Will my Professional Hunter want me to bring more than a .270

[BRICKBURN]

@yadava25 , take your 270 and do not worry about it. I have used myne for the last 27 years. I have my 4th barrel on it now and I will never be without one!

Have used it in many cases and use it on a daily basis of plains game.

Use a good quality bullet and you will be fine.

and this from a ROOKIE PH.

 

[Beans]

and this from a ROOKIE PH.

Thanks Wayne. Don't give my game away. I am trying to look the part!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Thanks Wayne. Don't give my game away. I am trying to look the part!

Now if you could just separate a Kudu from a Blesbok......

 

[BRICKBURN]

............... trying to look the part!

That seems to happen in your neighbourhood.

 

[colorado]

I used to guide for grizzly and elk in Montana in the late 60s and early 70s. My 270 was my big rifle lol.

 

[Royal27]

I used to guide for grizzly and elk in Montana in the late 60s and early 70s. My 270 was my big rifle lol.

You've grown up since then!

 

[Philip Glass]

I haven't been to Africa hunting, but it is #1 on my list, hence the reason I read this forum. I've read for years that African game is tougher than game on any other continent. Is there any scientific basis for people stating this mantra so often? If so I would like to read it.

It is also stated that elk are very tough animals, and feral hogs are quite often given status as having toughness of mythological stature.

My experience with feral hogs is extensive, due to the fact I live in Texas and hunt a lot. I own land and numerous family members own land, I've killed a bunch of hogs. If you have proper shot placement a hog goes down. My daughter uses a .243 on hogs and is deadly. Many people think a .243 is not enough on large feral hogs, I disagree. My one elk was killed with a .270. I won a raffle in 1983 for an elk hunt and in 1983 I was two years removed from college and a .270 was all I owned. My .270 worked great. I've seen whitetail run for miles when shot by a 300 WM poorly placed and I've seen whitetail DRT when shot with a .223 on many occasions. I'm not a proponent of hunting deer and hog with a .223 though.

One of these days I will get an AR in .260 Remington but until that time I'll hunt feral hogs with a Marlin 336 30-30 that I've invested quite a bit of time with. I've definitely had some runners when shooting hogs with a 30-30. If recovered I noticed my shot placement wasn't very good. If my shot placement is good then I don't have to track.

When I get to Africa for plains game I'll either take my old .270 or my 6.5x55 in a modern action. Why? Those are the two rifles I use the most. They are superbly accurate and I'm very comfortable with them. I have two 30-06's that are accurate enough but I've found the less recoil the more accurate I am, no exceptions. And muzzle brakes are not for me.

I also do 90% of my practice standing with a bipod. I find it very easy to hit targets when I'm sitting and have a good rest. Standing I am 2MOA at 100 yards on good days, 3-3.5 on bad days. I hope to shrink my groups to 1.5 eventually, which gives me four years. For that is when I plan on going to Africa. If a PH doesn't want me because of the cartridge I use then I guess I won't go.

If one has not hunted Africa one can not know the will to survive and the pure evil in my opinion that resides in the hearts of every beast there. There is absolutely no comparison with any deer species and African Antelope. I know because I own, raise, and, hunt many of them. If you hunt a well stocked game farm you have easy shots and can use any gun. If things are not so easy you will wish you had a .300 or better. I know because I've been there.

Regards,
Philip

 

[colorado]

You've grown up since then!

Older at least lol. Never hunted Africa so I would trust your PH's opinion. If you do bring a 270 user premium bullets of course. My load for over 40 years has been a 150g Partition at 3000 fps from a Rem BDL 22" barrel (handload might be too warm for your rifle, it's fine in mine). I chronographed Federal Premium 270 win 150g Partitions at 2600 fps way too slow for me. Since both my sons use my handloads, I've tuned them down t0 2910 fps from 22" barrels even though they showed now signs of pressure at 3000. If you're shooting factory loads, you might want something heavier.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

If one has not hunted Africa one can not know the will to survive and the pure evil in my opinion that resides in the hearts of every beast there. There is absolutely no comparison with any deer species and African Antelope. I know because I own, raise, and, hunt many of them. If you hunt a well stocked game farm you have easy shots and can use any gun. If things are not so easy you will wish you had a .300 or better. I know because I've been there.

You say .300 yet so many people say a .270 is fine.

 

[Royal27]

You say .300 yet so many people say a .270 is fine.

Everybody has an opinion - no absolute right or wrong here.

 

[siml]

@Royal27 , that's a pretty sassy reply...

 

[Royal27]

@Royal27 , that's a pretty sassy reply...

That's your opinion @TMS .

 

[siml]

 

[Dwight Beagle]

Everybody has an opinion - no absolute right or wrong here.

That was my point.

 

[Philip Glass]

You say .300 yet so many people say a .270 is fine.

I said I can tell you from personal experience that bigger is better. Hope all goes well for everyone on safari but many times things do not go well. When things do not go well ( insert many reasons) more gun will make your safari a successful one.
Sure I have a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth for the .270. On my first safari, which was 2x1 my hunting partner had a .270 and I lost lots of MY hunting time looking for his wounded animals. He was no slouch and was a hunting guide himself. He simply had the wrong gun for the hunt WE WERE ON.
It has been said everyone has an opinion but some have experience others don't. We are shaped by those experiences.
Regards,
Philip

 

[siml]

@Philip Glass +1.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

Guess I'll just have to take my chances.

 

[siml]

I would always prefer to be over gunned than under.

 

[Patrick R]

I would always prefer to be over gunned than under.

Simon,

is this because "if you miss, the bullet shrapnel will still kill it..."?

 

[siml]

Nope because you get the whole family group to mount .