What calibre? (Yet again)

[roverandbrew]

I shot both these with a 30-06 and 180 grain bullets. Swift A-Frame I recall. Zero issues and both died together. I would have zero issues with 7x57 and above on Zebra.

 

[375Fox]

I would also only take the 30-06. You said the agent said to bring a minimum of 300 win, but I’d recommend you talk to outfitter/PH directly. I think he will say 30-06 as well with 180 gr bullets. The 375 just doesn’t add any value in this scenario.

 

[Borderer]

Certainly the 'ought-6' will handle it, but why do have a 375?

Have a great trip!

I used it on an Eland hunt two years ago. The same one where the farmer had a good laugh at me for not just using a 308... . Being completely honest, I would probably best just selling it now.

 

[Borderer]

I would also only take the 30-06. You said the agent said to bring a minimum of 300 win, but I’d recommend you talk to outfitter/PH directly. I think he will say 30-06 as well with 180 gr bullets. The 375 just doesn’t add any value in this scenario.

Thanks. I have sent a message to the PH and will see what the response is.

 

[shootist~]

Post in thread 'Bullet Performance Database'

Jul 31, 2021

180 grain 30 Cal Swift A-Frame reloads. 30-06 MV 2,753 fps
Left to Right:

Left: Frontal Chest on Blue Wildebeest: ~60 Yards; A good bit left of center. Did not run far, but still standing and required finisher.
169.5 grains = 94.2% Retained Weight.

Center: Zebra Stallion: ~70 Yards; A little higher than intended and behind the shoulder as he spun 180* to leave the area. Found under skin on offside. Ran probably 200 yards and was dead when we got there.
176.6 grains = 98.1% Retained Weight.

Right: Finisher on Red Hartebeest; 5 Yards thru the spine...

• shootist~

• 
• 

Post 563. 180 grain Swift A-frame plains game performance from my 30-06.
Excellent up to and including Kudu and a less than perfect shot on Zebra.

If BWB was on you list, something bigger would not be a bad thing.

 

[V.Veritas]

Regarding all the comments related to the use of solid bullets on smaller game in Namibia, I’ll post the following paragraph from NAPHA rules, just because it was fresh on my mind:

“Dangerous Game:
(e.g. Elephant; Hippo; Rhino; Buffalo; Lion)
Minimum caliber: .375 (or equivalent caliber in mm)
Energy: 5400 Joule

No solid point cartridge is allowed to be used as per the Nature Conservation Ordinance No 4 of 1975 on any other species than pachyderms (Elephant, Hippo, Rhino).”

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Find some military ammo (308 or 30-06), pull the bullets, and reload a box in factory cases for your 30-06. All you'd need for the dinky antelope. Makes more sense than gigantic 375 solids. Smaller holes. Don't try taking military cases. Wrong nomenclature on the brass.

Edit: V.Veratis post came up as I posted this. Apparently it's not legal to shoot small antelope with ANY caliber solid bullet. However, I seem to recall reading others have shot small antelope with 375 solids. Wait ... this is a regulation specific to Namibia. That explains it. Pick up some 190 or 200 gr 30-06 cup and core bullets for the small antelope. Shouldn't blow them up too badly.

 

[Borderer]

Find some military ammo (308 or 30-06), pull the bullets, and reload a box in factory cases for your 30-06. All you'd need for the dinky antelope. Makes more sense than gigantic 375 solids. Smaller holes. Don't try taking military cases. Wrong nomenclature on the brass.

Edit: V.Veratis post came up as I posted this. Apparently it's not legal to shoot small antelope with ANY caliber solid bullet. However, I seem to recall reading others have shot small antelope with 375 solids. Wait ... this is a regulation specific to Namibia. That explains it. Pick up some 190 or 200 gr 30-06 cup and core bullets for the small antelope. Shouldn't blow them up too badl

My choice of bullets will be very limited, as it is very likely that possession of lead ammunition will be illegal before I go. According to the last email I had, we have 18 months to use up what we have.

I have been using a sellier and ballot 168gr TTSX type bullet in roe for the last few years and there have been no issues, even in very small animals, so I am not concerned.

 

[IvW]

Take the 30-06 barrel for all the larger plains game and then take the 22 Hornet barrel for the duiker and steenbuck.

Ask your outfitter he should be able to get Hornet ammo in Windhoek. You can buy the ammo with your paperwork.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A friend has booked a 2:1 hunt in Namibia in 2025 and his hunting partner now looks like he will have to drop out, so he has asked me about going.

It looks absolutely fantastic, all walk and stalk in the Erongo hills. No vehicle access, so everything has to be carried from what he has said.

The species available are:

Zebra
Springbok
Kudu
Duiker
Steenbok
Oryx

I have a Blaser R8 with a 30-06 and 375 barrel. Is it worth taking both?

I imagine it would be a pain to carry both around but the email from the agent states that he prefers clients to use a minimum of 300 win mag on zebra.

