25-06 AI

[rottie]

Thanks,I have being fortunate enough to have had great coaching,trigger control and breathing are all second nature to me.
I do hovever need a fair bit of time using sticks,we will be on the East Cape,is the country going to be compatable with a sit behind bi pod ?
From the shot placement shots it looks like shoulder/in line with the shoulder are prefered is this correct?
As a newbie,lots of questions,and getting good answers and support

Thxs

 

[FerRGarza]

Thanks,I have being fortunate enough to have had great coaching,trigger control and breathing are all second nature to me.
I do hovever need a fair bit of time using sticks,we will be on the East Cape,is the country going to be compatable with a sit behind bi pod ?
From the shot placement shots it looks like shoulder/in line with the shoulder are prefered is this correct?
As a newbie,lots of questions,and getting good answers and support

Thxs

There is a thread here on the forum on shot placement, has great info and graphics as well, make sure to pay them a visit As far as East Cape terrain being compatible with bi-pods, I would not know. You can always ask the outfitter, But I am sure a safari veteran here will more than gladly give you their experiences with them. It's great you are asking questions! Many friendly members have more info than imaginable!

 

[rottie]

You are right forums like with with the experience the members bring to the table cant be beat.. I am brand new to international hunting, but living in Alberta,Canada I am fortunate to have plenty of hunting opportunities and game. I have harvested Bighorn Sheep,Moose,Elk,Antelope,Black Bear,Coyotes ect all within a couple hour drive from home. So I am familiar on what the .25 calibers will do on North American game,but realize not all game is equal and I may be out of my comfort zone with it in Africa
That where you guys come in and are helping out tremendously

Thxs

 

[Diamondhitch]

Just ordered some TTSX,now the fun of working up a new load

I tried the TTSX in my .257 Wby that loves regular TSXs and it hates the TTSX. If they don't shoot for you maybe try the regular TSX, it is amazing how much longer the TTSX is in 25 cal and may be harder to stabilize.

I hunted Africa with my .257 using the 100gr TSX and had great luck with DRT on game from Steenbok to Waterbuck. Having said that my Blue Wildebeest, double lunged by my .338 Lapua with 210gr TSX, bucked like a stampede bronk for 100yds before going down. If you use the .257 on them be sure to shoot well!

 

[Diamondhitch]

Do you feel that there is that much difference between the TTSX and the Partition. I only have experience with the partition.

There is a huge difference between the 2. Years ago I read a bullet test and one of the things they showed was the cavity in the ballistic gel. The Swift A frame and Nosler Partition produced an almost identical wound channel and penetrated the same distance. They blew all others away in the overall size of the wound channel and came in second and third in penetration. The Barnes produced the next best wound channel and had, by a factor of 1.5, the best penetration. Having said that there are some new premium bullets on the market now that were not tested but either way it is hard to beat any of the 3 aformentioned bullets.

My personal thoughts are this, despite the improved performance of the Partition or A frame on the 1st controlled shot, I prefer the far better penetration for those dreaded long range bone crunching or paunch penetrating end for end shots following a bad 1st shot. The comfort of knowing that I can fix my mistake with a bullet where the sun don't shine, that is where I spend my bullet $$$.

 

[rottie]

I tried the TTSX in my .257 Wby that loves regular TSXs and it hates the TTSX. If they don't shoot for you maybe try the regular TSX, it is amazing how much longer the TTSX is in 25 cal and may be harder to stabilize.

I hunted Africa with my .257 using the 100gr TSX and had great luck with DRT on game from Steenbok to Waterbuck. Having said that my Blue Wildebeest, double lunged by my .338 Lapua with 210gr TSX, bucked like a stampede bronk for 100yds before going down. If you use the .257 on them be sure to shoot well!

Leaving the Wildebeest out of the picture,whats your opinion on my load f the 115 partition at a few feet under 3000 fps ?
What sort of velocities are you getting with you Weatherby ?

Sounds like you have more experience with the .25 caliber on large game than I,so your input is appreciated

 

[rottie]

There is a huge difference between the 2. Years ago I read a bullet test and one of the things they showed was the cavity in the ballistic gel. The Swift A frame and Nosler Partition produced an almost identical wound channel and penetrated the same distance. They blew all others away in the overall size of the wound channel and came in second and third in penetration. The Barnes produced the next best wound channel and had, by a factor of 1.5, the best penetration. Having said that there are some new premium bullets on the market now that were not tested but either way it is hard to beat any of the 3 aformentioned bullets.

My personal thoughts are this, despite the improved performance of the Partition or A frame on the 1st controlled shot, I prefer the far better penetration for those dreaded long range bone crunching or paunch penetrating end for end shots following a bad 1st shot. The comfort of knowing that I can fix my mistake with a bullet where the sun don't shine, that is where I spend my bullet $$$.

