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dose any one here think or know how the 338 lapua would handle in africa and what game could be taken with it |
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Like any other High velocity 338 (ie 340 Wby Magnum). I would suggest the use of a really Sout, well constructed bullet. I would say that they would work OK but I wouldn't necessarily say it is an Elephant gun. Have you fired one off the Shoulder ? They have alot of recoil. Unless you want to shoot at game at long range from a Bipod. 500 Nitro |
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i dont actually own or want one nor could i afford to go to africa i was just wondering how it would go |
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Except for elephant, buffalo, rhino, and hippo there really isn't anything in Africa (or the world) that you couldn't take with a 338 Lapua.......... AD |
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IMHO it would do nicely on buffalo as well if legal |
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i assumed as much but just wanted to know for sure |
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What Allen Day said. But I have a hard time understanding why anyone would want to use such a longrange/military sniper cartridge in Africa, where most game is shot relativly up close. It kind of turns the "hunting" into "shooting" IMO. Erik |
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ErikD I agree - it would be turning hunting into shooting, after all, the whole purpose of the 338 Lapua was to kill people at long range through man made material / glass. 500 Nitro |
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i will say it again i dont actually own or want one nor could i afford to go to africa i was just wondering how it would go |
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Since you don't own a 338 Lapua, I'll also state that I think you can get the same jobs done in Africa with a 338 Win. Mag. and not have to contend with as much recoil and muzzle blast, not to mention hard-to-find ammo, long barrels, a limited selection of rifles, etc. 'More' ain't always better.......... AD |
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Quote: Saw this old post recently.. made me smile.. I do own one.. would be similar to shooting a .338 Win Mag..albeit a bit more velocity.. would highly suggest a very sturdy heavy for caliber bullet .. Swift A-Frame or similar.. Would hammer pretty much everything you can shoot over there.. I would not hesitate one bit shooting a buffalo with one.. although probably no legal per the caliber restrictions.. I used my 300RUM with 200gr A-Frames on hippo and croc while there last time along with a very large eland, zebra,and leopard..all 1 shot kills.. |
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I think a lot would depend on the type and style of rifle. A few years ago William Evans in London had a very nice big game rifle in a 338 and I recall it was 338 Lapua Magnum. It handled like a proper big game rifle, and I have no doubt it would do just about the same job as the same rifle with .375 diameter hole down the middle. But in many African jurisdictions you need a min of 9.3mm diameter for any of the big five, so why choose a 338 Lapua over a 9.3 or 375. That William Evans would be a great rifle were longer shots are needed on say Brown Bear's, Moose etc in Europe or North America. But many 338 Lapua Magnum are built as long range sniper rifles - think Accuracy International etc. They are built to be shot from a rested position - usually prone off a bipod - and are usually carried in rucksack type harness / drag bag. Not sure that I would want to carry one very far, especially not in the hot African bush. A few here in Scotland have 338 Lapua Mags - ideal for shooting gongs at 1,000m and the odd red deer way out on the open hill. Personally for Africa, the 375 H&H would be the go to calibre for a very good all round rifle if you wanted something bigger than 7x57 / 30-06 class of rifle. |
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I don't understand the point of one for Africa. However cartridges like the Weatherbys, the .330 Dakota etc how much different is the velocities for these sorts of cartridges. No doubt a 300 gr .338 could kill buffalo, elephatn etc A wankie sniper looking rifle, no way. A nice safari classic .338 Lapua with say a 26 inch barrel, who would notice the difference? So why not a .50 BMG for Africa?! |
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Quote: Agree..see no need for one.. and yes, the .375H&H would make a nice all around choice..although not my first choice for DG.. but minimum for being in areas like Zim. PG or otherwise.... to many close calls while there.. Personally prefer the .416.. but each to their own.. |
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In RSA, My .338 Win Mag made one shot kills on all plains game, including Eland. Shot factory Winchester 230 grain ammo and the performance was very good - accurate and deadly. Nothing larger needed for plains game. Proud of my 150 yard shot that dropped a trotting Gemsbok - shot through both shoulders. I have take a cape buff with my .405 and I would feel confident taking Cape Buff with .338 Win Mag. My PH was impressed with the cartridge and with my Ruger 77 rifle. |
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I know of a person who used a 338RUM in Africa for plains game. All one shot kills. To my knowledge no one has used them as a long range snipping rifle in Africa. I would like to use my 358RUM on Ele. It is legal in Namibia. They have an energy figure not a calibre restriction. I have use it on Springbok, Zebra and Giraffe. The Zebra, was for me a long range shot, over 200 mts. Heart shot but still ran over 400mts before dropping.Did I need it the 358RUM, No. Did I like using it , my bloody oath. |
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A slow-move .333 jeffery does it all. |
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Quote: Whenever I have used my 338RUM on elk, it has never required more than one shot.. it is a devastating cartridge... |