Why a .338 WM in Africa?

[DLSJR]

I’ve been hunting with a .338 win mag as the primary rifle I use since 1985. I’ve taken my .338 to Africa 6 or 7 times. Anytime I take 2 rifles, my .338 is always one of them. My normal 2-gun battery is my .338 & .416.

With proper bullets, there’s not much you can’t do with a .338.

 

[CZDiesel]

I’ve been hunting with a .338 win mag as the primary rifle I use since 1985. I’ve taken my .338 to Africa 6 or 7 times. Anytime I take 2 rifles, my .338 is always one of them. My normal 2-gun battery is my .338 & .416.

With proper bullets, there’s not much you can’t do with a .338.

On a side note @DLSJR THAT IS AN INCREDIBLE Eland!!! Did you take it with your 338WinMag?

 

[DLSJR]

On a side note @DLSJR THAT IS AN INCREDIBLE Eland!!! Did you take it with your 338WinMag?

CZ, thank you for the kind words about the Eland. I was fortunate that the first Eland bull we saw was that old fellow.

No, I only took my .375 H&H to Cameroon last year. I’d just had it built in 2023, took it to the Selous in August with my son but never used it. I shot my .338 & .416 in the Selous, so really wanted to give my .375 a good go, so took only that gun on my LDE hunt. The .338 would have done just as well. I now have a problem as the .338 & .375 are both fantastic rifles. I love both of them.

 

[rookhawk]

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

I have no idea why a .338 either. If you're an Alaskan or a western hunter that already owns that rifle and you trust it, maybe you'd have a favorable bias towards it.

Not legal for dangerous game. Needlessly big for most plains game. In general, I recommend people compose a 2 or 3 gun safari that looks like this:

Always a 375HH, your hunt continues no matter if you're hunting Klippspringer or Elephant due to the backup 375HH. If hunting dangerous game, bring a 470NE or a 500Jeff as primary. If hunting plains game, bring a 7x57 or similar as primary.

The 338WM doesn't give you redundancy if your rifle fails, only a 375HH can do that.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I don't own one, but I really do think a .35 Whelen would be a tremendous round for the Limpopo country I hunted in 2 years ago (and again next month!)

I'm not complaining about my .300 WM shooting 200 grain bullets, good stuff. I shot 8 animals, the only shot over 100 yards was a Gemsbok at 225-250. A double lung hit, he ran about 200 yards and tipped over dead.

Most animals fell down where they were hit, but some were at tough angles in brush and I think a bigger bore and heavier bullet would be best at putting them down on the spot. I don't like to track, if I have to I want a large exit wound leaving a nice blood trail.

I am almost 60 and I don't like anymore recoil. I'd gladly shoot a .338 WM for plains game, but I think a .35 Whelen would do the same job with less recoil. I don't own either one, so take this for what it is worth. I'm not near the rifle buff that most on this forum are, but I think a lot of larger caliber non-magnums (such as .358 Winchester or .338 Federal) that would be great in the Limpopo shooting big stuff. Hell, a .45-70 would be poison for a lot of the hunting I encountered.

I'm done. Buy yourself a .338 and tell us how it worked !

@Stormy Kromer
The 35 Whelen is a mild mannered tower of power with a good range of bullets that provides a lot of punch from up close to way out yonder.
@Rick HOlbert took a 358 Win to Africa and everything he shot fell down. He loads 225gn north fork that have more penetration than you will ever need. He has been loading 225gn Woodleigh rnsp to try and low and behold they have exactly the same poi at 100yds.
Don't let anyone tell you they are only good short range bush cartridges. The little 358 is fine for 300 yds and the Whelen can add another 150yds into that.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

All this talk about hunting Africa with a 338 wimpchester or bigger is pretty much a waste of time.
I hunted with my Whelen as some of you know. Yes its performance could not be faulted, it performed very well with all one shot kills.
BUT
In hindsight dare I say it my sons 308 killed everything he shot just as dead as my Whelen, and the others using a 300 Winchester magnum and a 270wsm.
The humble little 308 to me is about ideal for 99% of plains game. Light weight, handy and kills game efficiently. If'n I get the chance to return to Namibia I would leave my Whelen at home and take my sons 308 loaded with 159gn accubonds at 2,900fps and be quite happy doing so.
Bob

 

[dogcat1]

I do like the .308...

