Advice on caliber selection for Zambia trip

[Mike Van Horn]

Never been to Africa, but here’s my 2 cents worth anyway. 6.5 and 375

Side note, that’s a nice line up of rifles

 

[Scott CWO]

So up front I should admit I am not into carrying a bunch of rifles (preferably only one) overseas. However, in your case I would carry two. Either the .375 or .458 and the .300 WSM. You won't be able to do anything off sticks on the flats or a high seat above a swamp with a 6.5 that you can't do with the .300 with just a bit more room for shot placement error - with those rests, it won't be a range thing.

If not for the possibility of longer shots in the swamps, I would be taking only the .375. I appreciate your thoughts on the .300 WSM vs the 6.5.

 

[C.W. Richter]

If not for the possibility of longer shots in the swamps, I would be taking only the .375. I appreciate your thoughts on the .300 WSM vs the 6.5.

I believe they try to set the machans (treehouse for crew) ~300 yds+/- 100 yds away from the edge of the papyrus, (shooting down into lower, swamp grasses) so that's not an issue. You won't shoot far on the ground in the swamp. Other than the reds, the black & kafue live on the wide-open, grazed flats. Just walk, bump 'em, make your first shot happen in the 200s (otherwise it will be 400!) Don't use bipods due to all the rocks sticking out of the ground in the bullet's path. Plenty of great DVDs and Youtube videos on hunting Zambia.

 

[Scott CWO]

I like the 6.5 and 375 combo. I did that (6.5PRC and 375 Ruger) for my Massiland hunt last summer and it was great. The 6.5 for the gazelles, hartebeest etc. and the 375 for everything else. I like the 300 and 375 combo too - I'd take the one I shot best.

Thanks for your thoughts. The 6.5 is a fairly heavy rig with the bipod rail, bipod, large stock and NF scope. Easier to hold steady than the .300 WSM mountain rifle. Obviously, the .300 WSM packs more punch. I’m torn.

 

[BeeMaa]

Winchester M70 in 300WSM and Whitworth Interarms Model X in 375H&H are my vote for a 2 rifle setup.

But if it were me, and I had to carry the bags...I'd whittle it down to one and just take the Witworth 375 and call it done. Especially with a scope in the 2-12x range that should be good out to 300+ with a dope chart.

There is always secret option #6 - a CZ550 375H&H with a 22" barrel and AHR #2 upgrade...unless it happens to be in AK. And I'm not sure how well it shoots out to 300 yards.

 

[Scott CWO]

Whittle it down to 2 rifles. I agree with Red Leg, 300 WSM and either the .375 or .458 Lott. It sounds like the .375 may be a better idea for your dad.

Yes, definitely two rifles. Probably the .375 and one of the others. Thanks for your help.

 

[thriller]

I think I have a good plan for caliber and rifle selection for my safari in Zambia in late July and early August but wanted to see what you guys think. I will be hunting and traveling to three different areas to get the three lechwe species (Kafue, red and black) as well as sitatunga, roan, sable, puku, waterbuck, bushbuck, etc… plus I have reserved a buffalo for my father. I’m taking my parents on their first safari, mostly as observers. We are hunting Kasonso Busanga GMA bordering Kafue NP for most of the above species and then the Bangweulu Swamp for black lechwe. The “swamp species” such as the lechwe and sitatunga will be hunted in the open country of the swamps in these areas and shots could be a bit longer than encountered on most African safaris.

Rifles/calibers I am considering from my safe:

1. Tuebor Precision 6.5 GAP with titanium action with carbon wrapped barrel, Nightforce turret scope and 140gr Berger Hybrid bullets. Shot my Marco Polo sheep at 550 yards with this rifle. It’s a .300 RUM necked down to a 6.5. I was thinking of using this rifle in the swamps for the lechwe and sitatunga because shots can get long. I have shot this rifle out to 1500 yards but would never shoot an animal at more than half that distance. My PH owns a 6.5 and is impressed with the performance on smaller PG species so he is fine with my setup for the swamp hunting.

