PLAINS GAME CALIBER

[Happy Myles]

I have experimented with a variety of calibers during seventy five years of serious game hunting and find I too prefer 300 Win Mag with 180 grain Barnes TTX. It sails thru little ones and also stops Eland cold.

 

[chashardy]

First safari, 30.06 180 gr.
Next 4 safaris, 300 winmag with 200 gr. Federal Nosler partition or Trophy Bonded Bear Claw.

 

[JamieM]

My preference is 300WM loaded with either 180 or 165gr Sierra Gameking

 

[BeeMaa]

Typically I prefer a one-gun safari. That means a 375H&H (Barnes 300 grain TSX and Woodleigh 300 grain Hydros) for me and a 300WM (Barnes 165 grain TTSX) for my wife.

I could use her rifle for smaller PG animals, or switch to a solid to avoid damage to the hide. The other option would be to use a camp rental rifle.

 

[DLSJR]

Nearly all the plains game I’ve shot has been with either my .338 win mag and 225 grain bullets, TTSX, Bearclaws or Nosler Partitions.

Or 270 with 150 grain Partitions ot TTSX.

I’d happily shoot any plains game with a 30-06 and quality 180-200 grain bullet or a 375 and 300 grain bullet. I use TSX/TTSX, Bearclaw, Partition or A frame bullets. Never used Northforks but really want to try them, as they seem like great bullets.

 

[Doug3006]

300 H&H for me.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

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?

.300 Winchester Maximum with 200 grain AccuBonds. The combination worked very well on everything from a young impala ewe up through a big waterbuck bull. I'm sure it would be great on.kudu, and most likely eland. I intend to find out about eland on my next trip as I haven't taken an eland yet.

 

[Kudu2024]

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?

Weatherby .240 Magnum 85 grain Barnes TSXBT

Weatherby .300 Magnum 180 grain Barnes TTSX

These are my go to.

 

[BryceM]

If you’re in it to make money, you’re better off sticking with what sells, not necessarily someone’s pet cartridge. There are more and more places where lead bullets are being banned, so that also affects your choice. People are going to hunt with what they can practice with. I really like the TTSX, TSX, and A-frames (if you can get them). I’m sure there are a few other choices,

For PG, I think you might want to start with .30-06, .270, .308 WM, .300 WM, ..300 WSM, .338 WM, 7mm, .300 Wby. I’d also think about the .243 and 6.5 CM. I’m not saying I love them, but I’m sure people will ask for them. The .375 H&H is a given.

SGK and Accubonds aren’t terrible choices. Hammers are good, if you can get them in quantity. I like partitions, but not every rifle likes them. If I had to hunt PG with one bullet for the rest of my life it would be a 180gr Barnes TTSX from a .300 WM.

 

[coreydb]

Quite a selection to choose form for sure. For any load development, consider your widest range of velocity/impact with appropriate grain bullet for a solid kill and pick your poison. You'll see there's soooo many options and all are great.

 

[CoElkHunter]

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.

+1 on the 225gr. Barnes TTSX out of my .338 WINCHESTER MAGNUM.

 

[CoElkHunter]

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?

+1 on the .300 WINCHESTER MAGNUM with 180gr. Barnes TTSX. On my one PG Safari, I took twelve animals with it from kudu, gemsbok, wildebeest on down. I actually thought it was a bit of overkill, but better that than wounded animals.

 

[migrabill]

When I went to Africa for the first time (June '24) I knew I would be renting a rifle from PH. I was amazed at the caliber choice. .308. I knew the .308 was a great North American deer round, but I thought pursuing much heavier animals (Kudu, Zebra, Wildebeest etc) would require a heavier round. The .308 worked flawlessly. Nothing traveled over 50 yards after being hit and only 1 animal required a second shot. I was amazed by that little Marlin X7 .308 with a 180 Grain Federal Fusion.

 

[Redfishga1]

Try adding the classic African calibers before any of the new stuff, I took my 7 x57 last time with 140gr Barnes tsx. Next I’m taking 9.3 x 62 and my 450/400. I wish i had a 3 gun case so bring 300 h an h but i think ill wait and brink that whenever i go on a hunt in the cape.

 

[Grandpa Moose]

8x68 with 200 grain HotCore

 

[CamoManJ]

Everyone that knows me, non apologetically repetitive…300 WSM w/ 165 Barnes TSX for all PG. I’d kill everything with it.

 

[Safari Dave]

IMO...

1. .300 Weatherby Magnum
2. .300 Winchester Magnum
3. .30/06 Springfield

Just, MO...