.270 for plains game?

[wildfowler.250]

Folks I feel a bit mixed on the above and I’m sure the caliber is fine but I wanted opinions on here.

I’m looking at a SA trip in the next couple of years. Really after plains game and nothing more. Kudu / wildebeest type idea. Who knows, if the kudu are a no show on the last day and an old eland walks out , you take what is given is my understanding.

Now, I believe from speaking to clients and the outfitter that shots aren’t far where I’m looking. 100-200m. 250m I’m okay with and can practice to 300m,(although getting less ‘my thing’ and prefer to be close or try again another day).

I think most of what I’ve read understandably suggest the .30-06 is better. Heavier bullet at those distances gives more leeway.

I assume the .270 is up to the job? I’ve even seen people using 6.5’s..

Will I see a benefit in going to 150 grain over 130 grain? And will I notice a marked trajectory difference?

I’ve got a sako 75 so no new barrel options. Becomes an expensive trip if you’re buying a new rifle.

Particular bullets you’d recommend? I do like the 130 grain accubonds even for uk stuff. Will they be ample or try a 150 grain partition?


Many thanks! Folk will be more experienced than me. I don’t want to go out undergunned and I have weighed up a .30-06 for here anyway but the .270 has done me fine for years so reluctant to change for one week.

 

[Stalker62]

I have used my .308 on PG in Africa and it was fine.

You will (probably) be shooting off sticks so 200 yards (old school) is a long way (for me).

Out against this summer and I am taking the .375.

Honestly.

Use the Camp rifle.

 

[wildfowler.250]

I have used my .308 on PG on Africa and it was fine.

You will (probably) be shooting off sticks so 200 yards (old school) is a long way (for me).

Out against this summer and I am taking the .375.

Honestly.

Use the Camp rifle.

Well that’s one thing I’ve considered as I’ve heard South Africa is hard work to take a rifle to.

But the only time I’ve ever had a near loss on a deer was with a hire rifle. Just hit a little too far back and the follow up was a bit off as well. Got the deer with a follow up shot same field but fairly put me off hiring. When it’s a one off as well I’d prefer something I’m comfortable with but not totally closed off to the hire idea.

 

[Namman]

Folks I feel a bit mixed on the above and I’m sure the caliber is fine but I wanted opinions on here.

I’m looking at a SA trip in the next couple of years. Really after plains game and nothing more. Kudu / wildebeest type idea. Who knows, if the kudu are a no show on the last day and an old eland walks out , you take what is given is my understanding.

Now, I believe from speaking to clients and the outfitter that shots aren’t far where I’m looking. 100-200m. 250m I’m okay with and can practice to 300m,(although getting less ‘my thing’ and prefer to be close or try again another day).

I think most of what I’ve read understandably suggest the .30-06 is better. Heavier bullet at those distances gives more leeway.

I assume the .270 is up to the job? I’ve even seen people using 6.5’s..

Will I see a benefit in going to 150 grain over 130 grain? And will I notice a marked trajectory difference?

I’ve got a sako 75 so no new barrel options. Becomes an expensive trip if you’re buying a new rifle.

Particular bullets you’d recommend? I do like the 130 grain accubonds even for uk stuff. Will they be ample or try a 150 grain partition?


Many thanks! Folk will be more experienced than me. I don’t want to go out undergunned and I have weighed up a .30-06 for here anyway but the .270 has done me fine for years so reluctant to change for one week.

Folks I feel a bit mixed on the above and I’m sure the caliber is fine but I wanted opinions on here.
I’m looking at a SA trip in the next couple of years. Really after plains game and nothing more. Kudu / wildebeest type idea. Who knows, if the kudu are a no show on the last day and an old eland walks out , you take what is given is my understanding.

Now, I believe from speaking to clients and the outfitter that shots aren’t far where I’m looking. 100-200m. 250m I’m okay with and can practice to 300m,(although getting less ‘my thing’ and prefer to be close or try again another day).

I think most of what I’ve read understandably suggest the .30-06 is better. Heavier bullet at those distances gives more leeway.

