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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game
#4339 - 07/10/03 03:52 PM

If someone came to you seeking advise on their 1st trip to Africa, what caliber would you suggest for them to use as the lightest and heaviest to use. This would be plains game only, and would include game up to the size of Kudu. Since most first timers don't go for Eland or Sable, don't consider them for your suggestions.

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470Nitro
.333 member

Reged: 17/09/03
Posts: 467
Loc: Madrid - Spain

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#4341 - 07/10/03 05:35 PM

I think the heaviest should be a .375 and lightest should be something around a 264 Win.
Anyway will be better try all with just one .300 WM

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-----
down by the river on a friday night
pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight
talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute

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GeorgeS
.275 member

Reged: 30/01/03
Posts: 51
Loc: Metro NYC

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#4349 - 08/10/03 09:35 AM

.30-06. End of story.

George

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

"Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!"

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SafariHunt
.333 member

Reged: 02/01/03
Posts: 468
Loc: Pretoria RSA

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#4406 - 13/10/03 01:48 AM

I just tell my people to bring the heaviest they can handle ! They are not hunting for meat anyway and I have seen to many dissapointed faces when they have shot a perfect shot and the animal still runs out of view.

But yes I agree with Goerge the 30-06 is close to perfect.

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

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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: SafariHunt]
#4409 - 13/10/03 04:04 AM

I'm in agreement with you and GeorgeS on the 30:06 for the light rifle. Almost everyone who hunts, has one, so they're probably comfortable with it. One caveat I would add though is to forget lighter bullets, and go with a 180 or 200 grain premium pill with the Nosler Partition being the minimum. Penetration is more important than velocity. Other good premium bullets are the Barnse X, Swift A-Frame, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw and the Woodleigh. If you have a .338 or 375 and can shoot it well, use it, but don't go out and buy one just because you're going to Africa. One other thing I'd suggest is to buy the book "The Perfect Shot". One thing I've found is that the vitals of most African game sit more forward in the chest cavity than the vitals on our deer, elk or caribou. On most African game, a broadside, behind the shoulder shot is marginal, and could result in just a wounded animal that you have to pay for if it gets away.

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iqbal
resigned as a member

Reged: 05/02/03
Posts: 778
Loc: Karachi,Pakistan

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#4416 - 14/10/03 06:25 PM

On my safari to Africa i shot a no. of plainsgame ranging from impala to eland and everything in between.Only two calibers were used i.e.300wby.mag.and 375H&H.Not a single animal was lost and all were clean kills.I would recommend these two calibers.

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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: iqbal]
#4425 - 15/10/03 07:34 PM

You selected 2 fine calibers. I think it would be hard to make an arguement against either of them.

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39680
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#4503 - 22/10/03 01:28 AM

For me .375 H&H and .375 H&H.

Seriously probably a 6.5 mm at the low end and a .375 H&H at the upper.

Probably a flat shooter like a 6.5x68 for the smaller plains game. Or a flat shooting .300 or 8x68S would be better. The Plain Jane .30-06 is what I actually took, but I do like a ittle more assurance.

The .375 will do it all.

--------------------
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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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: NitroX]
#4513 - 22/10/03 07:50 AM

I agree. When it's all said and done, there isn't anything the 375 H&H won't do when you combine it with a good bullet, and proper shot placement.

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470Nitro
.333 member

Reged: 17/09/03
Posts: 467
Loc: Madrid - Spain

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#4527 - 22/10/03 06:06 PM

I'm actually using a .416 and a 7 mm.RM on my 21 days safaris. I use the small one from Dik Dik to Kudu and the big one from Kudu to Elephant.

Now I'm planing to buy again a double .470 and then I'll hunt with a .470 and a .375 H&H.

Which combination do you think is better for a 21 days Safari????. .416-7 mm. or .375-.470????

Bye.

--------------------
-----
down by the river on a friday night
pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight
talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39680
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: 470Nitro]
#4529 - 22/10/03 08:21 PM

No doubt which combination i would choose.

The .375 H&H and the .470 double. They closely mirror my battery, still to be tested in action together, of a .375 and a .450.

They also allow overlap on the upper end. If you see that magical 100 pounder and all you have is a mere .375, no worries

.

The all time classic battery would have been to include a 6.5 or a 7 mm so if you add the 7mm Rem Mag you would have everything. Except no doubt one rifle would remain in camp.

But Dik Dik with a .375 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS I am green with envy. A 21 day safari ranging from Dik DIk to Elephant. Good luck.

--------------------
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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470Nitro
.333 member

Reged: 17/09/03
Posts: 467
Loc: Madrid - Spain

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: NitroX]
#4530 - 22/10/03 08:44 PM

I'm already using a .375 H&H but almost for hunting in America. I used it for Moose and Brown Bear. I'll never change this caliber for another one.

I tryed a .375 with a Common Duiker, but I used Solid Bullet and it made less hole than a .264. Even I tryed a .416 with a Steinbok with solid bullet and I got excellent results.

