.270 for plains game?

I don’t mean to hijack the thread at all,I was wondering how easy it is to get your own rifle across to Namibia? I met a guy at the shooting show selling packages from there and fancy a trip over in the next couple of years. (Just a cheap cull trip as I’m not into trophies at all)
I’ve been to Namibia several times. Importing a firearm at the airport is a doddle. Done by the Namibian police who are now outside and to the left at the exit from arrivals. Cheerful guys, no suspicion of baksheesh being asked for.
Regarding getting your rifle on a plane you have a choice of airlines. Ethiopian and Lufthansa definitely carry them. You might get away with it for free on Lufthansa, I have but have also had to pay on European trips 🤷‍♂️. Never been charged on Ethiopian. Beware the two bag rule !
Ammunition seems to give airlines backflips. If you have a popular caliber you can preorder it from one of at least 3 gun stores in Windhoek.
 
Not sure if you’re into podcasts - but this is an excellent listen (as are most of these) and they discuss 270 (big thumbs up to 150gr), 30-06 and pretty much every other calibre worth mentioning. Kevin Robertson is an interesting bloke, wouldn’t mind getting his books actually.
 
Traveling anywhere with a rifle is expensive, bureaucratic, and a...
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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.

Travelling to Europe with a European Firearms Pass used to be easy. Book your ferry or tunnel ticket. At terminal hand across your FAC - sometimes they checked the guns, sometimes not. Then just drive through Europe to your destination.

On return bring back meat and trophies.

But our democratic processes have removed all these freedoms for our supposed benefit.
 
I would highly recommend reading ‘Rifles for Africa’ by Gregor Woods (available online). He is a fan of the 270 win and lists very good terminal performance information on different bullet types and weights from use on different plains game animals.
 
I’ve taken all sort to various African countries from .270 though 8mm RemMag, .340 Weatherby and .416 Remington and have taken all sorts of plains game with the .270 using Nosler partitions however would be reluctant to using it on eland to be honest. That’s where the 8mm and .340 come into their own as they can handle the heavier bullets with ease.
That said the airline reluctance or refusal to carry, not to mention the cost now, and the lack the European Firearms Pass when travelling in or through European countries makes taking a rifle overseas so much hassle is now I’d be reluctant to do so again unless it was for something where the cost and inconvenience was offset by the experience itself and was a minor part of the overall cost.
If you have a pet rifle you really want to use, or maybe if you’re a leftie like me, you will always find the additional cost and determination to take it there as it will form part of the experience and memories not to mention you might be able to shoot better with it that an outfitters beater rifle so maybe I’m becoming a bit jaded with the whole thing in my old age.
Africa is a ‘must do’ for every hunter and isn’t necessarily as expensive as you might think as many plains game or cull hunt packages can be had for a lot less that a week’s deer stalking in the highlands of Scotland not to mention the better weather. Go do it you will never regret it !
 
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.
What you should really be looking at it the Bullet type and construction not really the calibre . Bell shot Elephant ( a heck of lot of them with less gun)!
 
The 'Plains Game' phrase is, of course a broad church

Where I have hunted I have used borrowed .308 and 30:06s on - up to and including wildebeest and kudu and the .270 is near enough to those claibres to do the job

If you are hunting Eland you might want to borrow something bigger (they had a .375 for just that, and, of course buffalo)
 
I'm taking my Blaser R93 with a .375 H&H and .270 barrels to Africa early next year, I've been reassured by the PH that the .270 is fine.
 
270 will be fine as will 7x57, 308, 3006 etc etc etc if you can shoot it.

Take rifle to RSA got quite hard for a bit (especially in bulk) but has relaxed a little in the last 2 years.

When I take a group out it’s often 7-10 rifles so I take my own as what’s one more, if I’m just popping in and out I’ll often just use a camp rifle to speed up the travel days instead of adding ‘stress’

I prefer to use ammo with Barnes TTSX bullets.
 
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