osix
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Reged: 13/07/07
Posts: 20
Loc: Australia
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First trip to Africa in the near future, not sure which projectiles to load. Will be using a 30 cal, largest game will be Kudu, Gemsbok and Zebra out to 200 meters (so I am told). I can generally get 2700 fps with 200 grain projectiles and about 2900 fps with 180 grain projectiles. My gut feel is the 180 grain TB Bear Claw ( hard to come by) or 200 grain Woodleigh PP would handle the job, but I don't have the experience with African game. Would appreciate suggestions, which projectile and weight ? Many thanks
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tophet1
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Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia
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I'm in the same situation as you osix and look forward to some replies to this post.
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Bramble
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Reged: 29/07/06
Posts: 950
Loc: England
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That would very much depend on which 30 cal.
There is a hell of a difference between a .30-30 and a .300 WBY
Could you be more specific.
Personaly I wouldent shoot a 30 cal at any of those through choice, but I prefer slower speeds and heavier bullets.
I guess at those speeds that it is a 30-06 or .300 H+H.
I would opt for the 200 woodleighs.
Regards
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Kalunga
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Loc: Germany
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My advice is to use the heaviest bullets that Your rifle can shoot accurately. For the tough African species You will need as much as possible sectional density for deep penetration. I guess You are talking of a trip to Namibia and I can tell You that this is a country with lots of wind blowing and a heavier bullet will not be blown out of path as much as the lighter ones. Don`t be fooled by trajectory charts, rather try to get close and enjoy real hunting !
Kalunga
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AspenHill
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Reged: 08/01/03
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Loc: Vermont, USA
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I like Woodleighs and have had excellent results with them. I shoot a .375 H&H with 300 grain bullets.
-------------------- ~Ann
Everyday spent outdoors is the best day of my life.
Aspen Hill Adventures
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ozhunter
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Reged: 18/08/04
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Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Considering your call name is osix I would guess you are going to use a 30/06. I would use a 180grn bullet in something tough like Barns X, Swift A Frame, Trophy bonded, Nosler Partition, RWS H Mantel or TUG.
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Ripp
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Loc: Montana, USA
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Did almost that exact trip in Zim a few years ago--included a buff as well..As to 30 caliber..I strongly agree--use the 200 gr bullets..personally I would use Swift A-Frames which is actually what I did use--worked great--bullet had excellent expansion and great weight retention...and yes--200 yards is a long shot in Africa..
I think if you use the 200 gr bullets, and keep velocities in the range you described, any of those mentioned will work fine...the reason I mentioned A-frames is that I have had excellent results with each gun I use them in.. I have used the triple shocks on game here in Montana--the results were very good as well...
Ripp
-------------------- ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..
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shakari
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Reged: 09/02/03
Posts: 1107
Loc: South Africa
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180 or 200 grain will be fine for the species you mention. - If you're going to use Woodleigh, the SP will be a slightly better choice than the PSP - but pay close attention to the maximum recommended terminal velocity restrictions on the box.
A frames will also be a good choice. Barnes X/TSX etc would be fine but probably not quite as good as Woodleigh or the A frames.
Trophy Bonded from my experience are a load of crap and I wouldn't even use them for fishing weights...... I've seen more of them fail than all the other bullets put together. -IMO, they're one of the two worst bullets on the market.
Shot placement is of course the most important thing though.
-------------------- Steve "Shakari" Robinson
Kuduland Safaris (Africa) Ltd
info@kuduland.com
www.kuduland.com
Edited by shakari (05/04/08 05:42 PM)
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JabaliHunter
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Loc: England
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Unless its a 300 weatherby, I'd go with woodleigh... I say that because I don't have any experience with them at weatherby speeds, but plenty at 30-06 and 300H&H speeds.
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ALAN_MCKENZIE
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Loc: Western Australia
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The best advise I can give you is to give Jeff McDonald at Woodleigh a call. I have done in the past and his advise has been spot on. He makes a 200gn protected point which works well on scrub cattle. Give him a call ,you wont be dissapointed. Al
-------------------- "Dogs always bark at their master"
Sir Seretse Khama.25th June 1949
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Nakihunter
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Loc: New Zealand
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Just to make sure....2700fps from a 200 gr or 2900 fps from a 180 gr 30 cal HAS to be a magnum cartridge.