Once again thxs,Glad I ordered some. Once they arrive the fun begins

 

[Diamondhitch]

Leaving the Wildebeest out of the picture,whats your opinion on my load f the 115 partition at a few feet under 3000 fps ?
What sort of velocities are you getting with you Weatherby ?

Sounds like you have more experience with the .25 caliber on large game than I,so your input is appreciated

I love my .257 and with TSXs I am confident on even an Eland as long as I chose my shot well. In reality though I chose to hunt animals up to Nyala/Waterbuck size with the .257 and everything bigger with the .338 as I said though if out chasing Impala I ended up with a shot at a Kudu or Zebra, etc I would not hesitate with the .257.

Min shoots 100gr TSX at 3690fps so it screams a lot more than your gun will. Using a lighter bullet (both 100 and 115 are light) I would definitely put penetration at the top of my priority and go with the TSX so you are better prepared for animals at the top end of the spectrum. I would, as already suggested, either bring a larger caliber or borrow a gun when targeting the bigger game (Waterbuck and bigger), especially at under 3000fps. My wife shot a BWB at 50yds with a .270 using 140gr XBT at 2850fps and broke the shoulder joint on the way in, angled across the chest and didn't even wave goodbye when it went out the other side but even 140gr is on the light side at that speed IMO.

Where abouts are you in Alberta anyway? Sounds like Calgary-ish to me.

 

[rottie]

I love my .257 and with TSXs I am confident on even an Eland as long as I chose my shot well. In reality though I chose to hunt animals up to Nyala/Waterbuck size with the .257 and everything bigger with the .338 as I said though if out chasing Impala I ended up with a shot at a Kudu or Zebra, etc I would not hesitate with the .257.

Min shoots 100gr TSX at 3690fps so it screams a lot more than your gun will. Using a lighter bullet (both 100 and 115 are light) I would definitely put penetration at the top of my priority and go with the TSX so you are better prepared for animals at the top end of the spectrum. I would, as already suggested, either bring a larger caliber or borrow a gun when targeting the bigger game (Waterbuck and bigger), especially at under 3000fps. My wife shot a BWB at 50yds with a .270 using 140gr XBT at 2850fps and broke the shoulder joint on the way in, angled across the chest and didn't even wave goodbye when it went out the other side but even 140gr is on the light side at that speed IMO.

Where abouts are you in Alberta anyway? Sounds like Calgary-ish to me.

Not really what a guy wanted to hear. But I really appreciate your honesty,your experience is greater than mine so I will take all sais under serious consideration
I am a real quarter bore fan,but everything has its limits. I was hoping after taking moose with it that it would be ok on African stuff.
I think I am going to have to start looking for something else.
Maybe take the 25-06 AI,but be prepared to use my partners rifle,a 30-06 on the bigger stuff.

Location wise I am in some of the best hunting country around. Half way between Edmonton and Calgary,Lacombe. We have lots of opportunities for big game,as well as bird.
That and a ong season makes life good

 

[Red Leg]

Rottie, you are making a significant investment in this trip - your first to shoot a different sort of game with a different placement of its anatomy. I would really urge you to consider something a bit heavier than a 25. All that velocity means very little. Unless you are in mountains, your shots will be under 250 yards, most closer to 100. Penetration is everything. I consider myself an experienced shot - 30 years in combat arms will do that if nothing else. But anything can happen when trying to thread a light bullet through a wildebeest or zebra - and most of those things are not good. On your first trip why not bring along a little insurance and shoot something with at least 180 gr premium bullet. After that first safari, you will have a feel for these animals, and can make an informed decision about that .25. I am heading for Moz next year and while buf is on the dance card, I'll take either my .404 or .375 and use it for everything else as well. I will not feel over gunned.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Not really what a guy wanted to hear. But I really appreciate your honesty,your experience is greater than mine so I will take all sais under serious consideration
I am a real quarter bore fan,but everything has its limits. I was hoping after taking moose with it that it would be ok on African stuff.
I think I am going to have to start looking for something else.
Maybe take the 25-06 AI,but be prepared to use my partners rifle,a 30-06 on the bigger stuff.

Location wise I am in some of the best hunting country around. Half way between Edmonton and Calgary,Lacombe. We have lots of opportunities for big game,as well as bird.
That and a ong season makes life good

Well it can de done, just like your moose but I wouldn't recommend it for Moose or Elk either. My niece shot her first Moose last year with a .243 yet I wouldn't recommend it unless that is as big as you are comfortable shooting. The other thing you have to remember, if you shoot a Moose with a marginal caliber and he runs away you get a heart ache, if a BWB runs away you get both a heart ache and a wallet ache!!! Ouch, hurts just thinking about it!

I have the same long season as you, just a little longer drive to hunt antelope, I live in Edson. Gotta love the variety of game here in AB, the only place I know with more, on this side of the ocean, is BC.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Rottie, you are making a significant investment in this trip - your first to shoot a different sort of game with a different placement of its anatomy.

