Best All Around Caliber for Plains Game

[TXhunter65]

.243

 

[.300RUM]

.243

Well for some of the smaller game, this isn't a bad choice, Impala for example. I took one with my .300 RUM using 180gr Nosler Partition, definitely way too much gun.

 

[HookMeUpII]

Well for some of the smaller game, this isn't a bad choice, Impala for example. I took one with my .300 RUM using 180gr Nosler Partition, definitely way too much gun.

I had a guess you'd pick that lol.

 

[Doug3006]

I used a Ruger No. 1 in 300 H&H on my last safari. I was able to cleanly take a half-dozen animals with 180 grn Barnes Tipped TSX. I’ll use it again for Leopard and plains game in Namibia in a few weeks. This time loaded with 200 grn Nosler Partitions.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

If and only if PG, I'll take my .300WM and 200gr North Fork bonded cores. It'll take Eland and on down.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I used a Ruger No. 1 in 300 H&H on my last safari. I was able to cleanly take a half-dozen animals with 180 grn Barnes Tipped TSX. I’ll use it again for Leopard and plains game in Namibia in a few weeks. This time loaded with 200 grn Nosler Partitions.

200Gr Nosler Partitions ?

Smart man !

 

[MRBlack]

Well for some of the smaller game, this isn't a bad choice, Impala for example. I took one with my .300 RUM using 180gr Nosler Partition, definitely way too much gun.

I’ve done the exact same thing. Quite an interesting experience lol

 

[coreydb]

I just don't have just one caliber..... shotgun, .223, .25/06, .308, ,300 win mag, .30/378 Weatherby, .375H&H, I've been verrry successful collecting trophies on the plains from the smallest nocturnal to DG. I ain't done experimenting either!

 

[dchamp]

While the .300wm is probably the most popular, practical get the job done caliber, it is not my favorite. I much prefer the non magnum calibers for PG 300yds and closer. I also prefer to hunt in areas where shots will be under 200 yds +/-. I think most of the non magnum calibers 7mm to 9.3mm would do just fine for shots 200-300yds and less.

My favorite is the 8X57. If I need to reach out aways or want to use a heavy bullet like say 8mm 250gr then I would use my 8x68s or 8mm Rem Mag. I think there is no best, only favorites.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

.243 - BARNES TTSX
7MM REM MAG - BARNES TSX
.300 RUM - BARNES LRX
.375 H&H - BARNES TSX

 

[BB416]

I like 30 cal best as well, my preference is a .300 H&H spitting 200 g A frames.

 

[FlyGuy]

If I was forced at gunpoint to only use one rifle for PG, it would be the 300H&H with either a 200gr Swift AF, or a 168gr TSX.

 

[Safari Dave]

.243

I'd rather go with a .222 Remington!

 

[Safari Dave]

Honestly:


1 .300 Weatherby Mag
2. .300 Win Mag
3. .30/06

 

[WyoBull]

If I were buying a rifle today for PG and North American big game, a 300 Win Mag would probably be my choice.
However, I have been shooting a 7RUM for years and because I have so many components for it I cannot see myself changing at this point in my life. I am also an exclusive Barnes user in all of my big game rifles.
When in Africa hunting PG, I loaded one sixty grain TSX and it hammer everything from Sable, Kudu and Gemsbok on down.
My favorite bullet for it though is the Barnes one forty five grain LRX. It will flat reach out and touch them.

 

[TSIBINDI]

...It appears as though I strike out on both counts. I'm not a fan of the .300WM, and I dislike Barnes bullets.

And, yes, I've used both. I had a Belgium Browning Safari Grade .300WM. Beautiful rifle, and accurate. I killed mule deer, elk and black bear using this rifle. Why am I not a fan? I'm not a "scout sniper" and don't shoot beyond 300yds. Mostly, about half that distance. I can accomplish killing plains game with either a .30-06 or a .308 using 180gr Nosler Partitions, or Swift A-Frames. Whatever advantage the .300WM may have, read velocity, I have no need.

I've used Barnes Bullets on two occasions. first: I killed a Zambian lion with my .416 Taylor using old style Barnes 400gr SP bullet. Second: I was the camp manager and received a call from the Gokwe council they were needing three zebra for a weekend "party." I didn't want to use my .458WM on zebra, so I took the camp m-70 .375H&H and picked up some client left-over ammo which happened to be Barnes.
I drove to Johanna Block and shot three Zebra using the aforementioned equipment. Did the Barnes bullets fail? Of course not. Accurate shooting any of today's bullets would have achieved the same success.

My dislike for Barnes. (Actually has nothing to do with their bullets, per se.)

