I'll be heading to RSA on June 9th for Waterbuck, Eland, Bushbuck, Reedbuck, Steenbok and Duiker. I have a 257 Wby, 300 Wby and 378 Wby. All shoot TSX bullets (100,180,270 grns) very accurately and recoil from the 378 is of little concern for to me except from awkward positions. The 300 is going without question. Can't decide whether to go heavy or light one the other side. I'd like to use the 378 on the Eland but know the 300 will do the job. On the other hand, I'd like to use the 257 on the small stuff. What do you guys think?

For the game you are seeking, use the .257Wby, you won't regret it.

Why not all 3???

The 378 is overkill for your hunt, the 300 will handle the eland nicely. That leaves the 257 as the light gun. Sounds like a fun combination.

overkill, too much to manage when one will do.

I would definately take 2 rifles.

So the 300 is the "primary". That is a good choice.

As to the secondary/backup.

If you KNOW EXACTLY WHEN you will be hunting eland, then I would take the 378.

IF you will be hunting ALL of the animals on your list, ALL of the time, then the 257 would do as a backup to the "Primary".

I'd look at it as one of the rifles is a backup.

In that case, do you feel comfortable shooting the .257 at a 2000 lb critter? I'm not real sure I am personally, although my experience is with the .25 06, and I would not want to use that against Elk if I could avoid it. An Eland is capable of running a hell of a long way if your bullet didn't penetrate well.

While the .378 is definitely overkill on all the small guys, it will kill them all DRT. If accuracy and recoil are not an issue to you, use the .378. Conversely, if you choose the .257 you may need to borrow a rifle if the .300 goes belly up on you for some reason just for the Eland.

quote:

Originally posted by SBT:
The 378 is overkill for your hunt, the 300 will handle the eland nicely. That leaves the 257 as the light gun. Sounds like a fun combination.

+1
Eland are not that tough of an animal compared to their body size.

NE 450 No 2 & crbutler make a legitimate point -

Depends on what you know about the eland hunt.

Will you be satisfied to go without either the 300 or 378 as an eland rifle?

Besides, you can use that 257 any time. Give it up. You got that 378 for Africa, didn't you?

After my first trip to South Africa I came home and bought a 257 Weatherby. Those mountain reedbuck gave me fits with my 338. If you are planning a one gun trip, take the 300 with good quality 165 grain bullets. Be careful with your shot on eland. Don't take quartering away shots and you will be fine. I have a pal that uses a 250 Savage for all plains game including eland with premium bullets and he has had no problems.

It is a lot easier to leave the guns at home and rent one from the PH or hunting outfit.

If you take one, I would suggest the .300 Wby, the ph will hate you but it will do the job.

Definately the 300 mag... Hands down... On the duiker, reedbuck, bushbuck, steenbok aim way back in the ribs if you plan to shoulder mount them... But it will also reach way out also..

Mike

My experience with eland are that they are tough and as another poster said an eland can go a loooong way after being hit. I know of such an event when an eland took fifteen rounds from a 7mm Rem Mag and over 10 km trail to bring him to bag.

I would take the .378 and the .257. I'd turn the .378 on the eland and waterbuck. The sweet .257 on the rest of the bag.

I think the .257 would be a total gas on a plains game hunt. I've considered getting one simply for that purpose. Take it and the 300.

Use the .300 ...... if you take just one rifle.

I agree that the .257 would be a great round for the plains game, but if the other rifle fails than you leave yourself to do the eland hunt with the .257. If you take the .300 and .378, then your back up gun doesn't limit you for any part of your hunt. So for me if you are sure that you are going to bring the .300 as primary, then your only other non-limiting choice is the .378
My $0.02

I would just take the 300Wby - for everything....

The KIS method!