I've read the article on the web about 7 mags in Africa, but though I'd ask it here to be clear.

What do y'all think about a 160 grain Barnes-X (Federal Fusion) for Kudu, Gemsbok, and Zebra? I know it'll handle Impala and Warthog.

363 days and counting...

for what its worth... and i am a relative newby with 7 or so hunts in africa, all the Plains game i have shot have fallen to 150-180 grain projectiles (conventional and bonded soft points) in the 30 cal range. 300 win mag, 30-06, 300 wsm. i would say that the barnes X in federal fusion (reviewed as a high energy load in 160gr) should be pretty good on the game you want. If you want to be safe, go to heavy round say 180 or 200 if possible?

kudu, gemsbok and zebra are really strong animals, so you'll have to do your part and hit them in the dead zone. If you do that , the 160 will be good, but 180-200gr even better.

Problem being... it's hard to find a heavier bullet than the 160 grain Barnes-x for the seven mag. I don't want to buy a new rifle for Africa.

Ok, I lied. I'd love to... but the spousal unit ain't going for it.

I picked up a couple of boxes of the Fusion 160 grain rounds and will try them out on whitetails this year.

363 days and counting...

quote:

What do y'all think about a 160 grain Barnes-X (Federal Fusion) for Kudu, Gemsbok, and Zebra?

I see no reason that it wouldn't do just fine.

The 7-Mag is totally adequate but I'd far prefer a 175 A-Frame or Northfork or TBBC.....

got my sable with my 7 mag using 175gr tbbc

I guess the whole reason I want to take my seven mag to Africa is that it's in pefect hunt-ready shape. Zeroed perfectly at 100 yards with a Swarovski PH scope, and I don't want to mess it up.

by the way, anyone have any experience with Limcroma safaris in RSA?

If a 7mag is a good elk caliber than it is definately a good African plains game caliber. Try some 175 grain loads.
After all you have a year to go!
Hope you have a great hunt!

On my first trip to africa I used a seven mag with 160 grain A-frames for kudu, impala and bushbuck. Now I use a .375 for everything

In my limited experience, the kudu isn't that tough to kill. Got two last year with a 270 Winchester, 130 grain Barnes Triple Shock. I figure the 7 MAG will do great. I especially like the Barnes bullet, by the way.

Zebra and Gemsbok are a fair amount tougher. But you should be fine with the 7 MAG if you have the patience to only take a killing shot. Pick a maximum range and have in mind the shot angles you'll be OK with, and stick to them.

I wouldn't count on any more penetration than what you'd get on an elk, so choos your angle accordingly.

Also got a zebra and a wildebeeste with the 270, but that was stretching it. Not sure now why it was I thought that was a good choice. Even though I got away with it, would prefer 338 for either one.

The rifle you shoot well and comfortably is the one to take. Heaviest/best constructed bullets that are available and go get 'em!

Good luck!

I met this guy in 2004 at Gras Game Ranch, Namibia in 2002:

http://www.slatesafaris.com/7mmphoto_album1.htm

I used his 7mm Rem Mag with the 175gr Barnes X (after SAA detoured my TuffPak), for kudu, blue wildebeest, gemsbuck, blesbok, springbok and zebra; all with outstanding results.

On my first trip to RSA in 2000, I used a 7mm Rem Mag with 140 gr Balistic tips for one shot kills on Kudu, Gemsbok, Impala, Blue Wildebeest, and Blesbok. The only problem I had with it was on a Waterbuck where the bullet went in behind one shoulder and exited behind the other shoulder, in about the center of the chest. He ran off and it took us 5 hard days of hunting to find him. He was running with the herd like he had never been hit.

I know the 140 gr BT was on the light side, but it grouped better than the Partitions that I tested.

On my trip to RSA last year I again used my 7mm Rem Mag. On that trip I used 160 gr Accubonds. They worked great with one shot kills on Duiker, Blesbok, Red Hartebeest, Mtn Reedbuck, and Springbok. After a not so good first shot on a Black Wildebeest, a second dropped him in his tracks.

