An African Dilemma......Hmmm....What to Use?

[Shootist43]

Is the 8 x 68 and the 8 x 68S the same cartridge? I just looked up loads for the 8 x 68S and it looks to me like a 35 Whelen with 225 Gr Bullets at 2800fps has it beat. Just slightly mind you, but anything you can take with a 6 x 68S you can take with the 35 Whelen. So it too, could be a one rifle battery.

 

[IvW]

Is the 8 x 68 and the 8 x 68S the same cartridge? I just looked up loads for the 8 x 68S and it looks to me like a 35 Whelen with 225 Gr Bullets at 2800fps has it beat. Just slightly mind you, but anything you can take with a 6 x 68S you can take with the 35 Whelen. So it too, could be a one rifle battery.

Same thing.

The 8 x 68S will beat the 35 Whelen in the field as it shoots a slightly smaller diameter bullet with a higher SD and BC in the same weight at higher velocity. The 8 x 68S does its best work with heavier bullets at long range, a superb African cartridge for the job on the toughest African plains game.

Typical factory specs:
35 Whelen

225 gr (15 g) SBT 2,613 ft/s (796 m/s) 3,412 ft·lbf (4,626 J)

8 x 68S

14.5 g (224 gr) RWS KS 870 m/s (2,900 ft/s) 5,488 J (4,048 ft·lbf)

Both are excellent cartridges and good choices as one rifle battery, for larger game out to longer range, and as you mention they can take the same animals, but I would personally give the 8 x 68S the nod ahead of the 35 Whelen.

 

[Shootist43]

We might be looking at different ballistic tables. Mine showed 225 gr bullets out of the Whelen at 2800 fps and 220 gr bullets out of the 8x68S at 2700fps. Either way the nod goes, the difference is very slight. I wouldn't sell either one to buy the other. If I had both as the case is here, it would be a matter of which gun I shot the best or enjoyed shooting the most.

 

[AlphaHunter]

For plains game, anything from .270 to .30 due to the distance you shoot. I shot a springbok in the Freestate at 946mts (heart shot) with a .308 using 150gr FMJ to prevent meat damage. On your list, the most appropriate for game up to kudu is the 7x57. For bigger game, from Eland to buffalo, I would recommend 375 H&H. 375 is very manageable and fast for a follow up shot on dangerous game. Very popular in South Africa.

 

[8x68]

We might be looking at different ballistic tables. Mine showed 225 gr bullets out of the Whelen at 2800 fps and 220 gr bullets out of the 8x68S at 2700fps. Either way the nod goes, the difference is very slight. I wouldn't sell either one to buy the other. If I had both as the case is here, it would be a matter of which gun I shot the best or enjoyed shooting the most.

2800fps for the 225gr bullet seems a tad high. Sierra 7th edition lists max velocity out of a 26" bbl is 2700fps. Which table/manual are you using?
8x68 velocity with 200gr Woodleigh's is as listed. What's impressive is the Woodleigh 250gr RNSP in the 8x68 is going 2600fps+ at the muzzle. That's some serious thump for an non magnum 8mm bullet I would say.
I think at distance the 8x68 would have the edge.

 

[8x68]

Playing with ideas. I'm sure everything has been "done to death" but I had thought about taking the 404 Jeffery case and necking it down to .323. First off is it possible, and secondly would be ending up with basically a 8x68?

 

[8x68]

I think the 35 Whelen and 8x68S are both great cartridge choices. They are just as accurate as each other. I would lean towards the 8x68 as the more classy choice. It also allows the ability to reach out there a little further and touch someone. Kinda like showing up at the range and people ask "whatcha got today?" You reply a 35 Whelen (most nod their heads) and then you say 8x68. Most will look at you as if you just blew a dog whistle (head canted to one side, brow furrowed, with a quizzical look). Then you have to 'splain them Lucy'

 

[jacques smith]

I believe I have a solution to your enviable problem. First rather than necking down the 404 Jeff you simply sell it to me. Second use the 375 HH if it is in fact what you shoot the best. Most important laugh and enjoy

 

[8x68]

I believe I have a solution to your enviable problem. First rather than necking down the 404 Jeff you simply sell it to me. Second use the 375 HH if it is in fact what you shoot the best. Most important laugh and enjoy

Uh..........NO! It be mine, mine, mine I tell ya. LOL
My 404 wont be going anywhere......well hopefully to Africa...er....with me.
I was just curious as to whether or not it's been done and what kind of ballistics one could get from it. 404-8 sounds interesting.

 

[jacques smith]

Oh come on u can lose one little rifle. If u miss it too much I'll loan it back to u for Africa or I'll loan u my sako375 HH or my Dakota arms 400 HH. What ever u decide GO to Africa and use something

 

[Shootist43]

2800fps for the 225gr bullet seems a tad high. Sierra 7th edition lists max velocity out of a 26" bbl is 2700fps. Which table/manual are you using?
8x68 velocity with 200gr Woodleigh's is as listed. What's impressive is the Woodleigh 250gr RNSP in the 8x68 is going 2600fps+ at the muzzle. That's some serious thump for an non magnum 8mm bullet I would say.
I think at distance the 8x68 would have the edge.

I used Nosler Data. They show two loads at 2800 fps and above. the first is 60.5 Gr. of Varget for 2800, and 59 Gr of 4064 for 2805 fps. I use the latter & my Whelen loves it.

 

[BenH2016]

All those guns and no 30-06?

I'm also a big CZ fan, love the no frills reliability they can offer.

Those are mine in the pic, from left: zkk600 in 30-06, cz550 in 416 Rigby and a cz 527 in 22 hornet.

 

[Shootist43]

I like the look of the wood on the 416 Rigby.