Plains game caliber

[Bruce D Fox]

I have Dakota 76 Traveler in 416 Rigby/338 Lapua that I will use on Buffalo. Thinking about SAKO A7-300 WSM , Rem 700-7mm Rem mag or Bergara -6.5 Creedmoor for plains game , Eland, Waterbuck, Zebra, Kudu,etc Opinions? All have top end Leupold, Zeiss or Huskamaw optics. Opinions on which I should carry for plains game?

 

[Nyati]

Any of them will be fine, just bring whatever you prefer.

 

[Ridgewalker]

If you don’t want to use the Rigby or Lapua barrels, I’d stick with the 300WSM. I’d still use the Rigby or Lapua with the right bullets on eland. All your planned PG can be pretty tough animals. JMO

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

If you don’t want to use the Rigby or Lapua barrels, I’d stick with the 300WSM. I’d still use the Rigby or Lapua with the right bullets on eland. All your planned PG can be pretty tough animals. JMO

+1

 

[Red Leg]

6.5 Creedmoor will get the job done if everything goes right, but on the larger antelope you are leaving little margin of error. Remember, few shot presentations are perfect, and the bullet often has to traverse a lot beast to get to where it matters. The 6.5's have excellent BC, but a quality 180 or 200 gr SP from that .300 would be a near perfect choice.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Shoot the ones with which you are most proficient including shooting them off of sticks.

 

[sierraone]

As has been suggested, I would recommend one of your buffalo calibers for the eland. A mature male eland can easily be larger than many cape buffalo bulls.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Bruce, I’m sure you realize that usually if a drop of blood is found and the animal is not, you pay anyway. You have some expensive trophies that you want to not suffer and die quickly.
I personally use my 375 H&H for everything. On my duiker I was probably over gunned, but the solid put a very small hole through it that didn’t take a lot of taxidermy repair work. JMO
Best of luck in your decision!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Of the options you listed, the 300 WSM gets my vote. Any chance of getting another barrel for your Dakota? Say in 300 WM. Your perfect 2 barrel gun battery of 416 Rigby and 300 WM would get the job done and travel well.

 

[sierraone]

Bruce, I’m sure you realize that usually if a drop of blood is found and the animal is not, you pay anyway. You have some expensive trophies that you want to not suffer and die quickly.
I personally use my 375 H&H for everything. On my duiker I was probably over gunned, but the solid put a very small hole through it that didn’t take a lot of taxidermy repair work. JMO
Best of luck in your decision!

@Ridgewalker...your post brings us back to the one gun .375 HH doing it all. I have never and will never argue with that! AND you don't need 2 or 3 scopes either! Just range time!

 

[tarbe]

For the PG portion of the hunt, I would just load the Lapua with a good 250gr bullet (A-Frame or TTSX) at about 2,700 - 2,800 fps and go hunting.

 

[IvW]

For the PG portion of the hunt, I would just load the Lapua with a good 250gr bullet (A-Frame or TTSX) at about 2,700 - 2,800 fps and go hunting.

Or a 300 gr(or 285 Barnes TSX(I know many would never imagine me recommending a TSX but there are exceptions) at a sedate 2670 fps..that's what I use in mine, very accurate and deadly.

 

[Bruce D Fox]

I appreciate the advice, ordered some 250 gr Berger’s and some 225 gr tipped TSX from Hendershot’s for the Lapua, that should work well on the PG and the .416 Rigby on Buff

 

[Ridgewalker]

I appreciate the advice, ordered some 250 gr Berger’s and some 225 gr tipped TSX from Hendershot’s for the Lapua, that should work well on the PG and the .416 Rigby on Buff

Excellent decision IMO! Have a grand hunt and don’t forget to share it with us!

 

[bruce moulds]

go with the tsx.
bergers out of the lap case might let you down.
bruce.

 

[Rule 303]

I appreciate the advice, ordered some 250 gr Berger’s and some 225 gr tipped TSX from Hendershot’s for the Lapua, that should work well on the PG and the .416 Rigby on Buff

That is a sound decision IMHO.

Enjoy the hunt.

 

[Red Leg]

Wouldn't touch the Berger's - TSX is a classic.

 

[Dewald]

I appreciate the advice, ordered some 250 gr Berger’s and some 225 gr tipped TSX from Hendershot’s for the Lapua, that should work well on the PG and the .416 Rigby on Buff

Unless you plan on engaging those plainsgame animals at very long distances, ie 500m plus, or plan a headshot only cull the Bergers are utter rubbish.

Don’t get me wrong. I cull a lot. A lot. Today again was my 6,5x55 and 140gr Nosler CCs on a walk and stalk in thick stuff - post summer rain - for impala, only headshots. I do the same with 52gr Bergers in a .222 and 87gr V-max in a .243. I love accurate match bullets for this.

But alas, hunting bullets they are not. Irrelevant the nomenclature, IE Hybrids, VLD Hunting etc etc. I’ve walked many miles trying to find the animals wounded by Hornady A-max and Berger on bodyshots.

Go with your TSX or even A-frames or Partitions in the Dakota and get your trophies in the salt.

 

[Von S.]

There's never a lack of suggestions on what to use on what to make it die deader than Julius Ceasar, but when the game heads North towards Lybia at light speed see who kicks in with the game fee money.

Do not hold your breath.

My advice is use something that could take King Cong off his feet with just the muzzle blast and keep shootin' there Tex until just the parts you want taxadermeyed are left.

Enjoy and have fun.

 

[Rule 303]

That is a sound decision IMHO.

Enjoy the hunt.

OOOPPPs missed the Berger bit. Was referring to the Barnes only. Swift A Frames are also a good solid contender. I like Woodleighs but I don't think their softnose are meant for 338 Lap velocities.