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Hunting >> Hunting in Africa & hunting dangerous game

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digby
.224 member

Reged: 29/09/08
Posts: 5
Loc: Australia, central west

2nd rifle for african safari
#115948 - 30/09/08 08:23 PM

hello, a question from a new user.
i am off chasing cape buff with roger whittall safaris in aug09, and having read some posts, a number of people have hunted with roger in the area.
my question is 'what calibre is most suited to take along for plains game?'
buff rifle is 416 rigby, and tossing up whether to take 358 win mag, or 257 roberts ackley improved as the choice for plains game
looking forward to some different opinions
regards digby

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nothing beats the experience

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hoppdoc
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Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: digby]
#115951 - 30/09/08 08:36 PM

I am envious!!

I would use a Merkel 500 NE Double for buff and a 338 Win Mag for PG shots out to 300 yds--

But what you describe sounds great as well--You probably could just take the 416 and be fine!!

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An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.

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ozhunter
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Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia

Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: hoppdoc]
#115953 - 30/09/08 08:53 PM

The 416 would work well for everything.
Zimbabwe and Mozambique has heavy cover so heavy bullets work well.

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kamilaroi
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Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: hoppdoc]
#115955 - 30/09/08 08:57 PM

257 AI with 117-120 grainers out to 250-300 yards max for lighter stuff. No 358 winnie, better still an all round 6.5 Swede for all plains up to and incl kudu.

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NitroX
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Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: digby]
#115958 - 30/09/08 09:19 PM

Quote:

my question is 'what calibre is most suited to take along for plains game?'
buff rifle is 416 rigby, and tossing up whether to take 358 win mag, or 257 roberts ackley improved as the choice for plains game

The .358 will double up as a buff rifle with suitable bullets so I would take that.

.358 Win Mag? or .338 Win Mag?

Either will do the job for both plains game and buffalo in an emergency (neither is probably legal though).

I wouldn't take a .257 unless aiming to specialise in small antelope.

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John aka NitroX

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"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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JabaliHunter
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Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
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Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: digby]
#115959 - 30/09/08 09:27 PM

.338 win mag? very good choice with 225 or 250gr, or .30-06 with 200 or 220grain. factory rounds should be available if the worst happens... Your shot opportunities are unlikely to be more than 250 yards, probably much less and heavier bullets are my recommendation. .257 AI may be a bit light and fast for the terrain and animals you will encounter. Having said that, if you want a 2nd rifle that will be suitable for buffalo if your main rifle fails there is only one sensible choice - the .375 H&H. JMHO

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kamilaroi
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Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: NitroX]
#115962 - 30/09/08 09:57 PM

Quote:

Quote:

my question is 'what calibre is most suited to take along for plains game?'
buff rifle is 416 rigby, and tossing up whether to take 358 win mag, or 257 roberts ackley improved as the choice for plains game

The .358 will double up as a buff rifle with suitable bullets so I would take that.

.358 Win Mag? or .338 Win Mag?

I imagine either will do the job for both plains game and buffalo in an emergency (neither is probably legal though).

I wouldn't take a .257 unless aiming to specialise in small antelope.

I thought he was on about 358 Win otherwise a necked up 308. As you indicated 257 up to light antelope EOS.

Best a 338 Winnie or 3006 for plains if ammo supply a problem.

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bigmaxx
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Reged: 13/06/07
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Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.

Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: kamilaroi]
#115963 - 30/09/08 10:33 PM

I did the exact hunt you speak of with Roger the first ten days of this month. You will love it! I took a .458 lott and a .375 ruger. I asked the same question you are asking and found that I would be encountering some cheeky elephants in the valley and Humani as well. I opted for that combination and kept a couple of 300 grain solids in the bottom of the magazine of the .375 ruger. It worked very well. I used .300 grain Swift A-Frames for zebra, wildebeast, kudu, warthog, and impala. I used the .458 for the buffalo and a big bull hippo I took on an island in the Zambezi. I used 500 grain A-Frames and Hornady 500 grains solids. Be sure to get a firm commitment on the area you will be hunting and the PH that will be guiding you. You will probably hunt the valley for your buffalo and then go down to Humani for plains game. Its a good way to experience two hunts in one. Humani is a zoo. You will see alot of game there. You may have one PH in the valley and another in Humani. That worked well for me, but I would like to know the game plan in advance. Roger and Anne are very nice people. So are Sarah and Guy. Good luck! Bottom line: I think a second rifle should be capable of stopping dangerous game if animals of that description are present.

--------------------
One day at a time...

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Ripp
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Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: hoppdoc]
#115965 - 30/09/08 10:35 PM

Quote:

I am envious!!

I would use a Merkel 500 NE Double for buff and a 338 Win Mag for PG shots out to 300 yds--

But what you describe sounds great as well--You probably could just take the 416 and be fine!!

+++++++++++++++++++

Agree with Hoppdoc..the 416 would and will work great for everything...One item some people forget is that while you are out there shooting the little plains game..a not so little elephant or buff or lion might be in the bush near by...that .257 will look even smaller at that moment..

I would take a larger caliber gun for a plains game rifle..as in 338 or larger--if it was me I would take a .375 of one sort or another--load it with 270 gr bullets and that will be all you need --plus if your .416 had problems..the ..375 is still legal to use on DG..in addition, with the tight cover where you will be hunting most or all of you shots will be 100 yards or less..even if they stretched to 200--the .375 will handle that situation nicely..IMHO..

Good Luck...

