7mm and africa

There is an idea that African game is tougher and more tenacious than its North American counterparts. For the most part I think thats a lot of bunk, but there are exceptions, and those exceptions would be the African buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest. Historically the 220 gr loading of the .30/06 has had an excellent reputation on all African plains game.

Still, the .375 shines as the best choice for the one gun hunter, but any cartridge that drives a bullet of similar weight at a similar velocity is arguably equally effective, at least with expanding bullets. When solids are used the bullet's frontal area becomes more important, thus the .375 would have an edge on a .338, and the .458 would have an edge on the .375, and so it goes for the .500's, .577's, .600's and .700's.

The original question had to do with the 7mm magnum for plains game. With a bonded or mono-metal bullet the 160 gr will work as well as it does here on elk or moose. If a non-bonded lead core bullet was to be used, I would suggest the heaviest bullet available as the proper choice. Typically ranges seldom exceed 150 yards, yet as with most things there are exceptions. I am currently reading a book on African hunting by Stewart Edward White who went on extended Safaris in the early part of the 20th Century, one lasted for 22 months. He recalls making shots in the quarter mile range, however having to supply meat for a crew of 40 men in primitive conditions would have required what today would be considered low percentage shots for the man on foot with an iron sighted rifle.
 
asusual said:
And what exactly would the N.A. counterpart to a 2200 lb eland?
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Eland Maximum weight 2,200
Maximum walrus weight 4,500
Maximum plains bison weight 2,200
Maximum wood bison weight 2,000
Maximum Alaskan/Yukon moose weight 1,800

Seems to me there are several in the same league.................
 
asusual said:
If someones afraid of a gun suitable for a certain game then get em to hunt a game suitable to their gun fear level. Maybe squirels should be on the menu. That would "compensate"
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Define suitable.....perhaps start with whitetails and work up. I know a couple 12 year olds that are planning on hunting moose this year but maybe I should tell them they aren't suitable:rolleyes::rolleyes:

If ya can't shoot a .416 ya shouldn't be in the field. Your initials aren't BT are they?

Tell me oh magnum worshiper, what part of the big magnum is it that kills so much more effectively.....I'm guessing this should be good!
 
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sheephunter said:
Define suitable.....perhaps start with whitetails and work up. I know a couple 12 year olds that are planning on hunting moose this year but maybe I should tell them they aren't suitable:rolleyes::rolleyes:

If ya can't shoot a .416 ya shouldn't be in the field. Your initials aren't BT are they?

Tell me oh magnum worshiper, what part of the big magnum is it that kills so much more effectively.....I'm guessing this should be good!
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Do what ya want smiley. You will anyway. Hey could I ask one thing? An HONEST report on how it went when you come back. Doesnt have to be called a magnum. Just has to be enough gun, and your under punched with your choices. You got that dense head convinced their fine, so fine they are. All the best. And yes I do believe that folk who cant stand behind enough gun to be garaunteed successful shouldnt be hunting said animal. 22 center fires have knocked down plenty of white tail yet I've cut into plenty white tail skinning for my taxidermist and found festered slugs of said cal. At one time that anus was probably sitting at a puter convincing himself and the world that it was just the greatest choice. I'm done with ya. But remember, if ya cant be honest first, atleast be honest after hey:rolleyes:

You may have noticed Martin gave it to you straight, you stuck your head up your arse and he aint even responding to you now. and he's got patience
 
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asusual said:
Do what ya want smiley. You will anyway. Hey could I ask one thing? An HONEST report on how it went when you come back. Doesnt have to be called a magnum. Just has to be enough gun, and your under punched with your choices. You got that dense head convinced their fine, so fine they are. All the best. And yes I do believe that folk who cant stand behind enough gun to be garaunteed successful shouldnt be hunting said animal. 22 center fires have knocked down plenty of white tail yet I've cut into plenty white tail skinning for my taxidermist and found festered slugs of said cal. At one time that anus was probably sitting at a puter convincing himself and the world that it was just the greatest choice. I'm done with ya. But remember, if ya cant be honest first, atleast be honest after hey:rolleyes:

You may have noticed Martin gave it to you straight, you stuck your head up your arse and he aint even responding to you now. and he's got patience
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You must think really poorly of Martin....considering you have to keep dragging his name into this discussion and mounting a mock defense for him. Either that or your knowledge is so weak that you are looking for an ally. Actually I think highly of Martin and his answer was well thought out.....I don't remember him comparing manhood to calibre selection so why don't just me and you talk.....k. I find that trying to bring other unwilling participants into a discussion is a tell of the weak. From what I've seen, Martin is more than capable of talking for himself in an intelligent manner so why don't we just leave him out of our little chat....k? It's making you look desperate!