This is a great point, everything is tucked right in around those big upper leg bones and the shoulders. A lot of good solid double lung hits on NA game would be paunch on African game.

I'll take either my .404 or .375 and use it for everything else as well. I will not feel over gunned.

I feel sorry for the Duikers! LOL

 

[rottie]

Well it can de done, just like your moose but I wouldn't recommend it for Moose or Elk either. My niece shot her first Moose last year with a .243 yet I wouldn't recommend it unless that is as big as you are comfortable shooting. The other thing you have to remember, if you shoot a Moose with a marginal caliber and he runs away you get a heart ache, if a BWB runs away you get both a heart ache and a wallet ache!!! Ouch, hurts just thinking about it!

I have the same long season as you, just a little longer drive to hunt antelope, I live in Edson. Gotta love the variety of game here in AB, the only place I know with more, on this side of the ocean, is BC.

Well I think ya got me convinced,ego has to go and common sense prevail. Heavier it is. Too many have said it can be done BUT ,hate that word lol.
I guess in a perfect world it can be ,but would hate to loose an animal and see it suffer or have to turn down my only chance at a animal because of being on the marginal side

Gun shopping here I come yaaaaa

If your ever down this way Diamond pm myself and stop in for coffee,the pots always on.
Thanks for your honest opinions guys

I will have to get used to the difference in anatomy as well

 

[Diamondhitch]

If your ever down this way Diamond pm myself and stop in for coffee,the pots always on.
Thanks for your honest opinions guys

Maybe you can cheer yourself up by shooting a nice Sheep this fall with that .257!

I may just take you up on that. Feel free to do the same.

 

[rottie]

Maybe you can cheer yourself up by shooting a nice Sheep this fall with that .257!

I may just take you up on that. Feel free to do the same.

Actually the thought of a new rifle has already got me over pouting,just gotta decide which 1

If I am up your way I will take you up on the coffee

Thxs again

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Actually the thought of a new rifle has already got me over pouting,just gotta decide which 1

If I am up your way I will take you up on the coffee

Thxs again

You know there's nothing wrong with taking 2 rifles on your trip, in fact I think it a good idea to have a backup. The .25-06 will be great for any of the small/medium species and the TSX/TTSX will typically not leave a huge exit hole.

I don't know what your experience is with the various .30 calibers and this may seem like a drastic jump, but if you're going for another rifle I'd give serious consideration to a .375H&H. I used one on my trip in June this year shooting 250gr North Fork bonded cores. The decidedly larger thump that caliber provides with solid hit to the heart/lungs impressed me.

Yes the recoil is significant but it's more of a shove than the sharper crack of my .300 Win Mag. It really did not take long to get used to and I'll now shoot that rifle all day long. If you've not been told yet, if you can at all help it, this will not be your last trip to Africa. Getting a .375 now, will just prep you for future hunts.

 

[Ignobilis]

I agree with Phoenix Phil, a 375H&H is a great way to go. And I think 250g bullets for non dangerous game is pretty much spot on. The 25-06 is a great calibre & you're clearly highly competent with it but - IMHO - it may be better to go with a heavier calibre for gemsbuck & blue wildebeest particularly. They're tough animals.

Your other question was regarding the use of bipods for seated shots in the Eastern Cape. It really does depend where & what you hunt. When you hunt grassland, seated shots with bipods will be possible. But the EC also has areas of dense bush - that's where the kudu will be for example - & standing shots off sticks will be the norm.

Enjoy all the prep for your hunt.

 

[garyleach]

I agree the 375 HH is the way to go, what other way to go to Africa with a new gun, then with the classic.... I bought a 375 HH a few yrs ago to specifically hunt africa and it hasnt disapointed me, shot from cape buff down to warthog, loaded up with 300 gr TSX might i add, it shots great and as for the smaller plains, it simply passes thru them (with little damage to the hide might i add) and pretty well drops them on the spot. I am thoroughly impressed with this gun and the TSX bullet for african game.

Practice on the sticks as much as you can and if you are a decent shot you will do well over there, just remember you normally have more time then what you think, dont rush the shot and you wont be chasing wounded game (easier said then done...LOL). I am heading back in 2014 for buff/eland and a couple smaller plains and i am just taking the 375!:huntingrifle:

 

[FerRGarza]

I tried the TTSX in my .257 Wby that loves regular TSXs and it hates the TTSX.!

Do you do your own handloads?

What about a 300 Wby Mag for kudo gemsbok and wildebeest. loaded with 180gr SGK (IMR4350 74gr).

 

[Bobpuckett]

rottie I'm sure you've recovered Partitions from your game before attached is a pic of two TSX recovered from my Eland the other two were pass through's. compare the two which would you rather use.