The Perfect Plains Game Rifle

[NoStepOnSnek]

One thing that’s popular in the USA and our love of firearms is a specific gun for every situation. Hunters set up a perfect deer rifle, a perfect hog rifle, the perfect turkey shotgun, sheep rifle, elk rifle, etc. We have come a long way from the “fear a man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it” mindset.

So with that being said, if you could set up a gun for a singular plains game species, what would you do? I’m particularly interested in hearing about the “perfect” kudu rifle, the perfect klipspringer rifle, as well as anything else y’all think of.

 

[JimP]

I have a safe full of rifles ranging from a 22Lr to a .340 Weatherby mag. For hunting big game here in the US I have two that I'll select over the others. A 25-06 for everything up to elk and the 340 for elk.

The same would be for Africa. Smaller plains game animals would get the 25-06. Wildebeest and up would get the .340. On my 2 safaris I have taken the .340 and it served me quite well for my plains game hunts with animals from diker on up to gemsbok and kudu. Perhaps a little overkill for the smaller ones but it worked.

 

[375Fox]

For me, it’s a Sako 85 in 300 win with a 2-10 Leupold. I like the trigger, weight, and stock design. It’s perfect to me.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Most of my plains game hunting has been done (so far) with two calibers:

.30-06 Springfield loaded with 220Gr Remington Core Lokts

7x57mm Mauser loaded with assorted 175Gr soft points (currently, I am using the 173Gr Sellier & Bellot SPCE factory load)

If I could set up one “Plains Game Exclusive” rifle, it would have to be a .338 Winchester Magnum built by Griffin & Howe on a Springfield Model 1903A3 action with a 25” Douglas Premium barrel and a Grade 5 Turkish walnut stock (cheek piece included). It would have the factory two piece striker replaced by a titanium striker. It would wear a Weaver K5 telescopic sight on quick release mounts. And have an India rubber recoil pad fitted.

If I had to choose a commercially manufactured rifle, I’d personally be very happy with a Mauser Model 98 Diplomat chambered in 9.3x62mm Mauser.

 

[G Skinner]

I went with my bow ....It's about how close .... not how far .
Good luck and play safe !
Glen

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

For me, it’s a Sako 85 in 300 win with a 2-10 Leupold. I like the trigger, weight, and stock design. It’s perfect to me.

For what species?

 

[R eight]

Either my Rigby HS in 30 Rigby or my R8 in 30/06…both loaded with 180 partitions.

 

[375Fox]

For what species?

I’ve taken steenbok to eland with it in several African countries. On a dedicated PG hunt I take that rifle. If it’s a DG/PG hunt I take the same rifle but in 375 H&H.

 

[Doug3006]

My current “perfect” rifle for plains game is a Ruger #1 in 300 H&H. It shoots hand loads using 200 grain Nosler Partitions well under an inch. I have much confidence in that rifle and love how it carries in the field. A 26 inch barrel paired with a ~2 inch receiver makes for a handy rifle for carrying.