Caliber Suggestion For My Wife

mikecatt13

AH fanatic
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
763
Reaction score
1,110
Media
31
Hunting reports
Africa
1
USA/Canada
2
Considering surprising my wife with a rifle for her when we go on our first safari. I havent made up my mind on model, the straight pull and versatility of the R8 (in addition to the scope mounts being the same as my S2) are appealing. Could also just get a .416 barrel if she ever wants to chase DG and doesnt want to use my heavy double.

Cant be .375HH because I have my set of .375 barrels for my S2 and RSA doesnt allow 2 of the same caliber (they will be in the same gun case and from my understanding that means the same SAPS form. We also archery hunt, so it's likely to be cost prohibitive to have to take 2 gun cases just because of caliber).

Plains game, but she is interested in some larger stuff like giraffe, kudu, etc. So something capable of that would be best. She has shot my 470 without complaint so a little recoil isnt an issue. Most likely going to shoot swift factory ammo loaded with a Frames, I will reload if I have to though. 300RUM or 338WM appealed to me, but looking for some advice from those of you that have been there and shot these animals. I've heard the 338 family of calibers makes better bloodtrails than many .300s on these tough critters.

Would also be handy to be a flat shooting cartridge, should we ever need to take shots near 400yds+, could be wrong but I think a .300 or .338 type round is more suitable to that distance than my .375HH?

See screenshot for available calibers, even if I go with another platform, this list will do fine.

Screenshot_20200118-150847_Drive.jpg
 
Last edited:
My Bride loves shooing our Ruger Hawkeye Guide Gun in .375 Ruger...The Muzzle brake combined with a great Recoil Pad and adjustable length of pull stock makes it easy to shoot.
She has no trouble hitting 8 inch steel at 200 yards.
 
IMO, I believe you can’t go too far wrong with a .300 mag. A .338 Win mag would be a good choice as well. It’s a round I’m partial to. In that round consider a 225 gr Barnes TTSX at around 2800 fps. With a BC of . 514, it shoots fairly flat.
I’ve never hunted RSA but from what I’ve read on this site, few places have really long range shooting. Talk to your outfitter about your average shooting distances. If a max of 200-250 yds, I’d go with the .338 (250 gr Swift) or 9.3x62.
 
Sounds like a .338wm is suitable and versatile.
I just returned From a trip using my outfitters 7mmRM. It seems like the .300wm is used widely in South Africa and ammo is easier to find than the 7mm according to locals, useless information as you want .300wm or above.
I fancied the idea that a .338 wm may be a great bear cartridge if ever I can do that.
I met an Aussie who done numerous African trips and used a .270 and .338 wm PG only he had no interest in the cats but I think 52 trophies otherwise.
 
I own and shoot the 9.3x62 and .338 WinMag pretty extensively. One, the 9.3, is my primary bear rifle and the .338 is my preference for a one rifle plains game hunt. Depending on the design of the rifle's stock, the .338 has a reputation for hard recoil - mine kicks noticeably more than any of my 9.3's (62's and 74R's). All that blast and fury does get one a few more meters in range, but were I purchasing a heavy dedicated PG rifle for my spouse that wasn't a .375, then the 9.3x62 wins hands down. You could also go the route of the .300 Win Mag which offers a world-wide capability for non-dangerous game.
 
9.3x62 with a factory loaded 286 grain Swift A Frame
 
I'm with the others above with the 9.3x62 but there are other options.
J. Sip and Sons offers barrels for Blaser rifles in calibers they don't.
https://www.jsipandsons.com/
You could get her a 300WM or 338WM (from Blaser) and 404J (from J. S&S) for the DG.
Why shouldn't she have at least two barrels?
 
Depends on the area.
9,3x 62 is not made for the Eastern Cape.

