The Perfect Plains Game Rifle

[Challer]

It’s never wrong to use a 30-06 for PG. it is analogous tire 375 for DG. Then again the 375 all around has many fans

 

[Ridge Runner]

Of my currently own rifles: My perfect rifle for your two example animals would be:

Klipspringer: 22 Hornet

Kudu: I used my 30-06 with 168(?) grain SSTs. However, now that I have a 340 Weatherby I would opt for it using 225 grain bullets.

 

[steve white]

375H&H.

Because you never know when that trophy DG animal is going to walk out in front of you.

Or an elephant menace you on the way back to the truck! PH ruled out a pan for sand grouse for that reason--too far in... He said, "you don't want to be holding a 12 ga when walking out and bumping into an elephant."

 

[steve white]

Hard to beat a solid shooting .300. These are two of my favorite rifles that would fit the category and neither have made the trip. . .

First is a .300 Jarrett by Speedy Gonzales. Followed by a custom .340 Wby built on an Ed Brown 704. Both are well under 1/4 MOA. I think the Jarrett by Speedy will make the next go around. Some scoff at shooting turkey with a rifle, but the Jarrett has several under its belt with no meat loss. Most PHs don’t like neck shots . . . but they are effective.

You're lucky to have a gun done by Speedy. Last I heard he was teaching gunsmithing in Colorado and "Stick" was doing the building in Fort Worth. My nephew was a good customer.

 

[steve white]

The Jack of all trades, 30'06 has been upgraded by alpha bullets like the TTSX, which can run heavy, or still be effective (and fast) with lighter projectiles, extending range. It's better now than it ever was.

 

[Rubberhead]

I'm a little bias on this but I think I've got the perfect PG gun in the perfect PG caliber... [.30-'06]

 

[RR 314]

You're lucky to have a gun done by Speedy. Last I heard he was teaching gunsmithing in Colorado and "Stick" was doing the building in Fort Worth. My nephew was a good customer.

It is an awesome rifle. Speedy has been in San Antonio for 5 years or so now. Stick died about three years ago. Great guy. I have a Stick built Jarrett as well. Obviously one of my pet chamberings.

 

[375Ruger416]

I love my Gunwerks Nexus in 300 PRC. It’s a great open country rifle with a Leupold Mark V 3.6-18. It did great on my safari to Namibia in 2024 and I took 8 animals with it from springbok to eland. However, it’s 9 lb 6 oz unloaded and with a 24 » barrel was a bit unwieldy suppressed.

I think a 7 mm in a lighter rifle would be my choice next time if hunting in a non-DG game area. A 280 Ackley in a Weatherby Mark V backcountry guide would be my choice if I could take anything. Hunting with a suppressed rifle was an absolute delight in Namibia and I’d love to do it again.

Practically, I’m going to take my Blaser R8 with 300 WM and 375 H&H barrels next time and going forward. At least, until I add a 6.5 PRC and 416 RM barrel lol