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)

 

[Tra3]

I’ve shot giraffe with a .375, 9.3x62 and 7 rem mag. I’ve also been present when a .270 win was used.
If you are hunting a wild area, they won’t let you get close to them and their height makes it very difficult to hide when stalking them.
They are the biggest plains game. A big bull is significantly larger than an eland. If you are hunting for community meat, they provide a tremendous amount of protein and employ a variety of people to process them. Their skin alone is something to behold due to its thickness and immense weight.
The hide is fantastic for making stuff with. After covering an antique day bed with giraffe hide I had enough remaining to make a closet rug, two bags and two scope cases.

With a total of 7 giraffe taken, neck shots work great, but you have to be patient. I’d follow the common suggestion of using a .375 or bigger. I’ve mostly used body shots as there is a bigger margin for error.
I don’t think the .375 with barnes bullets exits a big giraffe, at least not that I recall. They are definitely wider than a buffalo

 

[Frederik]

My only giraffe thus far 500gr from the 458 Lott SBC bullet. For giraafe experience I have been around a few that were hunted by friends and clients.
I would recommend learning vitals especially on body shots and using a premium bullet of a calibre of .30 and above and bullet weight of 200gr and up.

 

[Rockwall205]

I used a 470 in Zimbabwe wanted to get close and as mentioned hard to get close in free range areas.
I did a shoulder mount to give friends and family an idea of just how large they are . It also makes a nice center piece on that African wall. I didn’t have room for a full body but a shoulder mount hung at a height which gives you a pretty good perspective of how tall it would be if it had the rest of its body and legs .

 

[Triathlete3]

I also shot a very old bull with a 470NE from 50-75 yards and it swallowed two shots with ease. 375h&h + is highly recommended.

 

[BryceM]

.375 H&H with A-Frames did it for me.

Study the anatomy a bit. Your average deer hunter will peg them square in the guts. The vitas are VERY far forward. They are also enormous. Mine went maybe 30 yards, got wobbly, and fell down for a long time. Sort of like watching a bit tree get cut down. The skin is incredibly thick.

 

[SRvet]

.375 H&H with A-Frames did it for me.

Study the anatomy a bit. Your average deer hunter will peg them square in the guts. The vitas are VERY far forward. They are also enormous. Mine went maybe 30 yards, got wobbly, and fell down for a long time. Sort of like watching a bit tree get cut down. The skin is incredibly thick.

View attachment 669675

Good advice, I have been studying “The Perfect Shot” and noted exactly that!

 

[Houston Bill]

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.

View attachment 669642

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.

Wow, incredible penetration with the Hornady SST bullet! I am sure Hornady would love to hear that story.

 

[Houston Bill]

I used a 470 in Zimbabwe wanted to get close and as mentioned hard to get close in free range areas.
I did a shoulder mount to give friends and family an idea of just how large they are . It also makes a nice center piece on that African wall. I didn’t have room for a full body but a shoulder mount hung at a height which gives you a pretty good perspective of how tall it would be if it had the rest of its body and legs .View attachment 669666

Now that is a trophy room! Great mount on your giraffe!

 

[IvW]

9.3 or 375
In particular a 9.3x74R O/U double would be perfect...

 

[Tom Leoni]

Every time I see a question like this (very valid, BTW), I'd always like to amend it as follows:

"What would be the best caliber for [insert 250+ lb African animal] if the .375/9.3 class cartridges didn't exist?"

 

[IvW]

250 lbs is a loooong way off giraffe.....but if you have to 333 Jeff or 404 Jeff......

 

[Rockwall205]

Now that is a trophy room! Great mount on your giraffe!

Thanks ! We added on to the house so were able to design it specifically for our critters. Plus it gave me the best excuse/reason to go hunting and fill it up !

 

[Rockwall205]

Every time I see a question like this (very valid, BTW), I'd always like to amend it as follows:

"What would be the best caliber for [insert 250+ lb African animal] if the .375/9.3 class cartridges didn't exist?"

I would say for a gun maker to design a 375/9.3 because there is no better cartridge for all around performance both length of shot and knock down power . Not to mention my wife is recoil sensitive but can handle her 375 . Kinda boring but you just can't shoot everything with a 470 NE although I try!