Rifle for Plains game

[Hunter-Habib]

7x57mm Mauser (loaded with 173Gr-175Gr bullets) is an excellent choice for most African plains game and I’ve even successfully hunted 2 eland bulls (the largest of African plains game) with one-shot kills using this caliber (although, for novices I would recommend nothing smaller than a .338 Winchester Magnum when tackling eland).

Also works on man eating Royal Bengal tigers (not recommended, however).

Great for also teaching ladies to shoot/hunt.

Another favorite plain game caliber of mine, with not a bad amount of recoil to it… Is the venerable old .30-06 Springfield (loaded with 220Gr bullets).

 

[Capebuffalo]

7x57mm Mauser (loaded with 173Gr-175Gr bullets) is an excellent choice for most African plains game and I’ve even successfully hunted 2 eland bulls (the largest of African plains game) with one-shot kills using this caliber (although, for novices I would recommend nothing smaller than a .338 Winchester Magnum when tackling eland).
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Also works on man eating Royal Bengal tigers (not recommended, however).
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Great for also teaching ladies to shoot/hunt.
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Another favorite plain game caliber of mine, with not a bad amount of recoil to it… Is the venerable old .30-06 Springfield (loaded with 220Gr bullets).
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Nice pictures, Hunter-Habib! Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[rhoward252]

Have you thought about using PH s gun( rent) ? They probably have several appropriate calibers , most with suppressors on them. No recoil , no paperwork , no hassle. Not a bad way to go for plains game. For Dangerous game I prefer to take my own. Just a thought. 7mm-08 is a great round with good performance and mild recoil.

@MarkD

I agree with Av8or. I took my wife on a PG hunt last year. We both used the outfitters .300 Win Mag. It was suppressed. It had quality optics on it and a wonderful trigger. I had taught my wife to shoot with a .243 prior to our trip. The suppressed .300 had felt recoil about like the .243. It cost me a total of $100 for her and I both to use that rifle to take 9 animals. My wife took 4 shots and killed 4 animals. I can't say the same for myself in regard to the 1:1 ratio, but I can assure you that it wasn't the fault of the rifle. If you insist on taking your own rifles, your plan of a 7mm-08 for her is a good one. Perhaps a .308 should be considered, also. For larger game I would suggest heavier bullets, of course. I hope that you enjoy your hunt with your best friend! My wife and I had a blast and can't wait to go back.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Need opinions for a rifle caliber for my wife with plains game. We booked a trip for plains game next year. This will be my second trip but my wife’s first. She’s never hunted before and I’d like to get her a rifle to use. I bought her a savage 243 which she’ll use for deer here in Oregon this year. I know that’s not enough gun for Africa. I have a 6.5cm longer range gun but we’ve got a few larger game on our list. Sable, zebra and waterbuck among a few others. We shoot competitive shotgun sports so I don’t she super recoil sensitive, but I want a rifle she can shoot comfortably. I’ve been thinking about 7mm-08. Heard good things but never shot one. Others include 6.5 per, or 26 Nosler or 28 Nosler. Give me some feedbacks guys.

Your wife probably won't like a Nosler 28 the kick is a 7mm on steroids. I love the round but it kicks and if you care about barrel life it's not a caliber to practice with.

Honestly I would get her a 7mm08 or 280 with premium bullets and call it a day. I've seen several youtube videos of petite women smoking plains game with a plain old 280. Even seen an elderly petite lady smoke a large croc with a .280 140 grain bullet to the neck. He didn't flinch.

The 280 is what I use to deer hunt in the south east.

 

[Firebird]

Three years and seven pages ago-Mark D please end the suspense, what did you get your wife and how did it work for her?!

 

[bobdahunter84]

In scrolling through the responses, don't see much love for the noslers you mentioned. I have a browning hells canyon in 26 nosler. Sweet gun and ballistics are impressive. Wish I'd have bought the 28 nosler instead though. And ammo is impossible to find and expensive. I'd be nervous to bring to africa because if something happens to your ammo, you just brought a big paperweight.

If I was going to buy a plains gun for a wife/daughter I'd buy a Weatherby Camilla. I'd spend the extra and get a mark v over the vanguard. Not sure if they make it in 7mm weatherby mag, but that would be my 1st choice.

If limited to non-weatherby options I may go with 6.5 creedmore. But if I went the creedmore route, I'd probably opt for a classic model 70 super grade Instead of a weatherby. I know you're asking for plains game, so a push feed is not really a concern. But hard to beat a control feed if the option is there.

 

[MarkD]

Three years and seven pages ago-Mark D please end the suspense, what did you get your wife and how did it work for her?!

We bought a Savage 110 Ultralight in 308win. She was able to take 6 animals with it. I loaded 168gr Nosler LR Accubonds. Shots ranged from 100-350yds off sticks.

 

[Beck]

7x64mm? In terms of muzzle energy how high can you push it? .30-06?

 

[IvW]

7x57mm or 7x64mm or US equel.....

 

[IvW]

7x64mm? In terms of muzzle energy how high can you push it? .30-06?

Velocity is not the answer......

 

[shark_za]

We bought a Savage 110 Ultralight in 308win. She was able to take 6 animals with it. I loaded 168gr Nosler LR Accubonds. Shots ranged from 100-350yds off sticks.

Great solution, cant fault it.

Why the LR version of the Accubond? Just interested in your thinking there?

 

[HWL]

I’ve been thinking about 7mm-08. Heard good things but never shot one. Others include 6.5 per, or 26 Nosler or 28 Nosler. Give me some feedbacks guys.

7x57, 7mm Mauser or .275 Rigby you name it.
Ammo and good reputation all over Afrika.

HWL