(.275 member)

20/06/10 04:00 PM

SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

If you could take only one rifle for an African plains game only hunt what calibre would it be? And why?

(.400 member)

20/06/10 04:02 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

404 with 300 to 400 grain pills can do it all.
Otherwise a 9.3 x 62

(.375 member)

20/06/10 04:30 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

When I went to Africa, I used my bolt action .30-06. Six animals - a kudu (largest), two impala, one blesbok, one wart hog and a duiker (smallest). All were one-shot kills, all at 100 yards or more. It was a great rifle and really did the job. Good luck

(.416 member)

20/06/10 04:37 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

I would take my 35Sambar (325WSM necked up to 358). Why just because I like it and it will more than handle Plains Game out to 300mts. I would not feel under gunned with any thing from a 6.5X55 upwards.

(.275 member)

20/06/10 05:57 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Quote:

When I went to Africa, I used my bolt action .30-06. Six animals - a kudu (largest), two impala, one blesbok, one wart hog and a duiker (smallest). All were one-shot kills, all at 100 yards or more. It was a great rifle and really did the job. Good luck

What loads were you using?

(.300 member)

20/06/10 08:19 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

My Ruger #1 in 9.3x74R,the more I shoot it the more I like it.

(.400 member)

20/06/10 08:40 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Quote:

If you could take only one rifle for an African plains game only hunt what calibre would it be? And why?

Another vote for the 30-06. It is a dependable killer, which is why I own five of them. I like the Sako 75 the most, a nearly perfect rifle to be sure.

(.375 member)

20/06/10 11:37 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Quote:

Quote:

When I went to Africa, I used my bolt action .30-06. Six animals - a kudu (largest), two impala, one blesbok, one wart hog and a duiker (smallest). All were one-shot kills, all at 100 yards or more. It was a great rifle and really did the job. Good luck

What loads were you using?

I used Federal Power Shock in 150 grain (blue box). I used to shoot the Federal 165 grain premium bear claw Vital Shock, but these bullets were every bit as effective at less than half the cost - it's great ammo!

(.400 member)

21/06/10 12:49 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

I have killed roughly 90 head of African plains game with my pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in .300 H&H. I have killed nothing larger than a sable or oryx with it: I used my .375 H&H for my greater kudu and eland, but I have no doubt the .300 H&H would have taken care of either one, had I used it. I used factory loaded 180 grain Winchester Silvertips, and the bullet performance was exemplary.

Why .300 H&H? It's British, it's tried and true, it feeds perfectly, and at the time there was more ammunition available for it locally in Africa than for any other .30 caliber magnum. I also had a 7mm Remington Magnum I could have used and probably would have been just as satisfied with, but I chose not to.

I have also killed African plains game up to and including wildebeest with a lightweight 7X57 built on a G 33/40 Czech Mauser action, but I would have been a little leery of using it for a shot of over 200 yards taking into account the 174 grain round nose factory loads I was using.

(.275 member)

21/06/10 04:57 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

I'd probably go with an 8x68S with 220-gr. Swift A-Frames for all "standard" Plains Game. To me, this cartridge and load has a nice combination of velocity, penetration, and a proven bullet. I think a lot depends on where and what you're hunting, even when we're talking about PG. If I was somewhere with thicker vegetation and shorter shooting distances, I could always load some 250-gr Woodleighs.

I might re-think this choice though if any Eland (and especially Lord Derby) or Giraffe was on my list. I'd also probably change things if I was after Bongo or Mt. Nyala.

(.275 member)

21/06/10 05:14 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

I live in South Africa and use a Ruger no 1 in 7mm Rem Mag extensively. I feel this is a bit light for larger antelope like eland, gemsbok, zebra. If I can choose, I would go for a 300H&H, however a 300 Win Mag is probably a more practicle choice as ammo is more readily available- always a consideration in Africa.
Regards,
Charls

(.400 member)

21/06/10 06:19 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

If it was Namibia, I would go with one of the .300 magnums, 8x68S or .340 Weatherby (if you already shoot one and like it).
If it was SA, Zim or Zambia, I would go with a .30-06 (with at least 180gr Swift A-Frames) as a minimum; .338 Win Mag, 9,3x62 or .375 H&H. A double 9,3x74 would be another fun way to go.
These are obviously generalisations - if it was a hunt focusing on one specific animal and other incidental species, I would choose the most suitable rifle for the size of animal and terrain. If the primary species sought is sable, zebra, eland or gemsbok, I would tend towards the larger heavier bullets, but that definitely does not have to mean faster - only go faster of the terrain is open.
JMHO - in general, there are few poor choices over .30 cal for a wide spectrum of plains game.

(.400 member)

21/06/10 06:30 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

.375 H&H in whatever action you like best, Mike

(.700 member)

21/06/10 07:59 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

.375H&H, 9.3x62 - both according to the late Fin Aagard. The .376 Styer, .375 Ruger and .375/06IMP would also fit the category.

(.400 member)

21/06/10 08:46 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

I took a CZ .308W the first trip with 165 Woodleighs and a 9.3x62 the second trip. I felt grossly over gunned with the 9.3x62, even for Eland. If only the .308W had not had a detachable mag. I should have kept it.

(.275 member)

21/06/10 05:45 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Quote:

I took a CZ .308W the first trip with 165 Woodleighs and a 9.3x62 the second trip. I felt grossly over gunned with the 9.3x62, even for Eland. If only the .308W had not had a detachable mag. I should have kept it.

Trophet, how did you find the .308 Win's performance on plains game?

(.416 member)

21/06/10 06:32 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Hi Magnum308,

May I say that in my opinion the rifle you have for sale is superb and ideal for what you intend to do, I am building up a Custom 30.06 for Plains Game and then have the larger Custom .375H&H for anything bigger but do not forget the range of Woodleigh projectiles available in .308 including the Hydrostatic.

In an early Hornady (Third) Edition manual, the .308 Norma Magnum with 180gn was shown to have just under 3000fps or with a 220gn 2700 fps whereas similar weights & styles of projectile in a 30.06 was only 2700 & 2500 fps respectively.

This is just my opinion but I would be proud and confident to use that rifle on Plains Game in Africa.

Cheers for now,

Jeff Gray

(.400 member)

21/06/10 06:49 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Magnum308, PM sent.

(.275 member)

21/06/10 07:05 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Chap,

Thanks for the input. Yes 308NM is a great rifle and I can drive 180 bulllets at close to 3,100 fps (choroned) into less than MOA.

But I am favouring standard calibres in lighter weight rifles now days. I have a 270 Win and a 308 Win in Winchester fwts hence my question about the .308 loads that Tophet used. I am considering a 30-06 ftw to replace the 308NM but I really think the difference bewtween .308 and .30-06 is minuimal even though I know the latter handles heavier bullets better.

I recently had a hunt to NZ after Tahr and Chamnois (which was a success) and those NZ southern mountains taught me a big lesson in the value of light rifles. My .270 fwt really was the right rifle for this hunt. Consider my putting my 308NM up for sale a knee jerk reaction if you like and it really pains me to it as it has been my personal favourite for many years. But I just can't see how it will figure in my future hunting plans.

(.416 member)

21/06/10 07:46 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Hi Magnum308,

I understand your problem but as I see it you will regret selling it, I had to sell my collection due to a divorce and that's why the 2 Custom rifles are being built and the Sabatti D.R. to replace what I had in the past. Unless you only intend to hunt in those NZ Mountains, the 308NM is great for Africa and deer in Qld or elsewhere. That rifle has "Class" some-thing a lot of rifles lack, but that's only my opinion.

Cheers for now,

Jeff Gray

Administrator

(.700 member)

21/06/10 11:50 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

For plains game in Africa I have used a .30-06, 8x68S, 9.3x74R and .375 H&H Magnum.

My first safari in Zimbabwe I took a .30-06 with 180 gr and 200 gr Nosler Partitions. I had some trouble with the batch of 180 gr Noslers I had with. So switched to 200 grs which I also had with. Most people do not report problems such as what I had therefore I assume it was a "bad batch". Took an eland, kudu, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, duiker, and impala.

Hunted Namibia with the 9.3 DR (286 gr Woodleigh PP) plus a borrowed 8x68S (220 gr A-Frame). Took 2x gemsbok, 2x springbok, 1x hartebeest, 7x warthog, +

Hunted South Africa and Zimbabwe was with a single rifle in .375 H&H. Other than buffalo took 2x bushbuck, 2x zebra, 2x impala, 1x waterbuck. 300 gr Woodleigh WC SN.

A .30-06 powered rifle is fine. A medium/big bore such as a .375 is un-necessary but also fine if you wish to take one. IMO the ideal is a 8x68S, .300 Magnum range for a dedicated plains game rifle with a 200gr premium SP projectile.

(.400 member)

22/06/10 09:36 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

I have always admired the 300 H&H and finally found this nice lefty. A Paul Jeager on a Savage action.

Administrator

(.450 member)

22/06/10 09:50 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Nice rifle, Blair.

If I were going to choose one rifle, and only one rifle for plains game, I would use my 9.3x74R double, with its QD scope, and 286 grain bullets. Great medicine, and capable of reaching out to touch something.

Curl

(.400 member)

24/06/10 05:57 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

9.3xsomething

(.416 member)

24/06/10 06:41 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

G'Day Fella's,

I have read the various postings on this thread a couple of times, with out responding myself.
Then the other day the penny dropped!

I don't think I could go to the Dark Continent with out taking a .375 H&H!
Am I wrong or are Africa and the .375H&H like, Peas in a Pod or Rum and Coke. They just go together?

HooRoo
From
Homer

(.333 member)

24/06/10 07:23 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

I'm a Bundy, dry & lime man myself and I used a 338 Win Mag last year with 225gr projectiles. For Zim next time I would use 250 or 300 gr pills and sight dead on at 100m for all plainsgame encountered there.

Yeah, I know. Bundy, dry & lime sounds a bit feminine but I like it....

Cheers,
Mark.

(.700 member)

24/06/10 11:16 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

When one goes after the spotted buck, be prepared to meet a tiger.

(.224 member)

17/08/10 08:14 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

My opinion (we all have one) based on very limited experience:

Plains game only and excluding giraffe,

A .30-06 or any of the .300 mags will do if you are willing to pass up unfavorable shots on larger species. Rear quartering away shots on eland, zebra, wildebeest, or kudu come to mind. My hunting opportunities will always to too few and too short to have to pass up such shots so I leave the .30 cal's home.

A .375 (or a 9.3x64) is just more than I can justify using on these animals.

Terrain matters.

South Africa North of Jo'berg (bushveldt). Ranges are almost always less than 200 yards.

Standard cartridges from .338 to .366 (9.3) like .338-'06, .35 Whelen, or 9.3x62

Southwestern part of South Africa (more open country)

Faster cartridges from 8mm(.323) to .358 like 8mm Rem Mag, 8x68, .338WM, .340 Weatherby, or .358 Norma Mag.

Obviously, any of the faster numbers could be used in the bushveldt also. Otherwise, arguing among these fine medium bore and any others I forgot to mention by name is probably picking nits.

Always pick your rifle, cartridge, and bullet for the biggest, toughest species you are hunting. Then just live with the fact that the 150lb impala you just shot with a heavy premium 9.3mm bullet is going to run farther than he would have if hit by a nosler ballistic tip or some other simple cup-and-core bullet out of your .257 Roberts.

(.275 member)

18/08/10 03:55 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

I came across this articles recently, http://forums.gunsamerica.com/yaf_postst...-Cartridge.aspx

It's a bit long but an interesting read nonetheless.

(.416 member)

24/08/10 10:51 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Magnum308 that was an interesting article. I find myself thinking more along those lines as I get older and hopefully wiser.

(.333 member)

24/08/10 11:10 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Cheers for that article Magnum,

Good luck BrazosJack whatever you choose.

MOG

(.333 member)

24/08/10 11:15 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Quote:

I came across this articles recently, http://forums.gunsamerica.com/yaf_postst...-Cartridge.aspx

It's a bit long but an interesting read nonetheless.

I don't have any experience outside North America but that's a theory I definitely subscribe to. You'd be hard pressed to talk me out of my .30-'06 and all it's versatility, and I'm a fan of the 7x64, 7x57, and 280 Remington for the same reason (wide range of premium bullets in usable weights, manageable recoil, and enough range for any shot I'm willing to take in good conscience). If there were heavier bullets available for the 270 Winchester I might include it too.

(.275 member)

30/08/10 07:08 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Thanks for all the input.

I think I'll take my .270 Win loaded with 140-150gr Nosler partitions or something like that.

Of course, this is if don't pick up an '06 between now and then. Of course it'll have to be a pre 64 M70 fwt, to match my 270 and 308.

Now I need to work on my riflemanship, particularly getting plenty of practice at off hand shots and with shooting sticks out to around 200 yards, I guess. I have spent the last 6 months practicing for my NZ southern mountains hunt. I guess Africa will be quite different shooting to that.

What's your experience, those who have been there, at types of shots and distances on game such as Kudu, Gemsbok, Cape Springbok and the like in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa?

(.577 member)

30/08/10 11:11 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Quote:

When one goes after the spotted buck, be prepared to meet a tiger.

REALLY GREAT ADVICE---depending on where you are hunting..plains game or not..the 270 or '06 might seem a big on the small side if you have a cape buffalo or pissed off tuskless cow heading your way...while any mentioned will do fine on plains game, in many circumstances you are NOT out there with just plains game...

Ripp

(.400 member)

31/08/10 02:12 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

I am on my 3rd 270 Winchester barrel in one of my Mausers rifles.
I have a LOT of experience with the caliber.
If you take it loaded with 150 grain Noslers bullets (or my overall favorite for large animals is the 160 grain) you will not regret it.
The 270 is one of those rounds that don�t seem to know it's "little" and neither does anything it hits.
As a gunsmith, I can have any caliber I want at any time and all at the same price.
I shoot the 270. Not because I am defending what I have, but because I have yet to see something that works better on any game up to about 700 pounds.
I own or have owned seven 30-06s four 300 mags two 338 mags, tow 338-06s twelve 308s two 7X57s one 7mm Rem mag, and to be 100 honest, I can't really see that any of them kill anything any better then my 270 until the game gets over about 750 pounds and the one that seems to be noticeable more effective is the 375H&H
But though it may seem blasphemous I can't really tell a lot of difference in how a 338 Win Mag kills elk or moose any faster or any better then a 270 with a good bullet.
Doesn't fit the theory�s I know, but I have been doing this now for over 40 years, and those are the facts.

Use the 270 if you like it. You won't be sorry.

(.400 member)

31/08/10 04:22 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Interesting discussions, I�m going to Namibia in March and learns a lot. The biggest I am going to hunt is Blue Wildebeest. I am choosing between 9,3x62 or my double 9,3x74R. My heart tells me to take the double and my brain to take the 9,3x62. My host tells me to bring both.

Sville

(.275 member)

31/08/10 11:17 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

szihn,

That's great feedback and thanks for taking the time. What 160gr bullets do you use on the big stuff, is it Nosler partitions?

Also I'd be interested in your load for this in 270. PM me if you like on this. I use AR2209 here in Oz which I believe is repackage as H4350 in the US. As a reloader for 30 plus years the usual caveat accompanies this request.

What do you think of the 270 WSM? I was thinking of one to supplement my .270 Win in Winchester Extreme Weather SS.

(.400 member)

31/08/10 03:25 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Quote:

Thanks for all the input.

I think I'll take my .270 Win loaded with 140-150gr Nosler partitions or something like that.

Now I need to work on my riflemanship, particularly getting plenty of practice at off hand shots and with shooting sticks out to around 200 yards, I guess.

What's your experience, those who have been there, at types of shots and distances on game such as Kudu, Gemsbok, Cape Springbok and the like in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa?

There is a bit to answer in all that. Good choice with the .270. I found the locals if they weren't useing a 7mm or .30 calibre, had a .270 with 150's. Does yours shoot the 150 Woodleigh accurately ?

The eastern Cape can be very flat and open, covered by low bush similar to heather. It can also be quite broken with deep valleys and long shots to the next ridge over very thick scrub. IMO your .270 will shine there. IMPORTANT Don't forget to buy the best optics you can afford. For your .270 I'd suggest something in the 2.5-10x42 range.

It is a matter of being prepared for anything. You can be in scrub where line of sight is max 40 metres and see the Kudu of a lifetime 300 metres away on the side of a hill. Ask your PH what to expect and practise off sticks so you know your bullets path from 100 metres to 300 metres in 50 metre increments.

(.275 member)

31/08/10 06:08 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Tophet1,

Thanks for your contribution to this thread. It certainly helps and I am sure others will find the various contributions invaluable too.

No, I haven't used Woodleighs of any description.

I have used mainly 140 gr Hornady SPBT interlocks in my .270 Win. These really shoot in my rifle too, see targets below:

Load I used for my NZ Tahr and Chamois hunt, shot just before I left.

Same load (actually a few of the rounds I brought back unfired) shot after I arrived back after rifle had been dismantled for a thorough clean and re-assembled.

I have had trouble getting some of the fancier Hornady bullets SSTs, et al to shoot in my rifle. The only 130 gr bullets it would shoot is the 130 gr spire point flat base. But I began to develop an affinity for the 140 gr bullet and switched to these for my NZ hunt. They shoot as flat as the 130 gr and have the kinetic energy (on paper at least) of the 150 gr bullets. Having heard how hard Tahr are to put down I decided this was just the medicine. It tends to be my standard load now for my .270 Win. I have also taken pigs and red dear with load.

However, for Africa I would probably look at a quality bullet (not that Hornady are not quality bullets) for larger plains game. I am partial to the Nosler partitions but have never used them in 270, so not wedded to them and will try the woodleighs. I notice they even have a 180gr for 270.

On knowing the trajectory of the rifle/load, I took with me to NZ a print of the trajectory in 25 yd increments out to 400 yds from my Point Blank ballistics software. I am convinced of the advantage of knowing exactly where your rifle is shooting at all practical game ranges.

(.300 member)

16/11/10 10:52 PM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

My choice: another vote for the 300 H&H.

A classic, old-school and flat-shooting cartridge, the Super .30 can be loaded just about as hot as any other 300 Mag.

Here's my Ruger #1 in .300 H&H from the original "limited production" run of the early 1990s (not the recent Boddington series):

(.333 member)

29/11/10 03:21 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

i've used a 338WM, 416RM and even my partners FAL with 147gr. ball for quite a few head. why shoot baits with a 416!
these days, if there were no buff or ele. in the area and eland was not on the menu, i'd just take my 270 with 150 GS or 160gr. partition bullets.
if eland were included, 9.3X64.

(.400 member)

29/11/10 08:23 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

Magnum308, I used the 160 gr Nosler with 54.7 gr of surplus H4831 in WW brass with a WW large rifle primer.
It's hot, but was always safe in my rifle. I would not suggest someone start with that much. They should back down about 3-4 grains and work up to a safe max in their own rifle. I used to buy H4831 in bulk. It was US Military surplus powder.

(.450 member)

29/11/10 08:40 AM

Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?

I would be more than happy to take my 358 Norma M with 225 Hydro`s and a few 250`s thrown in the pack too...alas it has a plastic stock,bugger!

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