Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles what calibeR should you use for kudu?

7mm-08 with a 140 TSX as a recommended minimum. I've killed them with a .30/06, .300 Win, .338 Win and .416 Rigby. All worked well. The key is precise shot placement. A gut shot kudu hit by a .416 is still a gut shot kudu. A heart shot kudu hit by a 7-08 is a dead kudu.

Avoid bullets that are too "frangible" such as ballistic tips. Mine have gone down to the Barnes TSX, Swift A-Frame and Nosler Partition. Couldn't tell any difference in terminal performance between them. All performed in an exemplary manner.

P.S. be sure to remind the trackers that "the liver goes to the kitchen", or it will disappear for sure.

Pretty pictures guys. My nephew will appreciate the advise. I thank you.

This was my first African animal, a Limpopo bull that fell from a 140 gr Ballistic Tip from my 7mm Rem mag...


And this Southern Cape bull fell seven years later from a 270 gr TSX from my .375 RUM...

About the same. huh?

Smart fella

A couple of posts on this thread have suggested kudu zre about the size of a cow elk. Well, not exactly. They're smallest in southern South Africa, where a really big bull of the Cape subspecies might weigh 500 pounds, but they average somewhat smaller. A thousand miles north of there, anywhere from Namibia to the Northern Province of RSA, and a big bull can be as large as a mature Montana bull elk, weighing 700 pounds or even more.

I've taken bull kudu with the 7x57, .30-06, 9.3x62 and .375 H&H, and all worked very well. The longest shot was on a big Cape bull at close to 400, and was made with a .30-06 and a 180-grain Nosler Partition, about as plain vanilla as it gets. He dropped right there with a shot through the shoulders.

All the other shots were between 75 and 250 yards, with the average 100-150. The range depends a lot on the terrain. Shots in the Cape are often across the steep canyons Afrikaaners call "kloofs," but a lot of kudu hunting further north is in thornbush on much more level ground.

Don't neglect to have him study the anatomy of the prey. Vital spots are different on a Kudu than on deer, etc. Get him a copy of "The Perfect Shot" to study, then study again.

One my one hunt I used a 35 Whelen on the kudu which was more than necessary (but I brought it as eland was also on the list). The PHs opined around the campfire that anything from a 270 on up works fine on kudu, although they particularly like to see their hunters use an '06 with partitions. They had yet to get much witnessing of Barnes bullets, etc.

7x57

Nice Kudu Ingwe,is that 7x57 a custom military mauser?

...................First off. I`ve never killed a kudu because I haven`t been to Africa yet.

But if I were your nephew, I would be asking what the better calibers would be for kudu rather than asking what would be the smallest caliber for kudu.

Using the right bullet, a 223 (if legal to use over there for kudu) will kill a kudu.

Curious to know why your nephew is thinking "minimum" caliber.

Everyone has their own preferences or standards for minimum caliber usage for different game. Some or many will agree, while some or many won`t agree.

But if given the choice as a minimum caliber for kudu, the 25 caliber would be my minimum caliber pick.

But with a 30, a 338 and 375 calibers at my hunting disposal, I won`t be going out and getting a 25 caliber for any future kudu hunt.

Great pic!

Dober

I have limited first hand experience, 3 kudu to be precise.
The PH reckoned a bull would weigh in about the 900lb mark (Namibia).
Used Woodleigh PP's 180 grain 3006, 200grain 300 Mag and 225 grain 338WM.
Saw little difference in performance between the 06 and the 300, neither existed on side on shots, looked to have done about the same damage on the inside.
There was a significant visible difference when hit with the 338, the 225g at 2900fps exited, big holes, lots of blood.
If he can handle the recoil I'd suggest a 338WM.

The reason I worded it as minimum caliber is because he wants something he would be comfortable to use in ohio or ky also. Also I wanted him to know that he does not need a 375 that he would never use again. He thinks he wants a 700 in 280 rem. I think that would be a good choice, wanted your opinions. Also the bad typing is due to typing on a blackberry. We will use a weekend to match a bullet to the rifle. What bullets do you suggest?

I have far from a lot of experience on Kudu but I have shot a few. I would pick a rifle I was familiar with, could shoot well, pick a good quality bullet and go hunting.

If I had to go to my safe and pick a rifle I would pick my 30-338, shooting Hornady 180 Interlocks and go hunting.

Lots of folks would pick a Barnes or Nosler but the Hornady has NEVER let me down as long as I did my part. Tell the boy to not over think this. Just shoot a LOT and have fun. It doesn't get any more fun than Africa.

We all want pics when he returns I bet.

All hail the Poobah.....! Wow what a great pic!

I hunt most critters with a win 70 280 I guess I cant go kudu hunting nobody has ever shot one with the 280 it must not work.....

I have been to the DARK Continent 9 times and believe for your Kudu , Wildebeestes ,Elands , all that is needed is a cal. that you would use to take a large western mule deer . I have seen them taken with 308,270, 30-06, 260 ,7mm mag ,7x57 . Do not take a unfamiliar rifle , and practice , practice . Use good bullets , I used nothing but Barnes , a little bit of advice do not let a PH rush you into taking a shot , only shoot when you are ready , in any case if you draw blood you still pay whether you get to put him in the truck or not . Another tip is to make some shooting sticks out of bamboo , at least your height or a little longer and secure the end with wraps of bike inner tube . Learn how to adjust them under pressure and practice with them . Have a nice trip . KUDU1

30-06 w/168gr Barnes TTSX

.30-06 because it's plenty.

With my vast experience of one trip and one Kudu--- 30-06, 180 partition.