My interest was piqued by a question on the big game forum; "what is your faverite meat gun?". I'd like to restate it for this forum; " You have a 200 yard shot on the Kudu of your dreams, which gun do you use?"

I've taken game with a 7X57, 300 win mag, and 2 kudu with two different 375 H&H's (one bolt, one double), but the one gun that I know is going to put the bullet where I want is a Win Model 70 stainless classic, in 30-06, topped with a Schmidt & Bender scope.

What's your choice?

I'd use the 375HH. Beyond 200 m (or yards) I'd choose the 300 WINMAG, with my magic Swaro (2.5-10*56). I succeded with very long shots (a tad under 500m) on stags in Scotland with the 300WM, hence my confidence in 300WM.
The Weatherbys are too violent and versatile, the 7 class could lack punch.
The new short magnums have to show what they can do.?????????

My go-to gun would be my Rem. (Model 700) 300 RUM from Hill Country Rifles. Not because of the cartridge, although it will do the job nicely, but because I have total confidence in the gun itself. I have shot it tons and have taken my most prized trophies with it. BTW I would use a 200 gr. TSX.

Doug

.300 WSM every time. .180 grain trophy bonded bear claws.

I took Kudu last year in Zim at 200+ using my 7x57 and I have taken Kudu at 200+ using my Mdl 70 375 I don't choose between either one both equal. Just what ever I happen to have with me when the shot presented itself. However I would NOT take the shot with a 470NE double. I've only shot about 20 or so Kudu and have used 375,30-06,7x57 for all. Really DON'T have a preference.

My go to, get "er" done rifle is a SS M-70 in .375H&H. I've killed all sorts of game with it in Africa and here in the U.S. at all kinds of ranges from way close to well over 400 yards.

My other choice is one of the .308's either .308 win .30-06 or .300WM they all work brilliantly.

I must say however that I have been eyeing some sexy little 7X57's lately. I'll probably just have to have one pretty soon. just because!

On a Kudu at 200 yds it makes little difference what rifle/scope you use as long as you can shoot it, and it has enough power to take Kudu. I would most likely use my 375 H&H FN Mauser, with the 2-7X40 scope, and a 300 gr Nosler Partition, because that is the Bolt rifle, and load that would be on Safari with me! A 200 yd shot on a Kudu bull is not out of your bag of tricks, if you can shoot your rifle.

quote:

I must say however that I have been eyeing some sexy little 7X57's lately. I'll probably just have to have one pretty soon. just because

Surestrike, you have piqued my interest. What guns (makes) are you looking at?
peter.

Peter
I know you asked surestrike, but two years ago I picked up a Dakota 7X57. I love it and, to give another answer to my own question, wouldn't hesitate to use it on Kudu if that was what was in my hand.

TerryR

My 375 H&H.

When I go to Africa I am going to shoot everything with my 375 H&H because I want to. I'll bring another gun for a back up just in case but hopefully it will never get unpacked.

If I needed extreme accuracy at 200 yards I'd use my Browning .30-06 topped with my Leupold Vari-X III 4.5 x 14 x 42mm scope shooting 165 gr. Federal Premium BTSP's....however I'm thinking a kudu at that range is going to feel the business end of my Browning .338 Win. Mag. equipped with a BOSS and topped with the same Leupold scope but with a 50 mm objective lens using just about any ammunition I have it tuned in for.

My Win Model 70 Classic Stainless in 7mm Rem Mag, it has never missed, and has always had instant 1 shot kills

quote:

You have a 200 yard shot on the Kudu of your dreams, which gun do you use?"

M-70 featherweight .30-06 with 180 grain A-Frames.....real easy question to answer.

Of my current selection, I'd take my Win M70 in .338 Win. It has worked for a variety of critters (including kudu) so I know it'll get the job done reliably.

Whatever's loaded and sighted in...

If I had to narrow it down a bit, my home-grown Model 70 in 8mm Rem Mag that has worked out real well so far.

I would vote for the 338 Win

TerryR,

Considering its the "Kudu of ones dreams", then its only natural that it would be good to be taken with the"Rifle of ones dreams"
300H&H MagnumMauser

I'll take my Sako 375 with a Impala bullet.

.338 Win. Mag. Only it wasn't a hypothetical and it was way longer than 200 yards.

My latest love affair has been with a Kimber 84 Classic in .308. I have no doubt it would perform admirably in the given situation.

A 45-70 with iron sights, offhand.

All foolish answers.At 200 for a 400lbs animal you need a 300RUM,8mmRemmag,378 Weatherby,375RUM,7mmSTW.You need energy at long range to drop them on the spot,ethically.

quote:

Originally posted by TerryR:
My interest was piqued by a question on the big game forum; "what is your faverite meat gun?". I'd like to restate it for this forum; " You have a 200 yard shot on the Kudu of your dreams, which gun do you use?"

I've taken game with a 7X57, 300 win mag, and 2 kudu with two different 375 H&H's (one bolt, one double), but the one gun that I know is going to put the bullet where I want is a Win Model 70 stainless classic, in 30-06, topped with a Schmidt & Bender scope.

What's your choice?

I will use my .300 Weatherby, thank you.

I'd choose my .375 certainly just because I love my RSM, but the '06 will do it with a good bullet in the right place... A 200-220gr Woodleigh or one of the heavy North Forks in the '06 would be a fantastic choice for all the larger plains game.

