Most Popular Caliber in Africa?

19 March 2008, 08:19

A10ACN

What is the most common medium caliber on the continent today?? In other words which cartridge is one most likely to run across in the middle of nowhere or a store??
7.62x39?? 308Win?? 7x57?? 8x57?? Other??
Input please from people there or recent experience.

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19 March 2008, 15:21

BSA

Hi,

I can only speak for RSA, but surely the 30-06 in 180 grain loading. This is probably followed by the .308 Win (150 or 180 grain), .270 Win (130/150 grain) and .243 Win (100 grain), but I'm not sure in which order. And, let's not forget the .303 British -- I see many of these at shooting ranges prior to hunting season. The 7x57 Mauser is also popular amongst South African hunters.

Cheers.

19 March 2008, 19:05

Dogleg

BSA,
Hmmm, sounds about right. 30-06,.308,.270,.243. Throw the .300 Win Mag onto the list and it would be about the same as the American and Canadian most popular lists as well.

19 March 2008, 21:08

Atkinson

I suppose it depends on what part of Africa your in, like the USA caliber choice is geographical....

I would suspect the .308 has about taken over, but the 30-06 may still reign...I suspect in some countries many intelligent whites have cases of .308 and full autos stashed away just in case....

Ray Atkinson
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19 March 2008, 22:51

quickshot

quote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:..I suspect in some countries many intelligent whites have cases of .308 and full autos stashed away just in case....

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20 March 2008, 05:05

A10ACN

quote:
I suspect in some countries many intelligent whites have cases of .308 and full autos stashed away just in case....

This is why I asked in general vs just on the store shelf. Some stores may say that 482 Flatnumall is their most popular round but that may be due to a couple of the local guys love affair with it. The next store may sell nothing but .22LR but all the locals may have Gov't supplied 7.62x39 or 7.62 NATO.
So, it would seem from the few responses here that 30.06, 308 Win, and 270 might be the most common?? Not 7.62x39??

20 March 2008, 07:33

jetdrvr

quote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:
I suppose it depends on what part of Africa your in, like the USA caliber choice is geographical....

I would suspect the .308 has about taken over, but the 30-06 may still reign...I suspect in some countries many intelligent whites have cases of .308 and full autos stashed away just in case....

I would certainly hope so...

20 March 2008, 08:14

Dogleg

Atkinson,
Caliber choice may be geographic, but reloading die sales are rather all- encompassing, universal and revealing. At least if you're paying attention.

20 March 2008, 11:13

infinito

30-06 Springfield by far

7.62 (308Win) is common as a hunting round......but x39 is illegal as hell, unless you are licensed to it.

Another popular is the .375 and .300WinMag, 243.Win and .223 (also due to huge illegal amounts of mil. 5mm ammo lying about)

Nearly every house hold of course in the country side have a .22Rim and you can buy ammo for that at any store licensed to do so......and the best thing is that a lot of people hold it in high regard as a "hunting" rifle...

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20 March 2008, 14:01

Blair338/378

I've seen on my 6 hunts to Africa a 375 every time and a 243 and 308. Lots of 223's???????

Saw Italian clients shooting a 30-06 in Zim

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Blair.

20 March 2008, 14:08

jetdrvr

I assume you mean sporting calibers. In my work in Somalia, the Sudan, Angola and Ethiopia during various conflicts, about all I saw were SKS's and AK's, with RPK's, RPD's, Degtayrevs (sp), Dashikas (12.7mm Soviet), 14.7 mm heavy machine guns, and Tokarevs. I actually saw one guy carrying an old Thompson, riding on a technical in Somalia. Not a single 30'06 was visible anywhere, so I'd say what someone has already said, 7.62x39.