The Ultimate Guide Rifles and Calibers for African Hunting Safaris

Introduction: A Veteran's Perspective

With over 30 years of hunting experience across Africa, the South Pacific and North America, both with a bow and rifle in hand, I've had the privilege of pursuing a diverse range of game, from the massive African elephant to the diminutive blue duiker. This experience has provided me with valuable insights into the most effective rifles and calibers for various types of game. Africa's diverse landscapes and wide array of game requires careful consideration when selecting the right firearm and ammunition for a successful hunting safari and as such, this article explores the best rifles and calibers tailored to different African hunting scenarios, ensuring you are well-prepared for your adventure. 

Now with the infinite number of rifle chamberings available today, it is impossible to assess every single one in just one article. In fact it is pretty much impossible to achieve this even in a single book, however the following recommendations can be applied to a number of calibres not mentioned here. If your rifle falls into one of these categories, then use it! With that said, let's look through the various types of hunting safaris and what might be a good option to use while on them. 

1. Plains Game: Rifles and Calibers for Accuracy and Versatility

Many hunters ask what rifle they should take or buy for their first African safari which almost always is a hunt for plains game. The simple answer to this is, take the gun that you shoot well. Your deer hunting rifle from back home will most likely be a good choice as shot placement and bullet construction far outweighs the importance of chambering in a rifle. Any accurate rifle that can be carried for extensive periods of time that falls between the 6.5mm and 8mm class will be sufficient as a plains game rifle. If you own a reliable bolt action rifle that falls between these calibres then it is strongly recommended that you do not buy a new rifle, but you take the rifle you are familiar with on your safari. The old adage, “it matters where you hit em, not what you hit em with” couldn't be more accurate in this case. But with that said if pursuing the largest plains game such as Eland, then a .30cal of some description is recommended here. Now with that said my personal favourite plains game rifle is a rifle I have owned for years chambered in 8x68S. A little more gun than is required but i shoot it well so I wont be changing this recipe any time soon. 

A good choice for those looking to pursue dangerous game, such as buffalo and plains game on the same safari is of course the ever reliable .375H&H although the .375Ruger has made an entrance in recent years. A great choice for the one rifle hunter who will be hunting a mix of game. The .375 can not be surpassed for versatility and effectiveness. 

.300 Winchester Magnum- The versatile long range option: This caliber is highly favored for its flat trajectory and long-range accuracy, making it ideal for open plains and mountain environments where distances can be considerable. Its performance is suitable for various plains game, providing the power needed to ensure clean humane kills, whilst being inherently accurate enough to allow shot placement at practical hunting distances. The .300 win mag is a fine chambering for larger antelope as well as hunting situations that require longer range shooting. In fact, my personal mountain rifle is chambered in .300 win mag for the exact reason that I don’t know how far I will have to shoot and at what size an animal I may be required to shoot at. This reminds me of a situation on a recent barbary sheep hunt in South Africa. Whilst scaling the side of a mountain in search of sheep, a lone eland bull emerged some 350m away from us on an opposite face. While I elected to pass on the opportunity on this occasion, should I have elected to take that bull, I would have had the right tool in my hand for the job.  The only down side to the .300 win mag is the extensive flesh damage that it can do to light skin game. If the tiny 10 is on your list, this may not be the right choice for you. 

7mm Remington Magnum: The 7mm Remington Magnum offers excellent accuracy and a flat trajectory, ideal for medium-sized plains game. Its high velocity ensures that hunters can make precise shots over longer distances. A happy medium between slower cartridges and chamberings such as the 8mm magnums and 30 cals. The 7mm Remington magnum is no slouch and a fine chambering that is suitable for all plains game species in almost every situation. 

6.5 Creedmoor or equivalent - For the recoil sensitive: Let me start of by removing the bravado from this argument. I am yet to meet a rifleman that shoots a .338 win mag better than they shoot an accurate rifle in 6.5 creedmoor or other light recoiling rifle. That's not to say that there are not highly competent marksmen who can handle a .338 for extended periods of time. However, I can admit that I am more accurate with a .243 than I am with a .375 across most situations. In this author's opinion, recoil matters and the less you need to contend with, the better. The 6.5 Creedmoor or any 6.5mm chambering such as the 6.5x55, 6.5x68 or 6.5PRS are excellent choices for hunting African plains game due to their combination of high ballistic efficiency, manageable recoil, and precision accuracy. Its aerodynamic 6.5mm projectiles, such as the popular 140-grain and 143-grain options, maintain a flat trajectory over long distances, allowing for accurate shots even at extended ranges common in African plains hunting. With enough energy transfer, ensuring ethical kills on medium-sized game like impala, kudu, and wildebeest these chamberings are a good choice for those who are recoil sensitive or may not have experience with larger centerfire rifles. 

