What Caliber For South Africa Plains Game?

[chamois]

@chamois should weigh in

I shoot a lot of plains game in South Africa and Namibia every year, mostly culls, and that gives me the opportunity of testing different cartridge and bullet combinations. And enjoying life, of course!
My advise would be that you take with you a gun you are familiar with, one which you enjoy shooting and that you shoot well. Avoid a fast cartridge with a varmint bullet or a slow one with a hard bullet and you will do fine.
Just be aware that african plains game have their vitals forward and lower in the chest that you would expect from shooting deer like animals.
Cartridges I have tried have been the 5.6x67, 6XC, 6X62R Freres, 6.5X57R, 6.5X65R, 7X57R, 7X65R, 300WBY and, occasionally while hunting buff, the 375H&H.
Animals shot go from springbucks to oryx and blue wildebeest, with a few kudu and two female elands.
Except for the 5.6X57 (like a 22-6mm) or the 6X62R Freres (like a .240WBY) whose bullet choice was limited by their longish twist, I have found all of them equally effective. And I have found more dispersion in the results provided by bullet choice than by caliber choice.
The one I have enjoyed the most, a very good killer and therefore my favourite so far, has been the 6XC with 105gr Berger VLDs.
This year I will do a thorough test of 77gr TMK's versus 88gr ELDM's in a 1:8" 22-250 and that my change, though, as by my experience so far with the 77gr TMK´s in deer has been at least as good as with the 6XC, but we shall see.
Mostly, I will be shooting springbucks, warthogs, impalas, fallows, and wildebeest.
A man on his first trip to Africa is a man to envy, if I may add

 

[General RE LEE]

I shoot a lot of plains game in South Africa and Namibia every year, mostly culls, and that gives me the opportunity of testing different cartridge and bullet combinations. And enjoying life, of course!
My advise would be that you take with you a gun you are familiar with, one which you enjoy shooting and that you shoot well. Avoid a fast cartridge with a varmint bullet or a slow one with a hard bullet and you will do fine.
Just be aware that african plains game have their vitals forward and lower in the chest that you would expect from shooting deer like animals.
Cartridges I have tried have been the 5.6x67, 6XC, 6X62R Freres, 6.5X57R, 6.5X65R, 7X57R, 7X65R, 300WBY and, occasionally while hunting buff, the 375H&H.
Animals shot go from springbucks to oryx and blue wildebeest, with a few kudu and two female elands.
Except for the 5.6X57 (like a 22-6mm) or the 6X62R Freres (like a .240WBY) whose bullet choice was limited by their longish twist, I have found all of them equally effective. And I have found more dispersion in the results provided by bullet choice than by caliber choice.
The one I have enjoyed the most, a very good killer and therefore my favourite so far, has been the 6XC with 105gr Berger VLDs.
This year I will do a thorough test of 77gr TMK's versus 88gr ELDM's in a 1:8" 22-250 and that my change, though, as by my experience so far with the 77gr TMK´s in deer has been at least as good as with the 6XC, but we shall see.
Mostly, I will be shooting springbucks, warthogs, impalas, fallows, and wildebeest.
A man on his first trip to Africa is a man to envy, if I may add

What more “common” cartridge would you recommend for hunting African Plains game? 308? 270? 30-06? 7mm Mag?

 

[BjornF16]

What more “common” cartridge would you recommend for hunting African Plains game? 308? 270? 30-06? 7mm Mag?

You left off 6CM (essentially same as 6XC) and 6.5 CM...as well as 7mm-08 and 280 Rem/AI

Except for the 5.6X57 (like a 22-6mm) or the 6X62R Freres (like a .240WBY) whose bullet choice was limited by their longish twist, I have found all of them equally effective. And I have found more dispersion in the results provided by bullet choice than by caliber choice.
The one I have enjoyed the most, a very good killer and therefore my favourite so far, has been the 6XC with 105gr Berger VLDs.
This year I will do a thorough test of 77gr TMK's versus 88gr ELDM's in a 1:8" 22-250 and that my change, though, as by my experience so far with the 77gr TMK´s in deer has been at least as good as with the 6XC, but we shall see.

Look forward to your 77 TMK vs 88 ELDM comparison!

 

[jeffpg]

One of the most impressive things that you will ever witness while on safari in Africa is the uncanny ability of the native trackers to trail up animals in the bush, both the injured and non-injured. The most notable I ever witnessed was a little fellow named "Happy". He was an original bushman from Botswana, just like the guy on the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy". Happy lived and worked on the 128,000 acre game rich Kanana Safaris property in the Kalahara desert of Botswana. His larger Zimbabwean partner Morlan was no slouch either and the two made a dynamic duo. These guys grew up with these animals and literally know what they were going to do before they ever even made a move. I killed a lot of game in front of these guys and I also invariably made a couple of borderline hits along the way. Although a joy and a wonder to watch track wounded game, these events do take a good bit more time out of your hunt that the well placed hits with the correct bullet, and the trackers can't magically make your marginal hit a fatal one. You could very well end up wasting a whole lot of time searching for a critter that's long gone....