Anyway this Dik-Dik was taken with a .22

--------------------
-----
down by the river on a friday night
pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight
talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute

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mickey
.416 member

Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: NitroX]
#4534 - 23/10/03 02:48 AM

NitroX

A 7 mm for sure but never, ever, a 7 mm Remington Magnum. That is pure sacrilige. It is just a short step from their to wearing Camouflage pants.

You would probably end up wearing a thong (a camouflaged thong) under your knee length shorts. You will end up putting 7-UP in your Shiraz because the bubbles tickle your nose.

You will have to turn in your 450#2 to the 'African Tradition Police' if anybody thinks you are at all serious.

Geez, so much to teach and so little time to teach it.

--------------------
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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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: 470Nitro]
#4541 - 23/10/03 05:22 AM

This one's almost a no-brainer. The battery has to be the 375 and 470.

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mickey
.416 member

Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#4543 - 23/10/03 06:54 AM

Since Kudu is your largest animal I would forego the Large Doubles as being to heavy and too short in the trajectory department.

I would go with the 300 H&H and the 375 H&H. I can't see needing the 375 though.

--------------------
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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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mickey]
#4544 - 23/10/03 08:42 AM

His post says that he'll use the big boy on Kudu to Elephant. Besides, the word need should never, ever enter into a gun ownership question. The only word we should consider is-want.

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mickey
.416 member

Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#4546 - 23/10/03 10:11 AM

Mike

I was responding to your initial post. I missed 470's question. Sorry.

I have to admit I outgrew 'need' along time ago. Strictly 'want' nowdays.

For over Kudu I'm taking my 404 or my 450 3.25. Or the 450/400 3.25 and the 470. Or my 375H&H and my 450#2. Or my 9.3x74R and my 577NE.

I KNOW. My 10 Bore Paradox and my 8 Bore.

Perfect, a Medium and a Heavy.

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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mickey]
#4548 - 23/10/03 11:39 AM

It's a shame to have to make these decisions, although I'd much rather have this problem, than the one my wife has to make when she's trying to decide what to wear for a night out.

When we moved into the new home 3 years ago, I packed up everything myself. Would you believe she had 167 pairs of shoes

-shoes mind you, that didn't include her boots. She hasn't asked me what a new rifle costs since then.

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39680
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mickey]
#4551 - 23/10/03 04:04 PM

In reply to:

NitroX

A 7 mm for sure but never, ever, a 7 mm Remington Magnum. That is pure sacrilige. It is just a short step from their to wearing Camouflage pants. You would probably end up wearing a thong (a camouflaged thong) under your knee length shorts. You will end up putting 7-UP in your Shiraz because the bubbles tickle your nose.

You will have to turn in your 450#2 to the 'African Tradition Police' if anybody thinks you are at all serious.

Geez, so much to teach and so little time to teach it.

OK Mickey I am suitably chastised.

How about we substitute the 7 mm Rem Mag for a 7 mm Super Express vom Hofe

. The original instead of the counterfeit.

Don't you go knocking my fashion sense. But who wears underwear under knee length shorts? Much more liberating

And a nice Sparkling Shiraz would be the perfect way to celebrate a wonderful safari. Sparkling Shiraz (once named Sparkling "Burgundies") - a Barossa tradition.

--------------------
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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DPhillips
.375 member

Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 819
Loc: Alaska

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: NitroX]
#4554 - 24/10/03 02:42 AM

"How about we substitute the 7 mm Rem Mag for a 7 mm Super Express vom Hofe "

Hey Nitro, why not the 275 H&H from 1912? Same ballistics as the Remmy version.

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mickey
.416 member

Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: DPhillips]
#4555 - 24/10/03 04:47 AM

Now there is a man with taste, culture and a respect for history. Truly a Gentleman in his 'Sitka Slippers'.

I would toast you with Wine from the Beautiful State of Washington but the Huckleberries aren't fermented enough. I guess another shot of Everclear will help.

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Will
.333 member

Reged: 04/02/03
Posts: 303
Loc: Kansas

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#4577 - 26/10/03 06:00 AM

It all depends. If this is the one and only safari you ever intend to go on, then the 30-06 and such is just peachy.

But if this is just the start, a .375 H&H is better. The plains game hunt turns into practice for the big stuff.

And if you are in dangerous game country, you should be carrying a dangerous game rifle, of which the .375 is the minimum, regardless of any regulations.

--------------------
_________________________________________________
Bill Stewart

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

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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: Will]
#4590 - 27/10/03 02:06 AM

How about: Good-30:06, Better-.338 Win.Mag., Best-.375 H&H?

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luv2safari
.400 member

Reged: 09/11/03
Posts: 1407
Loc: United States

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#4851 - 09/11/03 05:59 PM

Thats easy...7x57R and 9,3x74R...Then I would sell them two of my overpriced drillings and use the $$$ to book my own hunt!

--------------------
Hunt with Class and Classics

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Robie
.275 member

Reged: 04/04/03
Posts: 61

Re: Lightest and heaviest caliber for plains game [Re: luv2safari]
#4877 - 11/11/03 01:12 AM

Hi. Agree with "luv2safari". The 7x57R. and 9,3x74R., with Norma Oryx, in dbl.rifle drilling or side-by-side. Plus a smooth-bore / shotgun for birds (extra barrel set for the s/s).
Robie J.

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