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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 347
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 347 |
SAKO Classic in 375 H&H topped with a Leica ER 2.5-10 x42 Scope and firing Norma Oryx 300 Grain bullets. Anything bigger, firing off Norma 350 Grain Woodleighs. Prepared to lawfully shoot anything, other then locals.
Last edited by wesheltonj; 05/21/17.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,113
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,113 |
Depends on what other game is on the menu during the safari.
Have used the following with good success:
1. Dakota African Model 76 in .416 Rigby. Swarovski 1.5-6x42. 400 grain Swift A-Frame. Multiple PG animals. Also accounted for buff and lion.
2. Custom Pre-'64 Winchester Model 70 in .338 Winchester. Swarovski Z6i 1.7-10x42. 225 grain Nosler Partition. Multiple PG animals. Also accounted for a leopard and an eland.
3. Winchester Custom Shop M70 in .300 Win Mag. Zeiss 2.5-10x42. 200 grain Swift A-Frame. Multiple PG animals..
4. Winchester Model 70 in .30/06. Leupold 2.5-10x42. 180 grain TSX. (PH's loaner rifle. used to shoot bait animals).
5. Custom Mauser M98 in 300 H&H. Zeiss 2.5-10x42. Forget which ammunition was used. Multiple PG animals.
All worked well.
My recommendation, based on personal experience, is any rifle from .30/06 through .416 with a very high quality scope and premium ammunition. First criteria should be how well you shoot that particular rifle. Second criteria should be what animals are on the menu. If you have a pet .270 that you shoot well, bring it. Ditto for a .308, .280, 7mm-08 or 7x57. I imagine a .375 or 9.3x62 would also perform admirably, but I have never brought one to Africa personally.
Another thing to consider is where you will be hunting. If you are on a PG hunt, but the area is also populated by DG, I would bring at least .375 with a soft up and solids down. If you get an unexpected charge by a buff or an elephant, you will want more in your hands than a .30/06. You can always eject the soft and quickly chamber a solid.
Am planning on a PG hunt next June (2018) in a non DG area.. Will either bring a BACO Winchester M70 super grade featherweight in 7x57 Mauser (Swarovski Z3 2.5-10x42), a custom M98 in .30/06 (Zeiss 2.5-10x42) or a Blaser R93 in .30/06 (Zeiss 2.5-10x42). Working up loads now, focusing on loads built around Woodleigh Weldcore bullets. None of these rifles has been to Africa previously. This will be a PG only hunt.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,117
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,117 |
RS,
As you know, I went to Namibia in 2015. My rifle of choice, for plains game, was a Remington 700 in .338 Win Mag. That was its second trip and with 210 gr Barnes TSX, I managed to take over 25 head of plains game. It was very adequate from guinea hen (neck shot) to eland. Thank you for setting me up with Hunters Namibia Safaris. We still keep in touch with Marina. She is a wonderful woman.
donsm70
Life Member...Safari Club International Life Member...Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Life Member...Keystone Country Elk Alliance Life Member...National Rifle Association
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,156
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,156 |
I have used or have seen first hand over 150 plains game shot in last 3 years with: 30-06, 300 win, 338 win, 7 mag, 300 ultra, 375 ultra, 375 H&H, & 458 win Scopes either leupold or Swarovski Bullets either TSX, TTSX, Bergers, or Accubonds All different weights. Even PPU cup and core loaded ammo when ran out one trip
My conclusion is they all work when put in the right place. But the combo I have been the happiest with is these two.
300 win shooting 180 ttsx (Barnes vortex factory loads for most) with a 3x9 or 4x12 Leupold VX3 That's the combo I tell everyone I send that ask what Is the gun to take.
Now after all I have seen the perfect combo in my mind is a 338 win with 200 gr Accubonds with leupold 3x9 with LR duplex Used this combo as well as 2 other guys with me accounted for 44 head from duiker to Eland almost all 1 shot kills and most had pass thrus under 300 yards. Had kills from 8 yards to 463 yards.
But next trip I am going to use 338-06 with 200 gr E tips and see what happens had alot of luck with this combo here.
Last edited by NTO; 05/21/17.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,425
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,425 |
I somehow; accidentally became a .375 for everything guy. The rifles change though.
It wasn't planned that way, I just wanted to shoot an animal or two , and settled Into "if it iaint broke, don't fix it" mode.
Life begins at 40. Recoil begins at "Over 40" Coincidence? I don't think so.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,360
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,360 |
7mm Rem Mag 160 NP
8mm Hatari Mag with 200 TSX
Truth is since I almost always do buff on safari, I've been using the 9.3 x 62 with 250g TSX on everything. If I was doing RSA or Nambia, I'd go with 7mm Rem mag
"The Democrat Party looks like Titanic survivors. Partying and celebrating one moment, and huddled in lifeboats freezing the next". Hatari 2017
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." Han Solo
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,249
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,249 |
Same thing I use here, old, beat up Ruger MKII 7x57 and a nice FN .338 WM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,619
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,619 |
.325 WSM M70 Z6 2-12 either 200 gr Swift A frame or 180 gr Barnes TSX
no surprise it works well.
