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

Hunting Africa has been a dream of mine for many years now. I am going to make this a reality in the next few years. From those of you who have actually hunted in Africa what is your take on a good caliber. Currently the largest caliber I own is a 7mm WSM. I am heavily considering a 338 win mag but I am not sure if this is really needed or preferred. I am not planning on hunting dangerous game, at least for my first trip. I would mainly like to get a few of the common species such as a nice kudu, impala, warthog, etc...

I only have one PG safari under my belt

In June of 2014

I used a Remington ADL in 30-06 shooting 150 grn Accubonds at 2900ish

I killed eleven different species of game with no lost animals

Kudu........................225 yards
Blue Wildebeest.....100 yards
Black Wildebeest....125 yards
Waterbuck...............200 yards
Gemsbock...............250 yards
Blesbok....................175 yards
Impalas x2...............100 and 341 yards
Vervet Monkeys.......50 to 250 yards
Rock Hyrax s............50 to 300 yards
Warthog....................125 yards
Bushbuck..................225 yards

Like big stick has said.......bullets trump headstamps

I will say placement of good bullet trumps headstamp

Your WSM with a good bullet of 140 or 150 will kill everything your after just as dead as your 338

Your 7 WSM will be fine. Use a 160gr premium bullet and you'll cover even the big Plains Game.

I went to SA in 2010 for plains game...
I took a 375 H&H shooting 270gr Barnes tsx..
My buddy took his '06 and killed everything he shot at with one bullet each...

I was glad I had the .375 when I shot my zebra, but overall it was probably too much rifle, although I didn't have to chase any animals, especially the steinbok.

Pick a good bullet and learn to shoot your 7mm whizzum off of sticks. Practice at distances up to 200 yards. You will be fine.

If you like the 7mm WSM it would work fine. I've been twice and took my M70 .338Win Mag. That being said, I wouldn't be afraid at all of using my .308Win. for most plains game. What ever you choose, don't go cheap on the ammo. Use one of the premium controlled expansion bullets.

I went to the RSA in 2009 for plains game and took a .338 Win Mag. I went 10 for 10 on everything from Impala to Kudu to Blue Wildebeest.

Going back again this year and leaning toward the same rifle and using 210 gr Barnes TTSX again. Could go with a 9.3x62, with 250 gr Accubond because of Eland, but not convinced I need it.

donsm70

Sure should be able to kill all the plains game with a WSM. Took the god grandson in 2013, he took 5 animals, 3 kinda small ones, Impala and Black Wildebeeste and two larger ones, Nyala and Zebra. Used a 308 on everything but the zebra. Used an 06 there, because the PH wanted him to. All except the BWB one shot kills. I have been a couple of times and used a 280, and 06, and 45/70. At the time no real good bullets for the 45/70, so not impressed. A 308, or 280 or something in that range should be great. If using your 7mmWSM, use 140gr bullets, Ttsx or Swifts, and it'll kill like lightening. 160s more than needed, and on small stuff like a Steenbok, at 20 lbs, over kill and a half. I shot my steenboks with a 280 and 140gr Ttsx and one with a BT, and both hit the ground like something dropped on them. Go have fun. Don't take a 375 or some monster masher as definitely not needed. MOST African plains game about the size of a whitetail deer, pronghorn or larger Muley.

I wouldn't flinch given the chance on Eland with a 30-06 and a good 180

I did my first plains game safari with a 7mm mag. Took everything from springbok to kudu without a problem. My hunting pard had the same with the same results. Your 7mm wsm will do the job with 160 Nosler Partitions or TSX's.

Don't buy another rifle, use that money for more trophy fees!!!!

Not an African hunter. But, taking the gun you can deliver with and close the deal with is the way to go. My experience with the .338WM and .340 Wby, to me they kicked too much. Both of mine went down the road.

