Plains Game Ammo

[khesser]

It’s relevant because a bullet that works well on elk might not be as effective on a kudu in Africa because the shot placement is different. A new hunter to Africa doesn’t always know that.

A bullet effective on elk will work just fine for a Kudu. 7 PRC at 580 yards just behind the shoulder one and done

 

[khesser]

To get back on track for bullet recommendations I’d want to know more about your setup and how you plan to hunt. Are you comfortable and setup to accurately take game at distance or will you be looking to take game within say 200 yards? Inside 200-300 yards with a 300 Win Mag bullet BC really won’t have much effect on downrange performance. For that I’d go with the bullet that gives you at least 1 MOA accuracy. If you’re looking to stretch it out my favorite bullet to hand load is Berger OTMs or the Berger Elite Hunter. For factory ammo I really like the performance from Federal Terminal Ascent bullets. I have had mixed results with Accubond LR bullets. From a 300 Ultra mag they were great at distance but did not perform well up close at higher velocities. From a 300 Win Mag they would probably work well. As far as the ELD-X bullets I don’t have any experience hunting with them but I know people who have successfully used them and have heard reports of poor performance.

 

[skydiver386]

Without being to complicated, deer are part of the Cervidae family, Antelope are part of the Bovidae family. Nearly all the vital organs in the former are farther forward, and shot placement should be moved accordingly.

 

[DLSJR]

Washed Up Vet - First and foremost… Thank You for your service to our country!

With regard to bullets, it’s pretty simple. Just shoot whatever premium bullet your gun groups well and you have confidence in. My son and I have shot all that stuff you mentioned plus a lot more African game including Kudu & Sable (except blesbok) with 150 grain Nosler Partitions in a .270. They’ve all died quickly. With a smaller cartridge and bullet.

It doesn’t matter whether you shoot a Partition, TTSX, A Frame, Bearclaw, Terminal Ascent, Northfork or any number of other excellent bullets. In your .300 whichever of those groups well and you’re confident in, just use it and go enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

With regard to placement, just keep it tight to the shoulder and almost halfway up and you won’t need to fire many shots. The heart is in pretty much the same place on all animals, don’t overthink it.

Just go enjoy yourself and give us a nice report when you return.

 

[rosecitymike]

I used my 300 WM in Africa a couple years ago. Found a load with 212 ELD-X that shot one ragged hole at 100 yards. On that trip took Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Kudu, and Oryx from 150 to 330 yards, all one-shot kills. The zebra ran the furthest at about 30 yards after a front quartering shot. IMO, the ELD-X performed exceptionally well and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again. For me, the most important thing was knowing that where I put the crosshairs was where the bullet was going and the ELD-X provided that! For other rifles it's Bergers, or Accubonds, or Hammers. As others have said, pick what bullet and weight are best for your rifle and don't look back. So good luck, good shooting, and looking forward to your report!

 

[IA1865]

I used my .300 win mag in SA in January. Used factory federal terminal ascent 200g and had great success with it, five one shot kills from 30 to 300 yards. 5 round groups in my rifle are right around .75 MOA so I felt very confident in it and it performed great. Another hunter in camp was using the ELDX with both 6.5cm and .308 loaner rifles and it did not perform very well, but might have been a case of poor shot placement with unfamiliar rifles.

 

[Doug3006]

In my humble opinion, once someone has determined they’ll hunt only plains game, the need for premium bullets evaporates. Sure, TSXs, A-Frames, Bear Claws, etc. will kill plains game effectively. But, so will basic cup and core bullets like Core-Lokts, Hornady Interlocks, and so on. Nosler Partitions are good too. Find a regular bullet and weight suitable for the game you’re chasing and go hunt.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

In my humble opinion, once someone has determined they’ll hunt only plains game, the need for premium bullets evaporates. Sure, TSXs, A-Frames, Bear Claws, etc. will kill plains game effectively. But, so will basic cup and core bullets like Core-Lokts, Hornady Interlocks, and so on. Nosler Partitions are good too. Find a regular bullet and weight suitable for the game you’re chasing and go hunt.

I completely disagree.

One’s bullet is quite literally one of the biggest factors in determining success. It’s much more important than one’s flight choice, taxidermist, shoes, scope, etc. For a traveling hunter who’s spending thousands of dollars (likely ten thousand plus), trying to save $20 by skimping on a box of ammo seems penny wise but pound foolish.

Maybe it’s me but I have the same logic hunting here in the states. Most hunters step up to a premium bullet for Elk, Moose, Caribou, Sheep, etc. They’re no tougher than PG in Africa. Once you look at lease costs, travel costs, time invested, etc why skimp on your ammo to try and save $20. I shoot and best most ammo I can. That’s fusions & partitions out of my AR on pigs, TSS on Turkey’s, and quality bullets like Terminal Ascent, Sciroccos, Bergers, TTSX, TSX, A-Frames, and Bear Claws on Deer or anything else.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I completely disagree.