My point is this: In Africa, time is money. I treat an African safari, no matter how well it is planned out, as an opportunistic hunt. You never know what you will run across that is fair game. The more time spent hunting during your allotted time there is the more time spent making good on your investment in getting there and all the related costs of your precious time and money. Make it count. Shoot enough gun with a well constructed bullet and put it in the right place every single time. That's always my goal, and even if I do occasionally pull a shot, I almost always know that I did and I bear down mentally afterwards. That comes from shooting and hunting as much as possible before you ever cross over to experience hunting on the dark continent. Sure, listen to every word your professional hunters and tracker/skinners tell you. Watch every move they make and learn from the most genuine and real hunters that you will likely ever get to spend time with. Rely on them and trust them, but most of all, do your best as the shooter and make the game easy for them to find. You will all have a better time and a better relationship, I promise!

 

[Justin Crossley]

I shoot a lot of plains game in South Africa and Namibia every year, mostly culls, and that gives me the opportunity of testing different cartridge and bullet combinations. And enjoying life, of course!
My advise would be that you take with you a gun you are familiar with, one which you enjoy shooting and that you shoot well. Avoid a fast cartridge with a varmint bullet or a slow one with a hard bullet and you will do fine.
Just be aware that african plains game have their vitals forward and lower in the chest that you would expect from shooting deer like animals.
Cartridges I have tried have been the 5.6x67, 6XC, 6X62R Freres, 6.5X57R, 6.5X65R, 7X57R, 7X65R, 300WBY and, occasionally while hunting buff, the 375H&H.
Animals shot go from springbucks to oryx and blue wildebeest, with a few kudu and two female elands.
Except for the 5.6X57 (like a 22-6mm) or the 6X62R Freres (like a .240WBY) whose bullet choice was limited by their longish twist, I have found all of them equally effective. And I have found more dispersion in the results provided by bullet choice than by caliber choice.
The one I have enjoyed the most, a very good killer and therefore my favourite so far, has been the 6XC with 105gr Berger VLDs.
This year I will do a thorough test of 77gr TMK's versus 88gr ELDM's in a 1:8" 22-250 and that my change, though, as by my experience so far with the 77gr TMK´s in deer has been at least as good as with the 6XC, but we shall see.
Mostly, I will be shooting springbucks, warthogs, impalas, fallows, and wildebeest.
A man on his first trip to Africa is a man to envy, if I may add

Thank you for all that info. I'm interested to hear how the 77-grain TMKs perform for you.

I mentioned bringing my 300 WSM to my PH and he said he doesn't like fast cartridges due to bullets deflecting off the brush. He didn't know I shoot the 215 Bergers, so that could make a difference. He just said he prefers people to shoot the 375.

I'll be discussing it more in-depth with him before the trip, but I'm really leaning toward taking a 6.5mm or 6mm.

 

[Nitroexpress]

Hunting African plains game in an area with no dangerous game is nothing to over-think. Use a quality heavy for caliber bullet in your favorite hunting rifle and it will go well. African animals are not magically tougher or immune to bullets. The big difference is you might shoot a 25 pound animal or a 2000 pound animal.

 

[chamois]

What more “common” cartridge would you recommend for hunting African Plains game? 308? 270? 30-06? 7mm Mag?

My favourite so far has been the 6XC with 105 gr Bergers so that is what I would recommend.

But you will be fine with anything that you shoot well.

Of all the others I mentioned trying, my second favourite has been the 6,5X57R which is, performance wise, the very same thing as a 6.5CM, so the 6.5CM would be my second recommendation.

I am really interested in trying the 77TMK and the 88ELDM. I know the 77TMK will not disappoint, as I have shot a number of dear with them with outstanding results, and I am almost sure the 88ELDM won't either. It will take time, as my trip is in June, but you can count me on reporting my results for those interested.

 

[Axlrod]

I would listen to your guide. Winchester pre 64 in 375 H&H...

 

[Justin Crossley]

I would listen to your guide. Winchester pre 64 in 375 H&H...

Can you elaborate on why you would bring that combo? Have you experienced undesirable results on plains game with something else?

I'm 99% sure I'll be bringing one of my Tikka builds and it's just a matter of deciding what cartridge I want to go with.

