30/06 on big game in the past

[hunter 89]

Hello, I have a question for you. Is it true that 30/06 with 220 grain FMJ was used successfully in the past for hunting elephant, rhino, hippo, and Cape buffalo? Thanks for your answers.

 

[375Fox]

I’m sure it has. I know PHs that have taken buffalo with 308 and 300 win doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. The 303 British and 7.62x39 have likely accounted for a huge number of African game they weren’t designed for and wounded a lot too. I’ve pulled 7.62 FMJs from two animals so far. The animals you listed are tough but aren’t impervious to well placed shots that reach the vitals.

 

[baxterb]

Yes

 

[Pasme]

Personally, I don't think it's a matter of caliber. Man was hunting (and killing) dangerous game with a sharpened stick long before the invention of gunpowder. (little more dangerous, but it must have been "invigorating") I've also seen "hunters" shoot a grizz multiple times with a 458 Win Mag and it's still charging. I think a '06 would bring down anything I'd care to hunt. 375HH mag is the minimum dangerous game caliber in most places in Africa but that's not something I'd want to be shooting on a frequent basis. (I wince every time I remember the few times I've shot one)

 

[HookMeUpII]

Per what @375Fox said, they used them enough to mention, back in the day. We know for a fact 303 British was commonly used. Col Patterson favored that in Tsavo to take the lions, among other things. On the USA side, Hemingway favored his "Springfield" which was likely a 30-06 caliber, as he talks about in Green Hills of Africa. On his return safari, he decided to bring something big-bore because he found out the hard way that the 30-06 was far from a buffalo stopping rifle, if even ultimately a killing rifle. It was not the best option but often times, all they had.

Times were different back then. Hunting was basically "best efforts." A lot of animals seemed to be wounded and never recovered. If you read some of the books about hunting Africa, it was basically a free for all in the old days. Tags/licenses were comparatively cheap with multiple animals to a tag. Hunters would shoot a buffalo, go on to track it, come across another, bigger buffalo, while tracking, shoot that one, then break off to track that one.

There are now of course, better ethics and more availability of effective options.

All the true African's knew better. Capstick (despite the controversy surrounding him), Selby, Selous, etc. They all had big-bore rifles for DG from basically the very first availability.

 

[SafariCurious]

Personally, I don't think it's a matter of caliber. Man was hunting (and killing) dangerous game with a sharpened stick long before the invention of gunpowder. (little more dangerous, but it must have been "invigorating") I've also seen "hunters" shoot a grizz multiple times with a 458 Win Mag and it's still charging. I think a '06 would bring down anything I'd care to hunt. 375HH mag is the minimum dangerous game caliber in most places in Africa but that's not something I'd want to be shooting on a frequent basis. (I wince every time I remember the few times I've shot one)

If you want 375 power in a manageable package, try a Ruger Hawkeye Guide bolt action rifle in .375 Ruger with the factory provided muzzle brake, I have one and its much nicer to shoot than an un-braked 30-06.