.30-06 Springfield - The Authors Choice: Renowned for its versatility, the .30-06 Springfield is effective for a wide range of plains game. It balances power and recoil well, making it a reliable choice for hunters who prefer a single caliber for different types of game. With bullet choice from 150gr to 220gr projectiles the 30-06 is a hugely effective chambering for all forms of plains game hunting. Adding to these positives, its relatively mild recoil makes the 30-06 a great choice as an all round plains game chambering. Recoil also seems to be a push rather than a sharp slap which other magnum chamberings with higher velocities are likely to deliver. For this reason, I believe the 30-06 to be the perfect choice for a plains game rifle. Comfortable, accurate, mild recoiling and easy to get ammunition for, the 30-06 is the authors choice for plains game. With that said, any .30cal that the hunter shoots well is a great choice here. 

2. Dangerous Game: Rifles and Calibers for Big and Tough Opponents

Hunting dangerous game, such as lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant, demands rifles and calibers with significant stopping power and durability. But one must not forget that shot placement is the paramount concern of any hunter. This is even more important when hunting dangerous game. A shot from a .470 nitro into the gut of a Cape Buffalo will have the same effect as a 30-06 in the same place. You will have a problem on your hands no matter the chambering so it is important to balance the minimum stopping power with your ability to shoot the rifle accurately. Once again choose a rifle you have practiced with that you shoot well.

.375 H&H Magnum - The Authors Choice: This caliber is a classic choice for dangerous game due to its powerful performance and versatility. It provides enough stopping power to handle large and potentially dangerous animals, while still being manageable in terms of recoil. The .375 H&H us responsible for more successful dangerous game hunts than any other modern chambering for a reason. The main benefit here being the obvious one. Recoil, recoil, recoil. The .375 is one of, if not the most light recoiling dangerous game rifle on the market and a great choice for every hunting client. Capable of one shot kills on the largest game in the world, the .375 is a stand out as a client rifle. Now there is an argument that one should use the largest gun they can handle and there is logic to this. There is no doubt that having a .470 Nitro in your hand when an elephant charges is a better option than having to stop that charge with a .375. While the .375 will stop an elephant dead in  its tracks with a frontal brain shot, the .375 does not have as much energy as the larger .45 cals to stop charging game when the brain is missed under pressure. There is significant evidence to show that the larger calibres are more likely to turn a charge with a non fatal shot than a .375 but therein lies the issue. Why was the animal charging? Unprovoked charges can happen on dangerous game hunts, particularly on elephant hunts, but they are rare. The vast majority of charges that occur are the result of large dangerous animals being wounded. With that said, more animals are wounded by clients who are not used to the recoil of their .416 Rigby or .458Lott than those that are competent with a .375. 

The proof is in the pudding here. I own both a .470 double rifle  and a .375H&H bolt action rifle and I am often faced with the decision as to which rifle I will use on a given safari. There is a simple equation as to which rifle I use, depending on the situation. If I am a client, I use the scoped .375 as it is my responsibility as the client to successfully deliver an accurate shot into the vitals of the target animal and keep everyone safe, by preventing the need to follow up on a wounded animal that is absolutely capable of killing someone in the hunting party. If I am guiding or supporting another hunter on a dangerous game hunt, I carry my .470 nitro as fast follow up shots on running game, crashing through thick bush is often called for as is the ability to stop a charge if required.  The .470 double is life saving equipment whilst the .375H&H scoped bolt action rifle is the responsible choice as a client hunting game. 

3. The Tiny 10: Africa's Smallest Game

The Tiny 10, which includes diminutive species like the duiker and steenbok, requires a different approach. Due to the size of these “Tiny” animals, knock down power is not a major concern. However the choice of firearm, optic and chambering certainly is. The truth of the matter is that most tiny ten species are shot with the hunters plains game rifle while on safari hunting other species. Whilst there are some species that are specialist hunts such as the blue and red duiker, hunters often find themselves in a situation where they may be hunting a kudu and they are presented with the opportunity to take a steenbok. In these instances the recommendation is to shoot for the centre mass of the animal knowing that your 30-06 or equivalent is going to knock an animal that size down emphatically. On the other hand some Tiny ten hunts are planned and as a result a purposely selected rifle for this task could be taken by the hunter to pursue the target species. This section outlines various options that are suitable in this instance. 

