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7RM conversion: 358 Norma Magnum or 375 H&H

Late-Bloomer
I'm preparing myself for my next African Safari and although I'll be hunting Plains Game primarily again, we'll be 10 days up in Bushmanland and up near the Caprivi Strip.

I hunted last year in Central Namibia with my 98 Mauser 30-06 but this time I want to take something a bit different and with a bit more stopping power! It may be still too small but I'd feel a lot better with either of these as we'll be amongst some much more dangerous game to say the least....[:D]

I have a Mauser 98 7RM that's never been bloodied before and I wanted to do a semi-custom job on it either in 358 Norma Magnum or 375 H&H...

Shouldn't it be just a tube job on either?

And could anyone take me to school as usual in a COMPARISON of these two fine calibers... the 358 NM and 375 H&H
Aloha!

Roland
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Tailgunner1954
    What are you going after? Some countries list the 9.3x63/375H&H as the minimum for DG.
    The 358NM is the same length as your 7mmRM, however the 375H&H is much longer and would require extensive work to make it cycle through the action.

    7mm RM 3.27 OAL
    358 NM 3.27 OAL
    375 H&H 3.58 OAL

    The H&H length is a true "Magnum" length, while the 300 WM length is considered to be the original "short mag" (note that they are the same length as a "standard" 30-06 cartridge) length.

    Edit, the above lengths are taken from factory cartridges, not SAAMI spec
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  • Late-Bloomer
    quote:Originally posted by Tailgunner1954
    What are you going after? Some countries list the 9.3x63/375H&H as the minimum for DG.
    The 358NM is the same length as your 7mmRM, however the 375H&H is much longer and would require extensive work to make it cycle through the action.

    7mm RM 3.27 OAL
    358 NM 3.27 OAL
    375 H&H 3.58 OAL

    The H&H length is a true "Magnum" length, while the 300 WM length is considered to be the original "short mag" (note that they are the same length as a "standard" 30-06 cartridge) length.

    Edit, the above lengths are taken from factory cartridges, not SAAMI spec



    Thank you my friend...

    After doing a bit more research today I've found that I should just go with the 358 Norma Magnum as that is what I desired originally...It should be a simple tube job with some iron sights and that should be it with a Timney trigger!

    I just was thinking about the 375 H&H as a last moment consideration before I took the plunge...

    In Africa we'll be hunting a couple Oryx,Waterbuck,Zebra,and Warties along with a couple Wildebeest which I did not hunt last year...Also looking for a Haeyna if so fortunate...grins

    Then we'll head out to Canada a year later for Brown Bears.

    So basically this is what I'm building this 358NM rifle for only!

    Seems like its an in between round of the 338WM and the 375 H&H and a sweet shooting round too...all pluses in my book...[:D]

    It should be a fun build...[8D]

    Thanks a bunch for the reply I appreciate it!

    358 Norma has gotten the nod....[:D][:D][:D]
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  • Mobuck
    Make sure your ammo arrives with you as finding such a caliber in Africa might problematic. Also, some countries don't allow handloaded ammo to be imported. I think the 375 H&H may be too long for the magazine. The 358 NM is adequate for most any game anywhere it's legal.
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  • Hawkshaw
    Hey late Bloomer---I have a .358 Norma, that I built, on a win. 70 action. Nothing special, but it shoots under 1" with Nos 225 gr. partitions. It flattened a B C, moose a few years ago with 1 round to the shoulder quartering to me. Try it you'll like it. If you want to take me with you, I'll let you use it.!!!!! Good luck HAWKSHAW
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  • Late-Bloomer
    quote:Originally posted by Mobuck
    Make sure your ammo arrives with you as finding such a caliber in Africa might problematic. Also, some countries don't allow handloaded ammo to be imported. I think the 375 H&H may be too long for the magazine. The 358 NM is adequate for most any game anywhere it's legal.


    Thank you buddy I appreciate the heads-up and I know what you're talking about as been there done that you are correct!

    Thanks bro I appreciate the input!!!

    Aloha!

    Ro
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  • Late-Bloomer
    quote:Originally posted by Hawkshaw
    Hey late Bloomer---I have a .358 Norma, that I built, on a win. 70 action. Nothing special, but it shoots under 1" with Nos 225 gr. partitions. It flattened a B C, moose a few years ago with 1 round to the shoulder quartering to me. Try it you'll like it. If you want to take me with you, I'll let you use it.!!!!! Good luck HAWKSHAW


    Hey buddy..this is what a friend/acquaintance that I turned on to Africa this past year told me...he introduced this round to me and WOW is all I can say!!!

