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Offline Dixie Dude

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Plains game rifle
« on: July 27, 2007, 02:06:42 AM »
Is the 8mm Mauser a good plains game rifle for Africa?  And is the ammunition available?
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Offline Grumulkin

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Re: Plains game rifle
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2007, 03:27:40 AM »
Any common rifle cartridge from 270 Winchester on up would work fine for plains game.  The usual disclaimers about proper bullet selection and placement apply.  For the smaller stuff, lesser cartridges would be OK as well.  There are some who even use the 22 Hornet for the smaller species.  Most shots will probably be 100 yards or less so the 8X57 Mauser should be fine.

I don't know about 8X57 Mauser cartridge availability in Africa.
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Offline Texgun

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Re: Plains game rifle
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2007, 06:34:42 PM »
I took a warthog, hartebeast, a gold medal gemsbok, and a silver medal kudu with a 8x68s mauser. I got them in Namibia last month.
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A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.
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Offline Texgun

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Re: Plains game rifle
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2007, 06:38:42 PM »


Her is a pic.
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A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.
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Offline WL44

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Re: Plains game rifle
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2007, 10:21:18 PM »
The 8X57 is very popular in Namibia (I'm told) and fairly so in South Africa. Certain dealers will carry ammo - Rosenthals in Windhoek, Namibia and in Cape Town, South Africa and possibly the Powder Keg in JHB should have. But you won't be spoilt for choice and it would be good to check in advance. I would suggest you take your own ammo anyway.

There are better calibers for the longer shots, but I'd happily carry an 8X57 for much of what I hunt.

I've always liked the 8X68 on paper - a great beltless magnum - never owned or shot one. But .30 and .33 bullet choice is just so much better. There isn't much out there for the reloader if it isn't popular in ther US. I always thought it was a good candidate for wildcatting to a .30! But brass is a limitation - probably RWS only (good brass though!)

Anyhow... that's a thread drift, so I'll leave it there. ;D
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Offline jro45

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Re: Plains game rifle
« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2007, 04:32:54 AM »
I just recently got back from Africa and I used a 300 Ultra Mag shooting 200gr bullets and I got a Zerbra, a warthog, a Gemsbok, and a Links Cat with it.

I was in South Africa The Country in Africa.
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Offline Peter V

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Re: Plains game rifle
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2007, 10:47:46 PM »
Dixie Dude,

The 8x57JS is on a par with the .3006 for all intents and purposes; both are equally suitable as plains game rifles in bushveld conditions for animals including Kudu Gemsbuck etc.

8x57JS ammunition is readily available in South Africa and Namibia from better gunshops like those already mentioned. (8x57J i.e. the .318 calibre version is however as scarce as hensteeth)
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Peter V
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Offline Dixie Dude

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Re: Plains game rifle
« Reply #7 on: August 22, 2007, 01:26:16 AM »
Thanks
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