Plains Game Magnum?

[CBH Australia]

Growing up I read a bit and among other things I decided I wanted a Remington Sendero In .300wm, I decided it’s a must have calibre. But that’s not my idea of a Safari rifle, I have an old M77 that works. I got it at a fair price but don’t like the plastic stock, a new stock won’t be cheap and I probably want another gun.

Now as an armchair expert I considered the 7mmRem mag and .300wm would be good for plains game, if just the right thing came up.

We all need a ..375H&H anyway but see that’s for DG, versatile but we’d may as well take 2 rifles to Africa

So there is the .338wm as well, apparently it is widely used but that was going to be my choice in all weather S/S for bear. Can’t take the .375H&H safari rifle to to Alaska

Also I met an older gentleman, an African hunting veteran who only used the .270 and .338

I wasn’t sure about my first Tikka T3 being modular and stuff but I got over it. Now I think having more Tikkas is ok so I can swap stocks, mounts and accessories easily if I choose.

There is a good deal on used a Tikka .338wm but I’m dreaming and schemeing for Africa at present and I can’t really get it and store it till I get the urge to spend more than I can currently on taming a Grizzly.

i currently run 6 centrefire calibres at the moment. I want to narrow it down to in time and use them more.

If I was going dedicated Plains game rifle (Magnum) what would people suggest?

I will always have a .223 so to me a betweener and a suitable DG would cover me on every continent. Until I can justify more purchases.

 

[PeteG]

Its hard to beat the 300WM as an all round PG calibre.
Loaded with good 180gr or 200gr, it will do any PG you will come across.

Close second will be the 338 as it is more suitable on the bigger PG compared to the 7mm mag and below.
8x68 would probably the next best option with the 8x57 running a little short on steam on the longer shots.
7x64 and 7x57 both do very well with less recoil.

 

[Shootist43]

Before making caliber rated decisions do you know what you want to hunt and the timeframe in which they will be hunted? What might be best for Alaska may not be best for Africa. Who told you that you cannot take a 375 to Alaska? There are a number of excellent non-magnum rifles used in Africa on a daily basis. For starters take a look at the 9.3 x 62. They are available in "Oz," Timbo has one, see what he thinks about it.

 

[Newboomer]

7RM with Barnes 160 g TSX. I've taken everything from zebra, blue, black wildebeest, waterbuck, on down to springbok. One shot kills on all. It's got the power and range and won't kill your shoulder.

 

[Divernhunter]

7mag and 300 mag are just fine but I took my 338win mag both trips and shot everything from Duiker to Eland using 225gr Swift A-Frames in front of 71gr of IMR4350 and mag primers. I have the others you talk about but did not use them.
I also took a 30-06 with 150gr Barnes TTSX bullets and a 257Weatherby with 120gr Swift A-Frames and 100gr TTSX bullets and took some game with them.
My daughter used her 257Roberts and took warthog, impala on up to Kudu and Blue Wildebeest all with one shot using 120gr A-Frames.

Best advise is to take what you can shoot well using good bullets like Swift A-Frames, Barnes TTSX or Nosler. I know there are a few other good ones that I have not used.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

My favorite calibers for plains game are 7 x 57Mauser ( .275Rigby ) and 9,3 x 62.

 

[meigsbucks]

IMO: You really don’t need a magnum. If eland isn’t on the menu, any rifle you’d feel comfortable taking an elk with, will work. You need to use heavy tough bullets and place them well. Some of the critters, like wildebeest, gemsbok and zebra are tough.
If eland is on the list, I’d count the .30/06 as minimum. The .35 Whelen and 9.3x62 or 9.3x74R would be great non magnum choices.
That said, I personally would prefer a magnum. I’m a .338 guy. I wouldn’t have any issue using a .280 or .30/06 on a kudu. Heck, I took two springbok, a steinbok, a gemsbok and a mountain zebra with a .30/06 last year, but I just prefer a .338 mag.

 

[IvW]

I have always been of the opinion that the 300 H&H would be the perfect companion for the 375 H&H....

