An all round rifle caliber , for Africa and elsewhere

[wildfowler.250]

I thought this would be an interesting subject on here as African animals are notorious for being tough.

I’ve been considering changing my .270 after 15-20 years ‘just because’. Despite that, it just works.

I’m starting to think that there’s an optimum range between recoil and knockdown. Leaning more towards an accurate, milder caliber where before I thought more leeway was better.

What would you consider the minimum suitable calibers for hunting Africa plains game that would double as a deer rifle? 7x57 comes up on here a lot. 6.5CM too small? 6.5PRC is really tempting me.
I appreciate eland are probably a separate subject.


I appreciate bullet choice is likely as important. I always thought if I ever changed the .270 it would be for a .30-06 but now less seems to be more. I have used a 6.5x55,(home loaded) a lot in the past few years and again, accurate and mild and still drops deer.


Interested in thoughts

 

[Uncontrolled_round_feed]

7x57 is a good intersection of legality, nostalgia, power, efficiency (low recoil), availability and distinction. PRC always makes me think People’s Republic of China so it’s out.

 

[R eight]

In my opinion you can’t go wrong with a 9.3x62 and the 30/06 is never a bad choice either.

 

[Puddle]

Focus on the bullet and work backwards. Punch a hole through both lungs at any reasonable distance and angle and you'll be GTG.

 

[RedTag]

.300 H&H Magnum

 

[CBH Australia]

My answer to the question is .30-06

I have not owned one but I think it fits the criteria for a lot of hunting.

I used a hired 7mmRm in Africa. The freelance PH said he has a .300wm
Hire rifle and felt that was a good all round choice for Africa.

I own a .308 and .300wm, both are fine and versatile but I also like 7mm calibre so while I think the .30-06 is the correct answer for the question of one all rounder that is based on projectile options and weights, standard cartridge, availability and manageable recoil it’s a commonsense choice.

If I said 7x64 Brenneke it’s because I seem to like 7mm calibre cartridges and the appeal of an old European cartridge to hunt Africa and other places

 

[bakerb]

I’ve been giving this one a lot of thought. I too would like one do-most rifle. Thinking big game in the western US, sheep, Africa, etc. I’m not a long range shooter, but when thinking of sheep would like a rifle that would buck the wind out to 400-500 yards (farther than I would want to shoot). With today’s scopes and good range finders, much easier to dial in elevation than to guess windage.

I personally have settled on a 338 Win mag. Available. Can reload with a range of long high BC bullets. Lots of factory ammo options. Plenty of SD for big stuff. But not so fast it blows up little stuff.

I used one on my first African safari (a rental from the owner), and shot hartebeest, impala, bushbuck and a surprise caracal with it. Worked awesome. I did not notice the recoil

Now if I could just find a cheap one on a Mauser action with great wood

 

[Green Chile]

As much as I love and use the 7x57 (if not hunting DG), I use the 300 win mag the most for hunting a wide variety of game in Africa and the US. I plan on using it in Argentina this spring on red stag. It covers a lot of hunting without being too much or too little.

 

[Jondnov]

I Agree with Green Chile. Can’t go wrong with 300WM. Both US and Africa. Plenty of power and bullet selection.

 

[HuntingGold]

I have one rifle action and a very nice stock blank in my possession and am going through the same process of deciding what to build for my "final rifle." I cannot see going wrong with the .30-06 but I'm still considering others. I'll be following this thread.

 

[Dan458]

I’ve just been through this and settled on the venerable 30-06 for all of the reasons above and ammo availability. After having my ammo go missing on my last trip to Africa, it was a consideration.

 

[DLSJR]

I settled on the .338 Win Mag as my all around rifle for nearly anything, way back in the mid-1980’s. Very manageable recoil, hard hitting, good out past 400 yards. I’ve shot game as small as Klipspringer with it and as large as Livingstone Eland. It’s probably thr #1 elk cartridge of all. I haven’t shot a Cape buffalo with it…. Yet.

If I was going with a non-belted standard cartridge, I think it’d be difficult to do better than a 30-06.