I Think I’m Overthinking

Gomer

Gomer

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I’m doing research and getting ready to book a plains game hunt. I’m open to anything, but mostly interested in antelope species up to waterbuck or maybe zebra. I’m thinking I will wait on eland for next time.

With that said, I should be ok with just about any rifle/cartridge/load that is suitable for elk, right? I live where there are both Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk and have taken them with no issues using standard cartridges and would love to take my 7x57 to
Africa.

But, part of me thinks I should play it safe and bring something like a 300 Win Mag or 338 Win Mag. What do you all think?
 
30-06 worked just fine for me. 7x57 has a bit less range. You could bring both it and one of the mags and have your PH carry the big gun in case something out there a ways comes along that you want to shoot. My PH always brought his 270 WSM along (injured animals, warthogs, and baboons are shot on sight unless we were on the stalk for something else). I borrowed it twice to make a couple of very long shots on kudu and black wildebeest. My gun would never have reached those animals.
 
Bring the one that you are the most comfortable / confident shooting and go have fun
 
Denvir Tire said:
The 7x57 is an elegant choice that you won't regret bringing......
Click to expand...

It’s the most un-elegant 7x57 anyone has ever seen! It’s an M70 Featherweight restocked into a McMillan edge compact. Field-ready at 7lbs 7oz. I’m getting 2750 with 160gr Partitions and 2900 with 140gr Barnes TTSX.

With a 30-06, I get the same velocities with 180gr Partitions and 150gr TTSX. 338 gets me the same with 250gr Partitions and 210gr TTSX. My 300 is faster than all of them with velocity just under 3000 with 200gr Partitions, 3075 with 180gr Partitions, and 3250 with 165 TTSX.

Regardless of all of that, I am a minute of pie plate shooter out to 300 yards off sticks and 400 yards prone with a bi-pod or off my pack.

IMG_0702.jpeg
 
Last edited:
7x57 or your 300 win. You’d do fine with either!

Definitely check out Namibia. If zebra is something that peaks your interest!

Hunting Hartmanns Mountain zebra in steep terrain is a unique zebra hunt. More challenging compared to some plains zebras imo.

Hartmanns zebra are also strikingly beautiful, golden nosed, unique neck dewlap and very defined thick stripes with no shadowing.

Here’s mine from @KHOMAS HIGHLAND HUNTING SAFARIS HUNTING SAFARIS

Hartmanns in the Khomas highlands. Native habitat to the species 168gr 30-06 fyi. So any of your rifles will be great
IMG_7881.jpeg
 
When I looked into my first hunt I browsed around a sportsman's show and asked every outfitter what I should bring. Everyone said something like "do you have a 30-06 or 308?, bring it." . I brought my 30-06 using Barnes TTSX bullets and it took everything you have mentioned without issue. The 7X57 will do the trick just as well and is pretty common for as basic caliber for plains game by locals. Accuracy and quality bullets are what is needed, not a magnum caliber.
 
Gomer said:
It’s the most un-elegant 7x57 anyone has ever seen! It’s an M70 Featherweight restocked into a McMillan edge compact. Field-ready at 7lbs 7oz. I’m getting 2750 with 160gr Partitions and 2900 with 140gr Barnes TTSX.

With a 30-06, I get the same velocities with 180gr Partitions and 150gr TTSX. 338 gets me the same with 250gr Partitions and 210gr TTSX. My 300 is faster than all of them with velocity just under 3000 with 200gr Partitions, 3075 with 180gr Partitions, and 3250 with 165 TTSX.

Regardless of all of that, I am a minute of pie plate shooter out to 300 yards off sticks and 400 yards prone with a bi-pod or off my pack.

View attachment 765837
Click to expand...
Why not bring the 7x57 & .338?

It’s not that much more trouble traveling with two rifles in one case.
 
You don't need the 338, that's overkill. And two rifles, is just more hassle. You never know what on your list you're going to come across so you will just carry one rifle anyways. If you really like your 7x57, I'd use that. It's really a perfect a plains game gun
 
I have used a 7x64 extensively throughout the globe. Your 7x57 will drop anything you're after. Just use a good premium bonded or mono-metal bullet and put it in the right place.
Job done!!!
 
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