2. Custom Winchester M70 in .300 WSM with a Leupold scope with Premier Reticle dots out to 600 yards. This is my lightweight mountain rifle for most of my sheep hunting in North America. It’s very lightweight and hard to hold steady without a solid rest. Sighted in with 165 gr Nosler Accubond bullets.

3. Custom Winchester M70 in .338 WM with a Leupold scope with Premier Reticle dots out to 600 yards. This is the rifle I have used for most of my PG hunting and a lot of NA hunts. It has a heavy but fluted stainless Krieger barrel without iron sights. Very accurate for a medium bore caliber. Sighted in with 225 gr Swift A-Frame bullets.

4. Whitworth Interarms Model X in .375 H&H Mag with beautiful wood, iron sights, barrel band sling swivel with Leupold VX6 2-12x scope with adjustable illuminated reticle in Talley QD rings. Sighted in with Barnes 270 gr LRX bullets. I thought this would be great for PG and would work just fine for my dad’s buffalo. I know 300 gr bullets are normally recommended for buffalo but the 270 gr would work. This is a new rifle for me.

5. CZ550 Safari .458 Lott with several upgrades by Wayne at AHR with iron sights and a Leupold V6 2-12x scope in Talley QD rings. Composite stock and cerakote coating on all metal. This is my back up rifle for brown bear guiding and I have also shot two buffalo with it in Mozambique. Sighted in with 500 gr Barnes TTSX.

For the swamp hunting, I was thinking of taking the Tuebor 6.5 and for everything else, the Whitworth .375. Or should I take the .338 and .375? Or the .338 and .458? Or the .375 and .458? Or just the .375? I only want to take two rifles. My dad has never shot the .458 Lott.

Your thoughts?

I would do the 300 and 375. It might be easier to get ammo for the 458 right now though from what I have seen. This isn’t your first time around the block though so I think you will be ok!!

 

[Scott CWO]

Winchester M70 in 300WSM and Whitworth Interarms Model X in 375H&H are my vote for a 2 rifle setup.

But if it were me, and I had to carry the bags...I'd whittle it down to one and just take the Witworth 375 and call it done. Especially with a scope in the 2-12x range that should be good out to 300+ with a dope chart.

There is always secret option #6 - a CZ550 375H&H with a 22" barrel and AHR #2 upgrade...unless it happens to be in AK. And I'm not sure how well it shoots out to 300 yards.

Haha I thought you might chime in about the CZ I bought from you! It’s a great rifle but probably not the best choice for the longer shooting that’s possible on this trip. It works great for brown bear and would work great for my dad’s buffalo but I think the Whitworth with all that pretty wood and a longer barrel has an edge for this trip for PG.

 

[Scott CWO]

I hunted Lunga Lushwishi GMA in August 2006 which is I believe is GMA just east of where you will be hunting. I’d take 300/375 combo. My Dad and I hunted plains game. I used 300 H&H and he used 300 wby, most shots were 100-200 yards and several pushing 300 but had no need for further shots. He and my brother went back in 2012(?) with the same rifles. The land is much more open than other areas I hunted, huge open areas surrounded by relatively open woods. I would be more concerned about long shot on roan than lechwe. I saw many roan during trip but never close up, they would always be at far end of open area. If they are anything like the roan I just hunted in Zimbabwe, they are most switched on animal I’ve hunted. They are also a big bodied animal and I’d want more than a 6.5. If the lechwe are anything like lechwes in Caprivi, they will not be difficult to stalk. They have a tolerance because they are use to fishermen and other human activities near water. I’ve taken 3 red lechwe in Caprivi shots were 150-220 yards. I unsuccessfully hunted buffalo during the trip for 2 days (remote area in concession required dedicated effort and long drive), I borrowed rifle and we got on buffalo both days, but it’s open woodland and a scoped 375 would have been perfect over open sighted 458 I had to use. I’d take 300/375 combo with you or 338/375 if you think you can shoot 338 better over your 300.

