Berger used at close range on african plains game

[RMHUNTER]

My wife and I are planning a african plains game hunt. She will be shooting 6.5 creedmore and I will shooting 300rum. I was woundering if anyone has had any experience with them in Africa? How did they work under 150 yards? I was planing on using the 130 vld hunting bullet in the creedmore and was thinking about the 230gr hybrid in the 300rum since it shoots so well but everyone including berger says 230gr won't perfore since it's a target bullet so I guess next would be the 210gr vld hunting bullet.

 

[Broz]

Bob and Chris Beck used them in Africa I believe. Hope they tune in and add info for you. I can offer our experiences with the 230's from this thread.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/berger-230-300-otm-hybrid-terminal-results-80283/

page 5 has an elk from 218 yards with pics of the exit.

Jeff

 

[RMHUNTER]

Thanks for the pictures Broz. Seems like everyone I talk to about this tells me go to the barnes, accubond, or partition. I like the berger preformace just was not sure about those close shoulder shots.

 

[Broz]

Seems like everyone I talk to about this tells me go to the barnes, accubond, or partition.

Well, not me... But in the end you need to take what every bullet you have confidence in. And remember, placement is king with any bullet. I know what I would be sending, but that may not be the best choice for you. It should be a personal choice.

If Bob from extreme outer limits does not join in you may want to send him a PM. If I remember correctly they took something like 40 animals in Africa with the 230's, but don't quote me on that. Get it straight from the source with real experience.

Jeff

 

[westcliffe01]

Have you decided what you will be hunting ? There are laws regarding minimum caliber / energy for the big 5 but the various other species may be more straight forward.

Excluding the big 5, the biggest thing you might be shooting is an Eland. Full grown Eland can weight about double a full grown moose. Drop below an Eland and it is like hunting Moose and Elk down to antelope.

Usually, the shots are taken at fairly close range, but outfitters are starting to cater for long range shooters. Hopefully you have discussed your intentions in detail with your guide, since many have rather a disdain for long range shooting.

Best of luck, and watch out for the bug bites..

 

[7stw]

Bob and Chris Beck used them in Africa I believe. Hope they tune in and add info for you. I can offer our experiences with the 230's from this thread.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/berger-230-300-otm-hybrid-terminal-results-80283/

page 5 has an elk from 218 yards with pics of the exit.

Jeff

**** dude, that is SOME exit!!!! DRT , I'm sure! If not, it wasnt hard to find! Great job !

 

[RMHUNTER]

we will be shooting kudu on the large size impala on the small size. My ph says long shots are around 250- 300 but we could have close shots at 75. If ultra long range (500+) shot is found he will let me take it.

 

[sportmuaythai]

Seems like everyone I talk to about this tells me go to the barnes, accubond, or partition.

I only have experience with NPt bullets, and I concur that it's very acceptable for all your African plain games, with 300RUM. In fact, it'd be acceptable for all African games except for elephants, Buffs, rhinos, and hippos, if your PH would let you shoot with it. Heck, I shot a beautiful very big lion with 270win, and while it needed 2 shots, it was a very sick lion after the first shot. A 160gr in 7mm Rem mag would have killed it right there. I've killed three elands with 270win also, and didn't find them more difficult to kill than elk.
About 6.5 creedmore, I cannot comment, except that Nyala, gemsbock, and hartebeest seem to be tougher than a caribou. I've been told that zebra is very tough, but had no problem with 270. Shots are normally within 100 yards, particularly with dangerous game, but elusive spiral horns some time can be up to 300 yards away.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

VLD at 200M 178lb doe, it escapes me at the moment as to if this was my 260 rem with 140g vld or my 300 win with the 185g VLD either way I think you get the point.

 

[RMHUNTER]

Sportmuaythai, Thanks for the info. When you say npt are you talking about nosler partition? The creedmoore will be used on the smaller game with the exception of hartebeest hopefully.

 

[sportmuaythai]

Sportmuaythai, Thanks for the info. When you say npt are you talking about nosler partition? The creedmoore will be used on the smaller game with the exception of hartebeest hopefully.

Yes, they were nosler partition. I used A-square Dead Toughand Trophy Bonded Bear Claw just when they came out, for buffs. I wish Nosler AB bullets were available then. I only shot one hartebeest, and that was in Tanzania; it's tenacity really surprised me. I only shot because my PH requested. I think he received commission for every animal I killed. I never killed wilderbeast.
BTW I believe the creedmoore could possibly even kill hartebeest. They are out in the open field, so you can take time with your shot. It's the elusive spiral horns that get obscured in the brush tha may give you less opportunity.

 

[westcliffe01]

Yep, the giant ears on the Kudu do a really good job in detecting you... They also have a pretty good view, given how tall they are.

 

[sportmuaythai]

But in the end you need to take what every bullet you have confidence in. And remember, placement is king with any bullet.
Jeff

I concur, except that the bullet shouldn't blow apart at impact velocity.

 

[Broz]

I concur, except that the bullet shouldn't blow apart at impact velocity.

With 100's of kills with Bergers I have never had a problem. I documented with pictures and notes of impact velocities, the terminal damage from19 Big game animal kills with the same rifle and Berger bullets last year. Many elk, antelope and deer. Every single entrance hole was caliber sized from 200 yards to close to 1300 yards. Sometimes internet myths get repeated too much. I only post from what I have done and seen with my own eyes.

Jeff