I am very tempted by a 338-06 built by a gunsmith friend who has a superb reputation. A cancelled order, but I am concerned about the spectre of missing ammunition. He is selling it for the cost of the action only, as he advises me the UK Firearms licencing will only permit use overseas, so of very little use here, so he is expecting to rebarrel it again in order to sell it.

@Borderer
Just take the 30-06 barrel loaded with good 180gn bonded bullets or 165-180gn TTSX and go have fun. You won't be disappointed.
My son used a 308 on zebra and the result was dead zebra. The good ol 06 is just more of a good thing. My sons 308 killed everything he shot just as dead as another hunter using a 300 win mag . Don't overthink just take the 06.
Bob

 

[HWL]

Yes, Take both barrels.

No,.....the .375 Holland & Holland is enough!

HWL

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

What other barrels do you own? A 338 WM would make for a happy medium.

@Northern Shooter

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

What other barrels do you own? A 338 WM would make for a happy medium.

@Northern Shooter
Why take a 338 when you have a perfectly good ought six and 375.
The 338 is the 243 of medium bores.to much for most things and not enough for the rest. Another round that's supposed to be versatile according to good ol Elmer but in this case me thinks he should have stuck with the Whelen instead of trying to reinvent the wheel .
Bob

 

[ftrovato]

@Northern Shooter
Why take a 338 when you have a perfectly good ought six and 375.
The 338 is the 243 of medium bores.to much for most things and not enough for the rest. Another round that's supposed to be versatile according to good ol Elmer but in this case me thinks he should have stuck with the Whelen instead of trying to reinvent the wheel .
Bob

Ok, I think we have to rename the Whelen the 35 Nelson! ;-)

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thanks for all the advice. Seems like the 30-06 would be ideal.

I was very tempted by the 338-06 as a medium ground, but the inability to buy ammunition in Africa seriously puts me off, although it is an unbelievable price (US550) for a rifle that I know shoots 0.5" at 100 yards.

@Borderer
As good as the 338-06 is and @Rick HOlbert

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thanks for all the advice. Seems like the 30-06 would be ideal.

I was very tempted by the 338-06 as a medium ground, but the inability to buy ammunition in Africa seriously puts me off, although it is an unbelievable price (US550) for a rifle that I know shoots 0.5" at 100 yards.

@Northern Shooter
As good as the 338-06 is and despite the fact it worked well for @Rick HOlbert on his last hunt it still ain't no Whelen. The Whelen just has more speed and a bigger thump on game, plus it's accurate to go with it.
I just can't help myself when someone mentions 338 of any description or a 243. Lucky you didn't say you had one of those as well.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Bob

 

[Tbitty]

I'd say taking both is a good choice, at least to have in camp. Personally, for the animals listed, I'd put on the 30.06 barrel and use it the whole time.

Having the 375 in camp as a "just in case" backup is good, or if opportunity arose that you wanted/needed something bigger for a day or two.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Ok, I think we have to rename the Whelen the 35 Nelson! ;-)

@ftrovato
That would be blasphemy. Thou shalt not take the good Colonels name in vain.
I am but a humble user of the great cartridge that was named after him and being a humble disciple of the Whelen I feel I need to educate others of it's great benefits.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Bob

 

[Northern Shooter]

@Northern Shooter
Why take a 338 when you have a perfectly good ought six and 375.
The 338 is the 243 of medium bores.to much for most things and not enough for the rest. Another round that's supposed to be versatile according to good ol Elmer but in this case me thinks he should have stuck with the Whelen instead of trying to reinvent the wheel .
Bob

Why take a 375 when it’s only PG on the menu? 338 WM is the perfect PG cartridge. Commonly available, controllable recoil, more than capable for the largest of PG while versatile enough to be used on the smallest. 185-250gr projectiles for all applications.

It’s a legitimate 400m+ big game thumper, not that the PH will let you shoot game out that far.

I can’t think of any other medium bore that would make for a better alternative….

 

[Rosch]

Shots in the Erongo region are seldom further than 300m.

Yepp, when hunting the african bush and its animals, perfect situations are seldom too!
You, Mr. @Borderer will discover, that sometimes 20m shots in this thick bush are more difficult than those beyond 200m.
Anyway, never let You be talked into shots over 150m. Hunting by foot is the essence of african hunting, that what You actually booked and are paying this big money for.

The search, the walk, the stalk, the getting closer and closer to the point, where a good and save shot can be done, that is the real big thing, one is looking for in Africas wide open spaces.
Experiencing the same input, the same nerve taking tension those hunters in the old days did when they were hunting these grounds.
Don't miss that experience by shooting those beautyful creatures big distance, where the animal in Your optics is just an idea, harldy to see, so far away like a ghost.
Get close and then a bit closer, let the heat come up, get Your gun on the sticks, set up your shot and have a hell of a achivement on this wonderful continent.
This experience, if done the right way, will be laser burned into Your mind, remembering this priviledge, You had and were part of for the rest of Your life.
If You're more the 300m plus Type, go to the marines!