You've failed to answer the one question I asked you so I'll ask it again.

what part of the big magnum is it that kills so much more effectively
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Your little attempt at reductum ad absurdum with the .22 in the whitetail was, well absurd. I never stated that a .22 rimfire was adequate for a whitetail. Adequate to me is a projectile that will consistently offer adequate penetration to be lethal. Are you trying to tell me that a .30-06 shooting a 180 grain mono-metal bullet wouldn't penetrate adequately on an eland at 200 yards?
 
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I didn't hunt eland in 2007, but Neo did.

In his words:
On Day 4, switch to your trusty 30/06 and shoot a 35" eland at 175 yards. Then shoot it again. And again. And again. And again. Make a note to bring either a 338 Win Mag or a 375 H&H for your next eland hunt.
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A picture of Neo's eland can be seen here:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174934

Four 180 grain Hornady Interbonds were recovered from the muscle in front of the Eland's chest (it maintained a "head on" orientation despite their efforts to maneuver into a broadside).
None of those rounds had penetrated into the chest cavity. In short, they failed to go through the 18 inches of meat that protected the front of the eland's boiler room.

Not to detract from anyone's shooting prowess, but the lesson learned is "use enough gun". It's a given that you can shoot it well.

I believe that I may have a picture of the eland carcass in question (on the hook, next to a standing man). If anyone's interested in seeing how big they are, I'll do my best to post it.

P.S. FWIW, as much as I like the 7x57, I expect to be using a .375 H&H with 300 grain " something appropriate" on my next African trip (for the "big stuff").
 
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A story like that makes a good case for mono-metal bullets or a bigger calibre or a broadside shot.
 
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A-zone said:
I didn't hunt eland in 2007, but Neo did.

In his words:
A picture of Neo's eland can be seen here:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174934

Four 180 grain Hornady Interbonds were recovered from the muscle in front of the Eland's chest (it maintained a "head on" orientation despite their efforts to maneuver into a broadside).
None of those rounds had penetrated into the chest cavity. In short, they failed to go through the 18 inches of meat that protected the front of the eland's boiler room.

Not to detract from anyone's shooting prowess, but the lesson learned is "use enough gun". It's a given that you can shoot it well.

I believe that I may have a picture of the eland carcass in question (on the hook, next to a standing man). If anyone's interested in seeing how big they are, I'll do my best to post it.

P.S. FWIW, as much as I like the 7x57, I expect to be using a .375 H&H with 300 grain " something appropriate" on my next African trip (for the "big stuff").
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Oh thats all bull5hit. He dont want answers he dont want. Simple as that statement is
 
asusual said:
Oh thats all bull5hit. He dont want answers he dont want. Simple as that statement is
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There seems to be a lot of wind that comes out of you but very little information other than you're a pussy if you can't shoot a real man's gun. I'm truly interested in what you have to say on this subject but unfortunately, you haven't said anything yet. There's been lots of other constructive comments that you keep clinging to but nothing but hot air out of you so far........
 
Sheep, has the lady done any shooting with a magnum? If it fits OK and is not a super-lite, she may not find it that bad. I would hate to travel all that way and lose an animal...

Connie Barnes shots a .338WM, and she's five foot FA, and I don't think she's broken a shoulder yet...but its a custom fitted gun IIRC...
 
blargon said:
Sheep, has the lady done any shooting with a magnum? If it fits OK and is not a super-lite, she may not find it that bad. I would hate to travel all that way and lose an animal...

Connie Barnes shots a .338WM, and she's five foot FA, and I don't think she's broken a shoulder yet...but its a custom fitted gun IIRC...
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Yes, she shoots my new .338 quite comfortably and may indeed decide to use it but she may shoot her .30-06 as well. She routinely shoot .6-.7" groups with her .30-06. Quite truthfully, after all the research we've done and the hundreds of PHs and African hunters we've spent time with, I have no doubt she can drop an eland just fine, despite the fact that might not make her a real man. I've seen loads of big critters go down with well placed premium bullets. Bullets like the Barnes have changed the rules and a 180 grain Triple Shock from a 30-06 will definitely make it to the vitals from the front, rear or side although I'm sure she'll wait for the idea broadside shot or not take it.

I'm not anti big bore at all and have a .375 and 416 in my safe and shoot them quite comfortably but I don't think it makes me any more of a man nor do I think a poorly placed shot from either of them will be more effective than a well placed one from the .30-06.
 
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