Need Help On Gun Selection For SA Plains Game

[Silent Bob]

My boy and I are going to South Africa next summer to hunt plains game (zebra, impala, warthog, kudu, gemsbuck, blesbuck and hartebeest). This will be my first African hunt. I have three rifles that I shoot equally well (0.5" - 2" @ 100 yards +/-). All three are stainless Remington 700's -

Gun #1
7mm-08 w/ a 22" fluted barrel (light, accurate, low recoil)

Gun #2
.300 win mag Sendero w/ 26" fluted heavy barrel (very heavy gun, super accurate, moderate recoil)

Gun #3
.338 win mag w/ a 24" light contour barrel (fairly light, great accuracy, stiff recoil, but not bad)

My question for those that have "been there, done that", or any PH's, what would be the best overall gun between the three I have listed? I am confident with all three and would be comfortable with either of them, but I want to take THE best choice. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[monish]

Silent Bob,

.300 Winchester Magnum would have had been my choice if I had the listed rifles. Its a fantastic & resultsome caliber. But the overall caliber for AFRICA is the .375 H&H Magnum.

Happy Hunting !!!!

Monish

 

[ibie]

i enjoy and so does my uncle like using the .338 win mag!
All the best
Ibie

 

[browningbbr]

I used a .300 for plains game in South Africa last year and was very pleased with the results. Using a .338 is just "bigger and better". There are two of you hunting and each adult hunter can take 2 rifles, so you could just take them both. Also, ammunition for both of these calibers is readily available in the RSA. If your ammo gets lost by the airlines, you would not be out of luck. I don't know about the availability of 7mm-08 there.

Also, talk to the PH that you will be hunting with. He should be the primary one advising you about calibers, sight-in distance, etc.

- browningbbr

 

[messmate]

Silent Bob
Take the 338 if you like shooting it. But take the 300 if you love shooting it, you'll do better. Both are good for the game your hunting, but I agree with Monish on the 375. I used a 375Rug on some of those species & always felt I had enough "Bang".
Have a good one.

Messmate

 

[Thunder head]

Any of the three will be plenty of gun for the game listed. The ammo availabilty is a very good point.

 

[Red Leg]

All three will work though I wouldn't personally opt for the 7-08. That said, with a heavier bullet, there is no meaningful difference between it and the 7x57. The oryx and zebra can be remarkably tough if the first shot isn't exactly right so use the heavier premium bullets (I love the TSX and the old partition). I am a huge fan of the .338 because I am a huge fan of exit wounds. That said, none of your animals will detect a meaningful difference between the .30 or the .33. I suspect more operators have .300 WinMags for their loaner plains game rifle than any other caliber.

 

[owenowen]

hi , 300 win mag ....

 

[Silent Bob]

Thanks for the great feedback.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Silent Bob,
The 7mm-08 will be more than enough gun. As long as you and your son will be comfortable with the rifle you bring over, that will be the most important part. Dont think about any rifle that might cause a flinch problem because of the recoil.