PLAINS GAME CALIBER

[PENDLETON AMMUNITION]

What is everyone's "Go To" caliber for Gamsbok, Kudu, Impala, etc... And what bullet?

I personally had taken a .300 Winchester Magnum with the 180 Gr Barnes TTSX bullets. They shoot fast and flat, and the bullets don't break up on impact, minimizing the damage to the trophy while still dispatching the animals quickly and ethically. But that was my personal choice.

As we develop our Safari line of ammunition, we can't just load big bore ammo. What is your "go to" caliber and bullet?

 

[SETH RINGER]

KNOW THERE ARE NEWER, FASTER, FLATTER, TOUGHER, ETC. BUT FOR ME A 30-06 WITH 180 GRAINS PARTITIONS IS MAGIC.

 

[Fatback]

30-06 with 180 grain AFrames
300 Win Mag 200 grain AFrames
7PRC 175 Terminal Ascents
270 Win 150 Grain Nosler Partitions

All these would be very capable PG rounds.

 

[JimP]

I've used my .340 Weatherby with a Barnes 225 grain TTSX on both of my trips to South Africa. That 225 grain TTSX also works quite well out of the 338 Win mag.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I use ZKK600 in 7 x 57 ( 275Rigby). Bullets SP.

 

[USMA84DAB]

I just use .375 Ruger with 270gr TSX - 2714 at the muzzle - My zebra took three - 1st one through the boiler room, he got up - the second one went through both shoulders and he couldn't get up.. The third one was a finisher at 2 yards. Perfectly shot blue wildebeest went 400 yards before he collapsed. It seems that .375 Ruger works, but it isn't smacking anything off its hooves. I use it for plains game where there are also buffalo cavorting around - I figure I at least have a spit wad's chance of stopping a pissed off bull with it. Yes, the PH has something like a .458, but I feel like I should be able to take care of myself vs. depend solely on him to save me. Lord willing and the creek don't rise/WWIII starts/another scamdemic, I will hunt for eland in Namibia in 2026 - .375 Ruger should be well suited for that animal, as well as black wildebeest, mountain zebra, etc..

Before I got the Ruger Alaskan, I was heading to RSA for the 1st safari with a .35WAI. If I couldn't take that, then I would have used a .30-06 with 180 or 220 grain projectiles.

God is on the side of the larger battalions is kinda of where I come from.

 

[Mekaniks]

@PENDLETON AMMUNITION Welcome again to AH Steve. Its great to see you onboard and posting.

Caliber is always as personal as the firearm itself, and the 300 WM has a popular following for all the right reasons, for sure.

But, for me the 338wm with 225g Accubonds, AFrames, North Forks, or TTSX is about as good as it gets.......

I am going to be in touch with you this summer as I have a couple new rifle builds and load developments in the works....

Cheers

 

[DillonG]

Far better experts than myself on this subject, but I have noticed.

First popular calibers:

7mm-08
7mm Rem Mag
308
30-06
300 H&H
300 WSM
300 WM
338 WM
375 H&H (easily most popular)

Bullet weights are typically over 160 grains up to 300 grains.

Construction seems to be the most critical for all of the seasoned, Africa hunters. Controlled expansion. Partitions are generally a point of contention. Swift, Barnes, and Hornady are very popular brands.

I can’t claim to be even a good reference. I have read numerous articles and hunt reports on AH. There is a trend among what rifles and ammo hunters tend to take.

 

[DillonG]

I also forgot about the Nosler calibers as there are several that appreciate them. Also the Whelen and 280AI crowds. Honestly, there are more rifle collectors and enthusiasts here it is hard for me to keep a good list anymore.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I plan on bringing my 338 WM Normas 230gr Oyrx bullet on my first PG hunt.

 

[Trophyhunter01]

I like the Nosler Accubond 210 in a 300 mag load. My setup just seems a little more consistent with that combination. I like a little more weight for African game. Not a big difference under 300 yards. Most my African shots 75-200 yards.

 

[AustinL]

On my one safari I carried my .280 rem loaded with 160 gr Barnes TSX bullets. My dad carried his 7mm mag loaded with the same bullet. I don’t remember exactly off hand but he had 150-200 fps on my .280 none of the critters noticed up to and including kudu and gemsbok

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

If I had to pick just one rifle for PG only, it would probably be my .300WM shooting 200gr North Forks. It will kill anything in PG category including Eland handily. But I also will happily use my .375HH for PG too.

But on down from there, I now have two 30-06 rifles that can shoot 180 and 165 grain North Forks and a 7x57 that I need to do more load development on. But if it will shoot 140gr North Forks, that will be it's load.

Yes, I'm quite partial to North Fork bonded cores.

 

[MontanaPat]

Here are two calibers I like for PG and these loadings are not commercially available and would be great.

.308 Win loaded with 180gr Swift A frames (Norma had them at one time) or using a Swift Scirocco 165 gr or 180 gr bullet.

7x57 (7mm Mauser) loaded with Swift A Frames in 140 gr, 160 gr or 175 gr bullets
OR
7x57 loaded with Swift Scirocco 150 grain bullets

 

[549]

I'm going to take my .270 Win. with 150 gr Nosler partitions.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

7x57mm Mauser with 170-175Gr bullets (my favorite is the now unfortunately discontinued Winchester Super X 175Gr soft point with plenty of lead showing at the nose).

.30-06 Springfield with 220Gr Remington Core Lokts.

 

[CBH Australia]

Since you want to sell ammo you need to identify the most common cartridge choices for plains game in order to make the sales volume required.
.300wm and .30-06 are probably contenders.
I used a 7mmRm on plains game and have heard of outfitters providing the 7x64

Maybe consider the .338wm

If you are marketing toward US hunters and a lot of it will be tested stateside then also consider what sells there.

 

[DillonG]

7x57mm Mauser with 170-175Gr bullets (my favorite is the now unfortunately discontinued Winchester Super X 175Gr soft point with plenty of lead showing at the nose).
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.30-06 Springfield with 220Gr Remington Core Lokts.
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That pair of gazelle are very impressive.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

That pair of gazelle are very impressive.

My guides deserve to get the entire credit. They can make a buffoon like me look competent.

 

[Bandera]

Last trip was a 308 Win used the Barnes TSX 165 grain.
This trip will use a 375 Ruger with 300 grain Barnes TSX
In 27 will most likely take a Ruger No. 1 in 450-400 NE not sure what bullet weight I will use. Traditionally it uses a 400 grain bullet.