My old tried and true "go to" rifle is a Model 70 Winchester in .358 STA that has been with me from Kentucky to Colorado to Alaska to Alberta to Africa and just keeps on ticking with those North Fork bullets. It never fails if the guy pulling the trigger does his part. Good shooting.

As no one took my posting on the 45-70 seriously (rather unusual wasn´t it?) I´ll give my serious opinion: The mighty .375 H&H! I´d feel OK with the 9.3x62 or the 6.5x55 (the 6.5 is smallish I agree).

Merry Christmas gents!

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
All foolish answers.At 200 for a 400lbs animal you need a 300RUM,8mmRemmag,378 Weatherby,375RUM,7mmSTW.You need energy at long range to drop them on the spot,ethically.

Is this clown serious. (rhetorical)

quote:

You have a 200 yard shot on the Kudu of your dreams, which gun do you use?"

That is easy. My .375 H&H. It is my go to gun .

9.3x62, it can do it all, and has for me. Kudude

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:

quote:

I must say however that I have been eyeing some sexy little 7X57's lately. I'll probably just have to have one pretty soon. just because

Surestrike, you have piqued my interest. What guns (makes) are you looking at?
peter.

Peter,

I've been looking at several. Not one make in particular. I am looking for a sexy mechanically sound little small ring Mauser in 7X57.

Also I've kind of been eyeballing two kind of different rifles one is the Ruger full stocked #1 I've found a couple of them. The other is Heym that is on guns America right now accept it has a composite stock. I found another at Bass Pro Shops here in Denver which has an original Orbendorff small ring receiver yet has been restocked with a huge chunk of wood and rebarreld with a huge contour 26†barrel and weighs like 10 Lbs. And they want nearly $2000 for it. It’s a bloody shame that some “gun smith†to do that to an original Orbendorff.

I just about bought a full Manlicher stocked Czech Mauser the other day but I didn't like the way they had goofed the safety and bolt handle to make a scope fit on it.

By the way any recommendations would be welcome. Basically I’m looking for a light compact little Mauser that screams cool African rig. You know something that looks like a 1920’s Rigby only for a lot less money.

Thanks

Greg

I did watch my good friend "Formerflyer" snag a a very nice kudu at about 200 or so yards last year in Zimbawe with his .308 Win and a 180gr Nosler.

Very nice shot and very nice results The first shot killed the bull but he didn't know it yet the second spined him a sealed the deal.

I really do like the .308 win which is so very close to the 7X57.

Odie,all except yours.Yours shows the kind of choice a very experienced and on the ball shooter makes.Especially the part about the BOSS,that really shows your genius.

quote:

I must say however that I have been eyeing some sexy little 7X57's lately. I'll probably just have to have one pretty soon. just because! Cool

A Brno 21h may meet your specifications. It's a neat rig. Someone replaced the double set triggers on mine but it's still has the style.

Trouble is that they are expensive with some going over a grand but what the heck.



For a big animal like that don't you think a 8mm like this would be sweet.

Savage,

Yep that's in the ball park!

Well I was going to post the same picture that Surestrike did, but he beat me to it. I'll have to say my thoroughly un-sexy and post-modern Scout Rifle in .308, although by the time the next time the next trip rolls around it'll probably be a .376.

Of course, if Surestrike will loan me that .375 of his, it'd be about perfect too. . . .

Either my Miller & Greiss in 9,3x63 with a 250 grainer or my Janssen Sons & Co SbS in .333 Jeffery Flanged regulated for 300 grains bullets -so I have to aim a bit high

quote:

Originally posted by TerryR:
My interest was piqued by a question on the big game forum; "what is your faverite meat gun?". I'd like to restate it for this forum; " You have a 200 yard shot on the Kudu of your dreams, which gun do you use?"

I've taken game with a 7X57, 300 win mag, and 2 kudu with two different 375 H&H's (one bolt, one double), but the one gun that I know is going to put the bullet where I want is a Win Model 70 stainless classic, in 30-06, topped with a Schmidt & Bender scope.

What's your choice?

I would prefer to have my old Ruger 77mk1 in 338 WM. That rifle was a fluke, shot tiny groups (way better than I could shoot) and was absolutely reliable.
But I would also have to say that I would only try that shot with a good solid rest, at an absolute minimum sitting, looped up in the sling.
Now, I'd just try to get closer, and use my 7x57, or whatever else was at hand at the time. Let's face it, if you spot a kudu on safari, #1, you were hunting it specifically, and have the appropriate rifle, or #2, you just happened to spot it while hunting something else.
If I was after something else, it would be Cape Buff, and 200m is a fair way to stretch a 416 Hoffman.

Merry Christmas.

Cheers, Dave.

I think the best calibre for a spot purpose would be something in the likes of a 375RUM.

My Kudu fell to a single 286gr Nosler partition from my pre64 M70, rebored/rechambered to 9.3x64, topped with a Leupold 3-9.

hahaha i have a 30-06 that i rescued from a farmer who was leaving it in his bakkie and not using it. i darkened the stock, put a timney in and scoped it with an el cheapo ffII from burris. the stock must be maple or something it is so lite. rebuilt just like the old meat guns of the 20's. 5 rounds down with a crf mauser bolt and side safety.... a meat gun with character....

i love rescuing things that are on their way out. i have rescued 2 .45s, a 357, a 30-06.... now looking for a 9.3 X 62. have my eye on a shipment of 20 year old .375 brno 502-602 types.