I Think I’m Overthinking

I've heard the 7x57 has been used in Africa, on occasion, with acceptable results. ;)

The number one consideration is the rifle/scope/bullet combination that will put the bullets where they need to go. Everything else is secondary to that. Zebra are tough. 7x57 is adequate, but chose quality bullets. If you go with a monolithic, use light-for-caliber ones to keep velocities up enough for good expansion. 140 gr Barnes TTSX would be a decent choice, if they group well. Partitions would be fine, again if they shoot well. A-frames would be great, if you can find them. The CEB 130 gr Raptor has a good reputation.

I second the recommendation to consider Namibia and an opportunity for a Hartmann zebra. When it comes to PG, hunting them can be incredibly fun and challenging.
 
Yes, your 7x57 is fine for most plains game but I'd lean toward bringing something bigger.

The 7x57 has a great reputation in Africa and has taken plenty of antelope cleanly. For smaller stuff impala, springbok, etc. it's excellent. But for waterbuck, bigger zebra, or if you get a tough angle, it starts feeling a bit light on authority. Shot placement is king, but the margin for error shrinks.

.300 Win Mag is the sweet spot for what you described plenty of punch for waterbuck zebra while still being comfortable to shoot. .338 Win Mag is overkill for most plains game but gives maximum confidence if you're worried.
 
I just got back and had taken my 275 Rigby running 156 grain Norma Oryx. It will put down everything on your list without hesitation. Remeber Walter Bell killed over 800 elephants with a 7x57.
 
You’ll be fine with a 7x57. The right bullet choice and shot placement is more important.

Bring the rifle you have the most confidence in your ability to make a cold bore shot off sticks, at ethical ranges. If that rifle is in a very common caliber, even better.

-jm2c
 
As others have emphatically stated, the 7x57 is your huckleberry.

My recommendation for the ammo you have chosen is the Barnes 140 grain TTSX. They are extremely tough bullets and won't come apart at the higher velocities.

Best of luck to you on your upcoming safari. Cheers.
 
Again I would emphasize every outfitter over there will have 30-06 ammo. You can count on that. What you cannot count on is your checked bag containing ammo arriving on time ... or at all. It's happened to many on this forum. If your ammo doesn't show up it would be nice to at least still be able to hunt with your own gun. I doubt many outfitters keep a stockpile of various cartridges on hand. But I would be surprised if most don't have at least one 30-06 rental rifle and a healthy supply of ammo for it.

My third safari I discovered at the range problems with some of the brass I had loaded for my 30-06 Springfield. Shot too many times (stupid!). After dinner the PH and I pulled all the bullets and primers and reloaded them into new brass the outfitter had on hand. Outfitter told me to take a box of new ammo but it was during COVID and I didn't want to use more of his supply than necessary.
 
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BeeMaa said:
As others have emphatically stated, the 7x57 is your huckleberry.

My recommendation for the ammo you have chosen is the Barnes 140 grain TTSX. They are extremely tough bullets and won't come apart at the higher velocities.

Best of luck to you on your upcoming safari. Cheers.
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Great minds think alike!

IMG_0709.jpeg
 
I think the Nitro Express Podcast did an episode recently on selecting plains game cartridges
 
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
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Your 7x57 is perfect, especially with the TTSX Load. I took my 275 Rigby (same as 7x57) shooting 140gr Accubonds to Zambia last year and had zero issues on Waterbuck, Kafue Lechwe, Puku or Sable.

Your 30-06, 300WM, and 338WM are all perfectly adequate as well. It really comes down to which rifle do you prefer to shoot? Which rifle is best for the avg shot ranges/hunting style? Which do you feel more comfortable with? Which rifle is the most sentimental to you?

All 4 calibers are pretty common in Africa and you could find ammo to re-zero if it was to get lost. Good luck and enjoy your first hunt in Africa.
 
Mtn_Infantry said:
Your 7x57 is perfect, especially with the TTSX Load. I took my 275 Rigby (same as 7x57) shooting 140gr Accubonds to Zambia last year and had zero issues on Waterbuck, Kafue Lechwe, Puku or Sable.

Your 30-06, 300WM, and 338WM are all perfectly adequate as well. It really comes down to which rifle do you prefer to shoot? Which rifle is best for the avg shot ranges/hunting style? Which do you feel more comfortable with? Which rifle is the most sentimental to you?