What would your reccomendation be? Since we will be hunting with you...you know the area (and animals). We will likely (and hopefully) be returning and be chasing a variety of species over the years, including some that I'm guessing can require some longer shooting that might be stretching it for my .375, or rather just a heavy bullet in general with all the long distance variables/forces working on it giving a smaller margin for error
 
I'm with the others above with the 9.3x62 but there are other options.
J. Sip and Sons offers barrels for Blaser rifles in calibers they don't.
https://www.jsipandsons.com/
You could get her a 300WM or 338WM (from Blaser) and 404J (from J. S&S) for the DG.
Why shouldn't she have at least two barrels?
I have them saved from prior research but forgot to look up what they offer, oops. Thanks for the reminder, also depends on what model as well, some only accept up the 375 barrel it seems.

It appears that 300RUM has significantly higher energy than 300WM, and even slightly edges out 338WM (based on several factory load datasets I found) what I dont know is the recoil tendencies comparing those. Not that it's going to bother her, but obviously theres a trade off and if you're not gaining energy, flatter trajectory, etc to offset the recoil it's not a wise decision regardless of if it bothers the shooter or not.
 
First of all recognize that bigger than .375h&h in the blaser the barrels are 22mm in diameter. They will only fit blaser safari frames. The .375 and smaller non match barrels are 19 or 17 and fit every frame. Thus I would suggest you go .300 win mag or even 6.5 creedmoor and when she goes giraffe use your .375 barrel. My 2 cents.
 
For eastern cape PG hunt, 7mm mag or 300 WM is a good choice for anyone and in particular a lady shooter. If it has a suppressor, even better. For someone who can handle a bit more recoil, the 338 WM is my favorite of all. I would not go the RUM route, except for sundowners.
 
For eastern cape PG hunt, 7mm mag or 300 WM is a good choice for anyone and in particular a lady shooter. If it has a suppressor, even better. For someone who can handle a bit more recoil, the 338 WM is my favorite of all. I would not go the RUM route, except for sundowners.
Why dont you like the RUM? I have no experience with it, I'm relying on load data and you folks with personal experience to guide me
 
I have them saved from prior research but forgot to look up what they offer, oops. Thanks for the reminder, also depends on what model as well, some only accept up the 375 barrel it seems.

It appears that 300RUM has significantly higher energy than 300WM, and even slightly edges out 338WM (based on several factory load datasets I found) what I dont know is the recoil tendencies comparing those. Not that it's going to bother her, but obviously theres a trade off and if you're not gaining energy, flatter trajectory, etc to offset the recoil it's not a wise decision regardless of if it bothers the shooter or not.
Just keep in mind ammo availability in Africa should your bag not arrive.
Much more likely to find 300WM than the 300RUM.

There is a significant velocity and energy difference, but with raised noise, recoil and cost of ammo.
The good old 30-06 has been taking the likes of Zebra and Kudu for a long time.
Now the 300WM has kinda taken that spot and the "super mag 30's" are the new kids on the block.
300PRC, 30Nosler, 300Blaser, 300Norma, 300WBY (although not exactly new) and the list goes on...

I'm not sure what your expected hunting distances are, but I'd think less than 300 yards.
Any of those 30's will work well out to 300 yards and some waaaaay beyond that.
Past 300 yards AND shooting off sticks, I'm not willing to take a shot at a trophy animal.
 
My youngest son has twice used his 8X57 in Namibia with 160 TTSX on Kudu and such with nary a problem. My oldest same story with his 9.3x62 250 TTSX. I have recently taken up the 8X68s but have only taken an Elk with 220 SGK and have come to like it a lot. It's a lot like a 300WM but, IMHO, only better:D. I would recommend any of those three but the 8's generally need to be hand loaded. More importantly it should be a case of whatever floats her boat.
 
For eastern cape PG hunt, 7mm mag or 300 WM is a good choice for anyone and in particular a lady shooter. If it has a suppressor, even better. For someone who can handle a bit more recoil, the 338 WM is my favorite of all. I would not go the RUM route, except for sundowners.

@mikecatt13 This......

3ooWin was built for the EC.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
53,616
Messages
1,131,193
Members
92,672
Latest member
LuciaWains
 

 

 

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Impact shots from the last hunt

Early morning Impala hunt, previous link was wrong video

Headshot on jackal this morning

Mature Eland Bull taken in Tanzania, at 100 yards, with 375 H&H, 300gr, Federal Premium Expanding bullet.

20231012_145809~2.jpg
 
Top