A new plains game rifle

[Cally]

What do you use in the UK?...

6.5x55, so limited use overseas.

Do you have a view on what you like clients to bring for larger plains game?

 

[spike.t]

6.5x55, so limited use overseas.

Do you have a view on what you like clients to bring for larger plains game?

6.5x55 will be good for most plains game.....I asked what you had as was going to say a 30-06 would be good as could use in uk as well...but you covered.....I would go 300 win for all round capabilities.....had clients use from 275 rigby up to 375 h&h ...rigby on animals including waterbuck..sable..blue wildebeest....not bothered about people bringing bigger calibres as its their hunt and can bring what they want ....most of our shots aren't long.....occasionally 200 yards but most 100 or less.....my favourites from what I have are my 7x57...300 win mag...30-06 and 9.3x62 for pg

 

[Killo]

I am considering buying a new plains game rifle.

I used a hired 375 H & H on my first trip a few years ago. Great PH, his advice was for anything in Africa, just use a 375 H & H with 300 grain bullets and know your rifle well.

I have subsequently been back a couple of times to other locations. On my last trip, 3 years ago, I took my own moderated .375. I had a comment from the outfitter to bring the rifle if I liked it, but it wasn't really needed for what we were hunting (cull eland and wildebeeste). The PH later made a comment that he hadn't seen a client with a 375 at that property before. He had no issue though.

I have just booked another trip for 2026 with a different outfitter, who again has suggested that my 375 is too big and has suggested I use a camp rifle or bring something smaller instead.

Personally, I don't have an issue with it. It has been completely satisfactory and with a sound moderator, is very pleasant to shoot. I have come to the conclusion that I am unlikely to ever be able to afford to hunt dangerous game and am wondering about either homeloading a 250 grain TTSX to a moderate velocity and persevering against the advice of the outfitter, or swapping the 375 for a plains game focused rifle.

If I do swap it, I was thinking of either a 338 win mag downloaded slightly (250gr TTSX at 2,500 fps) or a 9.3x62. My thought is that the 9.3x62 is very similar to what I have now. I spoken to my local firearms licencing department, who will grant a 300 win mag or a 9.3x62 with no issue. I was told there is a presumption against a 338 win mag, as it is too similar to a 338 lapua (I know...) .

Another issue I have is that whatever I buy, it will have to use copper bullets, as lead will be illegal very soon in England. My thought was that the 338 win mag might be better, as it has a higher velocity.

.300 H&H ?

 

[CBH Australia]

I hired a 7mm REM mag in South Africa. How do the Bobby’s feel about about that chambering?

Are rifles chambered in 7x64 readily available to you?

I like my .280ai

The outfitters wife has has taken some impressive Kudu with a .25-06

 

[AZDAVE]

An African PH saying don’t bring a 375, that one I never heard before.

Based on your requirements I would look at the 300.
9.3’s. Are my favorite caliber but just to close to your current 375.

If you are comfortable with the 375 just skip looking for a new rifle and take it. If your PH is upset with your decision find a new PH.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I used my 404 Jeffery on plains game and took two at 300 yards which speaks for the rifle not me given I am but an average shot. There is no such thing as too much gun. If you want another rifle just to get one the following are all great PG calibers: 275/7x57, 30-06, 300 WM, 338

Calculating correctly for 24" drop at 300 yards speaks more to ability of shooter than rifle in my opinion. I don't have sufficient skill to attempt it with my 404 and it is a tack driver ... at 100 yards.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I use 30-06 with 165 gr Partitions. Good out to 300 yards and a bit. No problem finding ammo, brass, bullets, or powder. Even during COVID I was able to get loaded up for Africa (but primers were $200/200 delivered!!!).

 

[BeeMaa]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have never personally understood how going out with multiple rifles works. I have always just set off with one rifle and a plan, which sometimes changes! I think taking two rifles would just add complications for me!

I have often admired the Bergstutzens though.

I’m also a one-gun safari hunter and choose the 375H&H and 300 grain bullets every time. The only thing I will change is the bullet type. I carry Barnes TSX for most offerings, but also have some Woodleigh Hydros in the event they are needed. This becomes especially important if one of the T10 show up and I’d like to have something more than scraps to had to the taxidermist.