One’s bullet is quite literally one of the biggest factors in determining success. It’s much more important than one’s flight choice, taxidermist, shoes, scope, etc. For a traveling hunter who’s spending thousands of dollars (likely ten thousand plus), trying to save $20 by skimping on a box of ammo seems penny wise but pound foolish.

Maybe it’s me but I have the same logic hunting here in the states. Most hunters step up to a premium bullet for Elk, Moose, Caribou, Sheep, etc. They’re no tougher than PG in Africa. Once you look at lease costs, travel costs, time invested, etc why skimp on your ammo to try and save $20. I shoot and best most ammo I can. That’s fusions & partitions out of my AR on pigs, TSS on Turkey’s, and quality bullets like Terminal Ascent, Sciroccos, Bergers, TTSX, TSX, A-Frames, and Bear Claws on Deer or anything else.

It's not necessarily about saving twenty bucks. I've been killing anima

Hopeless trying to post today. Site keeps locking up while I'm trying to write.

 

[Doug3006]

I completely disagree.

One’s bullet is quite literally one of the biggest factors in determining success. It’s much more important than one’s flight choice, taxidermist, shoes, scope, etc. For a traveling hunter who’s spending thousands of dollars (likely ten thousand plus), trying to save $20 by skimping on a box of ammo seems penny wise but pound foolish.

Maybe it’s me but I have the same logic hunting here in the states. Most hunters step up to a premium bullet for Elk, Moose, Caribou, Sheep, etc. They’re no tougher than PG in Africa. Once you look at lease costs, travel costs, time invested, etc why skimp on your ammo to try and save $20. I shoot and best most ammo I can. That’s fusions & partitions out of my AR on pigs, TSS on Turkey’s, and quality bullets like Terminal Ascent, Sciroccos, Bergers, TTSX, TSX, A-Frames, and Bear Claws on Deer or anything else.

I understand your logic. The extra cost of premium ammo isn’t worth considering. If your rifle shoots one of the premium bullets accurately, then have at it. But, if you get better accuracy from one of the standard bullets, most of which have been engineered specifically to cleanly kill white tails up to elk, then there’s no reason not to use them. An Impala will succumb to a 30 cal Inter Lock just as quickly as an A-Frame…maybe quicker due to faster expansion.

Premiums come into their own on dangerous, heavily built game. I’ll trade some accuracy for reliable expansion and deal penetration.

 

[375Fox]

I completely disagree.

One’s bullet is quite literally one of the biggest factors in determining success. It’s much more important than one’s flight choice, taxidermist, shoes, scope, etc. For a traveling hunter who’s spending thousands of dollars (likely ten thousand plus), trying to save $20 by skimping on a box of ammo seems penny wise but pound foolish.

Maybe it’s me but I have the same logic hunting here in the states. Most hunters step up to a premium bullet for Elk, Moose, Caribou, Sheep, etc. They’re no tougher than PG in Africa. Once you look at lease costs, travel costs, time invested, etc why skimp on your ammo to try and save $20. I shoot and best most ammo I can. That’s fusions & partitions out of my AR on pigs, TSS on Turkey’s, and quality bullets like Terminal Ascent, Sciroccos, Bergers, TTSX, TSX, A-Frames, and Bear Claws on Deer or anything else.

With exception to the Bergers my logic is exactly the same. Ammo is the cheapest part of the hunt. Quality bullets/ammo and quality rain gear are two things I won’t compromise on ever again.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

With exception to the Bergers my logic is exactly the same. Ammo is the cheapest part of the hunt. Quality bullets/ammo and quality rain gear are two things I won’t compromise on ever again.

Some people confuse quality with price tag. Quality is basically the ability to perform the task at hand. If I drove a new Cadillac two blocks to church this morning, would it have done a better job getting me there than my 1999 Jimmy? No. But I know one congregant who is convinced his new car is better than my old rust bucket. Better how? It looks better. Consequently, people think he's top shelf because he drives a top shelf vehicle. But at the end of the day what people think of him really has nothing to do with getting to church on time.

Just because I don't buy expensive ammo doesn't mean I'm risking messing up my safari. Cup and core lead has served me well over a half century of hunting. I have tried loading Barnes for my 30-06 but they don't group. An expensive experiment. I purchased Partitions for my first safari on recommendation of the lodge. They performed well enough but I was not impressed when the hide was peeled. Destruction of meat simply is not a consideration in Africa. But it's always been a concern for me. I haven't written off Partitions completely. Not yet anyway. But it may be a done deal. Just loaded up a dozen 165 gr Interlock with IMR4895 powder that wouldn't work in my 404 loads. Very satisfactory group at 100 yards. I would prefer cup and core somewhere between 165 and 180 gr but no one makes anything like that.

