I have actually sold three great rifles in order to purchase "one" Desired Rifle! Its only money, and Life is way too short! :) And really, we spend money on what we want to spend money on, right?
I used the 35 Whelen Ackley Improved on two Plains Game hunts, '96, 2002. I used the 250X/2550 fps and the second trip the 200X/2970 fps. Pure killers. I killed Kudu, 2 zebra, Black Wildebeast, Blue Wildebeast, Red Hartebeast, and Oryx. I was also trying out some loads with a friends 300WM...
On big animals, If my first (behind the shoulder here) shot doesn't stagger them pretty good, I'll put a second one in quick as I can. If they run, I will shoot them at any angle, so I like penetrating bullets. I have used Nosler since 80 and Barnes since 1990, but I am intrigued by the North...
I remember when the 8mm Rem Mag came out an a contractor at our job had one. His wife had an identical Mod 700 in 7mm Rem Mag. He said while it was brutal in recoil, it was a stone cold Texas WT and Javalina/hog killer, ha! He said he and his wife shot some Javalina around 400yds. The 7mm stayed...
I love the 340 Wby, used the 210 XBT on PG back in '98. It was fine on any antelope, including the big Namibian Gemsbok. However, I shot a big zebra mare on the point of the shoulder, angling toward me, around 125yds. It busted the big knuckle but stopped there. She ran ( dragging that leg) with...
In late '90s I had my Smith put a Lothar Walther barrel chambered for the 9.3x62 on a Winchester Classic PF. Made a great hunting rifle. I carried it on a couple of unsuccessful elk hunts then gave it to my Youth Minister. He shot a Spike elk with my handloaded 286 NPT like a Big Hammer! ha In...
I like the 375 H&H and "my favorite", the 375 Weatherby Mag! I have owned (one at a time of course) six , mostly Mod 700 BDL SS but two Whitworth Express 375s (had one Mod 700 reamed out to the Wby.) Those rifles were used by me and two friends on cow elk , a Warthog through the hips while...
At the time, that 30-30 was seen as a "Gee Wiz" killer! I grew up n Tx with a 30-30, my Father called it "The Big Gun". I had better shoot those deer/hogs with some sort of "meat saving" shot too! He was a WW2 Vet, fought in MacArthur's bunch. He didn't even consider a 30-06 for Hunting. Said...
Here, Cow Elk; South Africa, Zebra and Blue Wildebeast; Namibia, the big Gemsbuck; Texas, Deer, hogs, Exotics! Will throw in Coyotes...anytime anywhere! :)
That 35 Whelan I had with the 250X and 200X was just a cutter, would chop a big hole all the way through, two big holes. But Life is too short, been there, done that, no more 35s for me, but they will always be in my Rifleman's heart!
You just gotta love a 338 Win Mag! Its like a 30-06 of Medium Bores...everything "compares to it". With light Monos it can keep up with the Win Mags for flat/powerful and the 375 H&H with the 225-250 Powerhouses!
I shot my first batch of "Big Animals" in 1996. I shot a handful of deer sized, but shot 1 or each: Kudu, Red Hartebeast, South African Oryxz ( not super big) Blue Wildebeast and a big Zebra stallion. Used a 35 Whelen Ackley Improved/250X going 2600fps. It was like a hot knife in butter! Only...
You might talk with a hunting Consultant and find a good area and an Outfitter who has a Drop Camp. You could get set up pretty deep in the hills and Hike out from there. Plus get help with the meat when they come to pick you up.