I was working the booth for a Zimbabwe safari operator at the SCI convention in Reno. Before the doors opened to the public, the operator asked me to check with the Barnes booth for .470 bullets. I located the Barnes setup, and there was one individual behind the tables. I waited until this individual seemed not busy, and I asked about the bullets. My greeting, and question was ignored, and I thought perhaps I wasn't heard. I posed the question again, a bit louder. And without as so much as a "Good morning, how are you?" The response was "What you see is what you get." And turned around and walked off. That my friends, was none other than Coni Brooks of Barnes Bullets. IMO, what a bitch.

If I were to up caliber, I would probably go with the 9.3x62. A bit much for plains game, and a bit meager for dangerous game. But just enough either way.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

I have a .300 Win Mag. I really miss the Remington Safari grade ammunition that had the 200 grain Swift A-Frame.

Federal used to load a 200 grain Nosler Partition.

I have shot about 30-40 big game animals very well with these two loads. Then the factories quit loading them....I don't know why they do that to us.....drives me crazy.

To me the great advantage of a .300 Win Mag is the ability to shoot a 200 grain bullet at the same speed and trajectory as a .30-06 with 180 grain bullets at ranges to and beyond 300 yards.

That said, I'd gladly go to Africa hunting plains game with a .30-06 and 180 grain premium bullets. Also a .308, 270 or something similar.

I have a .300 WM but I think a .35 Whelen or .358 Winchester would be absolute poison in the Limpopo bush where I have hunted. I like heavy bullets and exit holes that are much larger than the entry hole. EG: 200 grain Swift A-frames and Nosler Partitions.

I tried Winchester Fail Safes on elk and found that they didn't do well at close range (under 100 yards) they acted more like a solid, I think the petals broke off too soon due to the close range and high velocity. I killed the elk, but the bullet wounds were perfect .308 solids end to end.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

...It appears as though I strike out on both counts. I'm not a fan of the .300WM, and I dislike Barnes bullets.

And, yes, I've used both. I had a Belgium Browning Safari Grade .300WM. Beautiful rifle, and accurate. I killed mule deer, elk and black bear using this rifle. Why am I not a fan? I'm not a "scout sniper" and don't shoot beyond 300yds. Mostly, about half that distance. I can accomplish killing plains game with either a .30-06 or a .308 using 180gr Nosler Partitions, or Swift A-Frames. Whatever advantage the .300WM may have, read velocity, I have no need.

I've used Barnes Bullets on two occasions. first: I killed a Zambian lion with my .416 Taylor using old style Barnes 400gr SP bullet. Second: I was the camp manager and received a call from the Gokwe council they were needing three zebra for a weekend "party." I didn't want to use my .458WM on zebra, so I took the camp m-70 .375H&H and picked up some client left-over ammo which happened to be Barnes.
I drove to Johanna Block and shot three Zebra using the aforementioned equipment. Did the Barnes bullets fail? Of course not. Accurate shooting any of today's bullets would have achieved the same success.

My dislike for Barnes. (Actually has nothing to do with their bullets, per se.)

I was working the booth for a Zimbabwe safari operator at the SCI convention in Reno. Before the doors opened to the public, the operator asked me to check with the Barnes booth for .470 bullets. I located the Barnes setup, and there was one individual behind the tables. I waited until this individual seemed not busy, and I asked about the bullets. My greeting, and question was ignored, and I thought perhaps I wasn't heard. I posed the question again, a bit louder. And without as so much as a "Good morning, how are you?" The response was "What you see is what you get." And turned around and walked off. That my friends, was none other than Coni Brooks of Barnes Bullets. IMO, what a bitch.

If I were to up caliber, I would probably go with the 9.3x62. A bit much for plains game, and a bit meager for dangerous game. But just enough either way.

Thats a good report to hear. Manufacturers need to treat their customers with respect, especially when the customer has more experience with their product than they do themselves. EG:
Coni as mentioned above.

 

[CBH Australia]

My only African hunt was completed with a hired 7mmRm and I took 10 for 10 one shot kills.

Being a gun enthusiast I had conversations with the freelance PH guiding me who owns a .300wm as a hire rifle.

I own a .300wm and don’t use it enough but I think it is a versatile cartridge and has many good points and proven history.

The first experienced African hunter I met had something like 52 trophies from 26 trips. His choice was a .270win and a .338wm.

I’m sure there are many suitable “Best all round” calibres and cartridges. It’s like opening a can of worms with subjects like this but it makes for good conversation.

I have never owned a .30-06 but it’s probably a bit better option to apply to this scenario but plenty have been successful with the .308

 

[Choupique]

When I finally go, I'm bringing a .338 win mag for everything that it's legal for.