Newbie!

[cwilson]

I’m from Alabama and planning a trip to hunt plains game June of 2026.I’ve been previously but taking my wife and 26 y.o. son this trip.I’m taking a .300 Win Mag. and a .375 H&H.I would like to get a rifle for my wife that doesn’t have as much recoil.Any suggestions that would still do the job on a giraffe and zebra as those are her target animals-thanks.

 

[Mekaniks]

7x57, 7-08, 270, or 308 would be my first suggestions

 

[BRICKBURN]

Welcome to AH.

 

[EXECUTIVE HUNT AFRICA]

Good day! Welcome to AH! I would also suggest a 308 for your wife.
Enjoy the planning stage!
Johan

 

[Bos en Dal SAFARIS]

Welcome; it sounds like an interesting hunt your wife has planned. Any of the 7mm or .30 calibers she can shoot with confidence will get the job done.

Regards

 

[cpr0312]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Nyati]

 

[Desaad]

Welcome to AH.

 

[Elite Hunting Outfitters]

I’m from Alabama and planning a trip to hunt plains game June of 2026.I’ve been previously but taking my wife and 26 y.o. son this trip.I’m taking a .300 Win Mag. and a .375 H&H.I would like to get a rifle for my wife that doesn’t have as much recoil.Any suggestions that would still do the job on a giraffe and zebra as those are her target animals-thanks.

Good evening and welcome to AH!

That sounds like an incredible trip!

A suppressed .300 WSM with a lighter load is a great option—I set up my wife (110 lbs) with the same, and she is very comfortable with it. ( I also hand reload rounds for this caliber).

A .7MM-08 suppressed is definitely worth considering-arguably one of the best in its class. It's flat shooting with excellent kinetic energy transfer.

A .270 Win suppressed or 6.5 Creedmoor suppressed are also solid choices, especially for zebra, though precise shot placement is key for giraffe.

Best of luck with your safari planning!

 

[MATTANJA HUNTING SAFARIS]

Welcome to AH!!

 

[CBH Australia]

G’day from Australia.

As for the rifle I second this post below

Welcome; it sounds like an interesting hunt your wife has planned. Any of the 7mm or .30 calibers she can shoot with confidence will get the job done.

Regards

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Welcome to AH cwilson!

 

[LIMPOPO NORTH SAFARIS]

Welcome to AH, Giraffe are thick skinned animals and require a little bit more punch if you shooting broadside especially broadside shots, if you hit those big shoulder bones you dont want a bullet to break up not penetrating all the way, for those reasons ill recommend .300 or 30-06 is perfect. For the zebra any 7mm will be perfect.

 

[Velo Dog]

Greetings cwilson,

Khomas Highland Hunting and Fishing Safaris of Namibia, welcomes you to the greatest forum on earth.

I’m with others here who have already suggested low recoil cartridges such as the 7x57, the .308, .30-06, etc.
That said and regarding giraffe specifically, I’ve never shot one so admittedly, my opinion is probably not the best one to consider.
Certainly, I have seen many of them (7 times to Africa so far) and they are huge.
I think a mature bull weighs around one and a half tons.
And their bones are massive.

Therefore, selecting a low recoil cartridge for the shooting of such a giant critter is going to be a challenge for sure.
My best guess here is that if your wife can tolerate a .30-06 with 220 grain bullets, and she is able to (from shooting sticks), consistently hit targets representing the juncture of a giraffe neck and base of the skull, then that is the caliber I would suggest.

As for zebra, the .30-06 and 220 gr bullet is adequate, of course just like anything else, provided the all-important first shot strikes a vital spot.

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.