Rifle for Plains game

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

So we’ve been out shooting and getting her comfortable with her new gun. Only issue she was having was getting used to using a mil scope. It just didn’t make much sense to her. I started explaining the diff between MOA and Mils and she said MOA made way more sense to her. I started looking around and I found a killer deal on a couple Leupold VX6-HD’s so I picked them up. I figured if she was gonna be shooting MOA on her hunting gun it would be easier for us to both shoot the same thing. Man I can’t say enough about the quality of the glass on these scopes. WOW!!!! Def not sorry about spending the money on high end glass. View attachment 354199

@Mark D
The only problem I find with those fancy scopes is by the time I pick the magnification I want then focus the parralax the animal has run off or died of old age. I personally like to keep it simple and know my rifle, scope and trajectory. Put rifle on sticks, pull trigger and game falls down. Simple.
That's just my opinion tho.
Bob

 

[MarkD]

@Mark D
The only problem I find with those fancy scopes is by the time I pick the magnification I want then focus the parralax the animal has run off or died of old age. I personally like to keep it simple and know my rifle, scope and trajectory. Put rifle on sticks, pull trigger and game falls down. Simple.
That's just my opinion tho.
Bob

I agree. For quick shooting we keep the scope on its lowest power setting. If it’s a close to medium range shot, say under 300yds we can just use hold over using the reticle. No stressing about having to dial anything. Now when we’re hunting at home out west. Lots of the time you’re shooting at greater distance and you’ll have more time to range the animal and setup for the shots. Best of both worlds.

 

[MarkD]

I agree. For quick shooting we keep the scope on its lowest power setting. If it’s a close to medium range shot, say under 300yds we can just use hold over using the reticle. No stressing about having to dial anything. Now when we’re hunting at home out west. Lots of the time you’re shooting at greater distance and you’ll have more time to range the animal and setup for the shots. Best of both worlds.

For example. My Blacktail from last year was spotted at first light on a side hill across a canyon. There was absolutely no way to get any closer. He was at 503yds. The deer had no clue we were on the other side. Once the sun came over the ridge top where there was enough light for me to see him clearly in my other scope I had the sun directly in my eyes. I had to wait about 15 mins for the sun to get high enough in the sky so it wasn’t blinding me. Deer still had no clue we were there. I ranged him setup for the shot. I shoot out over a 1000yds and knew I could make an effective shot and took it. He never made another step and went down. Couldn’t do that with the old non adjustable scopes. At least I couldn’t confidently.

 

[RayAtkinson]

The 7-08 will work just fine up to and including Eland, Ive used the 7x57 for most of my PG hunting, and the .270 and 30-06...Any good elk round is suitable for PG..I shot lots of pg with the .338 and 300 H&H, but it was not needed IMO..The main thing in Africa is the PH will get you as close as possible and they are good at that even in the open veld..

 

[MarkD]

Well we’ve been shooting at least once a week. Here’s a pic of the wife’s best group so far at 200yds off a bipod and rear bag. She loves her gun.

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

Pretty awesome shooting by the Mrs! My wife stole my .308 last season....

 

[Ridgewalker]

JMO, but the bullet type and where you put it is more important than the cartridge.
Obviously she has the accuracy!

 

[R.M.C.]

Nothing wrong with a .308. Classic

 

[Capebuffalo]

Need opinions for a rifle caliber for my wife with plains game. We booked a trip for plains game next year. This will be my second trip but my wife’s first. She’s never hunted before and I’d like to get her a rifle to use. I bought her a savage 243 which she’ll use for deer here in Oregon this year. I know that’s not enough gun for Africa. I have a 6.5cm longer range gun but we’ve got a few larger game on our list. Sable, zebra and waterbuck among a few others. We shoot competitive shotgun sports so I don’t she super recoil sensitive, but I want a rifle she can shoot comfortably. I’ve been thinking about 7mm-08. Heard good things but never shot one. Others include 6.5 per, or 26 Nosler or 28 Nosler. Give me some feedbacks guys.

