Cajun Hunter
AH senior member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2022
- Messages
- 73
- Reaction score
- 145
- Location
- Grosse Tête, Louisiana
- Member of
- SCI NRA
- Hunted
- Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa
Just walked out of the gunroom where I was loading ammo for the next trip which happens in June. I was struck by the thought that I may have happed upon the best all around cartridge for hunting the Dark Continent. I realize that heretofore the .375 H&H has been the holder of that position with some reservations and everyone certainly has an opinion. I am just sharing my thoughts and experiences in hope to help some of our new hunters in choosing their equipment. I have no doubt that I will get considerable push back on this. Anyway, here goes.
The caliber I am speaking of is the .358 STA with which I have taken large numbers of plains game from Eland down to the smaller stuff. I have also taken Elephant, Hippo, Buffalo and Lion with it so have a high degree of confidence in it for big stuff where it is legal to use it. It definitely qualifies in the countries where restrictions are based on horsepower and not caliber diameter. I am not going to to get into technical details but will tell you that it out performs the .375 with 300 or 310 grain bullets. It can be loaded with 200 grain fodder and will shoot as flat as a 7mm mag. for hunting in areas where long shots are needed.
I have had trips where I have taken the .338 Win. and have taken a Buffalo with it but the power difference is considerable especially if you get into a situation where you may need it. The recoil on the .358 is noticeable especially with the 300 grain ammo so may not be suitable for folks hunting plain game only. There is also the issue that it is still pretty much a Wildcat caliber although some rifle makers have and are chambering for it. Brass and loaded ammo is available. Quality 35 caliber bullets abound and I use Swift, Barnes and Woodleigh’s on the big critters and Nosler and Hornadys on smaller stuff. Another downside of the .358 that I should mention is; you will not find ammo in country so make sure to take enough for your trip.
I’ll leave you with this : If I had only one rifle to hunt here and in Africa it would be most likely be chambered in .358STA
The caliber I am speaking of is the .358 STA with which I have taken large numbers of plains game from Eland down to the smaller stuff. I have also taken Elephant, Hippo, Buffalo and Lion with it so have a high degree of confidence in it for big stuff where it is legal to use it. It definitely qualifies in the countries where restrictions are based on horsepower and not caliber diameter. I am not going to to get into technical details but will tell you that it out performs the .375 with 300 or 310 grain bullets. It can be loaded with 200 grain fodder and will shoot as flat as a 7mm mag. for hunting in areas where long shots are needed.
I have had trips where I have taken the .338 Win. and have taken a Buffalo with it but the power difference is considerable especially if you get into a situation where you may need it. The recoil on the .358 is noticeable especially with the 300 grain ammo so may not be suitable for folks hunting plain game only. There is also the issue that it is still pretty much a Wildcat caliber although some rifle makers have and are chambering for it. Brass and loaded ammo is available. Quality 35 caliber bullets abound and I use Swift, Barnes and Woodleigh’s on the big critters and Nosler and Hornadys on smaller stuff. Another downside of the .358 that I should mention is; you will not find ammo in country so make sure to take enough for your trip.
I’ll leave you with this : If I had only one rifle to hunt here and in Africa it would be most likely be chambered in .358STA