When choosing a Tiny 10 gun, a .22 calibre chambering that is not high velocity is the best choice. For this reason the .22-250, .220 swift and their equivalents are poor choices for the Tiny 10 as they will likely explode your target ruining your hard earned trophy. Some suitable chambering’s include:

.22 Hornet: This caliber is suitable for small antelope and game birds. It provides enough power to ensure a clean shot whilst minimizing the risk of damaging the delicate meat and skins of smaller animals. As a low velocity chambering this is a great choice for animals such as blue and red duiker that are likely to be encountered at moderate ranges. 

.223 Remington - The Authors choice: The .223 Remington is effective for very small game and varmints such as jackal. Its precision and low recoil make it ideal for small, agile animals where accuracy is crucial. While inherently accurate the .223 has enough velocity to allow some longer shots if required without being hyper velocity like some other chamberings can be. The humber .223 is also a fantastic culling gun for exactly this reason. As a result the .223 can be used for hunting any of the tiny 10 but also can take larger plains game with a well placed brain shot, if the opportunity were to present unexpectedly. A perfect example being, a warthog stepping out while you are on your way to hunt Klipspringer or the likes. A well placed shot from an accurate .223 has taken countless impala, warthog, kudu and continues to do so every year. 

.17 HMR: For the smallest of Africa’s game, the .17 HMR provides excellent accuracy and minimal recoil. It’s well-suited for the tiniest of targets, ensuring a humane and efficient kill but is too small to take plains game ethically. 

.375 H&H - Now I know what you're thinking here. You’re thinking, hang on! This guy just recommended the .375 for elephant and now he wants me to hunt my klipspringer with the same rifle. The answer to that is yes. A solid from a .375 straight through the centre mass of a tiny antelope will kill immediately and not do significant flesh damage to your trophy. Whereas any projectile from a 22-250 into the body of the same sized animal may destroy your trophy completely. This is a great choice for the hunter who has a tiny 10 species on his list but will be hunting larger game on the same safari. If you are hunting buffalo in Mozambique but also want to take a Suni, your .375 with a solid is a fantastic option. 

4. Cats: Rifles and Calibers for Africa’s Feline Predators

African cats, such as lion, leopard, and cheetah, require rifles and calibers that combine stopping power with precision. But there is something different about cats. Cats seem to handle hydrostatic shock very poorly and as a result high velocity calibres such as the .300 win are a good option here. Now one must bear in mind that the legal minimum calibre for dangerous game in many African nations is .375 so this should be taken in to account. But with that said any high velocity .30 cal will be tough medicine on a cat of any size. 

.375 H&H Magnum: This caliber is also highly effective for hunting African big cats. It provides the necessary power to ensure a quick and humane kill while being versatile enough to handle different types of game. The .375 is also a legal calibre in all African nations where hunting is legal so it is the obvious choice for this very specific job. 

.338 Winchester Magnum: The .338 Winchester Magnum offers a balance of power and accuracy, making it suitable for both lion and leopard. Its performance is reliable in both close and long-range scenarios. Its high velocity will also ensure huge hydrostatic shock is delivered in to the target animal. Something that is devastating on feline species. The 338 win mag has significant sharp recoil and can be quite difficult to shoot. Due to it being a high performance chambering, it is often found in longer barrelled rifles that can be cumbersome and slow to use in a dangerous game situation. As a result this is not a chambering I would recommend in most factory rifles although the caliber itself is more than accurate. 

.416 Remington Magnum: For those hunting larger and more formidable cats, the .416 Remington Magnum delivers exceptional stopping power. It’s especially useful for larger lions and aggressive leopards however the intense recoil can create a bad situation where one would otherwise have been avoided. Remember it matters where you hit them. This is especially true in the case of hunting dangerous cats. 

5. What Projectiles Should You Use?

Choosing the right projectile is crucial for ensuring effective performance and humane kills. The type of bullet you use can greatly impact your hunting success and in most cases, the choice of projectile is in fact more important than the rifle chambering you are using. 

