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Using a 300 win mag pushing a 180gr ballistic tip @3150 FPS for killing Kudu, Gemsbok, Zebra, Impala, Blesbok and Warthog.<P>Would this work?<P>Don [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]

Probably not if the rifle had a Leupold scope on it... Now on the other hand, if it had a Schmidt & Bender, I'd say a .22 LR hollow point should do the trick...<P>Sorry Don, couldn't resist [img]images/icons/laugh.gif" border="0[/img] !<P>Wizard

IMHO it would work a helluva lot better if you switched the ballistic tip for a Partition.

Roger that about switching to the Partition. Read the Nosler reloading manual about which animals to use the Ballistic Tip on and which you should use the Partition.

Don I would go with as tough a bullet as my winnie would shoot well (1.5 inches at 100). You are shooting at pretty big animals so hitting much under an inch is more accuracy than is required. I know, I know, It does feel great to walk up to those one hole targets. I used 300 win mag and 200 gr Nosler partitions in Zimbabwe in '99 . Good combination. I hit a limb with my kudu and almost lost him as a nice shoulder shot turned into a gutshot merry chase. We did git him. I had several discussions later and bought a 375 H&H for my next plains game excursion. Pick a tough bullet, and take an extra second to make sure you got a clean and clear shot, and have a great time. OH yeah be sure to let us know how it went. "D"

I have to say that the BalTip is not a bullet I would even consider for Africa. The 180 BalTips I have shot from a 300Win at whitetails have performed with very serious over-expansion, creating some very nasty sufarce wounds and not much penetration at all. This on 185-230# deer at ranges out to 150 yds.<BR>I have never been to Africa, but from all accounts, and if I may take liberties with your signature line, "reliable penetration beats over expansion every time."<BR>Best of luck, Bill

Nix.. on the Ballistic Tips from my view point too.<P>If you are going to push a bullet that fast, you need a lot tougher one.<P>Partiton, Swift, TBBC, Barnes X etc.

The Ballistic Tips (130 grain .270) I used in New Zealand penetrated but didn't expand worth a damn. Five of them zipped right through a Red Deer, one from butt to chest. I'll never use them again.<P>Course if I'd hit him right the first shot, all this would be immaterial.

Don't forget about the Kodiak:<BR> <A HREF="http://www.hunting-rifles.com/kodiak.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.hunting-rifles.com/kodiak.htm</A>

Don, <BR>Gemsbok and zebra are among the toughest animals in Africa...I would not use a Balistic Tip as you will need the penitration of the Partition bullet....<P>I would suggest a 200 gr. Nosler Part., 180 gr. Northfork Ind., or 180 gr. Woodleighs for plainsgame mentioned...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by wizard:<BR><STRONG>Probably not if the rifle had a Leupold scope on it... Now on the other hand, if it had a Schmidt & Bender, I'd say a .22 LR hollow point should do the trick...<P>Sorry Don, couldn't resist [img]images/icons/laugh.gif" border="0[/img] !<P>Wizard</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>LMAO<P>How about I use a 17 Mach 4? That should do the trick, lol.<P>Finally some humor, your response mad me laugh, thanks, I needed that [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]<P>Don [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]

Ok guys thanks for the input. <P>D Hunter,<P>When I finally get to Africa I will let you and others know how it went. Hell, you guys won't be able to shut me up - like that is possible anyhow, lol. <BR>I will know soon as to my money situation. If it looks good for next year I will be giving Ray a call and booking his "Sable Special" as my very first adventure in Africa. I am sure he will recieve feedback as to how my hunt went. I am a real challenge for any PH/Guide because of my handicap. Any PH/Guide that can enable me to take a trophy animal is an exceptional person. It is surely appreciated when a PH/Guide goes the extra mile as it is needed for me to kill any animal. <P>Ray,<BR>I have to stay at 180gr or less. When I had my 300 built I had it built with the intention of never using a bullet heavier than 180gr. I doubt the twist in my barrel would stabilize a 200gr bullet. I see you like these Woodleigh bullets, I shall have to give them a try. <P>I want to add another twist if you all will indulge me again. How about using my 300 win mag and 180gr ballistic tips to cull out Baboons. Lets say out to 500 yards away. Would this combo work ok?<P>Don [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]

I'll bet it wouldn't do them any good, even with a Leupold. [img]images/icons/laugh.gif" border="0[/img] How big can those ugly bastidges get?

