300 Win Mag for Africa?

[TooTaxed]

I'm about to load some 300 Win Mag for my brother's African trip, where he wants a large warthog. I'd like to give him some loads for other game also...what are some recommended loads?

I have 180-gr Barnes Triple Shock and Nosler Partition bullets left over from his last very succcessful elk hunt, Win 760 and Reloader 22 powder. I suspect 200 or 220-gr bullets may be in order...recommended loads?

 

[ArmedBear]

I thought warthogs were a close-range proposition, but I'm not sure.

 

[jbkebert]

Look at the 180 grain swift A-frame or Scorinco bullets. Both are incredibly tough. As for a loading I would get a manual and go from there.

 

[LionHunter]

.300wm is what I use 90% of the time and in my observation is the most popular PG caliber amongst the folks who live in Africa.

I have tested bullets in Africa and settled on the Swift A-Frame back in 1998. It performs extremely well and is very consistent. I even use it in my .458Lott as first out on Buff. I have used mostly 180gr but have also used 200gr bullets and used the Nosler Partion prior to adopting the A-Frame. You will do well with either and the TSX will also work but expect some pass throughs on small game or close quarter shots. As always, shot placement is the key and one cannot practice too much prior to departure for safari.

I am not a reloader since I consider premium bullets and proprietary powders in commercial ammunition to leave no need as they perform as well as can be expected. Shots in Africa can be from a few yards to over 300 and I recommend a sight-in of 1.5" high at 100 yards with the .300wm. This will ensure a 4" kill shot within that range.

Good luck to your brother.

 

[Grumulkin]

The Barnes 180 gr. TSX would be good for anything in Africa it's legal to use a .308 caliber bullet on. As for powder; use anything that shoots the bullets accurately and you should be fine.

Some think the Nosler Partitions are too soft. I haven't used them so can't speak to that but I wouldn't hesitate to use them on anything short of Eland. Warthog, Kudu and the smaller plains game animals aren't really that tough.

 

[T.R.]

Warthogs are typically hunted from blinds at water holes. Distances are quite close; modern compound bow range. This 357 MAG carbine did the job on an impala which is eastern whitetail deer sized. This hollow tip 357 MAG bullet expended ALL of its energy into the animal. In contrast, MAGNUM rifle cartridges expend most of their energy into the landscape well beyond the target animal. In my opinion, MAGNUM rifles used on animals less than 1,000 lbs is bordering upon foolishness. Anyone is allowed to disagree (politeness appreciated).

TR

 

[Javelin]

I would imagine that the 300WM is perfect for Africa. It could take anything that is not heavily armored without a hitch.

For a brush gun I would probably opt for a .375H&H but would feel comfortable with either.

 

[Grumulkin]

Warthogs are typically hunted from blinds at water holes. Distances are quite close; modern compound bow range. This 357 MAG carbine did the job on an impala which is eastern whitetail deer sized. This hollow tip 357 MAG bullet expended ALL of its energy into the animal. In contrast, MAGNUM rifle cartridges expend most of their energy into the landscape well beyond the target animal. In my opinion, MAGNUM rifles used on animals less than 1,000 lbs is bordering upon foolishness. Anyone is allowed to disagree (politeness appreciated).

Here is a photo of a Jackal I took with a 375 H&H Magnum. I don't remember how much it weighed but I fairly certain it was a bit less than 1,000 lbs. Notice the huge exit wound on the right shoulder. My heavens! How is the taxidermist ever going to fix that?

The whole thing is in bullet selection. With the right bullet, you could take warthog cleanly with a 22-250 or a groundhog with a 300 Win. Mag. with minimal hide damage.

The thing about magnum bullets not expending their energy inside the animal is also a bit of nonsense. I've heard that before and would like to know who ever dreamed that up. If you put a .308 caliber hole in the right place in a warthog even using a solid bullet it will die just fine.

 

[Grumulkin]

See this for further discussion of "magnums."

 

[Art Eatman]

If a bullet turns the heart/lungs into a double handful of mush, what do you lose if the bullet then exits? What do you gain if the bullet doesn't exit? In either case, you got supper. I dunno. Some things, I just never worried about.

 

[45crittergitter]

I would stay with the 180 elk loads.

 

[TooTaxed]

Looks like I'll load primarily Barnes Triple-Shock 180-gr HP to 3,000 fps for his 300 Win Mag...he wants open hunting with long shots rather than the waterhole blinds... This load should be good for anything he's likely to run across on the plains.

 

[Leaky Waders]

Grumulkin!

I liked your link.