Which Gun Would You Choose?

[30winmag]

It depends where, what animals you plan on taking and what animals you may encounter. Ask our outfitter, because they do this day in and day out.
That being said, here is my two cents; on my hunt I took a nyala, bushbuck, wildebeest, impala and 3 warthogs at ranges from less than 100 to 275-325 yards with my .375 H&H with 270gr SP loaded to 2500 FPS. I brought 50 rounds and gave 41 to my PH. It is also mighty comforting to be holding a .375 when you bump into a buffalo! Almost all of them run away, I don't want to be almost certain.
It's up to you but enjoy all of the free advice!

 

[Michael Dean]

It depends where, what animals you plan on taking and what animals you may encounter. Ask our outfitter, because they do this day in and day out.
That being said, here is my two cents; on my hunt I took a nyala, bushbuck, wildebeest, impala and 3 warthogs at ranges from less than 100 to 275-325 yards with my .375 H&H with 270gr SP loaded to 2500 FPS. I brought 50 rounds and gave 41 to my PH. It is also mighty comforting to be holding a .375 when you bump into a buffalo! Almost all of them run away, I don't want to be almost certain.
It's up to you but enjoy all of the free advice!

As far as animals, Zebra, Kudu, Impala, Gemsbok and Wildebeest are on the list, the largest being the Zebra of course.

 

[30winmag]

As far as animals, Zebra, Kudu, Impala, Gemsbok and Wildebeest are on the list, the largest being the Zebra of course.

Well, tossing another couple pennies out, Zebra and Wildebeest have a reputation for being tough, Kudu are Elk sized and three times as shifty. I'd go .338 or .375. You have zero range issues with either apparently, of course if using either one it will positively waylay an Impala! I can't say on Gemsbok, never been in their territory.
Just remember, you can't bring the meat home and if you wound it and lose it; you bought it. I've never killed anything too dead.

 

[ve7poi]

Planning my first African Safari; no specific date set or outfitter picked but I'm doing my homework and putting a plan of action together. I do have one decision that I can't nail down, my choice keeps on changing for a variety of reasons, and that is which firearm will I bring. I've already decided that I will bring only one rifle but as to which one, I've got no Idea.

I own a 375H&H, a 338 Federal, a 300 Weatherby, a 270 WSM and a 7x57. The rifles have traditional wood stocks with the exception of the 270 wsm and the 338 Federal, these two have composite lightweight stocks. Weight is an issue, I'm 62 and can't climb all day while carrying 20 pounds. I'm not hunting Eland, the largest animal would probably be a Zebra. I can comfortably shoot all five rifles, I took an Elk with the 375 H&H at 500 yards a few years back. That being said, I'd prefer keeping my shots to a 300 yard limit and not bring more gun than I really need. I also hand load so I can customize my loads.

I'd appreciate some input from those who've hunted plains game in Africa and appreciate first hand what the experience will demand.

I used a 338 Federal first trip worked like a charm impala,Kudu cow, Kudu bull, warthog,blesbok, Gembuck all shot between 50 and 300 (blesbok 300)
185gr Barnes TSX, Sako 85 greywolf
Also used 300WSM 2nd trip
404 Jeffery for Cape buffalo 3rd
308 forth trip blue wildebeest zebra ect
In six day taking 30-06 i haven't felt under gunned or over with any of them.
Practice off sticks and enjoy your trip.

 

[1dirthawker]

what ever you decide on, shot placement and good bullets will solve any problems you will have on your hunt, given the calibers you mention. good luck!

 

[MarkCZ]

Just out of interest What is the biggest animal anyone has shot with a 243Win. Personal experiences please.
MarkCZ

 

[Mekaniks]

Just out of interest What is the biggest animal anyone has shot with a 243Win. Personal experiences please.
MarkCZ

My son shot a blue wildebeest last year. One shot...

 

[IvW]

Just out of interest What is the biggest animal anyone has shot with a 243Win. Personal experiences please.
MarkCZ

Somebody will say Eland sooner or later.....

Getting back to the OP's question regarding "Which gun would you choose?" This is the wrong direction to go for a one rifle safari to Africa.

If you are intending to hunt more of the smaller species or perhaps going on a cull hunt for springbuck/blesbuck, it would be a great second rifle to choose.

243 Win, although a great little caliber(I just bought my daughter one in ZKK601, 1962 model), it is only suitable for springbuck, blesbuck, bushbuck, common reedbuck, mountain reedbuck etc.

With 80-105 grn(105 grn-if they stabilize in your rifle) are just too light for the bigger plains game.

 

[HWL]

Just out of interest What is the biggest animal anyone has shot with a 243Win. Personal experiences please.
MarkCZ

...M1 Abrams tank....disintegrated to dust while hit...