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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JabaliHunter
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Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: NitroX]
#115971 - 30/09/08 11:00 PM

Quote:

The .358 will double up as a buff rifle with suitable bullets so I would take that.

Not in Zim it won't.... as you say, not legal - .366 and larger (effectively 9.3x62 but can't remember the energy rule)

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bigmaxx
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Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: Ripp]
#115989 - 01/10/08 01:10 AM

[Quote]
Agree with Hoppdoc..the 416 would and will work great for everything...One item some people forget is that while you are out there shooting the little plains game..a not so little elephant or buff or lion might be in the bush near by...that .257 will look even smaller at that moment..

I would take a larger caliber gun for a plains game rifle..as in 338 or larger--if it was me I would take a .375 of one sort or another--load it with 270 gr bullets and that will be all you need --plus if your .416 had problems..the ..375 is still legal to use on DG..in addition, with the tight cover where you will be hunting most or all of you shots will be 100 yards or less..even if they stretched to 200--the .375 will handle that situation nicely..IMHO..

Good Luck...

Ripp

Very sound advice. Ripp introduced me to that train of thought thankfully. I was very glad I had a rifle capable of handling any situation. Several times I recall feeling reassured by the firepower at hand. And a second rifle is always a good idea, as is a spare scope in rings sighted and ready to mount. Rifles with overlapping capability can save your safari. Stocks can crack, parts can fail, sights can break or fall off. Big guns are subjected to lots of recoil, and the rigors of african hunting can test the best equiptment. Hauling rifles in small aircraft, cruisers, and crawling through heaven knows what presents lots of opportunities for damage. So do airline baggage handlers! I take two rifles with me when I deer hunt too. Nice to have in the truck. Never waste a hunt that way.

--------------------
One day at a time...

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digby
.224 member

Reged: 29/09/08
Posts: 5
Loc: Australia, central west

Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: NitroX]
#116028 - 01/10/08 02:31 PM

Quote:

Quote:

my question is 'what calibre is most suited to take along for plains game?'
buff rifle is 416 rigby, and tossing up whether to take 358 win mag, or 257 roberts ackley improved as the choice for plains game

The .358 will double up as a buff rifle with suitable bullets so I would take that.

.358 Win Mag? or .338 Win Mag?

Either will do the job for both plains game and buffalo in an emergency (neither is probably legal though).

I wouldn't take a .257 unless aiming to specialise in small antelope.

.358 win mag in the new ruger frontier,new toy at the mom, but just love the carryability plus the stopping power of 225gr projectile with 40 gr ar 2207. up to 180yrds has proved itself. thanks for input

--------------------
nothing beats the experience

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JabaliHunter
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Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England

Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: digby]
#116045 - 01/10/08 07:59 PM

Please excuse my ignorance, but the .358 Winchester Magnum is not one I've heard of before. Is it a wildcat or a new release by Winchester? Have of course heard of the .358 Winchester (necked up .308 Win) and .358 Norma Magnum. Curious to know what Winchester have come up with.
Thanks

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digby
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Reged: 29/09/08
Posts: 5
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Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: JabaliHunter]
#116048 - 01/10/08 08:10 PM

sorry typo on my be-half. it is just the .358 win ( 308 necked up ). one of the most pointable rifles that i have ever picked up. has a barrel length only just over 16.5 inches. very easy to carry and packs a great punch with the 225gr pills

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digby
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Reged: 29/09/08
Posts: 5
Loc: Australia, central west

Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: JabaliHunter]
#116051 - 01/10/08 09:12 PM

sorry to all, typo on my be-half ( told you i new to this!!!) it is the .358 win that i am considering
first safari to South Africa in 2005 i used my .338 win mag to take some the larger bodied plains game, and the bug hit hard!
top priorty this time is a great buff hunt hence the .416 rigby, but the plains game that i would like to chase includes bushbuck, duicker, grysbok, klipspringer, wildebeest. and having this new toy that is so esay to carry, hits hard and points like you would not believe came to mind!
thanks for your patience

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nothing beats the experience

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SafariHunt
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Reged: 02/01/03
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Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: digby]
#116668 - 11/10/08 06:24 PM

digby,

Why just not use the 416 for everything it is slow enough not too damage the trophy quality and will let you be able to shoot any plainsgame from any angle plus you will not need to juggle between two rifles when a opportunity arises.

Another big plus point is weight limitation when flying with one rifle only you can take more personal luggage along.

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

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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: SafariHunt]
#116696 - 12/10/08 02:32 AM

Quote:

digby,

Why just not use the 416 for everything it is slow enough not too damage the trophy quality and will let you be able to shoot any plainsgame from any angle plus you will not need to juggle between two rifles when a opportunity arises.

Another big plus point is weight limitation when flying with one rifle only you can take more personal luggage along.

Agree with the above totally,,,have used the .416 exclusively on two safaries with absolutely no need for another gun during the entire 20 days periods...

I know we all have our "pet" calibers...and for me--it is the .416---have probably shot upwards of 40 plus head of game with that caliber ranging from duiker to elephant...awesome results...it would not be my first choice if I was only hunting plains game in S Africa or Namibia --but in the thick stuff with dangerous game around..it would be very definitely my first choice...

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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digby
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Reged: 29/09/08
Posts: 5
Loc: Australia, central west

Re: 2nd rifle for african safari [Re: Ripp]
#117299 - 20/10/08 09:04 PM

thanks for the advice. saving weight on planes is a big factor these days. cheers

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