I assume the .270 is up to the job? I’ve even seen people using 6.5’s..

Will I see a benefit in going to 150 grain over 130 grain? And will I notice a marked trajectory difference?

I’ve got a sako 75 so no new barrel options. Becomes an expensive trip if you’re buying a new rifle.

Particular bullets you’d recommend? I do like the 130 grain accubonds even for uk stuff. Will they be ample or try a 150 grain partition?


Many thanks! Folk will be more experienced than me. I don’t want to go out undergunned and I have weighed up a .30-06 for here anyway but the .270 has done me fine for years so reluctant to change for one week.

You will certainly get opinions on here and maybe a few from people who have actually hunted there !
I.would not be happy using a .270 on eland.
I have seen wildebeest, oryx , kudu all taken with a .270 , as well as the smaller antelope and warthog.
However they were all taken with 150 gr bullets.

 

[Stalker62]

Well that’s one thing I’ve considered as I’ve heard South Africa is hard work to take a rifle to.

Traveling anywhere with a rifle is expensive, bureaucratic, and a...

But the only time I’ve ever had a near loss on a deer was with a hire rifle...

There is nothing in that paragraph which tells me the fault lay with the rifle.

You get the opportunity to 'check zero' before you go out.

If I had my time again, I would never take a rifle abroad.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Traveling anywhere with a rifle is expensive, bureaucratic, and a...
View attachment 353141



There is nothing in that paragraph which tells me the fault lay with the rifle.

You get the opportunity to 'check zero' before you go out.

If I had my time again, I would never take a rifle abroad.

You’re probably right it’s more hassle than it’s worth and it’s good to know these things.

Biggest problem with the ‘check zero’ for me is that I’ve never had anywhere in the last 15 years that’s given you more than 2 shots at a 100 yard target to see if you can hit a dinner plate. I’d want to have shots also at 200,(250, 300 if you’re abroad in case dire need) but most guides tend to want to ‘crack on’.

Interestingly , I’d another problem with the same rifle on another outing. It was a blaser and we just didn’t gel. Not the guides fault, I’ve shot with him for years and usually manage to take my own gun. Took my own .222 out the subsequent outing and no issues. It’s a bit like a hire car, they’re never quite the same!


Anyway, back to the .270, up to the job. 130 vs 150 grains as I’m going off subject a bit!

 

[foxpro]

I shot a lot off plains game with my 270 150g partition
Shot placement is vital on blue vildabeast

Check out jack o Conner he shot every thing inc many elephant with a 270

 

[375win]

Used a 6.5x55mm 127gr RWS KS with great effect on plains game. Worked a treat.
.270 Win will be fine.
As others have said, Eland will require a bigger pill. Always the possibilty of using the outfitters rifle for Eland.
Travelling with firearms is expensive and can be difficult.

 

[VSS]

From the comfort of my armchair I have travelled the World with my mighty 270.
From the scorched plains of Africa, to the forests of Scandinavia and the icy wastes of the far North, it has never let me down!

 

[Dunwaters]

I brought mine to Namibia and used it on whatever was presented, it worked perfectly well.
Biggest was an eland cow, smallest was a jackal. I even got to carry it on a lion hunt, no shooting, but I did carry it, so officially I’m a lion hunter now.
African plains game varies a lot in size, gemsbok and kudu are fairly large, steenbok are tiny, an impala is about the size of fallow. Eland are bloody enormous.
The rule in Africa is that if you draw blood, you pay whether or not the animal is recovered, so be very careful.
I used 150gr Nosler partition ammo I bought in Windhoek, but only got a couple of pass throughs.
A couple of the guides told me that they thought .270 was “ a bit light” for Africa while singing the praises of 7x64, which I thought was a bit strange, but their campfire their rules.
Would I bring it again? Absolutely.
Next time I might use 130 gr copper for the penetration, but if I couldn’t find that, a good tough 140gr would be hard to beat.

