AFRICA PLANES GAME CALIBERS

I may have the opportunity to go to South Africa on a plains game safari this coming year. It has been suggested that I choose just one rifle for this adventure, so I thought I would ask for your advise.

James, Massachusetts 

There's a wide variety of plains game in South Africa, from very small antelope through zebra, and even the huge eland. Most can be handled well with the classic 30-06, but I'd opt for more. In the event that you will have an opportunity to hunt eland, which may present itself quite by surprise rather than as the intent of the day, have a 338 Winchester Magnum and some very well constructed 250- to 300-grain loads handy. I prefer the 275-grain Swift A-Frame at a muzzle velocity of around 2450 fps (24-inch barrel; about 2500 fps if 26 inches), as these bullets really perform well on tough animals. You will also find that the 338 will do a fine job on even small antelope, because most bullets in the 210- to 250-grain range are constructed heavily enough to pass right through with minimal expansion. For the everyday loads, choose something that is very accurate in the rifle. Over many years, the success of the 225-grain Hornady Spire Point InterLock has become almost legendary. That may be a good place to start.

JDC