 

[Axlrod]

Can you elaborate on why you would bring that combo? Have you experienced undesirable results on plains game with something else?

I'm 99% sure I'll be bringing one of my Tikka builds and it's just a matter of deciding what cartridge I want to go with.

It is just that to me it is the quintessential African bolt action/cartridge combo. And your guide suggested a 375. I am certain a Tikka in about any cartridge will work very well.

 

[Sevens]

If you don’t have dangerous game on the menu, I would recommend against the 375. It’s a lot of unnecessary weight and recoil to carry around if you don’t need it. I brought one both times I’ve been because I had large dangerous game on the menu and figured it would just be easier to bring the one rifle. Had no issue with the dangerous game, but really wished I had something easier on the shoulder I was more comfortable with once the heavy game was in the salt. You do a lot of shooting.

I can tell you too, just because you have a big gun does not mean it will make up for poor shot placement and, yes, the trackers are good, but even they can lose a trail. I misjudged a shot on an impala on my last trip (was quartering more than I thought due to an uphill angle), bullet hit too far forward and despite some excellent tracking, we never found that impala.

Get the book “the Perfect Shot” and study the anatomy of the animals. Then bring your favorite deer/elk rifle and have a good time. Something like a 7mm mag or 30-06 sounds perfect to me.

 

[General RE LEE]

My favourite so far has been the 6XC with 105 gr Bergers so that is what I would recommend.

But you will be fine with anything that you shoot well.

Of all the others I mentioned trying, my second favourite has been the 6,5X57R which is, performance wise, the very same thing as a 6.5CM, so the 6.5CM would be my second recommendation.

I am really interested in trying the 77TMK and the 88ELDM. I know the 77TMK will not disappoint, as I have shot a number of dear with them with outstanding results, and I am almost sure the 88ELDM won't either. It will take time, as my trip is in June, but you can count me on reporting my results for those interested.

If someone shows up with a 20” suppressed barrel 308 with high BC 175-180 grain bullets going about 2550 FPS with accurate DOPE, would they get kicked out of camp or would it work?

 

[slowelk]

This is an old photo, from 2015. The African animals here were taken by my father in law with a 6.5-284. He’s since been back two more times with 6.5s, the same 6.5-284 in 2017 and a prc in 2019. His second two trips included zebras, gemsbok, kudu, eland, osterich, blue wildebeest. Trips were to Namibia and South Africa.

There were a couple of tracking jobs in there from what I recall, but no lost animals.

 

[pc3]

Plains game only I would take one of;

30/06 Minimum
.300 win mag
9.3x62 Mauser
.338 Win Mag
.375 H&H

 

[Reburn]

This book was mentioned once. I did enjoy the read.

The Perfect Shot II: A Complete Revision of the Shot Placement for African Big Game: Robertson, Kevin: 9781571574305: Amazon.com: Books

The Perfect Shot II: A Complete Revision of the Shot Placement for African Big Game [Robertson, Kevin] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Perfect Shot II: A Complete Revision of the Shot Placement for African Big Game

www.amazon.com

 

[rifletuner]

If someone shows up with a 20” suppressed barrel 308 with high BC 175-180 grain bullets going about 2550 FPS with accurate DOPE, would they get kicked out of camp or would it work?

I have found that the majority of African PHs are very conservative when it comes to what they think works for terminal ballistics. But having said that, a 308 win is a very widely used round in SA by local hunters. The biggest thing they will be looking for is proof that you can reliably put a bullet where you are trying to hit.

Thats one of the main reasons that hunters always get taken to the camp rifle range at the start of a hunt. Yes, you get to verify your rifle after international travel, but it also gives the guide a chance to see how to handle your rifle, and if you can actually shoot.

One thing I had to impress on my son when he started hunting is that everyone who turns up at hunting camp is going to tell the guide they are a great shot. It is going to take a while for the guide to decide if that is actually true or not.

Having said all that, let the outfitter know what you are planning to use. Its better to find out before you leave than after you arrive in camp.

I have hunted 4 different African countries on 6 different occasions, and personally I would take a 30 cal magnum for the game that you are mentioning. Especially if you are hunting areas like the western cape or the kalahari where shots can be longer in the open country.

 

[JGRaider]

There's really no need for high BC bullets over there IME. I've killed over 60 animals over there, and the farthest shot was about 200 yards with the vast majority 150 and under.

 

[Pharmseller]

I took my 7Mag on my 5 trips to Africa for plains game. It worked great with 160 AB's, and I intentionally shot through shoulder trying for heart shots. Wound up killing about 60 head including many gemsbok and wildebeest ( love cull hunts over there in Namibia), and a handful of kudu.

You should post the link to the story from 24hrcampfire.

It was a great read.




P