At last this seasons hunt is booked. I'm hunting near to a place called Prieska in the northern cape and I'm looking to you guys for some advice on calibre, zeroing distance. I will be hunting plains game only ( springbok, impala, bloe wildebees, gemsbuck, blesbuck, hartebeest and kudu) and I understand that the terrain is like the karoo veld. However not having hunted this type of terrain before I wonder if the more experienced could help?

Gerry,

have a blast.

Any 30 cal not a 30-30, and two and one-half inches high at 100 meters. That will put you nearly dead on at 200. If you have access to a 200 meter range then use that.

Of course there will be others who will chime in and be more specific, but, minute of critter is a lot bigger than MOA.

The normal practice, too. Off sticks, off hand, sit, kneel, et cetera.

Gerry, Congrats first off.. What rifle are you taking?
For animals listed in the area of 160 to 180 gr ammmo will do.. I personally like 3 inches high at 100yds. Gives you better down range elevation... Dan, stated off sticks, kneeling, off hand at 100 and under...
For rifles a 300 win mag, a 270, 308, I personally like the TSX bullets and you will pick up some extra velocity... But a good bullet will suffice...
Don't forget a good scope...

Mike

Gerry, congratulations hope you have a wonderfull hunt
Very good advice from both Dan and Mike.
take whatever rifle you are comfortable with and shoot well.
personal preforance for the animals you listed .300 win mag 180gr TSX

Take two rifles, one .30 caliber with 180 gr. bullet and one 7 MM with 140 gr. to 160 gr. bullet. And practice and practice and practice shooting off of shooting sticks.

just curious- why would you possibly need 2 rifles in such similar calibers? neither one will do anything at reasonable distances that the other one won't do and i don't think an animal hit properly with either a 180 or 160 grain bullet will know the difference. but maybe i am wrong- sure wouldn't be the first time

I also, would recommend you take two rifles, just in case one goes belly up.

You cannot take two rifles of the same calibre, into South Africa.

Any of the calibres from a 7mm/08 to a 300 Mag would work fine.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I've been advised by a guy with local knowledge to zero in at 300 metres at least because it is open karoo type scrubland. So I think I'll take my .308 with 130 grain sierra reloads, they're good and accurate. I also think that I will pack the .375 for wildebeest, kudu and gemsbuck.
I'm really looking forward to it now and June isn't far away. It should be really different as I've only hunted bushveldt before.

Have fun out there!

I would reconsider the 130gr .308 bullets though, that's awfully light weight, especially when you start getting out there a ways.