Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Plains Game rifle choice

That Sable is really nice but the Impala and Waterbuck look just about as good

In my experience the same can be said for the 7x57 (140 gr AB), 30-06 (168 gr TSX), 8x57 (180 gr BT), 9.3x62 (250 gr X), 358 Win (200 gr TTSX) and 416 Remington (350 gr TSX).

Precise placement of a reasonably good bullet always results in recovery of plains game from springboks to eland in 60 yards or less. My average is 30-40 yards but very rarely they will be found at 90 or so. If they go farther it is because of less than great marksmanship. Other than the really small animals, the target is about the size of a cantaloupe, smaller than most think.

Here's JG's testimony of what the160 gr. NAB/7RM at 3,000 fps can do. Of course, throw in a good marksman/hunter.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8855404/1

DF

Nice! that's a hell of an Impala and Waterbuck DF, I need a big Waterbuck, BTW, I kick those 7mm 160gr AB's out at 3220 fps with H-1000 from my 7mm Mashburn Super, very accurate twisting turrets out to 500 yard steel, and 7 and 9 hundred yard rocks up on the hill behind the house.

Yep, agree with you and RinB, those are some nice trophies. Bud is very impressed with van Rooyen and his operation. He's already signed up for cape buff next year. I've about got his .416 Rem, M-70 set up to go. Got the Trijicon 1-6 mounted in Talley rings.

That 160 NAB at 3,200+ fps should kill'em even deader...

DF

Gunner, your photos with that fine kudu and duiker are on this site. You're becoming the poster child for African PG hunting.

https://biggamehuntingadventures.com/african-plains-game-hunting/

DF

Was just out shooting my wife's cz 550 7x57 today. That would be a fine choice so far as I am concerned. Easy to shoot and lethal.

What load would you use?

DF

Believe it or not we have good results with the PRVI 139 grainers. I have about 500 of the Hornady 175 RNs which I think of as the "mini express". Still working to get the stock right. Lots of wood there.

I’ve heard it said, seen it written, any good deer rifle that you can shoot well should work.

Of course, good bullet selection. That said, my bud sure was proud of his 7RM Sendero and the load I put together. And his hunting pards were impressed. So, a gun you have confidence in and can shoot well seems to me to be the obvious choice.

DF

LOL, in all actuality, that 160AB would hold up better and penetrate more on heave game leaving at 3K instead of 3200. but I get your gist, if this the same Bud of yours that smacked that giant cape buff with a 416 and barnes TSX?

Poster child, yeah, for old fat white men melting in 41C African heat at 10 miles per day.

Different bud.

But this bud is signed up with van Rooyen for cape buff next year.

Reportedly PH loves the .416, prefers 400 gr. I’m not sure which bullet he likes, plenty of time to find out.

We’ll have him set up and ready by then.

DF

10-4, Thanks DF, I have the lowly 400gr partitions at 2400 fps in the only 416 I have left, I still don't think that would buff out.

We gonna wait and see which bullet. Will play with the 350 gr. Speer in the mean time, let him get used to the gun, which BTW, turned out pretty nice.

The other bud killed his big buff in Zim with a Ruger RSM in .416 Rigby, 400 gr. TSX. His PH packed a .416 Rem push feed M-70, loaded with that same bullet. When asked what he thought of the RSM, the PH said it was a nice rifle, just too heavy. I'm thinking the PH reasoned that he packed it a lot more than he shot it. I know PF is not cool, but that PH thought it was Kosher.

Second bud's .416 Rem is an old push feed M-70 converted from .264 WM to .416 Rem by David Christman, gunmaker. David did a great job, put 2 cross pins in the stock. I then Steel Bedded the action, torqued the front screw to 40 inch pounds, less on the rear. I don't think it's going anywhere. Have the Trijicon 1-6x24 in Talley steel QD's without the levers (no irons).

The scope was picked up used, here on the Classifieds. It's an early model before they put that awful looking illumination dial on the ocular. Bud's getting used to seeing most of the barrel when it's on 1X. I dropped it off at his office to play with until I get some ammo loaded. Hogs better watch out...

DF

I have been to Africa twice, once to Namibia and once to Zim. Used a .35 Whelen each time but the second rifle for our group of 2 was a .30-06. I would take the .30-06 and a good bullet and have a wonderful time!

Used a 30.06 on everything from Eland to zebra with great results. 180 grain Noslar Partitions for me but any good bullet should do well for you.

I would recommend 30-06 with 165 barnes (the JJHACK recipe) and a 200 yard zero as namibia has some wide open areas and I would be prepared to shoot to 300 yds. I've used this with great success.

Cascade, I think you're getting a bunch of bad advice littered with such words as "all you'll need", "practical", "works fine". I think it a conspiracy. Half the fun of a hunt is the anticipation, and even more fun with the opportunity that you'll need a new gun. You really do need a new gun, even if a duplicate cartridge. Whatever gun, hope you'll enjoy a good hunt. And share some pictures when done.

If a man ever needed an excuse for a new rifle, this would be a good one.

Great Loony advice...

DF