I grew up in the northern parts of South Africa and hunted PG since I was a young boy. Also hunted in the more open areas of South Africa, and I can confirm that cartridges such as the 7mm-08, 7x57 and 308 with a 160-175/180 grain bullet would do great in the northern bushveld areas. In the more open areas of the eastern Cape, Kalahari desert and the Free Sate I would include the 280 Rem, 7x64 and 270 with a 155-160 grain bullet. I based my recommendation on area, recoil, person/hunter involve, animals on the table, energy needed and personal experience.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Ruger No1 scoped in 30-06. I hear this is good from the smallest to eland.

 

[Captain Munro]

Would the Ruger M-77 Hawkeye African in 300 Win Mag be a prime choice for a budget PG gun?

 

[JimP]

A 300 Win mag would be a great rifle for a plains game hunt. I'd shoot a premium 180-200 grain bullet out of it such as what you can find in the Barnes Vortex line, if you can find any.

 

[Art Lambart II]

Ruger No1 scoped in 30-06. I hear this is good from the smallest to eland.

A scoped No. 1 in 30-06 has been my favorite hunting rifle for decades, and has been on both of my safaris. My No. 1 loves any 180 grain bullet I have ever used in it but is not as accurate with 165s. I would have no concerns using it for Eland but I would prefer my beloved 35 Whelen.

 

[Capebuffalo]

Ruger No1 scoped in 30-06. I hear this is good from the smallest to eland.

Kevin,
I agree, the 30-06 is always a good choice for African PG, even for different areas there. I excluded it in my recommendation due to the person/hunter involved, the recoil might be a little high comparing it to the other cartridges recommended. However, the 30.06 will be a good choice if the hunter is aware of a little more recoil.

 

[Captain Munro]

My choices would be a 300 Win mag, CZ-550 300 H&H, or a Ruger Safari Express in 30-06. Win mag and 30-06 are more practical, but the H&H is just neat.

 

[Capebuffalo]

My choices would be a 300 Win mag, CZ-550 300 H&H, or a Ruger Safari Express in 30-06. Win mag and 30-06 are more practical, but the H&H is just neat.

Captain Munro,
There are so many great cartridges....
At the end of the day each hunter makes, his or her own choice...As long as the choice is based on factors applicable to your own situation....and good advice from fellow experienced hunters..
My own choice for an all round PG cartridge is the 338 Win Mag

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

For plains game I use 7x57Mauser ( 275Rigby ) and 9,3 x 62Mauser.

 

[Captain Munro]

Captain Munro,
There are so many great cartridges....
At the end of the day each hunter makes, his or her own choice...As long as the choice is based on factors applicable to your own situation....and good advice from fellow experienced hunters..
My own choice for an all round PG cartridge is the 338 Win Mag

You are too right! The 338 Win Mag is a great round and I wouldn't mind a 7x57 either.

 

[Capebuffalo]

For plains game I use 7x57Mauser ( 275Rigby ) and 9,3 x 62Mauser.

Witold,
These are the best two cartridges for PG in the northern parts of SA and other bushveld areas of Africa...and you will never have to buy another rifle in your life again if that is the only vegetation/terrain you will ever hunt in...However, if you ever plan to hunt in more open areas such as the Free State, eastern Cape, Namibia or Kalahari desert where shots tend to be a little longer, then it might be a good idea to consider including a more versatile cartridge in your arsenal...

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A scoped No. 1 in 30-06 has been my favorite hunting rifle for decades, and has been on both of my safaris. My No. 1 loves any 180 grain bullet I have ever used in it but is not as accurate with 165s. I would have no concerns using it for Eland but I would prefer my beloved 35 Whelen.

@Art Lambart II
Have 35 Whelen will hunt. No need for any more or any less. Just stoke it up and have fun.
Bob