All 4 calibers are pretty common in Africa and you could find ammo to re-zero if it was to get lost. Good luck and enjoy your first hunt in Africa.
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Since 2013, I haven’t hunted with anything but my 7x57 and a 243. The 243 is what I use on coyotes and the 7x57 on everything else. Then again, I’ve only hunted locally with none of the “hunt of my dreams” labels.
 
Gomer said:
Since 2013, I haven’t hunted with anything but my 7x57 and a 243. The 243 is what I use on coyotes and the 7x57 on everything else. Then again, I’ve only hunted locally with none of the “hunt of my dreams” labels.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you’re pretty comfortable behind that gun and it means something. Take the 7x57, you won’t regret it. It’s a very versatile cartridge that’ll handle anything PG wise in Africa, as well as the cats with ease given the proper bullet choice and it sounds like you’ve got that covered with the TTSX
 
Gomer said:
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?
Click to expand...
@Gomer
Load up your 7x57 with good quality projectiles like Swift AFrames, Terminal ascents or even a good quality 175 gn round nose soft points and go have fun. A lot of game has been killed with that humble cartridge.
Bob
 
Gomer said:
Ok, the 7x57 it is. I currently have a fixed 6x on it now and will likely keep it on this rifle. I shoot a lot faster when there are fewer doodads.
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@Gomer
KISS, keep it simple stupid.
Nothing to fiddle with, enough power for shots to 300 with that scope, light weight and adequate cartridge.
What's not to love.
Stop overthinking it grab that 7mm and go have fun, you won't regret your choice.
Bob
 
45-70guy said:
35 whelen and a 225g north fork I used 2 weeks ago, dropped 9 plains game animals from wildebeest to zebra to kudu to oryx. You’ll be fine with anything you hunt with here for elk.
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@45-70guy
I applaud your choice. Took my Whelen and everything was a one shot kill.
Was it overkill, in most cases yes, my son's 308 killed game just as dead but it was more fun with my Whelen
What I love about it is if loaded properly it's fast but even in its standard form carries enough bullet weight and energy to handle the biggest plains game. What's not to love about a Whelen.
Bob
 
Gomer said:
Since 2013, I haven’t hunted with anything but my 7x57 and a 243. The 243 is what I use on coyotes and the 7x57 on everything else. Then again, I’ve only hunted locally with none of the “hunt of my dreams” labels.
Click to expand...
@Gomer
The 243 is only useful for game upto coyote and even then it's marginal. It a horrible little round that should be placed into oblivion.
The best thing to do with it is spin the barrel off and spin a 358 win barrel in it
That way you have a nice 7mm and a great baby Whelen.
Oh did I mention I don't like the 243.
Bob
 
Bob Nelson 35Whelen said:
@45-70guy
I applaud your choice. Took my Whelen and everything was a one shot kill.
Was it overkill, in most cases yes, my son's 308 killed game just as dead but it was more fun with my Whelen
What I love about it is if loaded properly it's fast but even in its standard form carries enough bullet weight and energy to handle the biggest plains game. What's not to love about a Whelen.
Bob
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Bob to tell the truth while carrying the whelen I never felt overgunned as it’s not some big heavy long magnum. It felt just right, though while evading a bunch of buffalo in the really thick stiff, close enough to smell them and hear them I did wonder if it would be enough lol.
Most of my shots where 1 shot kills though some took insurance shots to be safe.
I’ll be taking my 20” barrel variant to Canada in September with a 225g barnes.
 
Bob Nelson 35Whelen said:
@Gomer
The 243 is only useful for game upto coyote and even then it's marginal. It a horrible little round that should be placed into oblivion.
The best thing to do with it is spin the barrel off and spin a 358 win barrel in it
That way you have a nice 7mm and a great baby Whelen.
Oh did I mention I don't like the 243.
Bob
Click to expand...

Smaller calibers are definitely divisive. I could argue it both ways, but in the end of the day, it’s my coyote gun. The 70gr Ballistic Tip at 3450 fps makes hitting small targets easy. I can hold on hair out to 350 with a 250 yard zero. Bang/flop.
 
Look to LRX, TTSX, A-Frame or Accubond instead of Partition in case you decide to take an eland. Might as well get used to a better bullet for upcoming Dangerous Game animals after the African addiction kicks in! :LOL: :cool:
 
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