Check out JG'g 7RM experience using 160 NAB's. NPT's or TSX/TTSX's would probably work as well. His rifle liked NAB's best. Partitions are his personal favorite, generally.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8867802/1

DF

I've used a SAKO A7 in 308 Win with 165 TSX bullets on 3 trips. Took a 9.3x66 as 2nd rifle on one trip and 270 Win on the other two trips. Your 7RMM will work fine.

Actually don't use the $$$ for more trophy fees

It cost a small fotune to export your trophies from Africa to the USA

Study dip, pack and ship fees for your region then remember there are fees inquired in the US to get said trophies to your door

This topic is rarely discussed

Go to the Accurate Reloading Africa forum and learn more on this before you go

My first trip was in 2002 and I used a 9.3x62 with the 250 gr Barnes X at 2650 fps. It worked like a champ from porcupine to eland. My second trip, a family one where I hunted little, I used a 358 Win and the 200 gr TTSX, I took warthog, bushbuck and nyala out to 250 yards (the hog) and all was good. My middle son used the same 358 to take a pile critters up to gemsbuck without issue. Basically like killing our deer...

cleaning, drying, dipping and packing not necessarily that expensive. I had the ones for my god grandson tanned in Africa as no more expensive to ship them tanned, and cost less to tan there. The only animals that cause any problems importing are pigs. The USDA gets involved with those. You do NOT need to hire a transfer agent here. If you tell the taxidermists to send it to YOU, YOU will get the papers on it, and can take them to the Customs people yourself. They then stamp them, and you go to the pick up area (where I am , a whole 50 yds away from the customs office), and picked them up myself. Had to pay $50 for some fee for bringing them to that area, but would have had to anyway. The import agents charge a whole lot of money for nothing. But if you feel safer using one, do so.

All I can add to this, is that I have nothing to add. Spot on.
The 7mm WSM will get the job done relatively easily.

Tedthorn says don't spend the extra money on trophy fees. But that the only way to get more animals. You do NOT have to bring them back home, and something like 40% of people now just take pictures. If something you particularly want, then take it to the taxidermist there, to prepare to bring over, but tell them they can keep the rest, or ask the PH what to do with the hides, etc.

Marius said:

All I can add to this, is that I have nothing to add. Spot on.
The 7mm WSM will get the job done relatively easily. [/quote]

He's a professional, knows what he's talking about, I took a 7mm Rem Mag and my son took a 270. I became a HUGE fan of the 270!!

2 schools of thought: 1: Don't buy a rifle/scope/clothes, etc,,, use the money for trophy fees
2: It's AFRICA get a safari rifle!! Either way it's YOUR hunt and YOUR choice!

Personally I subscribe to theory 1......

When I was looking into African plains game calibers, I was told "think elk", i.e. any cartridge that was adequate for elk hunting should do well for plains game.
When I went on my first safari last summer, I took a .338 Win. mag (didn't buy the rifle specifically for the hunt....had bought it a few years before I even thought about going to Africa) and my trusty .30-06. I ended up taking all but one of my critters with the '06 and a 200 grain Nosler partition handload.
Your 7mm should be more than adequate for the task at hand.

romad97,

I have been to Africa (Namibia and SA) three times with rifles.
Game taken ranged from Warthog and Springbok up to Zebra, Kudu, Sable, and Wildebeest on the larger end of the plains game spectrum.

First safari was to Namibia, where I took my .300 Weatherby and 200 gr. Swift A-Frame bullets. Worked just fine.

Second hunt with rifle was for Nyala, Bushbuck, and Waterbuck. Used a 7x57, again with very satisfactory results.

Third trip I used my .375 Ruger, on Sable and Black Wildebeest, and Springbok in the Karoo. Shots were between 200 yd. and 275 yd., and the 250 gr. Barnes TSX bullets worked perfectly.

Bottom line- a whole range of rifles, calibers, and bullets will work, in Africa as well as a lot of other places- and as always, shot placement is key.

