Any minimum calibers for the largest of plains game?

[DLSJR]

Just curious if any Countries or outfits mandate a minimum caliber for any of the plains game species, especially the larger ones ie Kudu, Eland, Zebra, Giraffe etc?

Ive read that most reccomend "your deer rifle cartridge" from back home (7mm, 308 etc) but wasn't sure if any areas or any specific game had minimum requirements?

I'm considering bringing both my 338WM and my 416 Rigby as my two gun battery for my first trip so I'll be covered either way.

200gr bullets for the smallest of PG, 225-250gr for the larger stuff.

Cheers,

If you’re taking a .338 for plains game, you don’t need anything else.

I’ve shot game from Klipspringer to Eland with my .338 and it’s great for everything. Just shoot 225’s for everything and don’t over-think it. If you don’t want big holes in the small stuff, shoot solids. Other than solids for little guys, one bullet for everything works best. I like 225 grain TTSX’s or Bearclaws best in my .338.

When I’m hunting dangerous game and taking 2 rifles, it’s my .338 & .416. They make a great combo for a 2-gun safari.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I’m personally very content with the following two calibers for all plains game:

7x57mm Mauser (170-175Gr Bullets Only)

.30-06 Springfield (220Gr Bullets Only)

I’ve successfully made one shot kills on African plains game as large as bull eland with both calibers. Nevertheless, for Kudu & eland… I recommend nothing lighter than a .30-06 Springfield & 200Gr bullets. Margin for error is completely nonexistent with calibers lighter than this.

For a novice, a .338 Winchester Magnum (or .318 Westley Richards or .333 Jeffery or .350 Rigby Magnum) with 250Gr bullets is my recommended minimum. Especially for those difficult quartering-away shots.

 

[rookhawk]

Just curious if any Countries or outfits mandate a minimum caliber for any of the plains game species, especially the larger ones ie Kudu, Eland, Zebra, Giraffe etc?

Ive read that most reccomend "your deer rifle cartridge" from back home (7mm, 308 etc) but wasn't sure if any areas or any specific game had minimum requirements?

I'm considering bringing both my 338WM and my 416 Rigby as my two gun battery for my first trip so I'll be covered either way.

200gr bullets for the smallest of PG, 225-250gr for the larger stuff.

Cheers,

In Zimbabwe, they measure energy in joules and classify game A-B-C-D. Whatever class Eland and Giraffe comprise, it requires a minimum of X joules energy and a 30 cal or greater bullet. (300 H&H is the smallest legal caliber based on those criteria)