Soft Point Bullets: These are ideal for medium game and cats. Soft point bullets expand upon impact, causing significant tissue damage and ensuring a quick, humane kill on suitably sized animals.. They are suitable for most plains game but should generally be avoided for dangerous game or game where penetration through heavy bone is required. 

Bonded Bullets: Now this is a hotly debated topic in the African hunting community. Bonded bullets have a chemical bonding between their lead core and the copper jacket that in theory will ensure weight retention and penetration whilst enabling expansion.  They are designed to maintain their integrity upon impact, ensuring deep penetration and effective performance against tough hides and bones. While this is the claim of all bullet manufacturers, I am yet to see a bullet of this design that performs as advertised across numerous hunting situations at different ranges. I often see the same projectile behave entirely differently out of the same gun on different animals and whilst shot placement is the most important thing, I believe there are better options than this on the market. 

Monolithic Bullets: These bullets are made from a single solid piece of metal, such as copper. They offer deep penetration and consistent performance, making them ideal for large and dangerous game. Projectiles such as the Barnes X and Sako Blade have been on the market for years and are a good reliable option for almost any situation. The only malfunction that I have ever witnessed out of a solid copper monolithic style bullet was when a Sako blade fired from a .300 win mag behaved as a solid rather than expanding. Now if  the theory is, that all bullets function differently in different situations, then the pure copper option is a good one. If the copper projectile expands and holds together as advertised then it has done its job perfectly. If  copper petals break off or fails to expand and the solid copper shank continues to penetrate as a solid, then provided the shot was placed in the right location, you will have a dead animal on your hands. This is the precise reason that Barnes X or equivalent bullets are a preferred projectile of professional hunters all over the world. These bullets are also amongst the most versatile when delivering the penetration required for large dangerous game, with the expansion and performance required for plains game. A good bullet choice for all situations. 

Protected / Partitioned Projectiles: Another great option for an African Safari. Protected or partitioned bullets have some sort of copper partition or division protecting the rear led shank or body of the bullet in question. Good examples of this type of projectile include the Nosler Partition and Swift A-Frame.  By protecting the rear shank of the bullet, these projectiles deliver great weight retention and penetration whilst allowing expansion of the front third of the bullet. Another great all round option and one that I chose personally. My favourite plains game hunting projectile is the Swift A-Frame as it is one of the only projectiles that has flawlessly worked at different ranges and on different game over a number of years. In an adequately chambered rifle, these bullets are capable of taking game up to the largest paciderms. 

Frangible Bullets: While not commonly used for big game, frangible bullets are designed to disintegrate upon impact. They should not be used on any african hunting safari. 

Solid Projectiles: Using solid projectiles, such as full-metal-jacketed bullets, on certain safaris in Africa is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, these projectiles are designed to penetrate deeply, which is essential when hunting large and tough game like hippo or elephant. Their robust construction ensures that they can deliver reliable and deep penetration whilst avoiding bullet malfunction that can be a problem with other bullet designs. Solids are often used on Cape Buffalo also, particularly as a second in magazine option. The reason being that follow up shots on departing buffalo require deep penetration in order to break heavy bone and/or penetrate from the rear of an animal into the vitals near the front. 

The obvious downside to using solids on any hunt is the fact that you will almost certainly have a pass through in almost every situation. One must be careful not to shoot your trophy buffalo and wound or kill another one standing behind. A dangerous and costly mistake indeed. 

Final Thought: 

Selecting the appropriate rifle, caliber, and projectile for your African hunting safari is essential for a successful and ethical hunt. By understanding the specific needs for plains game, dangerous game, small game, and cats, as well as choosing the right projectiles, you can ensure that your safari is both enjoyable and effective. With the right preparation and equipment, you will be well-equipped to face the diverse challenges of Africa’s hunting landscapes.  With that said, most bullet and chambering arguments are largely academic as it is shot placement that is by far the most important aspect of successful shooting on the African Continent. If you own a rifle that falls in to the appropriate category for the game you are pursuing and you shoot it well, take that rifle. Keep your money in your pocket and enjoy your hunt. Don’t let the academics of shooting cost you a safari or complicate your experience. Your good ole deer hunting rifle that has served you well is likely adequate for our next African safari unless you are hunting dangerous game for the first time. In that case consider all options and buy a .375H&H regardless. 

Happy Hunting, 

David Charles