For some fun reading on safari rifles, Craig Boddington's Safari Rifles II is a must. If I have the opportunity to return to Africa for another plains game hunt, the .300 Wby. or a .30-06 will once again go along, this time with 165 gr. Barnes TSX bullets.

I would take whatever rifle you can buy ammo for while you are there. Myself if going i would take my 7x57

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

Reading Taylor's :African Rifles and Cartridges" from 1948. Funny- a few things have certainly changed over the years. Longer shots seem more probable now. He said a shot over 200 Yds back then would be RARE. He said sight in for 100 Yards, and aim to hit. Your rifle will hit close enough out to 200, with no need to hold under or over. That certainly won't change with your 7MM. Another thing that hasn't changed, as other have pointed out: Use PREMIUM bullets. Personally, I would opt for a 9.3x62. But thats kinda like noses- everyone has one.
Hope you have a ball. Too bad the news about PH Ian Gibson.... R.I.P. OM.

Have a blast on your hunt, and give a good report upon your return!

Greg in West Mitten

I used my .338-06 for everything from springbok to eland seemed perfect to me
My PH's rifle that clients use was a suppressed 7 Rem mag

Went on my first African hunt to Namibia in May 2013.
Took 7 Plains Game animals with my .300 Weatherby Mag. and 180 gr. Barnes TSX Bullets.
Longest shot was 235 yds.
If I remember, two other hunters had 7 mm Mags and they had no trouble taking Plains Game.

Lugerman

Most excellent choice of caliber and bullet with the Weatherby/TSX combo, sir.

I've researched this heavily and I can tell you that you usually bring two guns since you always need a backup. 2 guns is the max you can bring to most of Africa and they must be different calibers.

My opinion, .338 is the worst choice because it's overkill for some and not big enough for others.

The classic rifle for accuracy and light recoil on plains game is 7x57. The classic magnum for plains game (and legal minimum for giraffe and eland in some countries) is 300 H&H.

The minimum caliber for dangerous game is 9.3x62 or .375 H&H. If you could bring only one gun and you want to shoot anything, it's 375 H&H.

I'm taking a 7x57 and 300 H&H as I don't intend to hunt big 5. Those will do all the other game effectively.

A 300 win mag is also a good choice for all but big-5. Legally speaking .300 can take big cats in many places but most suggest .375 for best versatility.

Just a quick point of order:


In most African nations your PH is not allowed to have ammo for you as they can only have ammo for their guns. Supplies can be rare in areas like Zim.

You can bring 100 pieces for each gun max. Your total must weigh less than 5KG.


If you get your ammo lossed or seized, your best hopes of finding ammo in Africa are:

7x57
.270 win
.30-06
.375 H&H
.300 win mag


Deviate from those calibers at your own peril should your ammo not make it to camp.

Nonsense. The PH I hunted with had ALL kinds of ammo leftover from calibers he never had. 308 is a LOT more available than 06, 270 or 7x57.

Hilarious, to say the least.

The .338WM is the best but a .300 WSM is plenty good . Comes down to what you can kill with. A .22 Longrifle is enough if your sneakie.

For local hunting here in Africa I use a couple of rifles.

For plains game in Africa a 30-06 works just fine. If you cant down your game over here with a 30-06, the problem is not the gun- it is the hunter.

Having said that, I do most of my hunting with my trusted 308. This rifle has taken anything from a jackal to an Eland.

Now I know why you were wanting my 9.3x62mm.....



Good luck with your hunt and bring back plenty of memories and pictures to share with us!!!!

Well of course a 338 or 375, shot well, will kill plains game. The class of cartridges consisting of the 7-57, 270, 280, 308, and 30-06 will do just as well with good shot placement and a good bullet.
I just returned from 22 days in Namibia. I shot 52 critters ranging in size from springbok to wildebeest, all with one shot from my 270. I used TTSX and bonded core bullets. This was trip 18+. I have used the 270 and 280 mostly. Shoot well and you will find the critter about 25-30 paces away. Easy peesy!
My PH's both used 7-57 and 308 for their hunting.