 

[Houston Bill]

All this talk about hunting Africa with a 338 wimpchester or bigger is pretty much a waste of time.
I hunted with my Whelen as some of you know. Yes its performance could not be faulted, it performed very well with all one shot kills.
BUT
In hindsight dare I say it my sons 308 killed everything he shot just as dead as my Whelen, and the others using a 300 Winchester magnum and a 270wsm.
The humble little 308 to me is about ideal for 99% of plains game. Light weight, handy and kills game efficiently. If'n I get the chance to return to Namibia I would leave my Whelen at home and take my sons 308 loaded with 159gn accubonds at 2,900fps and be quite happy doing so.
Bob

I think you are correct about the old and often maligned 308 WIN. My 3 kids used Tikka rifles in 308 WIN for their hunts in Africa and the caliber never failed, and most were one shot kills. I hand loaded 180 gr Nosler Accubonds and the rifle shot better than 1 MOA. They took everything from impala/blesbok sized game all the way up to Kudu/wildebeest/zebra. They also shot a few big, 7 ft plus, black bears with the rifle.

With a good shot placement and a penetrating premium bullet there is not much you can't take with the good old 308 WIN

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I hunted with my Whelen as some of you know.

Some?

 

[Michael70]

@Rimshot
So far you haven't told me the use of the 338.
With a nice 225gn accubond @2,900fps the Whelen will happily reach out past 400yds
Your 9.3x74 is a grand old cartridge
You can call the 338 the 8.3 creedmore but that doesn't make it any better
Bob

Hi Bob,

I like the 35 Whelen and am considering this for a new rifle project but cannot reconcile the velocities that have been cited on here several times.

My understanding is that the 338 Winchester Mag is a significant step up from the Whelen, like 300+ fps in most bullet weights. Although the velocities that you have quoted are more in line with Win Mag numbers than Whelen.

This is from a simple google search:

Federal currently produce two loads for the Whelen. Federals light weight load features the 200 grain Fusion bonded bullet at an advertised 2800fps for 2730fps in 24” barrels and 2660fps in 22” barrels. Federals heavy load features the 225 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw at a true 2600fps from a 24” barrel and 2540fps in 22” barrels

Even with careful handloading, I doubt that you can exceed the 225-grain load by another 300 fps.

Am I missing something here? Hopefully so, as producing these deadly loads from reformed 30/06 cases is very enticing. looking to make a specialist scrub gun for sambar and maybe the odd (small) buff.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Here we go.

 

[Huvius]

“2. Go with the 338 Win Mag as your primary rifle and step one of your 375's up to a 416 or 458“

I’ve thought of this quite a bit.
Today, the 375 seems to be in something of a no man’s land.
Not really needed for anything smaller than Buffalo and not the best thing for buffalo or bigger.
Most say it’s an all-round rifle but maybe it’s just too much for most hunting and not really enough for the rest…

The 338 may actually be the better choice for everything non big and dangerous.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

“2. Go with the 338 Win Mag as your primary rifle and step one of your 375's up to a 416 or 458“

I’ve thought of this quite a bit.
Today, the 375 seems to be in something of a no man’s land.
Not really needed for anything smaller than Buffalo and not the best thing for buffalo or bigger.
Most say it’s an all-round rifle but maybe it’s just too much for most hunting and not really enough for the rest…

The 338 may actually be the better choice for everything non big and dangerous.

Hmm. Well I went to Mozambique this past summer with a .470NE double and my .375HH as a backup DG gun and a PG gun. I really can't think of a better two gun battery for the circumstances.

Was the .375HH "too much" for the Red Duikers I shot? Certainly, but not when loaded with solids and a .338 would've made what difference? The .375 certainly wasn't too much for the Waterbuck and Kudu killed. More than necessary perhaps, but It works great as it did on a previous trip to Uganda on impala, bushbuck, zebra and another Waterbuck.

If on a purely PG hunt, well then a .375 isn't really necessary. But until the shots get long and the critters small, it holds its own.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I never thought I needed a 338 WM till now myself. In process of makeover of a New Haven Winchester 70 Classic Sporter that found its way to me. It will be used on 2027 Zim trip for Leopard and PG with 458 Lott for DG. Now to decide and find the right ammo for it.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I never thought I needed a 338 WM till now myself. In process of makeover of a New Haven Winchester 70 Classic Sporter that found its way to me. It will be used on 2027 Zim trip for Leopard and PG with 458 Lott for DG. Now to decide and find the right ammo for it.

Mark, I know you are in the gun and ammo biz, so my suggesting another vendor might seem odd. However, there is a great deal to be had from a supplier in the Ft Worth area. At less than $40/box, this is a great deal. I bought 5 boxes recently, ordered it last Thursday morning and received it Friday evening. I hope to get to the range on Friday and try it out in my 338 WM. I plan to use this for my leopard hunt in July.

