Oh so confusing...is the 30-06 enough?

[mdwest]

My wife dropped her wildebeest as well as several other large PG (kudu, gemsbok, zebra, etc) with a 308 shooting 168gr TTSX. 30-06 shooting 165gr projectiles is more than enough to get the job done.

Just use a good bullet, and put the bullet where it belongs, and you’ll be fine..

 

[IA Monsterbuck]

As a Bowhunter I always find it interesting when someone asks if a large caliber rifle is large enough to kill a particular species.

 

[David Johnston]

30-06 180g fine for me shot Black and Blue Wildebeest, Mountain and Burchalls zebra, Waterbuck, Red Hartebeest, distances 50-200m ....shot placement more important.

 

[CAustin]

Your 30-06 will be fine. Now that 375 will do everything the 06 will do! Enjoy your hunt.

 

[wesheltonj]

Yes.

 

[Hogpatrol]

As a Bowhunter I always find it interesting when someone asks if a large caliber rifle is large enough to kill a particular species.

Amen

 

[Timbo]

As

Reading all the various posts on AH in regards to plains game and wildebeest.

Is the 30-06 loaded with 165/168 grain solids (ttsx, tsx, etc.) sufficient for dropping wildebeest?

After hunting RSA in 2017, my 06 was well accepted by all the land owners and other hunters I met.

I'm now thinking of taking 2 rifles. A .375 or .416 for wildebeest and my 06 for other PG.

All suggestions and options will be greatly appreciated.

Another question: Is the 6.8 SPC, 130 grain, PSP bullet on PG (ie blesbuck, impala, springbok, warthog, etc.) sufficient?

I can only give you my experience, but my .30/06 loaded with Woodleigh 180gr PSPs is deadly. In my experience 180-200gr projectiles are great in the .30/06 for Africa. My kids and I have taken kudu, wildebeeste, bushbuck, warthog, impala etc using the .30/06 with 180gr projectiles without losing a single trophy. Indeed my daughter used my .30/06 with this projectile to roll her water buffalo in NT (see pic: "Girl, gun and game"). We have a hunt booked in July and she will now be after her own wildebeeste trophy, using again, this combo.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[David Johnston]

Yes agree used my 375 on my eland .....tbh I will only take my 375 out with me on future visits.

 

[BRICKBURN]

As a Bowhunter I always find it interesting when someone asks if a large caliber rifle is large enough to kill a particular species.

Bow hunters cheat by using minimum 450 grain "bullets" in .750 caliber or larger.

 

[IA Monsterbuck]

Bow hunters cheat by using minimum 450 grain "bullets" in .750 caliber.

I just wish I could get my "bullet" traveling faster than 300 fps.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I just wish I could get my "bullet" traveling faster than 300 fps.

Details, details.

 

[Royal27]

Heavier bullets are preferred for larger game i.e. 200 or 220 Gr but 180 Gr. bullets have been used as well.

And with a 180 gr TTSX you're equivalent to an old cup and core 200 gr I'd argue.

 

[Ryan]

The '06 is a very versatile caliber. Heavier bullets are preferred for larger game i.e. 200 or 220 Gr but 180 Gr. bullets have been used as well. The smaller bullets i.e. 168 Gr and 165 Gr. will also take the larger animals but shot placement is more critical. If Wildebeest is the largest and toughest animal on your list you only need to take one rifle. However if it were me I'd opt for something heavier than the bullets you are contemplating. I used a 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser for Impala sized animals on my hunt in 2016. It was more than adequate.

A 165/168 monometal bullet is equivalent to a 180 or possibly 200 grain jacketted bullet. I hit my zebra in the front leg while it was quartering to me and dropped it there. It broke the leg and went through the animal diagonally, lodging under the skin on the far side. It opened perfectly and retained all it's weight.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

If a 168g TTSX in 30-06 isn't adequate for plains game, the problem isn't the cartridge and it isn't the bullet and switching to something bigger won't fix the problem.

 

[twilly24]

Stop worring about it. 30-06 180g A-frame. I never needed a second round on any animal I shot at. Including my wildebeest.

I did need 4 rounds with a 375 for my buffalo at 12 yards but that's another story.

 

[flat8]

Took kudu, gemsbok, blue and black wildebeest with 180 grain ‘06.

 

[flat8]

Bow hunters cheat by using minimum 450 grain "bullets" in .750 caliber or larger.

 

[JMM]

I shot 51 blue wildebeest last summer with the '06 and 180 grain bullets. All of the Sciroccos and A-frames exited. All of the Partitions exited except one that was a full on frontal shot. It did penetrate 5' of wildebeest though. Killed some with Sierra Pro Hunters, Speer Hot Cores and Woodleighs also. Bullet placement is the key. The '06 is plenty of gun.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I appreciate all the replies and thank you all for your comments.
Having read all the threads here. I will make my 30.06 with 168 grain ttsx's the recipe for this years hunt in RSA and post my hunt report when I return in June.

 

[Nyati]

30.06 is enough gun for wildebeest, I have also taken a few animals with a .25-06, .243 and a .22-250, it´s all about shot placement.