The Perfect Plains Game Rifle

[Challer]

It’s never wrong to use a 30-06 for PG. it is analogous tire 375 for DG. Then again the 375 all around has many fans

 

[Ridge Runner]

Of my currently own rifles: My perfect rifle for your two example animals would be:

Klipspringer: 22 Hornet

Kudu: I used my 30-06 with 168(?) grain SSTs. However, now that I have a 340 Weatherby I would opt for it using 225 grain bullets.

 

[steve white]

375H&H.

Because you never know when that trophy DG animal is going to walk out in front of you.

Or an elephant menace you on the way back to the truck! PH ruled out a pan for sand grouse for that reason--too far in... He said, "you don't want to be holding a 12 ga when walking out and bumping into an elephant."

 

[steve white]

Hard to beat a solid shooting .300. These are two of my favorite rifles that would fit the category and neither have made the trip. . .

First is a .300 Jarrett by Speedy Gonzales. Followed by a custom .340 Wby built on an Ed Brown 704. Both are well under 1/4 MOA. I think the Jarrett by Speedy will make the next go around. Some scoff at shooting turkey with a rifle, but the Jarrett has several under its belt with no meat loss. Most PHs don’t like neck shots . . . but they are effective.

You're lucky to have a gun done by Speedy. Last I heard he was teaching gunsmithing in Colorado and "Stick" was doing the building in Fort Worth. My nephew was a good customer.

 

[steve white]

The Jack of all trades, 30'06 has been upgraded by alpha bullets like the TTSX, which can run heavy, or still be effective (and fast) with lighter projectiles, extending range. It's better now than it ever was.

 

[Rubberhead]

I'm a little bias on this but I think I've got the perfect PG gun in the perfect PG caliber... [.30-'06]

 

[RR 314]

You're lucky to have a gun done by Speedy. Last I heard he was teaching gunsmithing in Colorado and "Stick" was doing the building in Fort Worth. My nephew was a good customer.

It is an awesome rifle. Speedy has been in San Antonio for 5 years or so now. Stick died about three years ago. Great guy. I have a Stick built Jarrett as well. Obviously one of my pet chamberings.

 

[375Ruger416]

I love my Gunwerks Nexus in 300 PRC. It’s a great open country rifle with a Leupold Mark V 3.6-18. It did great on my safari to Namibia in 2024 and I took 8 animals with it from springbok to eland. However, it’s 9 lb 6 oz unloaded and with a 24 » barrel was a bit unwieldy suppressed.

I think a 7 mm in a lighter rifle would be my choice next time if hunting in a non-DG game area. A 280 Ackley in a Weatherby Mark V backcountry guide would be my choice if I could take anything. Hunting with a suppressed rifle was an absolute delight in Namibia and I’d love to do it again.

Practically, I’m going to take my Blaser R8 with 300 WM and 375 H&H barrels next time and going forward. At least, until I add a 6.5 PRC and 416 RM barrel lol

 

[hoytcanon]

Perfect for plains game means, something that shoots flat and carries enough energy for the bigger animals, Eland, Wildebeest, Waterbuck etc... next year it will be a 7mm PRC, this year it was my .375 WSM.
Here is the pair, along with my .458 WM Carbine.

 

[KoedoePoesPienk]

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.

Pretty much the same as you, mine shoots 180gr Spirepoints and Accubonds well. Don’t need much more than that personally.

My Brno 7x57 could probably handle everything this side of an Eland too.

 

[375Ruger416]

I’ve already answered - 280 AI in a modern rifle.

However, the last few nights I’ve been dreaming of a bolt action in 7x57 paired with a matching rifle in 375 or 416. Something with beautiful wood and some panache like a Rigby Big Game, Parkwest 76, or something of that ilk.

There may be many acceptable answers to this question, but if there is a ‘right answer’ it is undoubtably chambered in 7x57/275 Rigby

 

[375Ruger416]

By the way, the same chambering in a Ruger No. 1, Parkwest model 10 or other single shot would also be a correct answer.

 

[steve white]

Perfect for plains game means, something that shoots flat and carries enough energy for the bigger animals, Eland, Wildebeest, Waterbuck etc... next year it will be a 7mm PRC, this year it was my .375 WSM.
Here is the pair, along with my .458 WM Carbine.

View attachment 721571

Mighty wise to have them all stocked, actioned, safetied, length of pull and scope height the same--you could pick up any one of those rifles with no adjustment necessary!

 

[mdwest]

I'm a little bias on this but I think I've got the perfect PG gun in the perfect PG caliber... [.30-'06]

I don’t know if that’s the perfect pg rifle or not..

But what I do know is that it is absolutely beautiful… you’ve got a wonderful rifle there…

 

[hoytcanon]

Mighty wise to have them all stocked, actioned, safetied, length of pull and scope height the same--you could pick up any one of those rifles with no adjustment necessary!

That... and it pleases my OCD... lol.

In reality, half a century of shooting Ruger rifles in the worst of conditions, has built a supreme confidence in me for the reliability of the platform.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I'm a little bias on this but I think I've got the perfect PG gun in the perfect PG caliber... [.30-'06]

That is one of the most impressive photos I’ve seen. Thank you for sharing. Absolutely beautiful.

 

[Rubberhead]

I don’t know if that’s the perfect pg rifle or not..

But what I do know is that it is absolutely beautiful… you’ve got a wonderful rifle there…

That is one of the most impressive photos I’ve seen. Thank you for sharing. Absolutely beautiful.

You both are way too kind. Thank you very much.

 

[Bushog]

Been reading multiple posts today about caliber/cartridge selection as well as platform.

Not a mention of a Blaser K95 to be found. Mine, with a .300Win barrel has accounted for multiple NM elk and a couple of our oryx. It will put 3 shots in a group the size of a nickel with 200gr A-frames which is my bullet of choice at 100yds with boring regularity. It really is my favorite for many reasons and would travel very nicely.

Any good reason this rifle should be left at home on an upcoming plains game hunt in the East Cape?

 

[375Ruger416]

Been reading multiple posts today about caliber/cartridge selection as well as platform.

Not a mention of a Blaser K95 to be found. Mine, with a .300Win barrel has accounted for multiple NM elk and a couple of our oryx. It will put 3 shots in a group the size of a nickel with 200gr A-frames which is my bullet of choice at 100yds with boring regularity. It really is my favorite for many reasons and would travel very nicely.

Any good reason this rifle should be left at home on an upcoming plains game hunt in the East Cape?

No, none at all. I took a bolt action 300 PRC to Namibia and it was great. Mine held 3+1 Barnes 208 LRX at 2850 fps. My eland, springbok, and oryx took multiple shots despite a first round through the lungs broadside. Of course, if I can see it and it’s on its feet or trying to get up, my policy is to shoot it again. A blue wildebeest, kudu, blesbok, impala, and baboon were DRT.

I think a K95 would be a delight to carry and fast enough to reload that a second shot should be possible if needed. Like oryx, some of these African game animals are tough!

 

[dchum]

Been reading multiple posts today about caliber/cartridge selection as well as platform.

Not a mention of a Blaser K95 to be found. Mine, with a .300Win barrel has accounted for multiple NM elk and a couple of our oryx. It will put 3 shots in a group the size of a nickel with 200gr A-frames which is my bullet of choice at 100yds with boring regularity. It really is my favorite for many reasons and would travel very nicely.

Any good reason this rifle should be left at home on an upcoming plains game hunt in the East Cape?

Take your k95. Sounds perfect for your upcoming hunt! Just be able to shoot t0 300-350 so you don’t loose out any opportunities.

Obviously that setup is more than capable

Best