Best rifle for Namibia?

[Lobster.mike]

Hello all. I'm headed to Namibia in September for some plainsgame but am focusing on eland and giraffe. Any suggestions for best calibers for these species? I don't currently own anything larger than a 30.06 and am perfectly content with that rifles performance. However I'd really like to not only own but also get comfortable with a bigger bore rifle. Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Adrian]

The logical suggestion would be the tried and tested .375H&H.
Perfectly adequate for plains game and also dangerous game should you wish to try in the future.
It's been used in Africa and around the world for decades and it will continue for many more to come for a good reason, it does the job with boring efficiency.
It's a good, all round calibre, easy to get ammunition for, most manufacturers produce a .375 and it's nice to shoot.
Unless you absolutely want a big, big calibre, get a reasonably big one that will do the job on anything.
You can take it to Namibia and shoot anything from Duiker to Eland and everything in between.

https://gundigest.com/more/how-to/375-hh-magnum-king-cartridges

 

[Red Leg]

Impossible to improve upon the .375, and it's trajectory is very similar to your ought six.

 

[thriller]

The one you shoot the best- talk to your ph

 

[BRICKBURN]

..............However I'd really like to not only own but also get comfortable with a bigger bore rifle. ..............

I'll chuck my vote in for the 375H&H being added to your gun cabinet. There will be no concerns taking Giraffe and Eland with it.

 

[Lobster.mike]

I believe you are correct. The .375 is a great caliber and would make a fine all- round rifle for Africa. I used one provided by my ph years ago in Botswana and found it to be not only very capable but also surprisingly pleasant to shoot. Interestingly enough it was manufactured about 35 miles from my home in CT!
However since then I've had the opportunity to shoot another at the range and found the recoil to be quite unpleasant. The one provided by my ph was quite heavy and I'm sure that was the difference.

 

[Areaonereal]

Shot my eland last year with an 06 and a 200:grr Nosler Partition, heart shot 225/yds,go for the 375 h h quell any doubts.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I am a big fan of the 375 H&H as a one gun Safari for Africa! I have taken from duiker using solids to Cape buffalo and eland the largest as well as croc at 90 yards needing it to be very accurate. With all the ammunition options for it, you should be able to find what bullet you need and good accuracy for what ever game you are hunting. If you handload, it’s even better!
Eland and giraffe can be taken with your 30-06. But at the high cost of each trophy, the 375 H&H should add to your confidence of putting them down quickly without the risk of loss. JMO&E
Best of luck in your decision!

 

[Ryan]

On my first trip to Namibia I took a 30-06 for everything but giraffe and a 375 Ruger for the giraffe. The 30-06 dropped everything fast up to zebra and kudu. I didn't take an eland that trip though I would have used it without a doubt. I used a 300 mag borrowed from my PH recently for my eland. The 375 Ruger dropped my giraffe with one shot to the neck as suggested by my PH. Had I known that was his shot of preference and not the heart/lungs I honestly could have used the 30-06 with the same effect.
A 375 of your preferred flavor is a safe bet, but I'd talk with your PH too before making the decision.

 

[Oldschool280]

Was the model you tried made in Connecticut a winchester model 70 375 h&h? Nothing but great things to say about mine! To echo another here, handloading opens up a whole bunch of possibilities with that round. I’m currently on a monlithic bullet kick. Good luck on your hunt, i’ll get there soon myself.

 

[Lobster.mike]

Yes it was! Fine handling rifle.

 

[Longwalker]

Lots of the good things about choosing a .375 H&H has already been posted here. I agree. You might also want to consider a 9.3x62, relatively low recoil, chambered in "normal" size and weight rifles and "punches above its weight" or a .416 Remington or Rigby - everything a .375 H&H is for versatility, and a better choice if you go later for really big / dangerous game, but the downside is noticeably more recoil and heavier weight rifles.

 

[Lobster.mike]

I'd be interested to hear more about the 9.3x62. One of the nice things about the .375 HH is that ammo is easily available

 

[Longwalker]

There are many on this forum with more experience than me with the 9.3x62. But I have one that I have used a bit, it shoots very accurately, kicks less than my .375 rifles do even though the rifle is lighter, kills our local moose and elk very efficiently and it is a standard, common cartridge in Namibia. All European and Scandinavian ammunition manufacturers make ammunition, as do South African PMP and USA manufacturers Hornady and Remington and Federal, perhaps others.

 

[Red Leg]

I'd be interested to hear more about the 9.3x62. One of the nice things about the .375 HH is that ammo is easily available

It too is a great option. It is the caliber of my favorite bear rifle. It would be a favorite caliber for Africa as well, except my .375's are so nearly perfect for that environment. It does almost anything the .375 accomplishes, almost as well. Most game animals would never know the difference. However, it is not technically legal for dangerous game everywhere, which is a consideration if looking to add just one more caliber to the safe. But it would be superb for giraffe and eland.

 

[wesheltonj]

Like everyone else said 375, but I will say 375 H&H. Yes, it’s overkill for most animals, but you will not be under gunned in an emergency. The recoil I found manageable by using a foam recoil pad over the factory recoil pad.

 

[RogerHeintzman]

I'm in for the .375 H&H. Took Buff and Sable with mine.
Of 40+ PG, .300 win. mag. including Eland.
Enjoy your hunt.

 

[Philip Glass]

Hello all. I'm headed to Namibia in September for some plainsgame but am focusing on eland and giraffe. Any suggestions for best calibers for these species? I don't currently own anything larger than a 30.06 and am perfectly content with that rifles performance. However I'd really like to not only own but also get comfortable with a bigger bore rifle. Any suggestions would be appreciated

You would do well to get a .375. Spend time with it and you will never look back. You can shoot virtually everything in Africa with it. Get a .375!
Philip

 

[WAB]

I have both .375 H&H and 9.3x62 rifles. I am about to receive delivery of a new 9.3x62. I know the .375 well and have shot it for years in Alaska and Africa. I am just learning the 9.3 but love what I have seen so far, lighter rifle, less recoil, a 286 gr A-Frame at 2450 vs the .375 with a 300 gr A-Frame at 2500. Having both, if I was heading out after eland I would likely grab the 9.3. Having neither and needing to buy one rifle that could see duty on buff or ele, I might lean toward the .375. You will love whichever one you choose. If, like many of us, you end up with both, you just have to go on a lot of safaris to make sure they both get used!

 

[Eric Anderson]

I would not feel undergunned with my 30-06 unless we are talking the big 5
I am supremely confident in my 30-06 though.

.375 Ruger is an option. Same action length as your 30-06.