Choice between 2 rifles for Africa

Well to be percisise the M118 special ball 7.62x51 cart develops 2650 fps out of a 24 inch 5C barrel. The projectile wieght is 168grains. The projectile is also a match grade full metal jacket bullet. True many MEN have fallen to this combination try that with a Blue wieldabeast. Take my word for it poeple are easy to kill, animals have a singular tenacity to hang onto life. Once again I pose the qwestion why undergun yourself when there are so many alternatives?

You have to love caliber threads. Who's wrong?

In my relative ignorance of various firearms I accepted a Remington 30-06 as a gift (You know Grampa had one) thinking it would be an improvement on my 270 Win.
After some reading some ballistics and trajectory info I learned the contrary and am still stuck lovingly to my 270.

Maybe if I ever go Salmon fishing and need a rifle to deal with a nasty Grizzly in close quarters thick willows I'll take that 30-06 loaded with the biggest bullets I can find.

Until then, a .277 hole through the lung/heart will just have to do where ever I go.

Some experiences:
Buffalo eat up 1200 grains of .375H&H and still be kicking (boiler room and spine) Borrowed.

I have now seen Eland still up after 1200 grains (8mm), 1000 through the boiler room. Borrowed.

Kudu, Nyala, Gemsbok, Impala, Warthog, Bushbuck, Reedbuck, with 130 grain TTSX .277 (One shot if it hit the boiler room on the first shot)

Blesbok and Springbok with 110 grain .243 Borrowed

Take your favourite, just because. Polish it, hug it and shoot it well.

If your worst nightmare comes true because of airline efficiency. Borrow a PH's rifle and go hunting.

Originally Posted by BARTFRNCS

Well to be percisise the M118 special ball 7.62x51 cart develops 2650 fps out of a 24 inch 5C barrel. The projectile wieght is 168grains. The projectile is also a match grade full metal jacket bullet. True many MEN have fallen to this combination try that with a Blue wieldabeast. Take my word for it poeple are easy to kill, animals have a singular tenacity to hang onto life. Once again I pose the qwestion why undergun yourself when there are so many alternatives?

Well to be more precise, the standard sniper bullet for the 7.62 NATO weighs 175 grs. Whether that makes any difference or not who knows? Besides which if talking hunting we dont normally use FMJ anyway. Many hunters on this site have had great success on all plains game using the .308 Win, Nato round. The only thing I have ever killed with one is an average size Idaho black bear, one shot Which proves exactly nothing. Trying to make the case that the .308 is not perfectly adequate for all plains game within normal hunting and shooting ranges is an exercise in futility. A friend of mine went to RSA a couple of years ago and took a .308 and an a .30-06. When asked how much difference in killing powder was detectable, he answered; NONE, period. To answer your question. One is not neccessarily undergunned with the .308 if used for appropriate sized game at realistic ranges.

You need to be more up on your nomenclature the bullet used for sniping is not 175gr its 168 sierra matchking. But you dont have to belive me just look it up. What the hell could I know it was only my trade for 22years.

Well unless they went back to the 168 which is possible but I doubt it. The standard sniper bullet has been 175 for some years. You look it up. I have written articles about this stuff. Published.

MY Point is if the 7.62 nato is sooo awesome why have most of our allies switched to a differant round? As it relates to hunting in Africa what if the MONSTER KUDU OF YOUR DREAMS steps out at 400m with no way to get closer? The solution is to never be undergunned! thats all I have too say about it common rounds for common minds.

I agree with you more than you realize. I too would opt for more power and always have in Africa. However many here sing its praises and have done quite well with it despites its shortcomings. If it was all I had I would not hesitate to hunt PG with one, but would have to pass on 400 yard shots. But I would anyway.

BARTFRNCS and sest, I served 87-91, we used both bullet weights, depended on which your rifle (issued) shot best. Some even used the 150's.

Originally Posted by 35bore

BARTFRNCS and sest, I served 87-91, we used both bullet weights, depended on which your rifle (issued) shot best. Some even used the 150's.

Scott, What rifles did you use?

M24, new in 88', I used it in 90'. Just your basic medium heavy barreled 700. Probably why I'm such a fan...

Originally Posted by 35bore

M24, new in 88', I used it in 90'. Just your basic medium heavy barreled 700. Probably why I'm such a fan...

Absolutely! Had a PSS for some time, shot sub quarter with 168's and 175's. Never could get it to settle down with 155's though. Some time ago I put together a more or less replica of the Marines original M40 using an early M700 action with ADL stock. Did lots of work on my own, rebarreled it with a Shilen hvy. Found a proper type of Redfield AccuRange 3-9 scope for it as well. Shoots really well. Its one of the few guns I will never sell. I wrote an article about it for Small Arms Review, my first published gun piece. If you google "Marines M40"
it should pop up for you to read, if interested. Thanks Scott

will do, Scott.

thought this was to do with taking two rifles to africa, not a pissin match on .308 knowledge?

.308 'nuff said. Bye.

Originally Posted by spike.t

thought this was to do with taking two rifles to africa, not a pissin match on .308 knowledge?

Funny how subjects turn, from a comment made by one person, and things progress, isn't it?

Originally Posted by spike.t

thought this was to do with taking two rifles to africa, not a pissin match on .308 knowledge?

Well we did briefly hijack the thread however I dont think we are all supposed to just agree on every point are we? We all have different experience and preferences and sometimes, depending the mood feel the need to make our point. Any way we did that.

I harbour no ill will towards anyone on here! Yes I have opinions. I think people asking qwestions should have both sides laid out then they can make a decision.

Originally Posted by BARTFRNCS

I harbour no ill will towards anyone on here! Yes I have opinions. I think people asking qwestions should have both sides laid out then they can make a decision.

Forums would be boring and dead without different opinions

When it comes to long range sniping of people today, I thought that the 338 Lapua was the most used by different Nato forces around the world.

When it comes to PG hunting, I don't think there is enough difference between 6.5x55, 270win, 270WSM, 308win or 30-06 to care about.
I would choose the gun you shoot the best.
If no difference, I would choose the 308 if you are worried about losing your ammo and the 270WSM if you want a bit better trajectory.
I am sure the animals you want to hunt won't notice any difference

The most important is high quality bullets and good shooting

This has been fun but the OP should ask his PH about which one to use. It all depends on whats on your list couldyou tell us?