Why a .338 WM in Africa?

[WAB]

Which countries allow that?

Mozambique

 

[CBH Australia]

Legal and allowed are not the same. Sometimes the lines get blurred, especially when money is involved. If the PH knows the client very well, is confident in their shooting and they are using something like a 338WM or 35W...I'm sure exceptions are made in the heat of the moment.

A .35whailin’ on Buffalo. Now who’s blurring the lines. I know Bobs gonna back you over me on this one. That’s his baby.

Just cause it can be done doesn’t mean it should be done.

 

[uplander01]

Its a fantastic caliber, powerful but modest recoil in a proper rifle. You won't feel under-gunned until you get to the big Africa DG.

 

[skydiver386]

Whenever calibers are discussed, people's tempers start to flare like a pack of hemorrhoids.

 

[VINOYASADO]

@dogcat1
NO-ONE NEEDS A 338wun mag.
Everybody needs a 35 Whelen tho.
The 338 is nothing but a bitch slapping noise making, flame throwing over rated cartridge.

The Whelen on the other hand is a mid mannered tower of power that will do everything the 338 will without all the bucking, belching and roaring ( and that's only from the hunter when he pulls the trigger on the 338)
The Whelen will do everything the 338 will out to 400 plus yards. It does it quietly ,efficiently without fuss or bother.

So see you don't need a 338 wimpchester mag nun.
Bob

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen 35 What?? is that the caliber for squirrels?

Sorry this post is for truly amazing cartidges!!!!

 

[mdwest]

The proper question is never why…

The proper question is why not?

Go buy a new gun!

 

[dogcat1]

Thanks for all of the answers and ideas.
Here is the situation.

I have a stunning, 2nd hand Mountain Riflery Custom in .338 WM that is "write hot checks and tell your wife lies" good looking. It is as accurate as it looks. I like it. However, I have a twin in .375 H&H that is as hot as this babe. Matter of fact, I have two very stunningly good looking and accurate .375's.

Hence my question. I am thinking rebarrel to 7mm or .300 WM or ???

Keeps the looks and pairs up well with my sweetheart .375's.

Nice problem to have, yes, I know, but still a 1st world problem....

 

[VINOYASADO]

Too bad it now looks like 250gr is the top end of factory ammo for the 338WM.

A 300gr would have great S.D.

Marginal and theory but, actually a 250 g/338w WM has beter SD than a 300 g/375 H&H (313 vs 305)

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Fantastic cartridge for sure, versatility best describes. With a limit on rifles a gent can bring, it will stay home often and be replaced with a 375 of various types, H&H, Wby, Ruger etc for it legality on DG animals is all.

 

[BeeMaa]

A .35whailin’ on Buffalo. Now who’s blurring the lines. I know Bobs gonna back you over me on this one. That’s his baby.

Just cause it can be done doesn’t mean it should be done.

I never said it was a good idea, nor would I condone this. But to believe it doesn't happen is fantasy land.

Plus, you know I'll always have the 375H&H with me when hunting Africa.

 

[ftrovato]

@dogcat1
NO-ONE NEEDS A 338wun mag.
Everybody needs a 35 Whelen tho.
The 338 is nothing but a bitch slapping noise making, flame throwing over rated cartridge.

The Whelen on the other hand is a mid mannered tower of power that will do everything the 338 will without all the bucking, belching and roaring ( and that's only from the hunter when he pulls the trigger on the 338)
The Whelen will do everything the 338 will out to 400 plus yards. It does it quietly ,efficiently without fuss or bother.

So see you don't need a 338 wimpchester mag nun.
Bob

You're the best Bob! We have to get this cartridge renamed!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

It’s good for:
Eland (and all the smaller plains game)
Leopard
Lion (in Zambia where any caliber above .300 Magnum is legal for lion)

 

[Scott CWO]

@dogcat1
NO-ONE NEEDS A 338wun mag.
Everybody needs a 35 Whelen tho.
The 338 is nothing but a bitch slapping noise making, flame throwing over rated cartridge.

The Whelen on the other hand is a mid mannered tower of power that will do everything the 338 will without all the bucking, belching and roaring ( and that's only from the hunter when he pulls the trigger on the 338)
The Whelen will do everything the 338 will out to 400 plus yards. It does it quietly ,efficiently without fuss or bother.

So see you don't need a 338 wimpchester mag nun.
Bob

Oh Bob! You and your 35 Squealen! Just an over-weighted 30-06! It’s no wonder your wife makes you sleep on the couch!

 

[Huvius]

Sounds to me that the 300H&H would be the “best” pairing to your 375s.

I’ve thought a lot about a 338WM too but only because it si one of the few chamberings that have a 26” barrel in a Ruger No.1

 

[Nyati]

I´m not impartial, the .338WM has been my favorite caliber for the last 40 years or so...

Had to use .375HH for buff and hippo, for legal reasons

 

[cajunchefray]

Thanks for all of the answers and ideas.
Here is the situation.

I have a stunning, 2nd hand Mountain Riflery Custom in .338 WM that is "write hot checks and tell your wife lies" good looking. It is as accurate as it looks. I like it. However, I have a twin in .375 H&H that is as hot as this babe. Matter of fact, I have two very stunningly good looking and accurate .375's.

Hence my question. I am thinking rebarrel to 7mm or .300 WM or ???

Keeps the looks and pairs up well with my sweetheart .375's.

Nice problem to have, yes, I know, but still a 1st world problem....

I've always ended up with expense and trouble going after that next "strikingly hot babe".

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Why would anyone use a .338 WM in Africa???
Favorites are .375 HH and .300 WM or 7mm REM.
Convince me I need one!

There are certainly no flies on the .338WM, it's a proven quantity. But I guess it depends on your situation and/or if you just want one for kicks and giggles.

I moved all the way up to a .300WM from a 7mm Rem Mag for my first trip to Africa. Yah, you can laugh, in retrospect I often do. My 7mm would've been just fine. But in the end I have a M70 SG now in .300WM and I love it.

What was the next step up? .375HH of course for now I've crossed the threshold of minimum required DG gun anywhere I go, not to mention equally suited to PG. So what unfilled hole in that which I hunt will be filled by something in between the .300WM and a .375HH? I don't think there is one, at least not that I've been able to find.

But then why do I own two .30-06s, a 7mm Rem Mag and a 7x57? Just cuz.

 

[Hunt anything]

Which countries allow that?

I was in Mozambique and South Africa, I don’t know if it was legal or not as I didn’t take up the offer nor did I have a 338 with me. It was just a campfire discussion.

 

[usaf77]

I remember many years ago calling Swift and talking to the owner. He told he made a run of .338 217 grn A-frames and he'd sell me some tho he wasn't advertising them. The A-Bolt loved them and I took a bunch of game with them. I had no plans to take another Impala but this one was just to good to pass up. And it was a poke, I held for about 375 yrds, which I really dont like to do since I dont much like shooting long.

Well the impressive Impala had turned on me and I had to take him in the rump. The 217 A-frame from the .338Win A-bolt flew true and exited his chest. He was dead before he hit the ground. I probably took more game with this rifle then even my 30/06 and I loved re-loading for it. BTW great site and hello to everyone and good hunting.

The A-Bolt likes the 225's as well.

 

[Houston Bill]

Good luck on you bongo hunt! Can’t wait to hear about it. Be careful though, you may have to stretch the barrel on that thing to at least 10 yards!!

Yes, you are correct, I suspect my shot at the bongo will be 10 to 20 yards. I chose the 338 because my 375RUM has 26" barrel and muzzle break and I wanted a shorter rifle to crawl through the jungle with