Good plains game caliber

[jjhack]

Very well then carry on!

[bpnclark]

I used my 300 Win. My brother used a 300 Ultra and my father has used my 270 Win (SA) and his 30-06 Improved (Tanz). All did the job. If I was paying to shoot an Eland or Kudu I would not use anything less than a 300 Win. Not that you can’t kill them with a 270, but at their prices, I wouldn’t be taking any chances.

Fortyfive70 – there have been billions of arguments over the 45-70 in Africa. Mostly all the arguments come from 45-70 owners. If you want to use it, go ahead, its your money and time. But the 45-70 is not the greatest thing to have in your hand when big nasty comes…

[fortyfive70]

I own several calibers...all of them would be good plains game rifles.....but none of the calibers listed so far take into account if you turn the corner or round the bend...and come face to face with an upset elephant, or a grumpy ol' dagga boy....

a 45-70 properly loaded will exceed min velocity for a DG gun....

a 45-70 properly loaded is up to par with the old british rounds used.

a 45-70 also makes a good plains game caliber...since shot placement on african plains game is on the shoulder...i believe that is where the vitals are tucked behind.

I didn't say it was the best DG gun or the best Plains game gun...but it is my best for both...I use it for pig hunting in Alabama......i loaned it to my father to take to Canada for a bear hunt, and it rolled that boo-boo.

If my '06 or winny could make a complete pass through length wise on a cape buffalo then I would take that, but they can't...my 45-70 can.

I guess it goes back to my old boy scout days..

[jjhack]

Complete pass through Length wise on a cape buffalo? Exceeds minimum for DG? Great info Please continue on with this entertaining thread.

[fortyfive70]

I have also found your articles entertaining too....only reason why i come to this forum once a year is to read your articles in July when you get back..

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/reviews for the 45-70
http://bigfivehq.com/mincaliber.htm

Vince Lupo's african hunt's found also on garretts website is a cool read...was for me....

this is also a good read about a rsa ph who uses leverguns for african DG

Tracks Across Africa --- and Lever Gun - 24hourcampfire

[bpnclark]

Fortyfive70 – if the 45-70 is so great, why is there a constant argument about it. Your 24hourcampfire thread is 14 pages! And even the PH (you pointed out) said –

I feel the bolt rifles with .40 caliber and up are a better tool for the job. I would not use the leverguns unless my client had a great deal of competency and a large, more than adequate cartridge for the job.

Why would your PH say this if the 45-70 is so great?

[JBoutfishn]

Got to love these threads. The caliber used for plains game in the Selous is completely different than the caliber used for plains game in South Africa. Reason is simple. You want to be armed for most nasty critter in the area you are hunting. In the Selous a plains game rifle should be something in the class of a 375 or 416. In South Africa any rifle suitable for elk is more than adequate.

My personal preference for plains game when I am considered part of the food chain is my 416 Rem Mag. I use 350 grain Swift A Frames. It worked very well on a nasty buffalo.

In South Africa all plains game up to Eland fell to a single shot from my 300 Win Mag using 180 grain Swift A Frames. The Eland took a second shot only because of poor shooting on my part.

[Rick]

In Limpopo, my comrades used a .35 Whelen, a .338-06 and a .325 WSM. All worked well on everything from impala to wildebeest and zebra. No worries about big dangerous game there.