Don Knows:<P>I wouldn't write off the 200 grainers without trying them, a lot of times they will stabilize even with a slightly less than optimal twist rate.<P>And, if they don't, you should re barrel to a decent caliber like a .30-06 and kill something. LOL

Don...a Sable is a serious animal and I would suggest all the bullet you can shoot accurately. I shot mine at 200+ yards while he was looking back at me. the only shot I had was a "thin" shot into his short ribs. The Nosler Partition entered at the short ribs and angled up thru the body and exited the chest. Knocked the bull on his nose but he jumped up and galloped off. A second shot into his hip also ranged thru the body and rolled him head over heels (about 250 yards and I was lucky). He got up and continued on. My next two shots were misses however I heard the PH yell "he's slowing down, hurry".<BR>I ran up trying to reload as I ran and spew shells all over. When I got there he was walking slowly with his head down...shot into the neck/shoulder junction put him down. I was using a .375 shooting 300gr Partitions. These are tuff animals. I should not that each time I knocked the animal down I never saw it as it bounced up so quickly...It wasn't until I saw the video replay that I saw what happened. By the way, he taped over 43". Final thought! Why would you want to use a Ballistic Tip on a baboon? These are strong, powerful animals and even though they are considered vermin they deserve a quick and humane death. Do yourself a favor and stick with one load in your rifle for Africa. [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]

If It Flies,<P>LOL, 30-06 - a decent caliber??? [img]images/icons/laugh.gif" border="0[/img]<P>No thanks [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]<P>DB,<P>Your last line is why I was inquiring about the 180gr ballistic tips. Thats what I now use in my 300 win mag. They work so well I really didn't want to change to another bullet. As to killing baboons, I was curious if they would kill em ok. If they do, again I won't have to develop another load. If they don't then I will probably go with a Swift or as Ray suggested a Woodleigh bullet (180gr). I may just buy 100 of each and see how they shoot in my rifle. Being an accuracy nut I will more then likely go with whatever shoots the best, between the Swift or Woodleigh bullets. My plan is to be capable of killing them out to 500 yards. I am quite confident of doing just that using the 180gr ballistic tips. As long as they will kill the baboon rather quickly I will stick with them, if not I will switch to another bullet. <P>You and others have confirmed that it wouldn't be wise to use my 300 for sable. I figure you guys know as you have all been there, done that, I haven't. I will just use my 375 H&H AI for the sable - if I am fortunate enough to get a shot. <P>Now all I have to do is get 100 each of the Swift and Woodleigh bullets for my 375 H&H AI. What is all of your opinions as to bullet weight out of the 375 H&H AI? I was thinking anything from 250gr to 300gr. I will dansak coat them myself and load develop and see which works the best - accuracy wise. <P>Any and all input is appreciated. <P>Don [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]

DB Bill,<P>WOW, a 43" Sable, you had to be as happy as a pig in Shi1. Congrats, thats a fine animal. <P>My goal is to kill a 40" plus. I don't know if I am capable of that but it is my goal. Anything over 40" and I would be jumping for joy. <P>A side note. The more I think about this African Safari thing the more I think about what JJ says a lot. Book now, go now, who knows what will happen in the next few years - paraphrasing. Since my health is diminishing faster and faster everyday, he may just be correct. I may as well go as soon as I can because I doubt I have more then a few more years left to hunt other than out of my deer stands - where I just sit and wait for a deer. Even if I have to do some extra digging I am going to do everything I can to get there next year. <P>Don [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]

I would seriously consider the 200 gr. Swift A-Frame. See my earlier reply to .300 and 200gr. bullets. Personal experience tells me I would use this combo again in Africa, no question.

DonKnows...I wasn't trying to talk you out of your 300 Mag just wanted to stress how tough sable can be. If I were going to use a 300 Mag on sable I think I would go with a 200gr Nosler or Swift or something similar.<P>The area I was in had plenty of sable and when the PH asked what my goals were I said "Over 40"...."No Problem" was his answer. We made stalks on 5 or 6 that were right at 40" or a bit better but each time we backed off and I was getting hot to shoot.The one I eventually shot was the herd bull for a big herd. Several days later we saw one standing broadside at about 75 yards just staring at us for several minutes..about the twin of mine. Right before I went home we spotted one bigger than mine that turned out to be 45"+. I know because we were on the way back to camp for lunch when we saw him and when we told the other PH in camp about him...he grabbed up his client and off they went. Back in about 3 hours with the bull in the truck..this was one lucky Texan as I had also put him on a big lion earlier in the hunt.<BR>Final thought about baboon...I don't think you will get many long-range shots in Zim. Most of my shots, except for the sable, were under 100 yards and some much closer. I sighted my rifle in to hit 1" high at 100 yards and it was just perfect.

Thanks for the info,,,,,,,,all of ya [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]<P>DB,<P>The reference I made about the baboons had nothing to do with Zimbabwe. Sorry I didn't make that clear, my bad [img]images/icons/frown.gif" border="0[/img]<P>Don [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]