Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa What is the best caliber for Africa hunting?

I am going to take a minority opinion, based on my limited experience of two trips. First trip was 30-06 & 375 H&H; second was .338 Win and .416 Rem.

1) Once an animal bleeds, you have paid for it. With lots of trophy fees north of $1000, I don't want a "get by" rifle/bullet.

2) Most shots are 250 yards or less, meaning trajectory minimization through velocity is not a significant goal.

3) I like two holes in critters to improve the tracking-recovery odds (see #1 above.)

4) Getting a rapid second shot off is important (and PHs say this is a skill American hunters are typically weak on.)

5) Sometimes you are walking around Africa feeling a bit more like the prey than the predator.

So I like a bigger caliber and heavier/slower bullet combo--it just makes me less nervous in a number of ways. For me, .338 Win loaded down a bit (like 100-150 fps off max) to take the edge off the recoil is perfect.

But a bigger issue is probably the scope. A 1.5x-6 is about ideal. Go to Africa with a high magnification Hubble and you will regret it more than cartridge choice.

As a practical matter, there are few (if any) better choices for African plains game than a .30-06

Practice shooting off sticks! Too often, the first time people try it is when they're in front of their first animal on their first safari. MUCH more important than what caliber yuo use.

I used a Winchester Mod 70 338 WM and 210 grain NP on my trip. It was a rifle I already had. I'm not big on buying rifles for a hunt, what I have needs to work. I shot a
Zebra
Blue Wildebeast
2 Kudu
Gemsbock
Blesbock
Impala
Warthog
I probably could have got by with a 30-06 but I like the 338 and have used one a lot, recoil was no issue whatsoever.

The 7x57 has taken every animal on the continent. Your WSM will do fine.

I'll add my 2 cents to saying your 7 will be fine. But....
Mr Murphy always seems to show up when you add firearms to airplanes and international travel. Ammo availability is always paramount to me should something happen en route. I have taken 30-06, 7 x 57, 7- 08, 416 Rem, 338 Win and a .270 on various trips for myself and my wife. Right gun right game no problem. Take your PH's advice on guns and optics. Some places you will need to make long shots, some places 100 yards will be "long". It's a big place. One thing I know is whatever your "list" includes you might want to consider taking two rifles just in case Mr Murphy arrives. Oh, and take the best animals your PH finds. Not everyone gets all their dream animals but don't let a great one that's not on your list walk. Such thinking always opens up a good excuse to go back again, and again, and again.

Hunted Plains Game in Namibia 2 years ago.
Took my .300 WBY with 180 gr. Barnes TSX. Took 7 trophy's; 5 with one shot. Range was 75 to 250 yds.
I think your 7mm Mag. will work just fine.

Lugerman

This is probably the best advice on the whole thread. And to add to that statement, practice offhand also.

I hunted nilgai last weekend. I took one shot on the bench to check zero, dry fired on the sticks a couple of times, and then took a shot offhand at 100 yards. The guide told me in 30 years of hunting he never had a client shoot at the target offhand. He was even more amazed I hit it.

Everybody has their favorite rifle for hunting plains game. I prefer my 375 H&H for PG because all my hunts were in dangerous game areas and it is nice to have a legal caliber if I need it. However any 7 by 57, 270, 308, 30-06 338 and on and on will work fine, especially with premium bullets.

I guess I've been influenced by Capstick. I'd take a .375 H&H for any animals big or small.

No doubt the 7mm WSM can do everything this side of DG in South Africa. My only concern would be ammo if it was needed there for whatever reason.

The 30/06 or 270Win would be more practical in this respect.

The older I get, the more I favor standard, boring, cartridges. If you want individuality, dress up the rifle and handload.

I can think of no better advice. Use that money to play more.

You are good to go.

I would be worried about that as well.

I'm good to a little over 200 yds with my 9.3x62 off sticks and good to 50+ yds off-hand with my 458. Use a 286 NPT in the 9.3 and 450 FN solids or Swift"A" in 458.

I used a 7mm Rem Mag for Nyala and Warthog and it worked well. Both were one shot kills using Barnes TSX bullets under 200 yards. I agree with the other poster's comment about the importance of practicing off sticks!

Eric

A note about shooting sticks and or tripods

When you go ask a couple months before you leave what kind of stix your PH will be using on your hunt

Make or buy these and practice a lot

My wife and I practiced 5 days a week for the last month before we left

30 to 40 rounds each of 22LR at 80 yards at a 4" steel gong

Then we would cap off the session with 2 or 3 each from the -06 at a 6" gong at 100

There are several techniques that fellow 24 and AR member conveyed to us that made us near automatic

After using wood, bamboo and Bogpod tripods my PH used the Primos Trigger Sticks Tall Tripod

Of the 4 it is head over heals the best......so good I now own one for hunting here in the USA

On 9 hour days of constant binocular use shooting is the least of the use these will fall into........they are awsom binocular rest for standing and glassing

+1 to practice shooting off of sticks. I built a set and then printed pictures of Kudu, Impala, etc. I would set the pictures across my basement and then load three blanks and practice taking three quick shots. Got me used to holding on the sticks and cycling through the shots. Took about 12 shots a night for a month or two and was noticibly better by the time I left for Africa. That was the most beneficial thing I did before my trip. Ultimately, the entire effort comes down to shot placement. You may not have much time for some of the shots, so be ready!

Your .270 WSM will work fine.

I would prefer a .30/06 as if you and your ammunition get separated, it's extremely likely your PH will have '06 ammo in camp, but it's not likely he will have .270 WSM.

Be sure you have a really good scope and practice a lot off the sticks.

As long you stay in range of 250yrds 7mm WSM is good choise for all games you menthioned. Longer distants might need other options do not lose your money