All of the 160 gr Accubonds completely passed through the animals leaving a 1/2"-1" exit hole. Inside the animals, the wound channel was 4"-6" in diameter. One of my PH's who also shot a 7mm Rem Mag, commented several times about the massive destruction these bullets did inside the animals.

I also used this load 2 years ago in the Northwest Territories for two one shot kills on Caribou and a Musk ox.

I am completely satisfied with the performance of the 160 gr Accubond, and would not hesitate to use it on any animal up to the size of and including Elk and Kudu.

SC-Sportsman,

The 160's are a good weight in a 7mm Mag. I used them in Zim in a 7mmSTW.

If you can find a factory load ( I take it you don't reload )with a TBBC try that instead.

Blair.

Sc,
of the three animals you mention, Oryx is probably the "toughest" to bring down. I took a couple bull oryx this past April in namibia with a 257 Wby loaded with BarnesX 115 grains. 3 shots altogether at approx 30 to 50 yards and all where pass through. 1 shot was quartering towards me at about 35 - 40 yards and the bullet went in just in front of the shoulder where the skin is close to 2 inches thick and out the other side thorugh the ribs! Awesome penetration those barnes X's

your 160 grains 7 mm will do fine. you must hit the vitals though

quote:

Originally posted by SC-Sportsman:
Problem being... it's hard to find a heavier bullet than the 160 grain Barnes-x for the seven mag. I don't want to buy a new rifle for Africa.

Ok, I lied. I'd love to... but the spousal unit ain't going for it.

I picked up a couple of boxes of the Fusion 160 grain rounds and will try them out on whitetails this year.

363 days and counting...

Try the Nosler Partition in 175 grains.

For plains game up to and including Mt. Nyala (which can weigh over 700 lbs) we have for years recommended to our clients who wanted to sue their 7 MM Mag's that they use 160 Nosler Partitons. If noit handloads then the Fedral Premiums. I have a friend that's hunted Africa extensively with his 7 MM Mag with that combination and has taken several Eland with it without any problems. I haven't read any reports on the "Fusion" but 160 grains in 7 MM is heavy enough if it holds together and penitrates.
Rich Elliott

If I were limited to my 7mm Rem Mag and after the game you mentioned I would without question opt for the premium 175gr bullets. African game is too expensive to leave anything to chance. Forget the squirrel and whitetail bullets, these animals are easy to kill. The much bigger and tougher plains game need more and more is better.

quote:

Originally posted by buffybr:
On my first trip to RSA in 2000, I used a 7mm Rem Mag with 140 gr Balistic tips for one shot kills on Kudu, Gemsbok, Impala, Blue Wildebeest, and Blesbok. The only problem I had with it was on a Waterbuck where the bullet went in behind one shoulder and exited behind the other shoulder, in about the center of the chest. He ran off and it took us 5 hard days of hunting to find him. He was running with the herd like he had never been hit.

I know the 140 gr BT was on the light side, but it grouped better than the Partitions that I tested.

WOW!!!! I would not use a Nosler BT on anything larger than a whitetail. And after killing around 15 with those bullets I will not use them on deer. To say you went to Africa and had one shot kills with a 140 gr BT on plains game including gemsbok and wildebeest impresses the hell out of me.

Bullets for plains game:

Beyond choice of caliber is bullet construction and weight. The collected wisdom of the most experienced hunters contributing to the pages of Accurate Reloading is that one of the premium constructed bullets (Barnes MRX, Barnes TSX, GS Custom, Hornady Interbond, Northfork, Nosler Partition, Speer Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, Swift A-Frame) and a weight of 160gr to 180gr delivered in the corresponding calibers will serve adequately for plains game up to and including kudu (plus trophy bull elk and moose in North America).

The most popular calibers to deliver these bullet weights include 7x57 Mauser, 7mm Rem Mag, .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win Mag, .300 Win Short Mag, .300 RUM and .300 Weatherby Magnum.

