PLAINS GAME CALIBER

[RETD16]

I’m debating on using my 7mm Mag (shooting 155gr Terminal Ascent) or 338 Win (shooting 210gr TTSX). Not sure what would be best for plains game from Impala to Eland.

 

[grand veneur]

I don't own a special caliber for hunting PG. I have until now only booked buffalo or elephant hunts in Africa so that I shot the PG with my big bore rifle or used various borrowed rifles, for example caliber 270 Winchester, 7mm Rem Mag and 375 H&H Magnum. If I were to go hunting only PG, the rifles that would be considered would be caliber 300 H&H Magnum and a 180gr TSX bullet or caliber 340 Weatherby Magnum and a 250gr TSX bullet. Depending on the terrain and the PG species hunted, rifles caliber 8x57JS or caliber 9,3x64 were also an option. The latter cartridge with a bullet of 320gr because I finally managed to get this load after many attempts.

 

[RyanPalmer]

.275 Rigby / 7x57 shooting 175gr bullets

 

[Ryan]

30-06 with 168 grain Barnes TTSX. Doesn't get any more go-to, bread and butter to me than that. My first two trips to Namibia I dropped 8 animals from kudu and zebra down to springbok.

 

[FlyGuy]

The bullet is more important than the cartridge with plains game hunting.
TSX, TTSX, Partition, Accubond, A-Frame, Scirocco, North Fork, Terminal Accent, Fusion, Bondstrike, Oryx etc all work well.

 

[Idaho Joe]

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

As I heard Peter Capstick say in a video once, "May you go to heaven, Sir."

X2!

 

[Frederik]

I find that its easy to say 180gr 30-06 TSX but at 300 yards the speeds slows down quite a bit and we all know that the TSX need some speed to expand properly especially if does not find big resistance like shoulder bone and might slip in between the ribs and then act as a solid.

Then using a too soft bullet at close distance 50 yards and less could ruin the cape or blow up without hitting vitals on larger game like wildebeest.

So here is my suggestion load the ammo but like Woodleigh bullets have a recommended impact speed on the box.
Then clients will know exactly what to expect at what range and you can load softer of harder bullets depending on what distance the game will be hunted.

 

[ryno111]

7 PRC with 180 ELDM

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

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?

I’d like to see 300 RUM with a Barnes LRX .308 212 grain bullet. Or 208 Grain.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Now, if you could do something in 450 Dakota you would help a few of us.

450 Dakota in 500 Grain Barnes TSX.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

My primary PG caliber is .243, but I have plenty custom loaded already… Although, Bob could probably use some!

 

[dchamp]

My first Safari I took my 8mm Rem Mag and 200gr TSX. Second Safari .375H&H with 300gr TSX. Both were excellent but I have changed bullets to 198gr and 299gr Hammer bullets respectfully.

For the next Safari I am thinking 8x68s with 250gr Woodleigh RNSN or 8x57 with 180gr Hammer bullets for Plains Game.

 

[meigsbucks]

I’ve used .416 Ruger, .375 H&H, .338 RUM and .30/06 on PG so far. However, for strictly PG hunts for the game specified:
.30/06: 165 TTSX, 180gr TSX, 180gr Swift Scirocco
.300 Wby mag: 165gr TTSX, 180gr TSX, 200gr Swift AF
.338 Win mag: .225gr TTSX, 250gr Swift AF
9..3x62: 250gr TTSX, 286gr Swift AF
.375 H&H mag: 300gr TSX (all around)

 

[IvW]

My pg favourites are...

6.5x57mm or 6.5x57R 140gr perfect springbuck, blesbuck, hartrbeest etc. Open areas.
7x57mm or 7x57R 170-175gr bullets bushveld, just about anything
9.3x62mm or 9.3x64R 286 or 300gr larger pg in bushveld
7x64mm Brenneke or 7x65R 160 or 170gr larger pg in open areas and excellent mountain caliber
300 H&H 200gr large pg in open areas

 

[BeeMaa]

The bullet is more important than the cartridge with plains game hunting.
TSX, TTSX, Partition, Accubond, A-Frame, Scirocco, North Fork, Terminal Accent, Fusion, Bondstrike, Oryx etc all work well.

Putting the NP in the same class as the Barnes TSX, Swift A-Frame and Norma Oryx is akin to calling Roseanne Barr a supermodel.

RIP Bruce Moulds.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I’m debating on using my 7mm Mag (shooting 155gr Terminal Ascent) or 338 Win (shooting 210gr TTSX). Not sure what would be best for plains game from Impala to Eland.

.338 WINCHESTER MAGNUM!