HWL

 

[Philip Glass]

Your 300 and 375 will cover all bases.

I agree with Simon on this one.
Philip

 

[Ray B]

The 243 Win is a very interesting cartridge. Not only is its performance quantums beyond any realistic expectation- just read the accounts of all the animals normally hunted with "elephant" cartridges, but it's minimal recoil is the standard of measure and goal of every recoil reduction device ever invented. a very short search will reveal advertisements of attachments to large magnums with recoil reduced to "felt like a 243:. How did people ever get along when all we had was a 257 Roberts?

 

[bilmcc]

The 243 Win is a very interesting cartridge. Not only is its performance quantums beyond any realistic expectation- just read the accounts of all the animals normally hunted with "elephant" cartridges, but it's minimal recoil is the standard of measure and goal of every recoil reduction device ever invented. a very short search will reveal advertisements of attachments to large magnums with recoil reduced to "felt like a 243:. How did people ever get along when all we had was a 257 Roberts?

I got rid of my 243 when I found a 257 Roberts. Too dangerous to have so many 308 based cartridges around.

 

[Dr Ray]

Planning my first African Safari; no specific date set or outfitter picked but I'm doing my homework and putting a plan of action together. I do have one decision that I can't nail down, my choice keeps on changing for a variety of reasons, and that is which firearm will I bring. I've already decided that I will bring only one rifle but as to which one, I've got no Idea.

I own a 375H&H, a 338 Federal, a 300 Weatherby, a 270 WSM and a 7x57. The rifles have traditional wood stocks with the exception of the 270 wsm and the 338 Federal, these two have composite lightweight stocks. Weight is an issue, I'm 62 and can't climb all day while carrying 20 pounds. I'm not hunting Eland, the largest animal would probably be a Zebra. I can comfortably shoot all five rifles, I took an Elk with the 375 H&H at 500 yards a few years back. That being said, I'd prefer keeping my shots to a 300 yard limit and not bring more gun than I really need. I also hand load so I can customize my loads.

I'd appreciate some input from those who've hunted plains game in Africa and appreciate first hand what the experience will demand.

Depends on what you are hunting but the 338 Federal would do the job unless you're hunting buffalo. Your 338 has a light weight stock so I think there's your answer.
As many others have said, bullet placement is the key and it's the essential component.
Animals aren't made of steel and s good strongly bonded bullet will suffice nicely.

 

[cpr0312]

The .300 or .375 would be my choice

 

[Nosler guy]

First off I would put this question to my outfitter - "happy outfitter - happy hunt" - just like "happy wife - happy life"

Never talked to an outfitter who would be dissappointed when a guy showed up with a .30 cal magnum for plains game...

The 300 Weatherby would be going with me and a couple of boxes of 200 gr. Partions or A-frames (the heavy for caliber bullets kind of eliminate the hyper velocity thing that someone mentioned, and bullet performance is always outstanding with them)

 

[85Tecate]

First off I would put this question to my outfitter - "happy outfitter - happy hunt" - just like "happy wife - happy life"

Never talked to an outfitter who would be dissappointed when a guy showed up with a .30 cal magnum for plains game...

The 300 Weatherby would be going with me and a couple of boxes of 200 gr. Partions or A-frames (the heavy for caliber bullets kind of eliminate the hyper velocity thing that someone mentioned, and bullet performance is always outstanding with them)

Absolutely agree! Flat shooting and will handle anything they'll let you pull the trigger on.

 

[siutis]

The heaviest big bore rifle I own is my 375 and 416 Ruger. Both tip the scales at 7.75 lbs. My Browning X-BOLT (375 h&h) weighs 6.5 and my Nosler m 48 Outfitter chambered in 458 win mag weighs 7 lbs.

If I were in your boots, I would take my 458.

I'm like you, I hate lugging around heavyweight firearms. That is why I trained and disciplined myself over a period of 6 years how to master the big bore handguns and rifles.

In your case the 375 will do.

Good luck!!!

 

[Newboomer]

Just out of interest What is the biggest animal anyone has shot with a 243Win. Personal experiences please.
MarkCZ

I took a good kudu bull with a 243 and a 95g Berger VLD. He was running up a bank away from me and I spined him right between the shoulders at 180 yards. Flattened him right there.

 

[MarkCZ]

I took a very nice Oryx this June with my 243, 85 grain Sierra gameking. Neck shot dropped to the spot.
Markcz

 

[lwaters]

If zebra is the largest animal you will take it be hard for me not to take that 270wsm. It's light probably very accurate and with 150 grain bullets it would work just fine.