Heading to Africa…what rifle do I take?

[Trappernewt]

Wife and I are heading to South Africa in late April. Will be hunting the usual…Wildebeest, kudu, warthog, springbuck, blesbuck, waterbuck. No super large animals. My question is what rifle to take. The outfitter says my wife's 7mm-08 is plenty and the rifle fits her perfect so that's what she wants to use. I was thinking a 280AI or 28 nosler. I also have a 30 Nosler and 6.5 PRC. I THINK THE 300 ultra mag is a little much. Never having gone I can't decide and there are so many choices lol. I have heard these dark continent critters are TOUGH.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

What is your max distance?

I would take the one I fill Most Comfortable with.
Hope you all have a Great Time.

 

[shooter7]

Did a hunt in South Africa in June of '24. My wife and I just used loaner rifles from our PH. We killed Gemsbok, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, and a plethora of smaller antelope with a 308 win and a 6.5 Creedmoor. We used the 180 Sierra Gameking and the 140 Core-lokt. Pick something that you shoot well and start studying African game anatomy and you'll be fine with anything that you've listed.

 

[Tom264]

.223

 

[Trappernewt]

What is your max distance?

I would take the one I fill Most Comfortable with.
Hope you all have a Great Time.

PH said most shots 200 yards and under. I honestly am most comfortable with the bigger 30 Cals. I have never hunted with the 280AI, 28 Nosler or the 6.5PRC.

 

[Bob Wright]

The PH loaned my friend a 30-06 for zebra and smaller critters. It worked fine for him.

 

[wvbearhunter]

Is a spear an option

 

[Trappernewt]

Is a spear an option

Maybe for someone….Tim Wells I ain't.

 

[Jerry M]

Take whichever rifle you shoot the best. My experience in two trips to RSA: Your shots will not be too far. I suggest using a stout bullet. I used Nosler Partitions in .30-06. Practice shooting from Shooting Sticks. Learn the anatomy of the animals you are hunting. The organ placement is different from Whitetail deer, Bear, etc. Unless you plan on shooting everything from the back of the safari truck buy a pair of chaps for the 'Wait a minute brush" it will shred normal hunting pants/Jeans.

Good Luck

 

[arrow179]

I hunted there in 2001 - killed a bunch of critters with .243, 7RM and .30-06. Biggest thing I killed was a black wildebeest and a gemsbuck. Whatever you shoot the best is good enough. Smallest thing I shot was 3 vervet monkeys . They were stealing the neighbors fruit and they wanted them dead. Lol

 

[Tidus56]

I killed kudu, sable, wildebeast, Nyala and gemsbok. I used a loaner rifle and regretted it the whole time. The scope had issues and we all struggled with it.
Next time I will take my 280 AI.

 

[dmj]

I would probably consider the 28 nosler if I shot it well. But you have already stated that you are most comfortable with the big 30 caliber. So that 30 nosler might fit the bill. Hope you have a wonderful time. Shoot straight and be careful. Hope we get a report and pictures from your hunt.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

PH said most shots 200 yards and under. I honestly am most comfortable with the bigger 30 Cals. I have never hunted with the 280AI, 28 Nosler or the 6.5PRC.

Take the bigger 30 Cal.
And enjoy yourself.

 

[med358-boise]

280AI and 7mm-08 are plenty and 140-150 premuim bullets. A few things I have learned from 5 african safaris in Zim and RSA.

1) Practice shooting standing of of sticks @ at least 150 yards
2) Practice getting on the sticks fast and settled fast
3) You can make easy practice sticks with three wooden dowels or bamboo sticks and a cut up bunchy cord or vacuum cleaner drive belt (rounded)
4) Most shot opportunities are missed because of slow target acquisition

Enjoy, your hunt!