Tiny 10 Specific Calibers

[wildwilderness]

I would like to add some secondary considerations that I have not seen mentioned, the 6mm ARC and 6.5 grendel may fit perfectly into a crossover rifle. The 6mm ARC in my opinion is a phenomenal little cartridge. Box velocity on factory ammo comes off a bit anemic, not necessarily a bad thing for those tiny antelope, because they are loaded for AR pressure standards. With hand loading it can be pushed to nip at the heals of 243, a renowned whitetail cartridge for new hunters. It is also very affordable to shoot, somewhere between 223 and 6.5cm, pick up some 90gn hornady cx loads and I don't believe you will see excessive damage to the cape but it will handily take whitetail! I have personally taken a fair number of whitetail and mule deer with an 80gn gmx, cx predecessor, in a 243 and decided to put a 6arc bolt gun together to hunt deer and pronghorn with in 2026

I did mention 6 arc in post #76 above- seems like a good option especially if you re- load

I’ve been wanting an AR in 6 arc but pretty sure it would not be easy to take a semi auto rifle to Africa…

 

[Wyit76]

I did mention 6 arc in post #76 above- seems like a good option especially if you re- load

I’ve been wanting an AR in 6 arc but pretty sure it would not be easy to take a semi auto rifle to Africa…

I must-have missed your post! I have been more than impressed with the little cartridge. I ended up with an AR in trade for my first experience with it. It made a wicked predator hunting set up but lacked the velocity I was after for a deer and antelope rifle. In a bolt action at higher pressure is where it really shines! An 80gn TTSX at 3000fps is big trouble for deer size critters! If I wasn't such a nostalgic fellow for hunting Africa it would definitely be in my consideration for a smaller game set up, especially with a mono metal bullet!

 

[dlmac]

250-300,.257 Roberts, 7mm-08, this is from the low end to high. all easy to shoot and all capable with good shot placement. No need to reinvent the wheel or enable the needy.

 

[458JCE]

1 in 7 twist 223REM with 70gr Barnes - perfect for Tiny 10.
I shot a monster Steenbok in AUG 2025 with my Sako L61 in 30-06 with 165gr Woodleigh bullets - because that's what I had in my hand when the dainty little antelope was sighted.

 

[Creigh]

I know a farm manger that uses a 222 wherever he can. He was an army sniper, (not with this caliber obviously), and used it as a youngster on the farm all the way to now when appropriate. Swears by it.

Aren't the Americans raving about the 22 Creed and 25 Creed? If you're looking at a modern cartridge that might be the way to go.

 

[Rimshot]

I know a farm manger that uses a 222 wherever he can. He was an army sniper, (not with this caliber obviously), and used it as a youngster on the farm all the way to now when appropriate. Swears by it.

Aren't the Americans raving about the 22 Creed and 25 Creed? If you're looking at a modern cartridge that might be the way to go.

222 Rem is such a sweet cartridge. Easy on barrels (matters in niche circumstances), cheap to reload, low blast/recoil. Good terminal ballistics to 300 yd provided it's not too windy. I would suggest some gel testing to find a bullet that behaves at close range though.

22/25 Creed would definitely have you covered for other smaller plains game too. It has nearly 2x the energy (~2000 ft/lb vs ~1000) of the 222. In areas with long shots and high winds, their advantages are undeniable. If you want anything besides a skull mount on a duiker, klippy, or steenbok, I think careful bullet selection is going to be very important with these cartridges, like the heaviest mono metals you can get. Hornady's 65gr CX is advertised >3600 fps out of the 22CM. That's likely to do a lot of hide damage at normal Africa ranges. I'd be looking to handload something more specialized.

22 Hornet is still my favorite. Out to 200 yd, anything up to coyote size is dead. Recoil is so minimal you can usually see bullet impact thru the scope. It only makes sense if you're exclusively after small critters, or have it in a combo.

 

[Hyena]

How about the good old 222?

Absolutely agree with the triple deuce. Aardwolf, genet, all the small cats, springbok, Impala, and the tiny ten. No recoil and accurate. Does not destroy the pelt. Used it on many hunts as well as a good friend of mine. Highly recommend

 

[dchum]

I think .243 winchester, 6.5 creedmoore and .270 win are good options.

Ah yes the 270. Perfect duiker gun.

Hamburger meat will be ready when you get your trophy

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Little Mannlicher Stock Sako with Leupold fixed 4x chambered .243 Winchester handloaded with solids:

 

[IvW]

I think .243 winchester, 6.5 creedmoore and .270 win are good options.

Eish....how many of the Tiny 10 you personaly shot with these 3????......

 

[BRICKBURN]

@IvW You won't get a reply. Mr. Pump has been invited to go elsewhere.

Others need to learn to read the terms they agreed to abide by.
https://www.africahunting.com/help/terms/

Enjoy your time here on AH.

 

[Spartan5]

22 ARC?

 

[skydiver386]

I tend to think it's more about bullet construction and velocity than actual caliber.

Shooting pelts for the fur trade when I was in my teens was a hot topic with the same answers. The other only real difference was range.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

I agree with skydiver386. Any of the large or medium calibers for a one-gun safari whether blue nose bullet or solid will behave as a solid on those little guys. Any light caliber with a solid intended to preserve pelts works at all distances.

 

[dchum]

@IvW You won't get a reply. Mr. Pump has been invited to go elsewhere.

Others need to learn to read the terms they agreed to abide by.
https://www.africahunting.com/help/terms/

Enjoy your time here on AH.

Thanks for getting rid of him! I’d be curious about his IP location lol.

Appreciate you and your work