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And a little conversation before the hunt
I remember in 2000-2001 I bought a Rem 700 BDL Stainless w/laminate stock in 300 RUM. Pretty rifle. I'd been shooting 7 Rem Mag for many years before that. It's recoil didn't bother me in the least. Shot a couple friend's Sako 300 win mag's. I didn't notice much difference between them and 7 mag. 7 mag was a Ruger MKl and later MkII. The first time I shot the 300 RUM . They were 180 gr. Loads. WOW ! I shot 3 shots. Screw this. I called Magnaport . Sent riflr in and had a Magnabrake made for it. He said it would cut recoil 40%. Be about like a 308. He was correct. A dream to shoot. I had the one buddy shoot my RUM with out brake. He said can't be much more than his 300 Winnie. He was surprised. I screwed brake on. He shot it. He said holy s**t ! ( He did same thing with his Ruger Redhawk and my S&W 460) Hello ! Later on he got a Kimber Mtn. rifle in 300 WSM. He said recoil was brutal . Told him to send to Magnaport. He was happy camper after that. There weren't a lot of choices around back then for muzzle brakes if I remember correctly. I love them now. I have them on 300 RUM, 300 Win Mag, Rem 7 Mag and 6.5 PRC.
That discussion is best had BEFORE the hunt, not after the bear is down.
I have a theory on this cartridge selection question. Since I've hunted both Africa and the Arctic climates, I believe the cartridge requirements differ between the two. Africa = warm to hot weather, usually. Arctic = cold. So I use 'tropical' designs in Africa, (416 Rigby, 375 H&H) and cold designs in the Arctic - 416 Remington and 375 Ruger. There is a difference, and it can make a difference in big, biting animals. When it's time. - you really want those big boys to fire!
It is primarily powder choices by the ammo manufacturer + plus the pressure strategy of the cartridge designer. Those old Africa cartridges were built right after the end of the black powder era. Pressures had to be low. The guns weren't built with modern materials. This is the same issue with old and new 45/70 guns. There is 45/70 ammo for old school guns and newer ammo for guns like the Marlin Guide guns. The 416 REM and 375R are loaded to much higher pressures - and will reliably light in cold weather.
I may not know what I am talking about, but I think you just defeated your own argument. A modern 45/70 vs an old one, is not different than a modern 375H&H than an old one. Beter materials, machining, and depending on what action you get, much higher pressure. That is just based on your premise.
What you missed, though, is that the old African stuff is still loaded for the old African guns, not 'new' ones.
Not if you load your own, which a lot of us do. I have never hunted with factory ammo in any of my magnum rifles
Then you've got it covered!
