What is the largest animal for a .340

Tubby’s Canteen

Tubby’s Canteen

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Good evening gentleman I'm looking to book my first safari for next year and wondering where I should draw the line with my current battery.

I currently own two rifles a 700 Remington lh bdl in .270

And a weatherby mark v lazermark lh in .340 weatherby.

What would you consider the upper limit of each caliber? Is it worth bringing both rifles or just take the .340? Both wear leupold vx1 scopes.
 
Just take the 340 and you are covered. Not sure how well the 340 will do on the little guys but I assume with a good bullet like an A-Frame you won’t blow them up badly. Unless you are hunting buff, I’d just bring the one rifle and an extra scope.
 
Presuming you'll be hunting plains game. If Eland is included, I'd rather you be using your .340 to take on that big of a critter.

If the size of the game is Kudu and down from there, then your .270 is just fine. Whichever you choose, do yourself a favor and use good bullets. Shot placement is always important, but placing a good bullet makes a difference too.
 
Wildebeest, Kudu or Zebra for the 270. Eland for the 340. If DG is on the menu, you'll need a 9.3 or 375 to be legal in most countries. For PG, take both 270 and 340. Load the 270 with a GREAT bullet, and shoot everything with it. Unless you are hunting Eland, then the 340 would get the nod.
 
The package I am considering includes two subspecies of wilderbeast an a hartbeast.
Would the .270 be adequate?
 
As long as you use quality bullets you’ll be fine. I’d go heavy for caliber (150 gr?) in one of the quality bonded bullets if you can. I am not a .270 shooter so I’m not sure of the options.
 
This is easy. The .340. Match the bullet to the game and the rifle and you will be fine
 
As much as I'm not a 270 fan, 150 or 160 gr bonded or mono bullets will be up to the job for everything you're going to hunt.

Don't recall the bullets he was using, but saw a video of Keith Warren taking a black wildebeest from about 400 yards with his 270.
 
My thoughts...ask your PH.
As mentioned by everyone, use premium bullets (Swift A-frame, Barnes, etc.).
Put the bullet where it should go.
Learn where Africa animals boiler room is (further forward than our North American game, check out pictures on AH, or get Dr Kevin Robertson’s book “The Perfect Shot”).
Practice off sticks until every shot goes into an 8” circle out to where ever you can hit it.
Practice getting on sticks and hitting the target within 5 seconds.
Enjoy your adventure!
 
Is all shooting in Africa done off sticks? I've shot a lot of feral cattle in the head and never used sticks I'm quite comfortable with a good sling and proper form out to 150 yards after that I've always taken a steady rest either acrossed a truck hood or a tractor tire.
 
Skinnersblade, in my experience the PHes or trackers set up the sticks for you. I always use them, but I doubt that you have to. Just remember, if you draw blood, you pay for the animal found or lost. That’s my experience. Others may differ.
 
Bring both! It wont be more cost or more complicated to have two rifles.
The .270 will kill just about everything.
You are going to have a great time!
 
My suggestion is to being both. Get a SKB double rifle case, and you have options. I brought a 270wsm and a 338 wm on two plainsgame safaris and was glad I did. You will likely use the 270 for most of your shooting, but it is fun to have them both. Blue wildebeest get pretty big, and can take some killing. The 270 will work, but might as well use the bigger gun if you have it.
 
Your problem with bringing both rifles is that when you hunt Africa the animals are taken when the opportunity allows.

I used my 340 on all my animals starting with a springbok all the way up to kudu with a black Wildebeest and a gemsbok in the middle. I would hate to have the 270 in my hands when that trophy kudu shows up and you want a little bit more power.

I was shooting Barnes 225 grain TTSX at 3000 fps
 
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Is the 270 adequate for Wildebeest & Hartebeest...absolutely.
However you are probably just slightly under-gunned for Eland.

Do not underestimate the toughness of Wildebeest, Zebra and Eland.
You want enough gun to do the job with a premium bullet (Swift A-Frame/Barnes TSX...etc).
IMO - you would be best served with the 340WBY from your current available options.
You never know what is going to show up in Africa...be prepared for it all.

If you were going for DG and taking a 375 or larger caliber, I'd say yes to a two gun battery.
For now, save your money and get out and practice with the 340.
When you get back from Africa you will have a much better idea of what you want...for your next trip.
 
Agree with many of the others - 270 Win is fine for most of the animals on the list. Eland would be the exception in my opinion, unless you are willing to pass on an animal if you don't have a perfect broadside shot.

My wife took hartebeest, wildebeest, zebra, kudu - all with a little Savage 270 shooting 140 gr A-Frames.
 
If I understand correctly, eland is not on the list?
 
You are fine with either rifle, just use premium bonded or mono-metal bullets.
 
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