    I hunted the 165,000 acre property just 2 weeks before him to this day! We shot the same type and quality of trophy-sized animals...I had a 30-06 98 Mauser and my then 19 yr old son with a old Classic Sako 30-06 Finnbear both of us with 180 gr NP's our first hand-loads by the way! All one-shot kills but they ALL ran 30-40 yds and we were elated and stoked at the performance we had from the NP's...All shots perfectly placed!!!


    Then here comes uncle and all his shots just NAILED these beasts as LIGHTNING...5 animals of super proportions DRT...Phenomenol round indeed! All five animals he NAILED were DRT without even a step!...Geez, that kind of action just mesmerized me!!!

    I love the hunt and I love the intensity of the kill...I'm not a crazed MANIAC of some sort but I am one who loves to HIT something I'm aiming at with some AUTHORITY no doubt...In my mind if I'm going to do it then let's do it good!

    And I'm a wildlife conservationist first and then a big game hunter...If we're going to do it,,, Let's have at it good is my motto and I'm not abashed to say it!!!

    358 Norma Magnum is getting the nod right here and now for my needs on my next couple hunts!!!

    A lot of authority when putting the round in the right place no doubt!!!

    Thanks brother![:D]
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  • nononsense
    Late-Bloomer,

    Long time, buddy! Good to hear from you. Excellent news about going back to Africa.

    I thought I would spend a few minutes being a spoiler here with your question since it's been one-sided...

    The .375 H&H is probably THE classic cartridge when folks think about Africa and safaris. The drawback as pointed out though is the cartridge overall length. Your M98 will take some modifications in order use it correctly. These modifications just add to the overall cost of converting the rifle. It's been done for decades.

    Now if I couldn't take a .375 H&H with me, what would be the next best thing for consideration?

    The .375 Ruger:

    .375 Ruger_.375 H&H
    375_Ruger_375_H_H.jpg

    This cartridge is designed to fit the magazines of standard length actions and standard magnum bolts yet provide the velocity and energy of the classic .375 H&H. This would be the simple 'tube' replacement you are favoring. The best part of this is that the bullet selection is much greater, especially nowadays with the resurgence of all things .375" in the long range world.

    http://www.sportsafield.com/FAQ/375Ruger.htm

    http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/ruger375_080807/index2.html

    You know me, I'm just having some fun with you. The reading is good but there is nothing wrong with the .358 Norma Mag. at all. Remember to take some pictures so we can see the safari afterward. Enjoy the hunt!

    Best.
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  • Late-Bloomer
    quote:Originally posted by nononsense
    Late-Bloomer,

    Long time, buddy! Good to hear from you. Excellent news about going back to Africa.

    I thought I would spend a few minutes being a spoiler here....





    Hey, Hey, Hey....Yep, its been a long-time buddy it sure has!!!

    Been getting into wildlife/bird/nature photography for awhile now and trying to learn the ropes...[:D] I want to prepare myself in that regards for my next Safari as I fell in love with shooting these guys also with my CANON too....[8D]

    I appreciate all the info you shared here to throw one into the pile that I didn't consider before, but after doing much more research the 358 Norma is getting the nod...as its really the type of fire-power I'm looking for in these hunts...Its also a NOSTALGIC round too indeed off an M98 build, its TAME and a SWEET shooter packed with a lot of authority for my specific needs...

    If I were planning to shoot a Cape Buff I would definitely go bigger than all three of these for sure...[:D]....more like a 416 Taylor or 458WM or there abouts...[:D]

    Brother, its been nice again to re-connect once again here...you know that's the only time I come in when I'm looking to do a build on something, as I can count on you and the members here to get me situated on things! I don't know much about cartridges and the makings of the weapon...I just know I love to hunt with a TOOL that will get the job done in fine order with perfect bullet placement! Foremost, I like to be equipped with a weapon that I will be mightily fond of for years to come especially when I take her afield....[:D] I just love making DREAMS come true with me and my son!

    I appreciate it and when I complete this build I will post some pics here...I have a fine gunsmith in Texas and he's just completed the M98 30-06 rifle that I took to Africa last year and customized it! I'm very proud of that rifle as we've bestowed some honor to it for the next go around as well[:D]...

    God Bless you my friend and Aloha!

    Ro
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  • TWalker
    I think you'll like the 358 Norma Magnum. Mine is a Husqvarna and it is a great rifle. Very accurate and powerful. They are hard to beat.
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  • Late-Bloomer
    Thank you brother for the vote of confidence I appreciate it...[8D]

    I'm hearing of this Husqvarna more and more and as I understand one of three production rifles for this chambering made decades ago...Who knows maybe I'll get lucky tracking one down for sale by someone who has no need for it or could use the cash instead...Hmmm...Hmmm...Hmmm...sounds like an idea I may try to exhaust first....[:D]

    Aloha!

    Ro
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