Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa 270 WSM for Plains Game

I picked up a Sako 75 Grey Wolf in the above caliber and was thinking that this rifle might just be perfect for plains game. I plan on using a 140 grain TSX or 150 grain Nosler Partition. My primary game will be kudu, gemsbok and impala. At a later date I may add eland, wildebeast and zebra. My other rifle is a Ruger African in 9.3x62 shooting 250 grain Accubonds. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

Bob

Use the 9.3 on Eland...270 WSM on everything else or vice versa

I just don't see how you could do better than the 270 WSM for the game you listed

GREAT PG caliber in my opinion and I'd use the TSX or whichever bullet your rifle shoots best.

Thanks guys, I appreciate your comments, please keep them coming.

Adding Eland is a game changer.

If your P.H. is a true professional he will ask you to take the 9.3x62 for a number of reasons:
1) A more humane/responsible chance to put the animal down.
2) So his team won't have to track a wounded animal you will have to pay for anyway.
The 250 AB would be perfect.

Do yourself a favour, add the Zebra. A skin on the floor or wall (where it will last longer) is spectacular.

With correct placement, any premium projjie will work well at 270 WSM velocities on the other game you mention.

Does it feed and chamber perfectly ?

There is nothing wrong with the 270 but I would suggest going with the 9.3 for the eland, wildebeest and zebra just because they are rather hard to put down. A bad shot with a larger caliber will still be better than a bad shot with the smaller caliber is as far as I'm concerned. If the 270 shoots the TSX's well then they will work fine over here.

The specific bullet AND where you put it are much more important than anything mentioned thus far. I have shot three eland, ten or so zebra, twelve or so gemsbok, and thirty or so each wildebeest, and kudu with a 270 Win and various 130 grain premium bullets. There have also been many waterbuck, impala, hartebeast, pigs, etc. All except three or four needed a single shot. None more than two.

I would use 130 TTSX or E-Tip bullets.

The 9.3 is great but I have seen hunters shooting ability go to hell after a just couple of days of shooting. I figure over half of the shots are taken from difficult, awkward, uncomfortable positions. You want something that is both portable and which helps you place the bullet with precision. Remember this is not a trip on which you take two shots then go home.

Your job is to be able to hit a target the size of a grapefruit AND do it quickly from imperfect positions.

270WSM and TSX bullet is Ok for all of those...maybe eland "like" to have something bigger but if you hit front leg lower part then it's nail down anyway.

Bob, in a few days I'm leaving for RSA for the second time and for the second time I'm taking a SAKO A7 in 308 Win and a Ruger African in 9.3x63. For the 308 I'm shooting 168 gr. Barnes TTSX factory and for the 9.3x62 I'm shooting handloads of the 286 gr. TSX over Varget. On the menu is waterbuck, red hartbeest, impala, warthog, bushbuck, eland and buffalo.

Yes the 270 WSM will work, I suggest you talk to your PH and get his advice.

Nothing wrong with your WSM, but I like using popular chamberings (like the .30-06, etc) when hunting in exotic places. If your ammo doesn't arrive in JNB with your rifle, can you buy any .270 WSM locally? Maybe yes, maybe no.

I'm possibly paranoid. Take your WSM and have fun!

If ( when) I'm asked this question from the hunters with me I would say take the 9.3 as a primary hunting rifle and if you feel the need bring the 270 as a spare.

With great shooting and game that participates the 270 will kill animals. However those smaller diameter bullets don't leak blood as well, sometimes at all. Herd animals depart in a huge cloud of dust which settles back on all the tracking evidence.

Your days are short, the knowledge of what animal is around the next bush is a roll of the dice. The bigger bullet is just simply better in every way.

Remember killing these animals is not your primary goal, finding them after the shot is. After 20 plus years of doing this with hundreds of clients, I and the PHs that have worked for me will all agree on this. Bigger bullets make recovery not only easier and faster, but possible in many situations.

Many above posts do not agree with what I have written. Fine by me. I see varied experience levels, weather, rifles, ammo, distances, species, etc. most have not sat at the fire in the evening with a dejected hunter that was unable to find a lost animal. Waiting for first light to go search again. Having a sleepless night replaying the shot in their racing mind.

It's brutal to watch all the hunters laughing and carrying on at camp and one sad sap that lost his animal. Choose wisely choose big bullets whenever possible.

Lots of love for the 9.3

That's interesting. That must mean you guys expect most shots to be under 200 yards?

It's good to see so much real experience commenting. But, the 9.3 borders on 300 wby like recoil does it not?

My 300 weatherby was at times brutal, I've never a shot a 9.3 that was anything like that.

A lot has to do with the gun design. 9.3's were always quite nice in my opinion. those over bore weatherby's would crumple game like a bolt of lightening, but the shooter rarely gets to see that happen

I own both a 300 Weatherby and a Ruger African in 9.3x62, the 9.3 is no where near the kick of the 300 Weatherby, it kicks like an 06. I have shot 8 elk with the 300 Bee and have seen each and everyone one of them flattened, the Bee is braked and the only way I can shoot it. I'd use it in Africa W/O hesitation but it is my understanding that PH's and trackers don't like brakes (I don't blame them).

JJHACK is right about blood leak and sad hunters...have seen it in Africa myself when guys track two days wounded animal before find it. Have also track myself 3 hours after wildebeest and need second and also third shot to put it down...not nice feeling if you think about 1000$ shot.
Therefore my choise for Africa was 9,3x64...and there is no problem to shoot even over 300yrds with that. All what you need is to make your homework before you leav to SA. This is what guys sometime missing when they go to Africa for hunting. At home often moose or elk hunt cost you time and ammo...in Africa it's hundred of $ per shot. Therefore it's better to be 110% sure that you kill and found game.
Have take Kudu from 280 and oryx over 300yrds but prefer to stay below 150yrds if possibe.

Just got back from SA last week. Shot a 375h&h and a 30-06, both using TSX's...all pass throughs. NO blood trail on 7 of 8 animals. NONE. All had 2 holes but unless you pressed on animal, no leakage. Only evidence on any was the last Impala shot with the 30-06 had lung tissue at spot of hit and a few drops of blood. Found him 30 yds. away. Other 2 Impala,Kudu, Blue Wildebeest,2 Warthogs and an Eland cow showed no blood at all. PH uses 2 Jack Russel's for tracking and does not rely on blood.
I understand the pain of losing game...we spent almost 2 hours trailing a Wildebeest we both thought I hit before deciding somehow I had missed a 75 yd. standing still animal. Those were a long 2 hours watching him sort out the tracks and follow it. Still don't know how I missed him.....

Good scuttlebutt. On paper the recoil ft pounds projections *appear close. My experience with the 300wby was not pleasant, hence my question.

I've added a McMillan Edge stock, with 1" Pachmayr Decellerator pad, and my .300 Wby. settled down nicely.......