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 29
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 29 |
Mostly I just use a 375, or whatever is good for the heaviest game I intend to hunt or may bump into.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 515
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 515 |
Only been to Africa once, but used the standard I use for most things here. MRC1999 in 300winmag, Edge stock, Kahles KX3-10×50 scope. Shooting 168gr TTSX. No complaints.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,211
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,211 |
Were I to setup strictly plains game rifles they'd be my M-70 300 H&H firing 220 gr Partitions at 2750 or an old favorite 338 WM firing the 250 gr A-Frames at the same speed, 25 pound Steenbok to 1 ton Eland, all would be covered nicely.
Trump Won!
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,870
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,870 |
Only been once, but a model 70 300 H&H, 180gr TTSX, Leupold vx3 2.5-8 worked perfectly. Have a matching 375 H&H that will be going next year for buffalo and whatever PG we run into.
I shot close to 600 rounds through various rifles off of sticks and bog pods to get ready. Close to 300 of those rounds through the 300 H&H. I also did a lot of dry firing exercises.
For next year, plan on shooting mostly the 375 and a 9.3x64 Brenneke that are making the trip. Same routine, mostly off of sticks, but will probably mess around with some extended ranges ( out to 800) just for fun.
Have plenty of Hornady spire points for practice, will use moderate loads. With plans to switch to full power TSX loads closer to the hunt.
Arcus Venator
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 42,489
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 42,489 |
Only been once, but a model 70 300 H&H, 180gr TTSX, Leupold vx3 2.5-8 If there was a perfect rifle/scope combo, you sir, hit the jackpot!
A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,539
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,539 |
I don't have one. I have used the 9.3x62, 7x57, 358 Win and 8x57. Next trip it will be a 416 Remington.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,727
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,727 |
Were I to setup strictly plains game rifles they'd be my M-70 300 H&H firing 220 gr Partitions at 2750 or an old favorite 338 WM firing the 250 gr A-Frames at the same speed, 25 pound Steenbok to 1 ton Eland, all would be covered nicely. That sounds like sound advice. Especially the 338 part.. I'll bet a 210 partition would work quite handily in the 338wm on plains game as well...
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,964
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,964 |
I haven't been yet but when I go I will be carrying a Browning High Power Safari Grade in .300 H&H Magnum with a Leupold FX-II 6x36 scope in Talley QD mounts
Guns don't kill people, it's mostly the bullets
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,262
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,262 |
Were I to setup strictly plains game rifles they'd be my M-70 300 H&H firing 220 gr Partitions at 2750 or an old favorite 338 WM firing the 250 gr A-Frames at the same speed, 25 pound Steenbok to 1 ton Eland, all would be covered nicely. That sounds like sound advice. Especially the 338 part.. I'll bet a 210 partition would work quite handily in the 338wm on plains game as well... Amen to that!
Semper Fi
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,468
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,468 |
Not an expert having only been once recently but my battery was mod70 Super express 375 270 grain tsx I shot steenbok, impala,Jackal, and Oryx with it. I also took my beloved pre64 mod 70 fwt 270 130 grain TTSXs and took a Springbuck with that. I couldn't go to Africa and not take the 375 or my 270 for my first trip.
Yes, I'm quite bitten and already planning my next trip and my plan is to take my pre64 model 70 300 H&H using 180 grin TSX hopefully for Kudu, wildebeest,hartebeest and whatever trips my trigger that presents itself. I would feel perfectly comfortable carrying an 30 06 as well.
Last edited by southwind; 05/24/17.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,727
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,727 |
Not an expert having only been once recently but my battery was mod70 Super express 375 270 grain tsx I shot steenbok, impala,Jackal, and Oryx with it. I also took my beloved pre64 mod 70 fwt 270 130 grain TTSXs and took a Springbuck with that. I couldn't go to Africa and not take the 375 or my 270 for my first trip.
Yes, I'm quite bitten and already planning my next trip and my plan is to take my pre64 model 70 300 H&H using 180 grin TSX hopefully for Kudu, wildebeest,hartebeest and whatever trips my trigger that presents itself. I would feel perfectly comfortable carrying an 30 06 as well. I just have to say that sounds awesome. Good luck on your next trip!!
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,468
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,468 |
Not an expert having only been once recently but my battery was mod70 Super express 375 270 grain tsx I shot steenbok, impala,Jackal, and Oryx with it. I also took my beloved pre64 mod 70 fwt 270 130 grain TTSXs and took a Springbuck with that. I couldn't go to Africa and not take the 375 or my 270 for my first trip.
Yes, I'm quite bitten and already planning my next trip and my plan is to take my pre64 model 70 300 H&H using 180 grin TSX hopefully for Kudu, wildebeest,hartebeest and whatever trips my trigger that presents itself. I would feel perfectly comfortable carrying an 30 06 as well. I just have to say that sounds awesome. Good luck on your next trip!! Thanks BSA! Yes, I'm afraid Africa has gotten to me.
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