Where will you be hunting red lechwe in Zambia? I know they are there because I shot one of mine very close to border, but didn’t know any operated hunting concessions offered them in Zambia.

Sounds like y’all had some great trips! Your advice is appreciated and especially since you’ve hunted nearby.

I have seen several roan in Mozambique and they were always alert and cautious but not on quota. I could envision having to make a longish shot on roan.

I believe there are reds in either Busanga or Kasonso but I don’t remember which area. Or maybe we are going somewhere else for reds. I will ask the PH again but I was assured we would hunt all three lechwe in 16 days plus roan, sable, etc…. I will let you know what he says.

 

[BeeMaa]

Haha I thought you might chime in about the CZ I bought from you! It’s a great rifle but probably not the best choice for the longer shooting that’s possible on this trip. It works great for brown bear and would work great for my dad’s buffalo but I think the Whitworth with all that pretty wood and a longer barrel has an edge for this trip for PG.

Agreed.

 

[Scott CWO]

I would do the 300 and 375. It might be easier to get ammo for the 458 right now though from what I have seen. This isn’t your first time around the block though so I think you will be ok!!

Thanks for the help. Yes, I’ve done a fair amount of hunting and guiding but I do appreciate the knowledge on AH.

 

[Scott CWO]

Never been to Africa, but here’s my 2 cents worth anyway. 6.5 and 375

Side note, that’s a nice line up of rifles

Thanks for your input and the kind words about the rifles. I was leaning towards the 6.5 and the .375 originally but wasn’t sure, hence this thread posting. I’m definitely on the fence. Maybe I’m over thinking it but y’all are a great resource to check.

 

[BeeMaa]

Maybe I’m over thinking it but y’all are a great resource to check.

More like a bunch of jokers who couldn't agree on the color of grass. LOL.

 

[BourbonTrail]

Maybe you just need to buy new rifles for this trip….

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

 

[RLL]

If my battery was in question and the shots you expect, Id take my 300 wsm and whatever else you’re with comfortable for buff and PG. 375 with 270’s are a solid recipe for success or a 416 with 300, 325 CEBs, and the 458 lott shooting factory swift WM ammo isn’t too painful. My 2 cents.

 

[WAB]

Maybe you just need to buy new rifles for this trip….

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

Hey now you’re onto something. We need to pick out a new battery for his trip! What would he do without such great friends?!

 

[Scott CWO]

Maybe you just need to buy new rifles for this trip….

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

Maybe you just need to buy new rifles for this trip….

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

Boy, you’re a lot of help! Lol! The .375 is fairly new. I haven’t hunted with it yet. What else do you suggest I buy? Haha.

 

[Scott CWO]

If my battery was in question and the shots you expect, Id take my 300 wsm and whatever else you’re with comfortable for buff and PG. 375 with 270’s are a solid recipe for success or a 416 with 300, 325 CEBs, and the 458 lott shooting factory swift WM ammo isn’t too painful. My 2 cents.

Thanks for chiming in! I didn’t realize the .300 WSM would get so much support.

 

[Tra3]

Reading between the lines, it seems like you like the .300 caliber, but aren’t as confident with the rifle it is calibered in because the rifle is so light. My suggestion is to bring the .375 and the 2nd rifle should be what you are most confident shooting. A bit of extra weight is a nice thing in a rifle (when not hiking uphill).
I’ve used the 180 gr berger VLD’s in a 7 mag and find them to work very well on elk and deer. On my last trip to Africa I just used the .375 because I was confident with it and didn’t want to mess up that confidence. (So I can’t attest to the 180 VLD’s on PG.)

I like to schlep two rifles because it gives me some comfort in knowing that if I break something, I have a backup.

 

[meigsbucks]

.300 and .375. The .300 will handle your open country shots and just about any PG you seek and the.375 would be good for anything, however I’d upgrade to a 300 gr.