Traveling with two rifles makes the case such a PITA to carry around the airport. Being able to walk and carry all my bags easily is much nicer for me.

If you aren’t allowed a .30 caliber, consider a 7mm. The 7RM or 7x57 will have cartridges available that are all copper. These will also be readily available across the world in most camps.

Best of luck with your decision and navigation of the governmental red tape.

 

[Philip Glass]

I am considering buying a new plains game rifle.

I used a hired 375 H & H on my first trip a few years ago. Great PH, his advice was for anything in Africa, just use a 375 H & H with 300 grain bullets and know your rifle well.

I have subsequently been back a couple of times to other locations. On my last trip, 3 years ago, I took my own moderated .375. I had a comment from the outfitter to bring the rifle if I liked it, but it wasn't really needed for what we were hunting (cull eland and wildebeeste). The PH later made a comment that he hadn't seen a client with a 375 at that property before. He had no issue though.

I have just booked another trip for 2026 with a different outfitter, who again has suggested that my 375 is too big and has suggested I use a camp rifle or bring something smaller instead.

Personally, I don't have an issue with it. It has been completely satisfactory and with a sound moderator, is very pleasant to shoot. I have come to the conclusion that I am unlikely to ever be able to afford to hunt dangerous game and am wondering about either homeloading a 250 grain TTSX to a moderate velocity and persevering against the advice of the outfitter, or swapping the 375 for a plains game focused rifle.

If I do swap it, I was thinking of either a 338 win mag downloaded slightly (250gr TTSX at 2,500 fps) or a 9.3x62. My thought is that the 9.3x62 is very similar to what I have now. I spoken to my local firearms licencing department, who will grant a 300 win mag or a 9.3x62 with no issue. I was told there is a presumption against a 338 win mag, as it is too similar to a 338 lapua (I know...) .

Another issue I have is that whatever I buy, it will have to use copper bullets, as lead will be illegal very soon in England. My thought was that the 338 win mag might be better, as it has a higher velocity.

I would just keep using the .375 if I were you. There is just something about that caliber in Africa!

 

[dchum]

A Ruger No1 in 30-06 would be ideal.

I would have to agree - Hartmanns mountain zebra. My #1 in 30-06 was a dream to carry through the rough Namibian terrain.

 

[Cally]

I hired a 7mm REM mag in South Africa. How do the Bobby’s feel about about that chambering?

Are rifles chambered in 7x64 readily available to you?

I like my .280ai

The outfitters wife has has taken some impressive Kudu with a .25-06

7x64 and .25-06 would be no issue. .280AI, probably not and 7mm Rem Mag, definitely not

 

[RETD16]

7MM REM MAG. I’ve killed a lot of PG with it. Up to Eland… Elk too…

I’m planning on bringing my 7mm Rem Mag next August for my PG hunt (which includes the Spiral Slam). I’m still debating on whether or not to take my 338 WM instead. I would be shooting 210gr TTSXs out of the 338. My PH told me that a 338 is “kind of a big rifle” for plains game.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

7MM REM MAG Kills on PG:

If you look in my media. You’ll see a lot more PG taken with this Browning A-Bolt Stalker in 7MM REM MAG. I don’t use it anymore because I have left hand rifles in .22-250, .243, 300RUM, and 375H&H. I also have an inherited left hand (7 REM MAG) that I may have reworked. Or I may have an Alpine 7 REM MAG built in a long range hunter to hunt Ibex and sheep with…

I just got back from NZ where I took 3 Red Stag, Tahr, Chamois, 3 Fallow Buck, Ram, and Feral Goat with a 7RM In 8 days of hunting at distances beyond 400 yards.

Hard to beat a 7 REM MAG.

 

[AfricaRob]

I’m in a similar position but looking to get barrels in 270 (for UK deer and some PG) and a 375 for a R8 or Mauser if I just want to take one rifle.

375 ammo is easy to get in Africa especially SA where you should be able to buy if you show your FAC and import (270, 308, 30-06 also widely available in more rural gun shops). Otherwise your PH or host should be able to get easily.

