What Rifle should I get for RSA Plains Game Hunt?

[Nyati]

Personally, I have used a .338 WM on all my plainsgame, with much satisfaction, I might say.
However, a hunting companion used a .270 with excellent results, except with a Zebra, they are tough, and shot placement must be perfect.
I also would have my doubts about shooting an Eland with a .270, in the Limpopo, they can be very heavy

 

[seattlesetters]

I have always liked a long barrel, but you can go down to 22", if you want to. The most important things is that the gun fits you, so you can hold it steady. Gun fit will be everything. For me, a long barrel is easier to hold steady and aim.

Good points. What I like about adding the .270 Win to the list is that it opens up many more options for rifles. I really want a new Winchester and they chamber just about every model they produce for the .270 Win (obviously!). This means I can not only look at the Featherweight and Extreme Weather, but the longer, heavier Sporter and Super Grade, as well.

I'm kind of unique in that I am an avid bird hunter and am used to quickly pointig and swinging a very light (just a touch over 6 lbs) 12-bore for quail and the like, which makes me very comfortable with snap-shooting and acquiring targets quickly. However, in the past I've done much better shooting a rifle from field positions when I've had a slightly heavier, longer gun. I use to run different rifles for different things (a 20" BLR for the woods, a 24" Weatherby Vanguard VGX for open country). Now I'm just wondering if I may need to split the difference for a one rifle trip or if longer and heavier will still prevail.

I've already decided that if the Featherweight fits me best that I'll probably get that in 7mm-08. It's a fairly light rifle and that cartridge loaded with 120 TSX should be a pleasure to shoot. the other three models are heavier and the .308 or .270 should be fine for me at their higher weights...especially the Super Grade!

 

[seattlesetters]

I have carried a .270 on one safari to RSA.

It knocked over 2 zebra, wildebeest, kudu, impala, warthog, gemsbok and a few others with one bullet. My shot was a bit off on an eland so we had to do a bit of tracking.

I used 150gr bullets on everything. No doubt you can put a muzzle brake on one of these rather light rifles and make them kick like a rimfire!

That's excellent shooting, schembridan. thanks for sharing your experience...it makes me more confident that a .270 will get the job done.

I think when I go back to Africa for eland and other game, I would have a 9.3x62 by that time and would take it and the .270/7mm-08/.308, using the lighter rifle once the eland was taken.

 

[enysse]

I have 7mm Rem Mag in a Win Super Grade and it's my favorite rifle. It's a handsome gun and a tight shooter. Would buy another one in a heartbeat!

 

[seattlesetters]

I have 7mm Rem Mag in a Win Super Grade and it's my favorite rifle. It's a handsome gun and a tight shooter. Would buy another one in a heartbeat!

Does that happen to be a newer model made in FN's South Carolina facility?

 

[seattlesetters]

Update: it will definitely be a new Winchester Model 70 and the cartridge has been narrowed down to the .270 Win or the .308 Win. I figure I should get the increased range or the bigger hole.

 

[Frederik]

The difference in hole size .30 or 270 is not really that big that the animal will "Oh Damn a .30 Caliber bullet I must die reaaly fast!"

150gr out of a 270 or 308 should have more or less the same energy.
I like the 308 very much but if you are looking at the rifle to be your first all rounder I would go 270.

 

[enysse]

Does that happen to be a newer model made in FN's South Carolina facility?

No, it's from the Conn. factory I bought a few years back, just before they moved operations to South Carolina.

I think the Winchestor quality is still good!

I would go with the 308, it is so versitile. I love the 270 Win....I have 3, in various forms but it's no 308. I think the 308 would make a good all round gun for North America and Africa.