 

[cmk]

Or if you choose to go the exotic (but still classic) route.

333 Jeffery or 318 Westley Richards.

Finding factory ammo would be a hassle, even reloading components are not common due to the odd bullet diameters. Woodleigh makes them both though IIRC.

A more modern take on the 318 WR is the 338-06, which would make an excellent PG calibre.

 

[BeeMaa]

Before making caliber rated decisions do you know what you want to hunt and the timeframe in which they will be hunted? What might be best for Alaska may not be best for Africa. Who told you that you cannot take a 375 to Alaska? There are a number of excellent non-magnum rifles used in Africa on a daily basis. For starters take a look at the 9.3 x 62. They are available in "Oz," Timbo has one, see what he thinks about it.

IMO: You really don’t need a magnum. If eland isn’t on the menu, any rifle you’d feel comfortable taking an elk with, will work. You need to use heavy tough bullets and place them well. Some of the critters, like wildebeest, gemsbok and zebra are tough.
If eland is on the list, I’d count the .30/06 as minimum. The .35 Whelen and 9.3x62 or 9.3x74R would be great non magnum choices.
That said, I personally would prefer a magnum. I’m a .338 guy. I wouldn’t have any issue using a .280 or .30/06 on a kudu. Heck, I took two springbok, a steinbok, a gemsbok and a mountain zebra with a .30/06 last year, but I just prefer a .338 mag.

First know what you are looking to hunt.
And by looking that means if you see (and want) a Buff (whether is on your list or not) you will want to have an appropriate caliber.
This means at least a 375.

Second, what is in your battery.
If you already have a 7mm, 30-06 or 300WM then just make sure you are hunting appropriate game with these.
Most would say everything up to Eland would be covered by the 300WM, but I like a little more.
That said, you don't need a "magnum" to hunt PG as long as you take ethical shots at reasonable distances.

There is no reason to spend money on a new rifle if you have one that will work.
Instead save that money and spend it on another animal you would like to take.

On the other hand, a Safari is the perfect reason to buy another boom stick!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

First know what you are looking to hunt.
And by looking that means if you see (and want) a Buff (whether is on your list or not) you will want to have an appropriate caliber.
This means at least a 375.

Second, what is in your battery.
If you already have a 7mm, 30-06 or 300WM then just make sure you are hunting appropriate game with these.
Most would say everything up to Eland would be covered by the 300WM, but I like a little more.
That said, you don't need a "magnum" to hunt PG as long as you take ethical shots at reasonable distances.

There is no reason to spend money on a new rifle if you have one that will work.
Instead save that money and spend it on another animal you would like to take.

On the other hand, a Safari is the perfect reason to buy another boom stick!

I agree with BeeMaa.

 

[CBH Australia]

Before making caliber rated decisions do you know what you want to hunt and the timeframe in which they will be hunted? What might be best for Alaska may not be best for Africa. Who told you that you cannot take a 375 to Alaska? There are a number of excellent non-magnum rifles used in Africa on a daily basis. For starters take a look at the 9.3 x 62. They are available in "Oz," Timbo has one, see what he thinks about it.

If you misunderstood my meaning was that if I had nice timber .375H&H I would not want to take it to Alaska, not if I could justify an all weather rifle. I know the chambering is a classic and the cartridges can be found there from reading.
Is use a .308 a lot, l like my 7mm-08 it rolls pigs easy they are fairly close in comparison but I can’t load a heavy projectile in the .308 if need.

If I ask the question what is the perfect cartridge or the ideal I will get varying answers. I have a .458wm timber stock. I don’t need it for what I do but I got a deal on it New at the time. I wanted a safari rifle in the safe. In hindsight I’d prefer a .375H&H, it may be more versatile for me. I see one advertised. It could easy be the one rifle I need for Africa

I work remote so I have time to research

If I Head to Africa to cull plains game I may only have one rifle, and I’m not oppposed to getting it before I go. I know I can group with my .300wm but I probably want to restock it or change to another flat Shooting magnum.

I generally shoot within 200m. I shot targets at a measured 400 with direction on holdover.

