S.A. Plains Game gun.....

Waterfowler

Waterfowler

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Looking for some thoughts.....South Africa plains game, no dangerous game.

What gun to buy/take....
Looking at a few options.....

The gun will be scoped but I am thinking I want the option of decent open sights on it as well possibly.

Weatherby Vanguard in 338 WM (no open sights)

Ruger Hawkeye in 375 Ruger....( good open sights)

Sako 300WSM (no open sights)

Win M70 Alaskan 338 WM (open sights)

Sauer 202 in 9.62 (open sights)

Thoughts, advice....
 
I'd say a 308, 30-06, 300WM and 338WM are all great options. I'd look for a bolt action rifle that was not too heavy and not worry about open sights. I'd put a 2.5-10 scope on it. Of the ones listed, the Sako would be my first choice although I'd be tempted to look at a more common chambering in case ammo goes astray on the flight over..
 
You don't need a 338 for plains game a 300 is perfect and ammo is available every where in SA. Very little plains game hunting will be up close or in the thick so sights are just an annoying add on. I always take a spare scope all set up in identical rings and sighted in, in case of an accident and my scope gets damaged.
Bolt action for sure and practice right out to 400 mtrs if you can. Most places in SA get hunted up to 200 days a year and the game gets quite spooky, long range capability can really up your odds on good trophies. I personally use a 300 Wby in a 700 Rem stainless with a 3-9 Zeiss Diavari and 200 gn Parts or lately Accubonds. I've taken everything from 20 lb Suni to 2000 lb Eland with it and not found myself ever needing more. I personally like the extra reach and power of the 300s over the 308 or '06 but both are still a fine choice, if you're a little recoil shy, and have worked for many years on these hunts. Most PHs I know who carry a rifle on these hunts will likely be using either a 308 or '06, so what does that tell ya.
 
Plain Jane 30-06 will do you just fine. Personally the CZ full stock would be a classy, handy rifle to have along, has irons but you can also add the NECG peep sight easily, plus you can have your scope mounted in QD rings. Ammo won't be a problem sourcing either. You're in Ontario and if you're nice the importer will let you hand pick a stock if you're willing to make the drive.
 
Thanks guys for the help so far. Exactly what I was looking for. But please continue. Lol

I am really leanin towards a 300 WM or WSM as it will get carried for moose here as well.

As far as SA and plains game anymore thoughts with regards to 300 wsm versus 300 wm ??
 
I prefer the Win Mag and that is what I used for my first hunt over there some 25 years ago now. The only shortfall to the WSM may be ammo availability over there, if yours don't arrive. The other issue with the WSM is a lot of rifles only hold 2 under, where as the 300 WM all hold at least 3 and some 4 under. And before anybody says "that is a moot point if the first shot is good" let me tell you about wildebeast and Kudu and several other seemingly bulletproof animals I've encountered over there. The rule over in Africa (even on plainsgame) is to keep hitting it till it's on the ground, period. So yes, magazine capacity can be an issue. My wildebeast took 5 200 gn A-frames at under 200 mtrs with the 5th shot catching spine. The first shot was right on the point of the shoulder quartering to me, smashed the shoulder and bullet and secondary projectiles destroyed the heart/lung area. Was he dead......absolutely......was he down......not by a stretch and a dead animal can cover a lot of ground in a hurry. Magazine capacity matters, trust me.
 
I'm not one to typically worry about ammo availability but for an African hunt it's a consideration.....if you are buying a new rifle I'd go 300WM for that reason alone.
 
I really don't have anything that will do it. Pumps and levers and 270 bolts. Like I said, I need a moose gun anyways.

I did see a nice Sauer 202 in 9.62 today and thought of you though!!!!!!!!!
 
A few things to consider in Africa:

Vitals are in a way different spot than North American game and it's easy to make a marginal shot in the heat of the moment
You pay a trophy fee even if you just wound an animal
Some plains game can weigh as much as 1800 pounds or more and many are the size of an elk
African animals are tough and can soak up a lot of marginal shots
Big holes are good
Big wound channels are good
Big temporary would channels are good
Lots of plains game is killed with a 243, 270, 7mm and what have you but also remember that losing an animal costs the same as dropping one on the spot and that can run into thousands of dollars in some instances
Did I mention big holes are good?
 
When I bought my Ruger No. 1 in .300 H&H a factor in the purchase was that IMO it would be an ideal plains game rifle. Cartridge can reach out there a bit, but is not overkill (200 grain accubond at 2900 fps). Rifle is accurate, carries well and has functional enough iron sights to work as a backup if the scope went south, but the rear sight is small enough and folds down so it doesn't get in the way. It's also classy enough for a trip to Africa if you care for that sort of thing. It would be tough to convince me there is anything better out there for a plains game only Africa trip.
 
Most overseas hunters end up overgunning themselves for plains game. The locals do just great with .30-06's.

As far as ammo goes, if you get separated from your ammo, The Powder Keg or Kalahari Arms in Roodepoort, Joburg will be able to sort you out with all but the most arcane calibers. Last time I was in The Powder Keg they even had .300 Savage ammo!

9.3x62 and .300WinMag is loaded locally by PMP, and will be available in the bundu, should you run out, along with the usual standard calibres.
 
You could do very well with a .30-06 with 165 grain Barnes bullets. Are you only hunting plains game? The old school approach (O'Connor era) was to bring 3 - a light, mid-bore, and big bore (over .40).

Good problem to have!
 
sheephunter said:
A few things to consider in Africa:

Vitals are in a way different spot than North American game and it's easy to make a marginal shot in the heat of the moment
You pay a trophy fee even if you just wound an animal
Some plains game can weigh as much as 1800 pounds or more and many are the size of an elk
African animals are tough and can soak up a lot of marginal shots
Big holes are good
Big wound channels are good
Big temporary would channels are good
Lots of plains game is killed with a 243, 270, 7mm and what have you but also remember that losing an animal costs the same as dropping one on the spot and that can run into thousands of dollars in some instances
Did I mention big holes are good?
Click to expand...

Good as advice as it gets.
 
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