 

[Dunwaters]

Check out jack o Conner he shot every thing inc many elephant with a 270

I really don’t think that he did…

 

[Kalahari]

I brought mine to Namibia and used it on whatever was presented, it worked perfectly well.
Biggest was an eland cow, smallest was a jackal. I even got to carry it on a lion hunt, no shooting, but I did carry it, so officially I’m a lion hunter now.
African plains game varies a lot in size, gemsbok and kudu are fairly large, steenbok are tiny, an impala is about the size of fallow. Eland are bloody enormous.
The rule in Africa is that if you draw blood, you pay whether or not the animal is recovered, so be very careful.
I used 150gr Nosler partition ammo I bought in Windhoek, but only got a couple of pass throughs.
A couple of the guides told me that they thought .270 was “ a bit light” for Africa while singing the praises of 7x64, which I thought was a bit strange, but their campfire their rules.
Would I bring it again? Absolutely.
Next time I might use 130 gr copper for the penetration, but if I couldn’t find that, a good tough 140gr would be hard to beat.

The 7 x 64 has a bigger choice of bullets, and I think something like the Norma Oryx in 170 grain has a bit more down range punch than a 150 grain 270. Free/worthless opinion!

Best wishes, David.

 

[old 30-06]

Look at the trip holistically, a little extra money is a small thing. Take your own rifle. There is nothing like having it in your hand when you need the confidence to take the shot (of a lifetime?). It will cost you £250, but what is the cost if that magnificent animal is wounded and gets away ? A 270 will just do the job, but its not made for it. When I took my 30-06 over there they were not over the moon that I (only) had 180 gr bullets, they prefer you to use 220gr. Longer shots are rare as the bush prevents you seeing them, and two sticks bound together with string works fine at normal ranges. A big heavy bullet will go straight through light brush. If you intend to go in a couple of years time, what about a Sako 75 in 30-06 now ?

 

[Dickie]

They are harder beasts than our deer so it’s not just the bullet weight but construction too, the Norma 150 Oryx might be worth considering.
I used 156 oryx in 7mm and the Kudu bull is a big animal.
I never had any hassle taking my rifle to SA, PH sent me clear directions on filling in the paperwork, met me in arrivals and escorted me to the police office to pick up my rifle, everything checked and correct, no extra costs and on our way.

 

[Dunwaters]

The 7 x 64 has a bigger choice of bullets, and I think something like the Norma Oryx in 170 grain has a bit more down range punch than a 150 grain 270. Free/worthless opinion!

Best wishes, David.

I don’t know whether you’re right or not, we had a 7x64 in camp……with 140gr Remington ammo, the claim was that the 7mm was “ better”.
I couldn’t see any practical difference between the two rounds myself.
Not here and not in Africa either, 2 peas in a pod.

 

[stevec]

I would think that you would be fine for most plains game. My wife has used her 7x57 on all sorts of things up to Kudu.

I have a lot of confidence in my 375 though, although almost all of the farmers I met over there have one rifle and it is a 308. They thought anything bigger was a waste of money on ammunition.

I think you will be fine as long as you are selective in what you shoot and don’t try for a monster Eland, although you will probably be fine if you did.

 

[stevec]

I don’t know whether you’re right or not, we had a 7x64 in camp……with 140gr Remington ammo, the claim was that the 7mm was “ better”.
I couldn’t see any practical difference between the two rounds myself.
Not here and not in Africa either, 2 peas in a pod.

I have heard this sort of thing so many times. I have seen a stalker in Scotland make a guest use the estate 270 as a 308 was supposedly not up to the job and a PH in Africa make a client use a 30-06 as the 308 wasn’t powerful enough.

I really doubt there is much real world difference between most common calibres.

 

[Jamouk]

Would always take my own rifle ! but then being left handed not always a lot of choice

 

[old 30-06]

There seems to be a lot of faffing about on this topic. This one or that one, that one or this one. This grain or that grain, that grain or this grain. Putting it simply, a 270 might do it. Or it might not. Why have the doubt in the back of your mind ? I would rather have enough gun to do the job than not enough gun to do the job. Buy a 30-06.

 

[Stalker62]