300 Win Mag options?

[PBrick]

I am going on a South African Plains Game hunt and everyone that I have talked with about the trip is saying I NEED a 300 Win Mag but not giving any information about make and model. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[ack]

Winchester Model 70 or a Tika Hunter model ..What we have ..Trouble free and accurate with Swift A-Frames ...30/06 is also fine...

Others have their ideas also

 

[JoninCO]

It's so broad of a question it's hard to answer. They can go from $400 to $15,000 or more...what is your budget? There are basically unlimited options, and there are excellent rifles at every price in there.

Mauser M18 is a fantastic gun for ~$400 from Eurooptic, and they have M12s for ~$875 right now if you want a higher finish level and traditional wood stock ($1000 off the original price). Tikkas are an amazing value also.

I shoot a Blaser R8 most of the time and it is an absolute laser, that would be my personal choice.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Winchester,Ruger, Sako, they’re all good. If were me I’d load 200 grain swift a frame or TBBC

 

[BeeMaa]

First, welcom to AH.

You DON'T NEED a 300WM, but it is an extremely versitle cartridge for all PG save Eland.
You NEED a rifle that is reliable and you shoot well off sticks.
And that rifle may already be in your posession.
However, if you want a 300WM...go for it.

Most common calibers for PG are 7mmRM/30-06 up to 375H&H.
Pick one and shoot it...a lot.
Until it becomes second nature.

Use the search function on this site and you will see what others are using.
This topic has been covered a few times.

Good luck.

 

[Bhfs300]

Here is my pride and joy.
It is a Ruger #1 in 300 WM. I got the neoprene proctor for my second Safari. It is a tack driver.

 

[PBrick]

First, welcom to AH.

You DON'T NEED a 300WM, but it is an extremely versitle cartridge for all PG save Eland.
You NEED a rifle that is reliable and you shoot well off sticks.
And that rifle may already be in your posession.
However, if you want a 300WM...go for it.

Most common calibers for PG are 7mmRM/30-06 up to 375H&H.
Pick one and shoot it...a lot.
Until it becomes second nature.

Do a few searches here and you will see what others are using.

I currently shoot a Rem 700 Sendero in 7mm Rem Mag and a Savage 10 in 6.5 Creedmoor. I am a complete rookie when it comes to Africa, so any suggestions or information is much appreciated.

 

[PBrick]

It's so broad of a question it's hard to answer. They can go from $400 to $15,000 or more...what is your budget? There are basically unlimited options, and there are excellent rifles at every price in there.

Mauser M18 is a fantastic gun for ~$400 from Eurooptic, and they have M12s for ~$875 right now if you want a higher finish level and traditional wood stock ($1000 off the original price). Tikkas are an amazing value also.

I shoot a Blaser R8 most of the time and it is an absolute laser, that would be my personal choice.

I can spend up to $2000 on rifle.

 

[PBrick]

Here is my pride and joy.
It is a Ruger #1 in 300 WM. I got the neoprene proctor for my second Safari. It is a tack driver.

View attachment 322311 View attachment 322312

Beautiful gun!

 

[mdwest]

Welcome!

I agree with other posters... a 300 WM is a wonderful cartridge for African PG, but isn’t a necessary minimum at all..

Much depends on what you are hunting and where..

Are we talking eland or impala? 100 yard shots or 300 yard shots..

SA is a big place with lots of diversity in both game and terrain..

For what it’s worth I’ve taken everything from impala and warthog to blue wildebeest and a host of other animals with either a .308 or a 7mm Mauser.. and never once did I feel under gunned when making a decision to squeeze the trigger

 

[BeeMaa]

I currently shoot a Rem 700 Sendero in 7mm Rem Mag and a Savage 10 in 6.5 Creedmoor. I am a complete rookie when it comes to Africa, so any suggestions or information is much appreciated.

7mm and done.
Save the $$$ for another animal in Africa...you are gonna need it.

If you want to take Eland, you may have to wait for a "perfect" opportunity or use a camp rifle in a larger caliber.
Beyond that you are set.
Go practice.

When you are planning your second safari, you will have a better idea of what you really want.
Yes, you will be planning a second safari.

 

[PBrick]

7mm and done.
Save the $$$ for another animal in Africa...you are gonna need it.

If you want to take Eland, you may have to wait for a "perfect" opportunity or use a camp rifle in a larger caliber.
Beyond that you are set.
Go practice.

What grain missile do you recommend?

 

[Mike Van Horn]

Look at the Weatherby Vanguard Safari in 300 Weatherby, nice rifle and a good price

 

[BeeMaa]

What grain missile do you recommend?

I perfer Swift A-Frames because they perform well in my rifle and I don't reload.
Other premium bullets like the Norma Oryx or Barnes TSX/TTSX are good choices.
Shoot a premium bullet that works well in your rifle.
7mm's seem to work best right around 160 grains and 2900 FPS.

Many members here reload so there are about a million different reciepes for a good 7mmRM.

 

[ack]

What grain missile do you recommend?

180 in 06 and .300..Wife killed a giraffe with a 180,,30/06 ,,one shot and dead..A-Frame..Most ph's prefer you use heavier bullets.

 

[flatwater bill]

Jonin...........that deal you quoted on Mauser mods 12 and 18 was the best deal I have seen in several years. Always liked a Tikka as dollar value gun, but these blow that away. If money is no object, Hartman and Weiss vs Ferlach. For anyone that needs two, I saw a pair of Ferlach bolts at SCI for $65,000 but they were still in the white....................FWB

 

[Mike Van Horn]

If you go with your 7mm rem. Try the 168 grain Barnes LRX. I am testing that bullet in a 28 Nosler with s mild load at 2950. Been getting good accuracy, getting 30" of penetration in water.
Also the 165 Sierra game changer would be good so long as your shots are over 150 yards. Under that they don't penetrate well

 

[Chukar]

Use your 7mm if you are comfortable and happy with it. 160gr. and up (whatever shoots best in your rifle). A-Frame or T/Tsx would be my preference. You might consider a larger caliber if Eland is a specific choice. Ideal range for me would be within 2oom.

 

[Buckdog]

pbrick
1st go with the 300winny, heavy premium bullets 180 or 200 gr . forget 7mm the 300 win is more versatile, hits harder, etc etc as long as you can handle the recoil.
Now you say your budget is $2,000 to me that means a factory gun in the $1,000 range for that a win 70 or a sako/tikka are fine and the other $1,000 is for a good scope and mounts. Do not cheap out on the optics as many people tend to do!

 

[Pheroze]

Isn't there some rule about talking a fella out of buying a new rifle?

There should be...

But, in case you are seriously considering just "making do" with what you have Here is a thread that may interest you:

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/7-rem-mag-for-african-plains-game.47343/

Seriously, have fun with the planning, it really is a lot of fun