ORIGINAL: nksmfamjp
Another secret to keep from Ruger lovers. . .I don't want a rimless, beltless cartridge in my Africa gun. I want a big bullet, pushed by a big cartridge, which will feed in a dirty gun everytime,which I can be sure will go off when the primer hits it. The only way to ensure it goes off is by positive headspacing with a rim or belted magnum. The feeding comes from a large overly tapered case filled with mild to normal powder at normal pressures. A stuck case or case split can get you killed in Africa, or even with Grizzley bears. Excessive taper helps feed. It allows the catridge to displace when it meets grit.
New fangled cartridges like 300 WSM, 375 Ruger have no place in a gun to be used where your game likes to eat you, even if your guide/PH has a double in 577 NE.
Well, I am not sure that Itotally agree that a belt or rim is essential for African use, but am more inclined to concur when takling about doubles. However, in the case of magazine riflesfor dangerous game, the opposite is true. IF your bolt action is of the CRF variety with a big ol' Mauser 98-type claw extractor, it is no more likely to cause trouble using beltless, rimless cases than isa double with rimmed ammo. As a matter of fact, using a rimmed case in a bolt-actionrifle can cause a serious problem, if the rim of the top cartridge in the magazine happens to get BEHIND the rim on the one under it during a fast reload! This can, and has, happened.
PH's in Africa have been using magazine rifles for well over 100 years in addition to the doubles, which many PH's cannot afford. One who usedWinchester Model 70's for years was Finn Aagard, a knowledgeable PH if ever there was one!
I have also been told that when it comes to a double, a belted case is NOT equivalent to a rimmed one as regards reliable extraction. I don't knoiw what to think about this assertion. I have a Heym O/U with a .30/'06 barrel under the 20-ga., and have never had a lick of trouble with extraction of fired '06 brass! If I did, I'd change the ejector and use 7X65R cases to make into 7.62X63R cases.
But, I will admit that I have not used it in Africa. However, it seems to me that the days of true safaris like those of Karamojo Bell and T.R. are 100 years in the past. Nowadays, one hunting in Africa is no more likely to have a weapon put out of commission by harsh environmental conditions than is a person pursuing grizzly bearsin the Brooks Range - in fact, a lot less likely!!