Norma ORYX .338 Win Mag CASE 230 Grain Bonded Soft Point - 200 Rounds (CASE) 20185112

Norma ORYX .338 Win Mag 230gr BPS: Outstanding for large game and designed for deep penetration and controlled expansion. 200 Ct. Case.

kirammo.com

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Mark, I know you are in the gun and ammo biz, so my suggesting another vendor might seem odd. However, there is a great deal to be had from a supplier in the Ft Worth area. At less than $40/box, this is a great deal. I bought 5 boxes recently, ordered it last Thursday morning and received it Friday evening. I hope to get to the range on Friday and try it out in my 338 WM. I plan to use this for my leopard hunt in July.

Norma ORYX .338 Win Mag CASE 230 Grain Bonded Soft Point - 200 Rounds (CASE) 20185112

Norma ORYX .338 Win Mag 230gr BPS: Outstanding for large game and designed for deep penetration and controlled expansion. 200 Ct. Case.

kirammo.com

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Going to try that load in rifle also.
I can get at same price or less
But thanks for the info and good luck on your hunt.
Right now I have Barnes 225 and Hornady CX to try. I really wanted Nosler 250 Partition but it seems non existent

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hi Bob,

I like the 35 Whelen and am considering this for a new rifle project but cannot reconcile the velocities that have been cited on here several times.

My understanding is that the 338 Winchester Mag is a significant step up from the Whelen, like 300+ fps in most bullet weights. Although the velocities that you have quoted are more in line with Win Mag numbers than Whelen.

This is from a simple google search:

Federal currently produce two loads for the Whelen. Federals light weight load features the 200 grain Fusion bonded bullet at an advertised 2800fps for 2730fps in 24” barrels and 2660fps in 22” barrels. Federals heavy load features the 225 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw at a true 2600fps from a 24” barrel and 2540fps in 22” barrels

Even with careful handloading, I doubt that you can exceed the 225-grain load by another 300 fps.

Am I missing something here? Hopefully so, as producing these deadly loads from reformed 30/06 cases is very enticing. looking to make a specialist scrub gun for sambar and maybe the odd (small) buff.

@Michael70
You are definitely missing something mate
Speers loads with CFE 223 of 65gn will give you 2,700 fps with a 250gn bullet
Sierra lists 70 gn of CFE 223 will give the 225gn game king 2,900fps
Work up to 69 gn of the same with the Nosler 225gn accubond for a similar velocity..
With proper handloads the Whelen can be made perform how it was designed
You can even safely get the 310s safely to over 2,400 fps with H4350.
Loads like that turn the Whelen into a 400+ yd rifle
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hi Bob,

I like the 35 Whelen and am considering this for a new rifle project but cannot reconcile the velocities that have been cited on here several times.

My understanding is that the 338 Winchester Mag is a significant step up from the Whelen, like 300+ fps in most bullet weights. Although the velocities that you have quoted are more in line with Win Mag numbers than Whelen.

This is from a simple google search:

Federal currently produce two loads for the Whelen. Federals light weight load features the 200 grain Fusion bonded bullet at an advertised 2800fps for 2730fps in 24” barrels and 2660fps in 22” barrels. Federals heavy load features the 225 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw at a true 2600fps from a 24” barrel and 2540fps in 22” barrels

Even with careful handloading, I doubt that you can exceed the 225-grain load by another 300 fps.

Am I missing something here? Hopefully so, as producing these deadly loads from reformed 30/06 cases is very enticing. looking to make a specialist scrub gun for sambar and maybe the odd (small) buff.

@Michael70
225gn Sierra SPBTGK

310gn Woodleigh RNSP

Bob

 

[roklok]

@Michael70
You are definitely missing something mate
Speers loads with CFE 223 of 65gn will give you 2,700 fps with a 250gn bullet
Sierra lists 70 gn of CFE 223 will give the 225gn game king 2,900fps
Work up to 69 gn of the same with the Nosler 225gn accubond for a similar velocity..
With proper handloads the Whelen can be made perform how it was designed
You can even safely get the 310s safely to over 2,400 fps with H4350.
Loads like that turn the Whelen into a 400+ yd rifle
Bob

What length barrel ? I bought my first .35 Whelen in 1992 and have hunted with it ever since. For the past 30ish years my load was a 250 grain Nosler partition at 2530ish FPS. I have killed moose to 400 yards with this load. I recently decided to try the CFE223 powder I have been reading so much about. With a 225 TSX I am right at 2690 FPS with 66 g CFE223. In Remington brass this is a slightly compressed load, and pressure about as far as I want to push it. I have a 22 inch barrel. To get another 200 FPS I would need a fair bit longer barrel. I am happy with this load, accuracy is spectacular, but I was expecting a bit more velocity before maxing out load from everything I have been reading.

 

[VINOYASADO]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen