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NitroXAdministrator
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Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll
      #676 - 08/01/03 10:58 PM

OK I want to try a poll and also see what you think.




Pick the calibre closest to your choice. Comments welcome.
Which of the following is the best plains game calibre for Africa?
You may choose only one
the fast hot cartridges sub and including 270?
7x57mm?
7mm Rem Mag?
.30-06?
.30 Magnums?
8x68S or 8mm Rem Mag?
.338 Win Mag?
.375 H&H Magnum?
.416 Rem Mag or Rigby?


Votes accepted from (01/12/06 05:24 AM) to (No end specified)
View the results of this poll



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John aka NitroX

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SafariHunt
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #677 - 08/01/03 11:07 PM

NitroX,

I take it it is plainsgame only and anywhere in Africa I made my vote according to this and I must say the 338 was my vote especially if you reload.

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"Sleeping under the African sky I can see nothing wrong with this world!"

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AspenHill
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #683 - 09/01/03 12:22 AM

I went for the 30.06 since we are talking about plains game. It is extrememly effective all the way up to Eland. Properly loaded is is a great weapon. The ease in availablity for excellent quality factory loads makes it very convenient. It is also an easy shooting caliber so even children would do well hunting with it.

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~Ann

Everyday spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

Aspen Hill Adventures

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gryphon
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: AspenHill]
      #693 - 09/01/03 06:33 AM

I nearly went for the 338 for just that bit more harder hitting but being very comfortable in handling my 7mm mag i would be extremely happy in using this cal with of course correct bullet placement--thats if i ever get to Africa.I would rather take it over my harder hitting .308 Norma Mag.

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cchunter
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: gryphon]
      #695 - 09/01/03 08:11 AM

I go for the .30 mag as I had a perfect result with my 300 win mag last summer.

I the money will come in a little quicker I am thinking of buying a 375 and that would be nice to try for plainsgame with a light bullet like 220-235 grains.

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Christer Hansson

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mickey
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #703 - 09/01/03 03:56 PM

I voted for the 338 but actually prefer the 340 WB. Loaded with a 300 grn. bullet it will take anything in Africa and with a 210 @3200fps can shoot as far as you can hit a running Gemsbok.

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Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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cchunter
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: mickey]
      #708 - 09/01/03 05:08 PM

The high velocity bullets can be fouling you if you don't practise a lot.

Before I went to Africa I was practising a lot on moving targets both with my .300 but mostly with my 6,5x55.

When I shot my Warthog I took 4 shots at it running and none gave results as I was certain it would. After he had turned 180 degrees around and stopped I took him standing.

Confused over not hitting him with a running shot we moved to him and on his forehead he had signs from a bullet touching. That must have been whats turned him around. What I did was to aim a little bit to much in front of the hog, if I had been using the 300 fps slower 6,5x55 he would have dropped from a perfct shot but a I did not compensate for the higher spped I was close to lose him.

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Christer Hansson

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Mpofu
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #717 - 10/01/03 01:25 AM

The 375 H&H Mag may appear to be a bit 'over the top' for plainsgame, but in Africa, especially in dangerous game areas, one never knows what's round the corner.
It is comforting to know that the weapon in one's hands can take care of the big 'uns , should the need arise.
M.

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original500nitro
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: Mpofu]
      #747 - 10/01/03 08:18 PM

I'm with Ann.
My '06 has accounted for everything up to and including eland over the last 28 years.
My rifle is a Win pre64 that I picked up from an ex Kenyan PH. He trained it well
When I looked up the serial number it was made the same year I was born.

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The_Old_Hunter
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: original500nitro]
      #822 - 12/01/03 12:43 AM

What can I say, most posters know me and my ugly 338. From My Cold Dead Hands!

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TimV
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1032 - 16/01/03 08:08 AM

Interesting poll NitroX. Had me thinking for a while. I could not decide between the 30 06 or the 7mm Rem Mag, so I cheated. Looked at the results. Was not surprised to see the 30 06 in front, but the 7mm Rem Mag’s votes was a disappointment. It is a good caliber, with a little more bite at both ends, compared to the 30 06. Why I don’t shoot a 7mm them? Just 1 reason: more meat damage than the 30 06. I love to hunt for meat too and to guide clients. I load a 165gr bullet @ 2850fps in my 30 06. Just short of the 7mm. But for those that hunt for the trophy more than for the meat, I’d think the 7mm Rem Mag with premium bullets is perfect. A bit more bite just in case and for safety sake.
But then, some months ago I read an article on the 8mm Rem Mag. Not popular in South Africa at all, but on paper it seems like the perfect PH plains gun to me.
But what if, one day, I really need to backup a client in a SHITUATION?…..
Will I ever own enough guns?…..

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biggametv
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1323 - 28/01/03 01:30 PM

Allow me to put in my two cents for the .375 H&H. From dik dik to eland (and beyond) it is the one caliber, IMHO, that can do it all. Utilizing both softs and solids, it is the one caliber that is legal and, for the most part, effective for every species on the continent. And you only have to import/transport one gun.

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ovis
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1325 - 28/01/03 02:29 PM

To All,

Having experience with only bear, moose, elk, and deer, I can only say that the .375 anything(H-H, Wea., RUM) can be loaded up or down to cover most any situation and, if things get ugly, it will do the job. I still believe, no matter what you choose, choosing a rifle you shoot very well and proper shot placement are the most important factors.

Joe

--------------------
"Where there's a hobble, there's hope."

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1330 - 28/01/03 08:11 PM

I voted for the .338.

Hunted plains game with a .30-06 the first time and while it does OK wasn't satisfied with it especially if less than perfected shots were taken or when the projectiles weren't doing what they should.

Second time just took a 375 and didn't regret that but was worried about the possibility of a long shot one day.

I think a 338 spans the gap and has the bullet weight for the larger plains game such as eland but also can be loaded to enable some longer range potential even if it isn't ideal for this activity.

But my 375 will probably continue to do the job.


--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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DUGABOY1
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1413 - 02/02/03 07:01 AM

Though many, or all of the cartridges listed will do if everything is perfect. This even includes Dangerous game like Cape Buffalo, and Lion! IF everything is perfect!

I voted for the 375 H&H, for a couple reasons, #1 it will take care of anything that walks, with the right shot placement, and bullet. #2 if one knows his rifle, it will take care of anything at a reasonable range most often seen in Africa, and still have something left at that range. It doesn't destroy meat, the way hot rock 3000 FPS plus rounds do. And on top of that, I usually use a chambering that will handle the biggest, and baddest thing in the pasture I'm hunting, regardless what I'm actually hunting! As some one said, you never know what is behind the next thorn tree! If I'm hunting wildebeast, and run into the animal that is hunting wildebeast, I'm covered! It doesn't make any difference how many rifles you take to Africa, the one you have in your hands when you meet old QWATALI, is the one you are stuck with! So my plains game rifle is always something that will handle anything I may encounter! "What ch thank?"

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..........Mac >>>===(x)===>
DUGABOY1, and MacD37 founding member of DRSS www.doublerifleshooterssociety.com
"If I die today, I have had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"

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iqbal
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1509 - 07/02/03 04:11 AM

On my last trip I hunted plainsgame from impala to eland and including kudu,oryx,waterbuck etc. all with a 300 WB.Mag.Its truly a great gun and very suitable for plainsgame.

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Will
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1513 - 07/02/03 08:37 PM

As others have pointed out, there is no one plainsgame rifle. It depends upon the situation and any long range plans.

If you are hunting in a DG area, the .375 is an obvious choice. I always took a .375, as I was attempting to work up to DG hunts, and wanted the practice even in SA.

I made the mistake of having my grown son take a .375 on his first trip, as it was too much gun, and is unless you are used to it. Luckily we had his .280 along.

Last year I had "brain-washed" my boy into using a .416 for everything. I just couldn't see him tackling buffalo and elephant with anything less, especially when his daddy wasn't along to "protect" him.

He is not the fanatic about Africa that I am, but I haven't given up yet.

Will



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Once you have been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: Will]
      #1518 - 08/02/03 01:45 AM

Will

Keep at him. Africa is a drug and just as addictive.



--------------------
John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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cchunter
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1520 - 08/02/03 01:50 AM

Will

I see you are in trouble, how sad to have a son that is hunting Buff and Elephants with a 416, poor you

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Christer Hansson

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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1746 - 24/02/03 03:26 AM

I voted for the 30 Magnums, as perhaps the best, but not my favorite. I much prefer the 375 H&H (mine is rechambered to the Ackley Improved). There's nothing the 375's can't handle.

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bpbb
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1815 - 01/03/03 02:33 AM

defintly the 375 for a duel poupose gun but a mag 30 cal for just plains game

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GeorgeS
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1817 - 01/03/03 05:05 AM

Well, I tried to vote for the .375, but I seem to be unable to vote.

I always bring an '06 as my 'light' rifle, but since I usually am hunting DG, I tend to carry my .375 a lot, and use it when I encounter plains game, too.

It's big enough for eland, and shoots flatly enough for springbok out to 300yds.

George

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: GeorgeS]
      #1824 - 01/03/03 10:25 PM

George

Welcome to the NitroExpress.com forums.

You should have been able to vote unless you have voted already, then you get a message only registered users can vote (I just tried it again and I have previously voted).

The only other reason baring any bugs is perhaps you were not logged in when you tried to vote - did you try to post a message when you also tried to vote? ie if you posted a message then there must have been a problem with the forum.

The .375 H&H is a very popular choice and for good reason. The best allround calibre for almost the last 100 years.

I voted for the .338 but probably will never own one as the .375 covers the same ground so well.


--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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mickey
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1837 - 03/03/03 03:32 AM

NitroX

I have to 'respectfully' disagree. The .375 and the .338/.340 don't cover the same ground. They only cover it on the top end. The .340 shoots a 300 grain bullet at 2500 -2600 fps. This is the same as the .375 with much better penitration due to the longer bullet. The 338/340 shoot a 210 Nosler at 3000fps +, much faster than any .375 bullet.

The increased range is a valuable asset and despite what is in fashion now about 'shocking power', a high speed bullet does much more damage to a small to medium sized animal at a longer range.

While some people fall back on the bullet placement argument. ie. "if you hit them in the right spot any rifle is effective" and dispite all of the claims of hunters to being 'excellent shots', we do, occasionaly , screw up and miss the spot we wanted to hit. This is where shocking power helps out.

Of course this is just my humble opinion. Well, maybe not exactly 'humble'.

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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Lawdog
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Re: Best plains game calibre for Africa? Poll [Re: NitroX]
      #1845 - 03/03/03 07:18 AM


I too tried to vote and got this message,

In reply to:

We cannot proceed.

Only registered users that are logged in are allowed to vote.

Please use your back button to return to the previous page.





I haven't gotten to Africa yet, but that is going to change as we are scheduled for safari in 2004. Then I'm using my .300 Wby. Mag. for plains game. The wife is using her .30-06. Lawdog

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