Tiny 10 Specific Calibers

[Il luccio]

This has probably come up in bits and pieces in other threads, but in short: I’m looking to find a good Tiny 10 specific rifle for my girlfriend that will 1) allow her to take all of the tiny 10 and other PG up to impala and 2) be something that would provide her a good rifle to learn to shoot accurately

Ideally it would be 1) cheap to shoot 2) low recoiling 3) possibly larger than .23 cal

More context if you need it below.

My Girlfriend and I are planning to go on Safari at some point in the next 2-3 years as we will be visiting South Africa for a wedding/vacation. She has some interest in hunting larger PG, but she is much more intrigued by the little guys. She has some experience hunting and she is interested in hunting whitetail more and getting better at shooting and hunting in general. I’d like if I could to buy one gun for her to get comfortable learning to shoot AND improve her skills AND actually hunt with.

There’s a lot to factor in. Honestly, I think it probably is not something that really exists, but running it by people with more experience seems like a good idea!

 

[Philip Glass]

I have your answer. Tried and proven, and proven again. I had the same question a number of years ago. As a rancher I have the ability to hunt and shoot a lot including specific testing on animals on the hunt. A few safaris ago I needed to take my double plus a light caliber for the Tinies and cats. After much testing (many threads here on AH) I found the Barnes 5.56 in 70g TSX the be the best for putting animals down but not tearing up even the smallest of cats. I have it in a Ruger American Ranch but would love a Tikka T3X to play with in this caliber. Scores of deer, dozens of springbuck, and many others have fallen to my perfect little setup!
You will get a lot of opinions here. Some will work some will greatly disappoint you. Mine will work for certain.
Happy Safari Planning!

 

[Pumpactionlover]

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

 

[fourfive8]

Multi-use caliber, ideal for everything from impala to tiny antelope, is going to be compromise. Many smaller calibers that work well for impala-sized game, are too much for tiny game…. causing damage beyond what taxidermy can repair. Velocity is not your friend for tiny game, no matter the caliber.

 

[Betterinthebush]

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

What bullets did you use in your .270 Win and which of the 10 did you use it on? I love the .270 but never considered it for tiny work.

 

[Red Leg]

@Philip Glass has offered a perfect recommendation for a dedicated Tiny 10 rifle. The suggested bullet and weight are critical. You can find it in .223 and 5.56 commercial loadings. It also works very well on smaller antelope, whitetail, and even for head neck shots on the feral hogs bulldozing my pecans.

Most Tiny 10 are taken as opportunity animals while hunting larger game. My smallest, a blue duiker, was taken with a 170 gr bullet from a .275. The next smallest, a suni, was taken with a 300 gr solid from a .375. Both bullets penciled through the target. The key is to center the animal and not hit the shoulder.

 

[steve white]

How about the good old 222?

 

[Jon Glajchen]

If you reload try the 6x45, a 223 necked up to 6mm. Will run a 100 gr Nosler Partition at 2450 fps, great for distances out to 250m. No recoil, extremely accurate and very little pelt damage.

The negative is that it’s a wildcat, the positive is that it’s relatively easy to re barrel a 223 with a 6mm barrel. Dies are easily found as well.

 

[Red Leg]

How about the good old 222?

Sure - with the right heavy for caliber bullet.

 

[BryceM]

I think a .243 with a solid or monolithic would be OK. I’d be looking on the lower velocity side of things to avoid splitting the cape. I took a klippie last year with a .375 H&H with a solid. It worked well and there was only one small hole for the taxidermist to patch. A .308 Win with a solid would be a nice setup.

 

[Challer]

375 since you have it with you. Solids are great.
06 or 300 WM or similar if you have it with you.
any 22/25 caliber if you must. I take the 22 Hornet for these things. My Blaser BB has Hornet/Hornet barrels

 

[dchamp]

Barnes offers the 5.56 x45 with the 70gr TSX in factory ammo and would be the easiest and most practical setup mentioned by @Philip Glass. The only thing you must be aware of is, you will need to have at least a 1:8 twist barrel. I don’t know what twist rates rifle manufacturers are producing in .223/5.56x45 these days.

I also think @Jon Glajchen has a very interesting suggestion with the 6x45. It would be fun to set up. But it would mean building a new rifle and developing and loading your own load.

 

[dgr416]

The 6.5 cm is perfect will take long shots easy

 

[IvW]

Blaser BD14

22 Hornet/7×57R/20ga from blue duiker to all general PG.....

Many caliber combinations availible....

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Barnes offers the 5.56 x45 with the 70gr TSX in factory ammo and would be the easiest and most practical setup mentioned by @Philip Glass. The only thing you must be aware of is, you will need to have at least a 1:8 twist barrel. I don’t know what twist rates rifle manufacturers are producing in .223/5.56x45 these days.

I also think @Jon Glajchen has a very interesting suggestion with the 6x45. It would be fun to set up. But it would mean building a new rifle and developing and loading your own load.

Savage offers their Model 12 Varminter Low Profile in 2 different twist rates in both .223 and .22-250 so the shooter can pick between different grain weights for their intended purpose. I own one, albeit it’s for prairie dogs.

I continue to use a 375 for my Tiny 10 pursuit and will be taking one with my to Mozambique to finish my Tiny 10 (Red Duiker and Suni needed). I hope to shoot another Blue Duiker using this rifle so I can say I’ve taken the Tiny 10 with the same rifle, and also used it on the Dangerous 7

 

[Elkeater]

@Philip Glass has already offered the perfect solution. The 70gr tsx out of a .223 Remington is an excellent round. I’ve also shot plenty of deer, hogs, coyotes, javelina, feral goats, and even aoudad sheep with the .223 using a variety of monolithic bullets from 62-70gr. I would not hesitate to use that combo on any critter from steenbok/klipspringer/duiker to impala/blesbok/springbok. I would want to keep shots inside 200 yards though.

 

[Surgeon1]

I agree with Phillip Glass even though I hate Barns bullets this is on I would use.
If I have a 375 handy I always carry 3-4 solids to this purpose. In Uganda shot 2 tinnie ten with a 300 WBY with 200 gr A-frames at 2850 and both lung shots that just pencilled thur the chest with virtually no hide damage so have the proper bullet and don shoot the shoulder.

 

[ActionBob]

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

Those move way to fast. They will blow up the small trophies. Had a 129 grain Creedmoor bonded bullet literally cut a vervet monkey in half.

 

[ActionBob]

I think a .243 with a solid or monolithic would be OK. I’d be looking on the lower velocity side of things to avoid splitting the cape. I took a klippie last year with a .375 H&H with a solid. It worked well and there was only one small hole for the taxidermist to patch. A .308 Win with a solid would be a nice setup.

I used a 30-06 with 180 grain round nose brass solids and it tore most critters up pretty bad. That bullet had a tendency to tumble.

Now a .375 with a solid seems to work very reliably. But it doesn't meet the low recoil nor low ammo cost requirement.

 

[ActionBob]

The 6.5 cm is perfect will take long shots easy

Ammo is cheap and readily available. Recoil is absolutely minimal. Available off the shelf in a plethora of rifles.
Really great for Impala, Springbok, even Red Hartebeest. But moves at 300 Win Mag speeds and will destroy the capes on small critters.