Of course, it should be said that larger calibers and corresponding bullet weights of 200gr and larger designed for dangerous game will also suffice.

For reference read this bullet report from JJ Hack of 19 June 2006:

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1411043/m/474108794
.

I have never owned a 7Mag but my last Safari my plains game rifle was a 7x57 with 175gr Nosler Partitons. I shot several Kudu out to 250yds with absolutely no problems. I would comfortably use it on any plains game in Zim. If the 7x57 will do it I would imagine the 7Mag would too but with the attendent higher weight and recoil. Out to 300yds I've really seen no REAL advantage over the 7x57. Personal opinion of course.

The 7Mag will be up for the task if you are. Try to use heavier bullets but if it is not an option do not worry, just shoot straight and make sure that you know where the vitals are as it is not the same as North American animals.

I have to mention that without exeption the clients I dealt with from America were amased at the toghness of african animals.

I've used the 7mm Rem. Mag. and 160 grain Nosler Partitions to kill a fair number of plains game animals up to and including hartebeest.

I would not hesitate to use it on any antelope, perhaps excluding the larger and tougher ones, such as eland, oryx and wildebeest.

But even on an eland, I'm sure it would work if all was right and I did my job. But it would be about the minimum I'd want, and I don't like using the minimum on anything.

Thanks for all of the responses. My PH mailed me a copy of a shot placement guide for African game showing all of the vitals. I'm studying it regularly to prepare myself for the trip.

I have shot a 7-mag for over 25 years and would have no problem taking it to Africa if I didn't have the heavier calibers that I have available in my gun closet. I shoot a 140 grain nosler for Texas white tail but would not use it on the heavier plains game. Use one of the premium bulltes from Barnes, Hornady or Swift. I would choose something in the 160-175gn. range. Shoot different bullets with your rifle since you have time and see which groups the best. They will all group differently if your luck is like mine. The heavier bullet, the more drop, so make sure you are comfortable shooting at 100, 200, and 300 yards.
Bottom line, know what your rifle will do and put the bullet in the heart and you will harvest every animal you shoot at with whichever bullet you choose. I would not choose a nosler because I would choose a bullet with better penetration on the heavier animals. I leave in 3 weeks and I am choosing my bows over my guns for Namibia but a 7 mag can do the job if you do your job on the other end.

The 160grNP is my go to bullet in the 7mag. The Barnes will give you better penetrstion & on heavy bodied animlas like Zebra & Gemsbok, you'll want penetration. I've gotten as many 1/4ing shots as broadside on African game. Know the vitals &/or listen to your PH when he tells you where to place a bullet. It could save you 5 days of tracking a badly wounded animal.

Just got back from SA in June and two in our group of 4 shot the 7 mag with 175 TBBC and they took 2 kudu, 1 wildebeest, 2 impala, 2 warthogs, 1 waterbuck, and 1 red hartebeest with no problem. No problems all were one shot and down, except the waterbuck and that was becuase it was poor shot placement.

I have been shooting a 7mm Rem Mag since 1963. It took eight African plains game with no problem except eland. I had to shoot it 3 times. The heart shot on it was in the lower portion and not in the chambers or arteries (my fault).
I use 160 gr Nosler Partitions on every thing. It shoots it very well loaded at 2900 fps.
You should have no difficulty what so ever with your Seven!

quote:

Originally posted by RAC:

quote:

Originally posted by buffybr:
On my first trip to RSA in 2000, I used a 7mm Rem Mag with 140 gr Balistic tips for one shot kills on Kudu, Gemsbok, Impala, Blue Wildebeest, and Blesbok. The only problem I had with it was on a Waterbuck where the bullet went in behind one shoulder and exited behind the other shoulder, in about the center of the chest. He ran off and it took us 5 hard days of hunting to find him. He was running with the herd like he had never been hit.

I know the 140 gr BT was on the light side, but it grouped better than the Partitions that I tested.

