Best Rifle for Wife’s 1st African Safari?

mallard14

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I am taking my wife and son on their first African Plains Game Safari next year and would like to hear what everyone thinks about the best rifle options for them. I want to make sure I don’t get too much gun and create flinching problems but also I want enough gun to handle most plains game.

Thanks
 
Shooting off of sticks, the perceived recoil is not nearly as bad as shooting off of a bench. My daughter is in her early 20s and I would have her shoot a bolt action 223 from the bench and then a 270 off of sticks for practice leading up to our safaris. She actually shot a 300 WM on her first safari and did well and then on the second hunt, we used the outfitters 7mm mag with a suppressor. That cut the recoil and report in half and really made it pleasurable to shoot. So if you can go the suppressor route, that's what I would suggest. If not, then a 270, 7x57, 7mm-08 or 308 will work.
 
Agree w/ @375 Ruger Fan, my wife shot a .270 and did just fine. Took a zebra w/ 140gr Swift A-Frames.
 
Fit a silencer , its a game changer for females or children
 
I’m thinking of starting the suppressor process to get one for them.
 
Mine took a .308 and shot 165gr Barnes ttsx...

She took zebra, wildebeest, kudu, blesbok, and gemsbok on that trip..

Her next safari she took a sable, warthog, waterbuck, and impala all using the same load and gun

Low recoil and easy to shoot.. and more than enough for just about any PG other than eland in my opinion...

FWIW she is pretty small framed and light weight.. 308 gives her zero problems...
 
Mine took a .308 and shot 165gr Barnes ttsx...

She took zebra, wildebeest, kudu, blesbok, and gemsbok on that trip..

Her next safari she took a sable, warthog, waterbuck, and impala all using the same load and gun

Low recoil and easy to shoot.. and more than enough for just about any PG other than eland in my opinion...

FWIW she is pretty small framed and light weight.. 308 gives her zero problems...
That sounds great. Thanks so much.
 
No problem...

She’s also taken lots of hogs, deer, and an elk with the same gun and cartridge.. it’s been a great combo for her...

I just noticed you’re in Memphis.. I was born and raised there... we left about 15 years ago.. but I still go back 3-4 times a year for holidays, to visit family, etc...
 
No problem...

She’s also taken lots of hogs, deer, and an elk with the same gun and cartridge.. it’s been a great combo for her...

I just noticed you’re in Memphis.. I was born and raised there... we left about 15 years ago.. but I still go back 3-4 times a year for holidays, to visit family, etc...

That sounds great. Thanks

Yep been here about 15 years. Originally from IN but moved down here to shoot some ducks!!!!
 
With proper shot placement and the right bullet, don´t be very concerned about caliber, except for the large animals.

I hunted a Tsessebe which is 300-350 lbs with a .22-250, all it took was one shot.

I believe it is more important that they use a gun/caliber combination that they can handle with confidence, comfortably and accurately.
 
I think the 308 is a fine choice as well. I am a bit leary of the Barnes bullets out of a slightly slower 308 and therefore would probably shoot Partisans. I tend to avoid trying new things though...
 
.308 with a suppressor cant go wrong. My wife did really well on her first hunt never shot a rifle before hunt . Fired 6 shots at the firing range in Country shot 2 animals with 2 shots at 150 yds each
 
I second (or third or fourth) the suppressor. My four children ranging from 9-16 shot a suppressed 25-06 in rsa for impala up to wildebeest. All one shot kills with resuced noise and recoil. The ph and team appreciated the suppressor.
 
My wife loves her Savage Ladyhunter in a 7-08.
She’s used iron 2 Africa trips, an Texas oryx hunt, and numerous white tails

The rifle is designed to fit a woman better.... women have longer necks than men
 
Depending on when you are headed over you might not be able to get a suppressor in time for the hunt. The last time that I saw the time frame was 6 months + for the tax stamp.

I would just stick with the .308, it is a fine round for plains game and will get the job done.
 
If anyone knows me, I'll be burned at the stake for this recommendation, 6.5 Creedmoor. Super accurate at plains game ranges and more than enough punch but it all boils down to taking the rifle with which you are the most proficient and confident. Big boomers aren't necessary. I cringe at the likes of ANY .30 caliber. You couldn't pay me to shoot one of them. I killed a good size warthog and two springbok with a.17 Fireball. Shot placement, grasshopper.
 
If anyone knows me, I'll be burned at the stake for this recommendation, 6.5 Creedmoor. Super accurate at plains game ranges and more than enough punch but it all boils down to taking the rifle with which you are the most proficient and confident. Big boomers aren't necessary. I cringe at the likes of ANY .30 caliber. You couldn't pay me to shoot one of them. I killed a good size warthog and two springbok with a.17 Fireball. Shot placement, grasshopper.
Thank you
 
I don't have any direct Africa experience, but I doubt it matters at all for the actual hunt. They'll only be firing a literal handful or rounds anyway, and I've certainly never noticed recoil in the field whilst the adrenaline is up.

The main question is around what is comfortable to practice with. Based on most shots being in fairly 'fluid' hunting positions such as standing, sitting or off sticks, again, I doubt it matters. I'm fairly recoil sensitive and more than about 10 shots in a 'fixed' position such as off a bench or prone with a .270 is enough for one session, but I can easily get through 60+ rounds standing during a competition day at the range without any ill effects at all.

I'm not saying you should go for a 375 for the hell of it, but any of the usual suspects of .308, 30-06, .270, 7x57 etc etc will make very little difference for the amount and type of shooting they'll be doing. If you feel the need to buy more powder, then even a 7mm RM or a 300WM would be entirely fine, but really, what's the point?

If you can get a moderator then the recoil and blast is reduced significantly, and here in the UK where they are easy to get, they're practically the norm. I just don't like the nose heavy feel or the unwieldyness enough to bother. A muzzle break is also an option of course, although they can be pretty antisocial to be around.

If recoil really does prove to be a major problem, then a .243 or a 6.5x55 might be worth a try? Can't comment on the performance on African game, but the Swedes are quite happy shooting Moose with the 6.5 and I've seen 350lb Red Deer knocked over with a .243.
 
I think 6.5 creedmore has less recoil than 270, and it appears to have as much moxie on paper. I haven't killed anything with it yet, though. I would use that up to kudu with careful shot placement.
 
I am taking my wife and son on their first African Plains Game Safari next year and would like to hear what everyone thinks about the best rifle options for them. I want to make sure I don’t get too much gun and create flinching problems but also I want enough gun to handle most plains game.

Thanks

What shooting experience does your wife have with rifles?
 

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