I have used 243 for impala but mostly 308 and 30-06 for kudu, impala and zebra and wildebeest. Used 270 for longer shots on mountain reedbuck and warthog and would happily use up to kudu and female wildebeest.

If you have a 375 and only want to take one rifle I’d take that - it’s ok to good for everything - spend the savings on another animal or two.

 

[Art Lambart II]

Who told you a 6.5x55 with a 130-grain TSX has limited use overseas?

 

[norfolk shooter]

@Cally Mate i have hunted africa a few times. I started off taking a 375 H&H. I have also used it at home on munti!! Its the perfect all round cal. Saying that I took my 7x64 on the last few trips for PG and that thing hits will with barnes ttsx. IMHO your 6.5x55 will have you covered but if you can use your 375 well always go with a little extra HP mate. PM me if you want any further help

 

[375Fox]

I’m planning on bringing my 7mm Rem Mag next August for my PG hunt (which includes the Spiral Slam). I’m still debating on whether or not to take my 338 WM instead. I would be shooting 210gr TTSXs out of the 338. My PH told me that a 338 is “kind of a big rifle” for plains game.

If you had told him you were bringing a 300 win mag with 200 gr bullets do you think he would have said the same? There are a lot of PHs that are more familiar than they really are knowledgeable. If a bullet has a suitable trajectory and you can shoot accurately I’d say bring what you like. There are certain cartridges that are grossly inappropriate but many don’t have the advantages people think they do (like 308 or 30/06) other than having less recoil and easier to shoot.

 

[wolfhunter]

Your 375 is a great caliber they are more of a pushing recoil. load 270 gr. in your rifle and shoot the rifle you want .

 

[coreydb]

You have a number of viable options, but if you're restricted to the number of rifles you can own, the 30-06 is the most widely used across the continent for PG hunts and the ammo is plentiful. If you reload, the .30 caliber monolithic bullet selection is plentiful and all are effective. The .300 Win Mag is another great all-around PG caliber. Being from the UK, I don't know how plentiful the ammo is, but you can ask some deerstalkers online and they can tell you.

 

[R eight]

I am considering buying a new plains game rifle.

I used a hired 375 H & H on my first trip a few years ago. Great PH, his advice was for anything in Africa, just use a 375 H & H with 300 grain bullets and know your rifle well.

I have subsequently been back a couple of times to other locations. On my last trip, 3 years ago, I took my own moderated .375. I had a comment from the outfitter to bring the rifle if I liked it, but it wasn't really needed for what we were hunting (cull eland and wildebeeste). The PH later made a comment that he hadn't seen a client with a 375 at that property before. He had no issue though.

I have just booked another trip for 2026 with a different outfitter, who again has suggested that my 375 is too big and has suggested I use a camp rifle or bring something smaller instead.

Personally, I don't have an issue with it. It has been completely satisfactory and with a sound moderator, is very pleasant to shoot. I have come to the conclusion that I am unlikely to ever be able to afford to hunt dangerous game and am wondering about either homeloading a 250 grain TTSX to a moderate velocity and persevering against the advice of the outfitter, or swapping the 375 for a plains game focused rifle.

If I do swap it, I was thinking of either a 338 win mag downloaded slightly (250gr TTSX at 2,500 fps) or a 9.3x62. My thought is that the 9.3x62 is very similar to what I have now. I spoken to my local firearms licencing department, who will grant a 300 win mag or a 9.3x62 with no issue. I was told there is a presumption against a 338 win mag, as it is too similar to a 338 lapua (I know...) .

Another issue I have is that whatever I buy, it will have to use copper bullets, as lead will be illegal very soon in England. My thought was that the 338 win mag might be better, as it has a higher velocity.

What rifle/model is your 375 ? If it’s an R8 …. then go with the 300 Win. It would have to be the logical choice.

As to a 9.3 x 62 ….yes it’s a great cartridge but it’s almost, but not quite, a 375 and you already have one.

Nothing wrong with your 6.5 x 55 Swede and I guess there’s plenty right with it too.

I’d go with whatever you shoot well. And then worry about your marksmanship, shot placement and bullet selection….in that order.