Preferred bullets for RSA Plains Game

[Justin D.]

Ladies & gents, I have a question I'm sure that's been asked but wasn't able to really find anything with my searches. My wife and I are headed on our first trip to RSA in August 2025 for waterfowl and some PG. We're wanting to harvest Eland, Kudu, Sable, Nyala, Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest, and Impala. My wife is shooting a 30-06 and I'm taking with a .300 WM (both 180 gr.) and a .375 H&H (300 gr.) The 30-06 and .300 WM will be used for everything except for the Eland, that's the .375.

My question is about the actual bullets and their effectiveness. I still have to pattern them to see what the rifles like the best but I've got Barnes TSX, TTSX and Swift A-Frames. I'm also considering the Swift Sciroccos. In your experiences, what bullets do you prefer and why over the others mentioned? I'm looking at kinetic energy transferred, bullet weight retention, bullet expansion, pass through versus staying inside to continue to do damage, etc. I've talked with the PH and he said that any of them will work.

Any insight and personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mdwest]

I shoot ttsx and tsx exclusively in Africa.. PG and DG...

have taken everything from springbok to buff with them... they work...

 

[Rem700stw]

I have never shot a Hartebeest but I have killed everything on your list with Barnes TSX. Jackal and Springbok to Cape Buffalo, I have used TSX with complete satisfaction.

 

[SStomcat]

For your listed animals all of them will work well, shot placement is key. A 200 grain bullet from 300 WM is pretty powerful

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

If you can get them, just shoot everything with a Swift A-Frame.

 

[jimbo1972]

I used federal terminal ascent on my July Safari to the Eastern Cape. Outstanding results. I shot 15 animals from 30 to 430 yards and weights from under 15 lb Fox to well over 600lb Waterbuck. Here’s my video of that hunt. I used 300 win mag on everything except a cull Impala and used 7mm REM Mag with Terminal Ascent

 

[375Fox]

All 3 are great choices. I prefer the swift A frames though because they just always perform as expected when Ive used in 300 H&H and 375 H&H. I do not find them to be an extremely accurate bullet though but good hunting accuracy. I like Barnes TSX and TTSX because they shoot very accurate in my rifles but I’ve had a couple of irregular incidents with them I just can’t explain so I prefer a tough bonded bullet now given the option. If I couldn’t get swift A frame, I think my next choice would be north fork based on reputation and looking at bullet design. Federal’s terminal assent I think would be an excellent choice too. I’ve had very good success with Accubond, but they are a little softer than I’d like. In Namibia this year from 200 gr Accubonds in 300 Win recovered bullets were about 60% weight, but very impressive performance and impacts on game.
I’ve taken 8 eland bulls. I think the 375 H&H is better than the 300 win for them, but in this case I’d leave the 375 H&H home. The 300 win with the bullets you’re looking at is more than suitable. Hauling over a 3rd rifle just for an eland isn’t necessary and depending on the situation you might use your 300 win anyway.

 

[ftrovato]

My 2 cents, leave one of the 30 calibers home. I would use the 375 for everything (assuming you're proficient with it) and let your wife shoot what she is most comfortable with. No need to bring 2 30 calibers. Any of the bullets will work. In my experience, I prefer the A-Frames.

 

[375Fox]

Something else to consider with the Barnes bullets. My rifles aren’t that picky with lead core bullets, however they are very picky with Barnes. I find lighter and faster shoots much better. The accuracy difference between 150 gr and 180 gr Barnes in my 300 win is really significant.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

While I haven’t used either of these, both North Fork and Rhino Bullets get rave reviews and are more readily available.

 

[Firebird]

You are overthinking this-all of them will do just fine. Shoot what is most accurate AND most comfortable for the person behind the rifles. I agree, no need to take three rifles. If it were me, .30-06 and 375 and no worries

 

[RR 314]

As stated, bullet effectiveness will be difficult to distinguish. The cost/hassle factor of bringing three rifles vs. two is negligible (as is the difference between ‘06 and .300 WM). I’m in the camp of bringing both, especially if you and your wife have significantly different LOPs on the respective .30s.

 

[Justin D.]

As stated, bullet effectiveness will be difficult to distinguish. The cost/hassle factor of bringing three rifles vs. two is negligible (as is the difference between ‘06 and .300 WM). I’m in the camp of bringing both, especially if you and your wife have significantly different LOPs on the respective .30s.

That's the exact reason for the 2 different .30s. She's a much shorter LOP than me. I shoot a "normal" sized out of the box LOP rifle (13.5-14" 'ish). We bought her a Savage 110 High Country 30-06 and needed to drop the stock down to the shortest LOP shim they had to essentially make it a youth model size.

 

[Field28]

You are overthinking this-all of them will do just fine. Shoot what is most accurate AND most comfortable for the person behind the rifles. I agree, no need to take three rifles. If it were me, .30-06 and 375 and no worries

Truth...
All three bullet choices will do the job, I'm partial to Nosler Partitions. At the end of the day, it's all about shot placement, and practice.

 

[Erny]

Of the three you mentioned have used swift A frames with great success. My personal favorite however is a Nosler partition.

 

[375Fox]

While I haven’t used either of these, both North Fork and Rhino Bullets get rave reviews and are more readily available.

Have you ever seen rhino bullets in the US?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Swift A Frames will serve you well for everything. If you can't get ahold of them, then Barnes TSX will fulfil your needs just as adequately.

Personally speaking, my greatest success against African plains game when employing the .30-06 Springfield has always been with the Remington Core Lokt 220Gr factory load. Definitely not the most modern bullet choice. But one that continues to serve me extremely well ever since my first African Safari in Kenya in 1974.

When employing my 7x57mm Mauser, my most successful results against African plains game has always been with the (now unfortunately discontinued) Winchester Super X 175Gr factory load. Nowadays, I employ the Prvi Partizan 173Gr round nosed soft point factory load. Nothing fancy, but they drop game efficiently.

That said... Swift A Frames are a bonded premium grade bullet. If you can get ahold of them, they are definitely worth the money. Especially considering that you are paying top Dollar for an African Safari and the bullet is the only component of said Safari which actually ends up touching the game.