Heading to Africa…what rifle do I take?

[Speyrod]

I took my daughter in June, my second trip. It's a blast. On my first trip I took a 6.5 and shot the 140 grain Sig Sledgehammer bullets, wanted the lead. Although I one shot every animal Plains game I thought the 6.5 was a little small, not enough exit hole for blood trail tracking. My second trip we both shot 308's one shooting 180 grain Nosler Partition and one with 174 grain Hammer Hunters. My daughter was shooting the 180's and one shot killed every animal including an Eland at 140 yards. Unless you're hunting dangerous game the 308 was perfect. Agree with all the above comments practice a lot on sticks. Good Luck

 

[Gobbler256]

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.

I've made 3 trips there for plains game to include Sable, Eland, Zebra, Kudu, Gemsbok, & Wildebeest. Took them all with a .308 & 270 win. The toughest was the Eland and Zebra!
Here's a video of Kudu.

 

[338 dude]

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.

For me, it's just not the same hunt without my rifle.

 

[Gary in MD]

For me, it's just not the same hunt without my rifle.

Absolutely!
I wouldn't hardly consider going if not shooting my own rifle and hand crafted ammo.

 

[TontoDean]

Most PHs won't let you shoot at extreme distances. They don't want to track a wounded animal.
However, that is changing some because long range shooting has become more mainstream.
Just remember to be patient and wait for a good opportunity. There will always be more of whatever you are trying to kill. Blood on the ground IS a kill that you will pay for whether you find the animal or not! Most PHs will tell you to shoot for the shoulder so use a tough bonded bullet or a mono that will penetrate bone.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

My buddy has hunted plains game on numerous occasions. He said there are only two things needed to be very successful:

1. a 30-06 rifle
2. Barnes bullets

 

[Trappernewt]

Why would you doubt your PH?

Who's doubting the PH. He suggested my wife's 7mm-08 is plenty so that's what she is taking. I don't have a 7mm-08 that fits me so I am asking what I should take that I have.

 

[Trappernewt]

Thanks to everyone for all of the great advice so far. I guess I can take my own suppressor?

 

[tx338]

Cartridge less important than a premium bullet on top.

As others have said, practice on shooting sticks before hand. I made a set out of bamboo and rubber surgical tubing. Then I bought a tripod set that was "take down" made by Long Grass Outfitter that were sized to my height. I packed these along with my 300WM and 338WM in the gun case…and had my PH carry my sticks that were sized correctly for my height, and I had actual practice getting set up.

Practice kneeling shots and prone shots too…

Take a ton of pictures and enjoy!

 

[Trappernewt]

How about a 7SAUM LPR? I have some 143 Hammer Hunters and I can work up a load for that.

 

[Trappernewt]

I've made 3 trips there for plains game to include Sable, Eland, Zebra, Kudu, Gemsbok, & Wildebeest. Took them all with a .308 & 270 win. The toughest was the Eland and Zebra!
Here's a video of Kudu.

Awesome video!

 

[Brijake]

Thanks to everyone for all of the great advice so far. I guess I can take my own suppressor?

Thats a great question, looking forward to the answer.

Went last year and rented from the PH, would't do that again unless I knew exactly what the rifle was, gun, caliber, optics, etc. Going again in 26' and will take my own.

 

[Trappernewt]

Thats a great question, looking forward to the answer.

Went last year and rented from the PH, would't do that again unless I knew exactly what the rifle was, gun, caliber, optics, etc. Going again in 26' and will take my own.

Got my answer…the airline and South Africa doesn't care. The issue is my connecting flight is in NJ where it's illegal to possess a suppressor so I'm SOL in taking my own.

 

[PlumberEd]

I just thought of one more thing, buy the Perfect Shot by Kevin Robertson. Lots of anatomy and kill zone information.