 

[Rule 303]

Ontario Hunter, I am not sure I am reading your post correctly. You state "I would prefer cup and core somewhere between 165 and 180 gr but no one makes anything like that." ????If you are talking about 30 cal bullets there are plenty in that range.

 

[375Fox]

Some people confuse quality with price tag. Quality is basically the ability to perform the task at hand. If I drove a new Cadillac two blocks to church this morning, would it have done a better job getting me there than my 1999 Jimmy? No. But I know one congregant who is convinced his new car is better than my old rust bucket. Better how? It looks better. Consequently, people think he's top shelf because he drives a top shelf vehicle. But at the end of the day what people think of him really has nothing to do with getting to church on time.

Just because I don't buy expensive ammo doesn't mean I'm risking messing up my safari. Cup and core lead has served me well over a half century of hunting. I have tried loading Barnes for my 30-06 but they don't group. An expensive experiment. I purchased Partitions for my first safari on recommendation of the lodge. They performed well enough but I was not impressed when the hide was peeled. Destruction of meat simply is not a consideration in Africa. But it's always been a concern for me. I haven't written off Partitions completely. Not yet anyway. But it may be a done deal. Just loaded up a dozen 165 gr Interlock with IMR4895 powder that wouldn't work in my 404 loads. Very satisfactory group at 100 yards. I would prefer cup and core somewhere between 165 and 180 gr but no one makes anything like that.

This is one of your few reasonable posts, but you are obsessed with railing against the rich to admit where quality is a benefit and it influences all your opinions. A hunt in Africa isn’t driving your ‘99 Jimmy two blocks to church. It’s driving it across the country where unplanned events can become very expensive. I wouldn’t bet on your ‘99 Jimmy for a cross country trip. There are a number of brand names I see no added benefit over something middle of that road, but there are some options that are quality and there are options that just aren’t. You can do what you’d like. I expect nothing less from you.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

This is one of your few reasonable posts, but you are obsessed with railing against the rich to admit where quality is a benefit and it influences all your opinions. A hunt in Africa isn’t driving your ‘99 Jimmy two blocks to church. It’s driving it across the country where unplanned events can become very expensive. I wouldn’t bet on your ‘99 Jimmy for a cross country trip. There are a number of brand names I see no added benefit over something middle of that road, but there are some options that are quality and there are options that just aren’t. You can do what you’d like. I expect nothing less from you.

My 99 Jimmy goes 24 to 30 hours one way to Montana and back every fall since 2010 ... and to California and back twice in 2009 ... and 30 hrs from Montana to here in 2007. Also at least a dozen trips to Minneapolis for medical treatment (me or the dogs) at ~8 hrs one way. That old horse has 350K miles. It will return to Montana again this fall, probably for the last time ... for it, the dogs, and me. Everything in that vehicle but the tie rods and transmission has been replaced at least once ... mostly by me. I know how it works and how to keep it working. Same with my WWII 30-06 Springfield. And the bullets it shoots. I did have two equipment failures in Africa (new scope and new barrel). No sweat. Shit happens. Lots of game and lots of equipment available to rent. Easy fix. Didn't skip a beat.

 

[dchum]

Ontario Hunter, I am not sure I am reading your post correctly. You state "I would prefer cup and core somewhere between 165 and 180 gr but no one makes anything like that." ????If you are talking about 30 cal bullets there are plenty in that range.

He’s a special one

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Ontario Hunter, I am not sure I am reading your post correctly. You state "I would prefer cup and core somewhere between 165 and 180 gr but no one makes anything like that." ????If you are talking about 30 cal bullets there are plenty in that range.

Barnes makes 168 gr but not cup and core. I seem to recall someone makes a match bullet in that range. Nothing on the shelves here or in Minneapolis when I was shopping down there. Perhaps incorrect in my assumption no one makes them. Most vendors only sell 150, 165, 180, or 220 gr cup and core (rarely 200 gr can be found).

 

[Rule 303]

Barnes makes 168 gr but not cup and core. I seem to recall someone makes a match bullet in that range. Nothing on the shelves here or in Minneapolis when I was shopping down there. Perhaps incorrect in my assumption no one makes them. Most vendors only sell 150, 165, 180, or 220 gr cup and core (rarely 200 gr can be found).

Woodleigh do, bonded yes but still cup and core. Sierra list several, same as Speer, Remington and Hornady. Speer even have 165 grain Grand Slams in 308 calibre. If you mean 200 grain they are made by those most of companies as are 220 grain cup and core.

 

[Rule 303]

He’s a special one

So am I. I drive a 1997 LandRover

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Woodleigh do, bonded yes but still cup and core. Sierra list several, same as Speer, Remington and Hornady. Speer even have 165 grain Grand Slams in 308 calibre. If you mean 200 grain they are made by those most of companies as are 220 grain cup and core.

Thanks. I see something in 172 gr that looks quite interesting. Will see if I can order them.