I usually head shoot for pest management if I can take the shot. Average size pigs drop to a chest shot if required. Most animals drop to a well placed shot from a .223 but I’m not using that.

The .338wm is well priced but I sort of believe that the smaller 2 may get more use and even use on Dingoes past 200m when I’m is that area .

Just looking for others thoughts and experience.

 

[Hunter4752001]

G'day Chris. Before debating taking multiple rifles, start looking at how little baggage allowance you get on international flights out of Oz and how few rounds you can take. Also consider the challenges of securing multiple rifles while traveling.

All the choices you mentioned have their place. However, you may wish to ponder the old saying "beware the man with only one gun, he may know how to use it."
Each rifle you use will have slightly different operating characteristics, safety position, length of pull, stock shape etc. Doesn't matter a damn when you have all the time in the world. Could make all the difference in those micro seconds when something nasty explodes towards you. Choose something that'll do the job on anything and then use it on everything. Practise till your rifle is a part of you and your reactions are instinctive.

 

[BenKK]

Also consider the terrain and habitat for any plains game hunt. When I went to Botswana’s Kalahari the .375H&H proved perfect for close shooting in thick bush (my choice was also informed by the very largest of plains game being on the menu). From my experience in the Eastern Cape I probably wouldn’t bring a .376H&H.

 

[CBH Australia]

G'day Chris. Before debating taking multiple rifles, start looking at how little baggage allowance you get on international flights out of Oz and how few rounds you can take. Also consider the challenges of securing multiple rifles while traveling.

All the choices you mentioned have their place. However, you may wish to ponder the old saying "beware the man with only one gun, he may know how to use it."
Each rifle you use will have slightly different operating characteristics, safety position, length of pull, stock shape etc. Doesn't matter a damn when you have all the time in the world. Could make all the difference in those micro seconds when something nasty explodes towards you. Choose something that'll do the job on anything and then use it on everything. Practise till your rifle is a part of you and your reactions are instinctive.

So what you are saying is buy another Tikka? In the preferred chambering
I think I’ll only take one rifle when it happens.maybe my .308 but happy to try get something more suitable
There is a .338wm at a fair price, it would do Buff in Australia.
I’m sort of thinking I’ll start shooting my Ruger. 300wm some more soon.
I have Ruger, Howa, Remington, CZ and Tikka. By chance it’s the Tikkas that I handle most for hunting due to those mid calibres being used for pigs.

I’m not opposed to .270 but I’m trying to settle on the idea of something to bridge the gap between .308 and big bore. So it’s change my .300wm stock or change out the whole rifle and I can change the calibre

 

[Divernhunter]

Hunting Africa the PH will discourage head shots usually. They prefer you to shoot to take out one or both shoulders. That is how I usually hunt anyway so I am happy with that.
NEVER take a 270 they are terrible
If you take the 308win then just use 165gr Swift A-Frames or 150gr Nosler Partition or Barnes TTSX. That is if you can get them. There may be other good bullets where you are but I would avoid a cup-n-core type bullet. They will work-----usually but why skimp on the only part of the hunt that actually touches the animal and is still the cheapest part of the hunt even at $5+/round.

 

[CAustin]

Your 300wm will be perfect for the plains game.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Also consider the terrain and habitat for any plains game hunt. When I went to Botswana’s Kalahari the .375H&H proved perfect for close shooting in thick bush (my choice was also informed by the very largest of plains game being on the menu). From my experience in the Eastern Cape I probably wouldn’t bring a .376H&H.

Great advice.

 

[Ryan]

If I was leaning on an all purpose magnum for plains game the 300 Win Mag wins in my book. It has the magnum oomf over my tried and true 30/06 and will drop them all including an eland at 250+ meters should it happen. Nothing wrong with the Tikka, I've known a few friends with them, accurate, dependable and practical. If you dislike plastic like I do a decent laminated stock is nice and just about indestructible. I have a gray one on my Savage I'm impressed with.

 

[BenKK]

Whoops! Typing on a phone, you’d reckon Apple should know .376H&H is an error and auto-correct it!