louisiana.

Had a revelation a few years back. I own the thing for elk hunting and I like it a lot. Why not just shoot everything with it?

 

[RedTag]

I wonder why the Failsafes were discontinued? From everything I’ve read about hunters who have used them they are great hunting bullets.

Winchester has a bad habit of discontinuing all their good ammo

 

[RedTag]

I’ve moved away from cartridges that are magnum width without being magnum length. Like driving a Mustang with a V6 engine, it may look cooler but it performs about the same as an ordinary car.