What's your favorite cartridge for hunting Africa? Up to 2 choices.

[hed43]

What's your favorite cartridge for hunting Africa?
This can be for hunting plains game and/or dangerous game under whatever circumstances you foresee using that cartridge under: the open country of the Kalahari, the thicker brush of the bushveld, the jungle of central Africa, the mountains of Ethiopia, whatever. Furthermore, in recognition of the fact that it's possible to bring multiple rifles on safari, you can select up to two cartridges in this poll. Visiting hunters, native Africans, and Professional Hunters are all welcome to respond.
I can only provide a maximum of 20 choices in the poll, so just reply if your preferred cartridge isn't listed.

 

[Sourdough]

You are missing the two best Dangerous Game cartridges. The 475 No 2 and the 450 No 2.

 

[FlowHamed18]

I can't believe I'm the first one voting for the .404 Jeff...
What's wrong with you

 

[Tundra Tiger]

My 2 trips saw me use: .338 Marlin Express, .300 Savage, .45-70... my future trips will likely see those as possibilities as well.

 

[Hogpatrol]

No quarter bores? Oh, the humanity!

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

.500 Jeffery & .416 Rigby
.500: Heavy Dangerous Game
.416: Great Cats, Back Up for Heavy DG, and General Purpose Plains Game.
Plan to bring my .470 NE into battery.

 

[BeeMaa]

375H&H.

Travel light with just one rifle and hunt more. 300 grain Woodliegh Hydro for elephant, T10 and when the PH says to load them. 300 grain Barnes TSX for everything else.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

30-06 and 404 Jeffery. The only two calibers in my safe (for guns that shoot) so the choice was an easy one. If you asked for my two African "dream cartridges" the answer would be the same. I'm happy with what I have.

 

[Captain Munro]

Zero practical experience here. But the romantic in me would pair a 404J with a 300 H&H (or a 416 Rigby with a 318 WR...or a 450NE with a 300 H&H...)

 

[Datchew]

375H&H.

Travel light with just one rifle and hunt more. 300 grain Woodliegh Hydro for elephant, T10 and when the PH says to load them. 300 grain Barnes TSX for everything else.

I took this route despite having a 300wm barrel on my rifle.

The 375 h&h grouped so tightly (less than an inch at 200 yards!!!) I used it for everything. Such a great cartridge.

I'm a 270 grain tsx guy as I like a little more velocity and slightly less drop but what's 10% amongst friends?

 

[MS 9x56]

Only 2 votes for 7x57? Have you people no sense of tradition?

 

[sgt_zim]

Only 2 votes for 7x57? Have you people no sense of tradition?

I'd vote for it if I owned one, but since I own a 9.3x62 and a 404J, that's what I voted for.

 

[Kevin375]

.300 Winchester magnum and .458 Lott.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
And
7x57mm Mauser

I would be totally content swapping out the 7x57mm Mauser for a .30-06 Springfield, however.

 

[BFaucett]

My votes: .30-06 and 9.3x62. (I've never hunted dangerous game.)

With an honorable mention to the 8x57JS. I think it pairs very well with the 9.3x62.

Cheers! Bob F.

 

[HunterX]

I haven’t been to Africa, but when I go it will be a .318 WR Nitro Express and a 404J. The second time I go it will be a 275 Rigby and 416 Taylor. And if I am lucky enough to go a third time a 9.3x62 Renner Old African and a 425 WR take down rifle.

 

[Bonk]

300H&H and 375H&H

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

For me I take 2 -3 rifles each trip, depending on what I am hunting. 375HH always goes, if big DG on menu then 458 Lott, if no DG then 300 win mag. If it’s a mixture of DG, culling and trophy hunting all 3.

 

[Fatback]

416 Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag, seems to be the most practical for me. Seems a shame to leave out so many other cartridges though, especially the 375H&H

 

[Doug3006]

300 H&H is not included in your list. It should be, 416 Rigby is my next favorite.