WOW!!!! I would not use a Nosler BT on anything larger than a whitetail. And after killing around 15 with those bullets I will not use them on deer. To say you went to Africa and had one shot kills with a 140 gr BT on plains game including gemsbok and wildebeest impresses the hell out of me.

I was told that some time in the last couple years that Nosler was suppost to have made some of the ballistic tips in hunting weights a little tougher. I dont know if this is 100% true or not??
Im not talking about accubonds either.

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:
I was told that some time in the last couple years that Nosler was suppost to have made some of the ballistic tips in hunting weights a little tougher. I dont know if this is 100% true or not??
Im not talking about accubonds either.

I have heard that too. Originally they were a great bullet in the Contender because the reduced velocities caused expansion without fragmenting. I have used the 200 grain .338 bullet in a .338JDJ @ 2300 fps on whitetails. That was one Nosler toughened up. I have also used the .284 140 gr in 7mm Mag about 16 years ago and had them break up. Likewise for the 7mm/08. They kill deer just fine, I just like bullets to hold together better.

quote:

Originally posted by SC-Sportsman:

What do y'all think about a 160 grain Barnes-X (Federal Fusion) for Kudu, Gemsbok, and Zebra? I know it'll handle Impala and Warthog.

...

You are asking two questions.
A. The Fusion? Is a soft bullet and does just what it is designed for, kill Deer. I've used it on game as large as Blue Wildebeest, but would not recommend it for large game.

B. Barnes TSX?
I "think" the 7 Mag with 160 TSX is a great combo. We used this past trip for plains game, and took over 25 animals. We recoverd only one bullet from a Blue Wildebeest, and it was perfect 4 peddled mushroom.

In the past 18 trips to Africa, we have used several other bullets, and have found none better than the TSX.

SC, I've owned and hunted with 7 mags for nearly 30 years. They are great rifles and very accurate. My 7 mag BAR is my go to rifle for deer. It has accounted for some of my longest shots.

That said, if at all possible, I encourage you to purchase a .375 H&H for your safari. It is the classic African "all arounder" and a Hell of a gun. It's up to the task for all you'll do in Africa plus available in solids for the Texas heart shot on tough, running game. I had occasion to take several including a very nice zebra stallion running full gallop away from me. It was my last day of safari and my first opportunity on zebra after spending days looking for one. I would not have felt good making that shot with my 7 mag.

Also, if your 7 mag. is a semi-auto, it may not be legal where you are going. If that's the case, you have a compelling argument with the spouse to purchase a new rifle.

And finally, it's always nice to be able to pull the .375 out to show to friends as they admire your African trophies. It will wow them.

Amen to the BAR, check it out...RSA is not legal, but Namibia seems to be ok.

Terry,

Did you shot any small Antelope with the TSX, such as Duiker? Any problems with the bullet opening up?

Thanks

We did not shoot any Duiker, but did shoot Springbok, and there was adequate expansion.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SC-Sportsman:
I guess the whole reason I want to take my seven mag to Africa is that it's in pefect hunt-ready shape. Zeroed perfectly at 100 yards with a Swarovski PH scope, and I don't want to mess it up.
QUOTE]

Have no fear if TSA agents don't screw with it a good ole "Baggage monkey" will mess it up just fine for you!

quote:

.... I don't want to buy a new rifle for Africa.
Ok, I lied. I'd love to... but the spousal unit ain't going for it.

My wife can't tell the difference between a .22 and a shotgun ...BUT SHE CAN COUNT!

Your choice will work fine. Go and enjoy!

465H&H

I cannot speak to the Barnes bullet, but my brother shoots a 7mm Rem Mag and he does not reload. He shoot Federal Premium with 160gr Nosler Partitions and has killed all the animals you mentioned with it and that loading. Kudude

7 Mag with 160X- no problem. I would take any plainsgame up to eland with that combination. On my last safari, I used a .264 Win Mag with 140 x bullets, all game up to gemsbok and zebra were easily dropped.