Best calibre for Giraffe

[KuduKiller]

I personally took mine with a .375 Ruger. I took a neck shot and he went down like a ton of rocks!

 

[Inline6]

have culled a few - everything from 300 win (neck shot) 30-06 (neck) chest (8mm rem mag solids ) 375 (chest solid ) 416 (SP Chest) they have such high blood pressure - make a decent wound - they die - however on the 300 win tried a chest shot facing when it was dead and on the ground - did not pass they the skin !

What bullet were you using that did not pass the skin?

 

[Houston Bill]

I shot my giraffe with my 470 NE Double because that is the rifle I had on that safari. I was on an elephant hunt and only had my double.

I think Robertson recommends 375 H&H for body shots with solids or very tough penetrating bullet. You can use 7MM or 300 cal for head or neck shots, again with very tough, penetrating bullet.

The giraffe hide is quite thick. Beautiful animals and great trophy IMO.

 

[Inline6]

On our last hunt we killed 3.

1st was by my wife shooting a 375H&H, 300gr TSX bullet. It was a broad side should shot. The bullet did not open up. It did fall to the one shot.

2nd was my 11 year old son, he was shooting a 6.5CM with 129SST. That one dropped the quickest. Again shoulder shot, when it was being cleaned. We tried to recover the bullet. It went through the shoulder, the first lung, the top of the heart, the second lung, and did not make it to the offside ribs.

3rd was my middle son shooting a 375Ruger. He shot 4 times, his thought was if it was standing he was shooting. Also broad side shots, once the bull started moving away, he put one or two quartering away shots in it.

 

[K-man]

Thanks! All great suggestions…. Keep them coming……
The “iron” that I’m packing on this trip will be a 458 Lott with 420g CEB Raptors/450g Safari solids and my .375 H&H with the 300g TSX. Both are scoped 1 or 1.5 up to 6x. I’m sure either rifle will do the job just fine if the situation arises. It is reassuring to see that I’m not alone in taking a rifle of “reassuring” dimensions!!

Given your choice of great calibers to take along, I would use whatever is in your hand at the time. My choice would be the .375 with the Barnes. Best to put it EXACTLY where it needs to be and watch the fun begin. A giraffe losing his blood pressure and wobbling down is a bit comical. (I know that's not politically correct)