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magnum308
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Loc: Brisbane, Australia
SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt?
      #162414 - 20/06/10 04:00 PM

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

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kamilaroi
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: magnum308]
      #162415 - 20/06/10 04:02 PM

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


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crkennedy1
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: kamilaroi]
      #162418 - 20/06/10 04:30 PM

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

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DOUBLE or NOTHING


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Rule303
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: crkennedy1]
      #162419 - 20/06/10 04:37 PM

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.

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magnum308
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: crkennedy1]
      #162429 - 20/06/10 05:57 PM

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?

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____________________________________________
Life is too short to hunt with an ugly rifle


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Phillip
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: magnum308]
      #162438 - 20/06/10 08:19 PM

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

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My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them.
-Winston Churchill


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Tatume
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: magnum308]
      #162439 - 20/06/10 08:40 PM

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.

--------------------
Take care, Tom
NRA Life Member


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crkennedy1
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: magnum308]
      #162447 - 20/06/10 11:37 PM

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!

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DOUBLE or NOTHING


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xausa
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: crkennedy1]
      #162449 - 21/06/10 12:49 AM

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.


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pinotguy
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: xausa]
      #162456 - 21/06/10 04:57 AM

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.


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Charls
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: pinotguy]
      #162460 - 21/06/10 05:14 AM

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


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JabaliHunter
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: magnum308]
      #162465 - 21/06/10 06:19 AM

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.


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Mike_Bailey
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #162467 - 21/06/10 06:30 AM

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

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DarylS
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: Mike_Bailey]
      #162469 - 21/06/10 07:59 AM

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

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Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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tophet1
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Reged: 15/09/07
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: DarylS]
      #162472 - 21/06/10 08:46 AM

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.

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magnum308
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: tophet1]
      #162490 - 21/06/10 05:45 PM

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?

--------------------
____________________________________________
Life is too short to hunt with an ugly rifle


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CHAPUISARMES
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: magnum308]
      #162492 - 21/06/10 06:32 PM

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

--------------------


"Travel Light, Travel Fast and carry a Big Bore"


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tophet1
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: CHAPUISARMES]
      #162495 - 21/06/10 06:49 PM

Magnum308, PM sent.

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magnum308
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: CHAPUISARMES]
      #162496 - 21/06/10 07:05 PM

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.

--------------------
____________________________________________
Life is too short to hunt with an ugly rifle


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CHAPUISARMES
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: magnum308]
      #162499 - 21/06/10 07:46 PM

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

--------------------


"Travel Light, Travel Fast and carry a Big Bore"


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: CHAPUISARMES]
      #162515 - 21/06/10 11:50 PM

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.

--------------------
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"


Edited by NitroX (29/11/10 05:04 AM)


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bonanza
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: magnum308]
      #162541 - 22/06/10 09:36 AM

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



Edited by CptCurl (22/06/10 09:47 PM)


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CptCurlAdministrator
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: bonanza]
      #162566 - 22/06/10 09:50 PM

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

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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ozhunter
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: CptCurl]
      #162693 - 24/06/10 05:57 PM

9.3xsomething

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Homer
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Re: SIngle Rifle for African Plains Game Hunt? [Re: ozhunter]
      #162695 - 24/06/10 06:41 PM

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

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"


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