When my African dream becomes a reality I'll take my Simson 9.3X62 with 250 gr TSX & 310 gr Woodleigh RN.
-------------------- Always shoot through the target & not just at it.
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rscott
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Loc: wyo., USA
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i agree with Shakari regarding trophy bonded bullets. i've seen several recovered 'sledgehammers' bent and rivetted. apparently Speer listened to their marketing dept. instead of hunters when they discontinued the AGS line in favor of TB! that said, active word 'recovered'. Speer also produce the excellent 'grand slam' bullets which i've used to good effect. not crazy about Barnes either for two reasons; they tend to foul barrels badly and they are too long. i have used them on buffalo and elk and they work well, but no better than several others. the only woodleighs' i've used are the solids in 9.3 and was satisfied. being from australia, i think you would just use woodleigh's and be happy!
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bwananelson
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Loc: DELTONA FLORIDA
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not going to africa till 09.but the last animal i shot was a good mountain grizzly with the 300wby it went 10 steps after being hit with a 180 X bullet.i only use barnes bullets and have not had to track my animals.if you want to improve your tracking skills use other brands.remember in africa if you draw blood you bought it,
-------------------- THERE ARE NO DO OVERS IN LIFE DONT LET A CHANCE AT A DREAM SLIP AWAY.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Personal preference of course, but I recommend the Woodleigh bullet. Not only is penetration great but the regulation is better, the WB expands a tad more, and less gases leak through the push out the through the muzzle, resulting in better accuracy.
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allenday
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I've taken everything from dik dik to eland with 180 gr. Nosler Partitions out of a 300 Win. Mag., and it's always performed perfectly, leaving nothing to be desired.
AD
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osix
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Reged: 13/07/07
Posts: 20
Loc: Australia
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Thanks to all for your advice, truly appreciated. Think it's the 200 grain Woodleigh PSP. Cheers
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Naren
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I whould take a 200 grain Barnes TSX. It penetrates much deeper than even the Woodleigh 240 grain PP. It works best in a 300 Weatherby, H&H, or RUM. But even a 30.06 will do... I use only them in my 300 win. mag. and I am well pleased with their performance.
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bwananelson
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i have yet to hunt africa but i have taken 1/2 of all species here in north america all with the 300 wby and barnes 180 x bullet,none took more than a few steps.trigger pull thump down dead.even the mountain grizzly.
-------------------- THERE ARE NO DO OVERS IN LIFE DONT LET A CHANCE AT A DREAM SLIP AWAY.
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Ripp
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Loc: Montana, USA
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Quote:
Thanks to all for your advice, truly appreciated. Think it's the 200 grain Woodleigh PSP. Cheers
Have a question?? What speed have the woodleighs been used at??
I was reading in RELOADER MAGAZINE last night on an article by Terry Wieldand I believe--stating that at higher speeds in this particular caliber they the penetration was not that great as they opened up quickly with higher velocities..
I only have experiene using them in my .470 double which is in the 2100 to 2200 fps area...
In higher velocities, ie; 300 Ultra Mag--shooting 180 gr bullets around 3375 to 3400 fps..I have had good experience with both the A-Frames and Barnes Triple Shocks...
Ripp
-------------------- ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..
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escard
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my personal favorites for all around use of the .30 in Africa:
.300 Wby/RUM: 200 TSX (if it doesn´t stabilize, 180 TSX), 200 Partition or A-Frame as a 2nd choice .300 Win class: 180 TSX, 180 A-frame, 180 Scirocco .30-06 class: woodleigh w/180 grs or A-Frame 180 grs
with TBBC I do not have any experience, but in spite of the construction it could be only good for the fast one 30s....
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osix
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Reged: 13/07/07
Posts: 20
Loc: Australia
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Quote:
Have a question?? What speed have the woodleighs been used at?? I was reading in RELOADER MAGAZINE last night on an article by Terry Wieldand I believe--stating that at higher speeds in this particular caliber they the penetration was not that great as they opened up quickly with higher velocities..
Haven't used the 200 grain PSP Woodleighs on game yet I'll push them out at about 2750 or so fps which is well shy of the top recommended speed of 2900. At that speed expecting plenty of penetration while still being plenty flat enough out to 200 yards
I've shot the lighter 30 cal 150 grain PP Woodleights at impact speeds of 2800, they don't over expand, plenty of shank remaining, very little weight loss. I'm expecting at least the same sort of performance out of the heavier pill
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