338 Federal

[A-R]

My 308 has a twist rate of 1/12 otherwise i would have shot the heavies

It should stabilize any of the 200gn RN cup-core bullets perfectly.

[Messor]

My 308 has a twist rate of 1/12 otherwise i would have shot the heavies

You load a 180gr Swift A-frame at about 2500ft/s, and you can shoot any antelope you wish with confidence.
There is no need to go heavier, which doesn't mean you should not do exactly that :)

Just saying, a modern bullet in a 308 is all the bush hunter in SA will ever need.
Which incidentally is why some don't like the 308, it's just too perfect to be likable, we firearm enthusiasts seek more than something that fill our needs.

[Pirate]

It should stabilize any of the 200gn RN cup-core bullets perfectly.

A 220gr RN (specifically the PMP bullets) stabilises perfectly in a 308 with 1:12 twist, and I've got the groups to prove it. However, MV is quite low (~2200fps) so I'm not sure what the expansion will be like.

[TStone]

A 220gr RN (specifically the PMP bullets) stabilises perfectly in a 308 with 1:12 twist, and I've got the groups to prove it. However, MV is quite low (~2200fps) so I'm not sure what the expansion will be like.

I have used PMP brown box and Sierra GK bullets in reduced loads in a 7x57, muzzle velocities of 1600 fps and 1450 fps, and they expanded perfectly in warthog out to 100m, I never tried them at longer range. My load for my .303 is a 150gr PMP brown box bullet at 2200fps, I have only shot two warthog and a jackal with it but so far all bullets have expanded, even the one that killed the jackal at ±150m.

The .303 Brish with a 215 gr soft nose, the 9.5x57 with a 270gr soft and the .404 Jeffery with a 400gr soft all at ±2150fps did very well at bushveld ranges.

[singh17]

My 308 has a twist rate of 1/12 otherwise i would have shot the heavies

I also have a 1/12 308win
A-frame bullets are relatively short for their weight. 200gr 30cal a frame will be stable from the 1/12 twist.
I use the 180gr at about 2430fps, running low on stock and transitioning to 180gr partitions due to cost.
As I have checked, Berger stability calculator, the 220gr
Partition will be stable with a muzzle velocity of 2250 or more using a 1/12 twist rifle.

[kayaker]

My friend here in Alberta uses a Kimber 84 in .338 Fed. Its a useful cartridge for sure, it seems some velocity claims are a bit inflated. He has used it to kill larger animals like elk (a good deal larger than kudu/BWB) and moose (getting into eland size territory depending on sex/age), to good effect.

Another option for you would be an 8x57, run it will 200gr plus bullets or 180gr monometal. You can probably find an older Mauser take off barrel for cheap. As others have said, a 9.3x62 is a easy option too, as is the .338-06 or .338 Sabi if you want an eg Suid Afrikaans cartridge.

Rebarreling isn't cheap, you might be better off selling the .308 and buying a new rifle.

Of course a tougher and/or heavier bullet in a .308 is good stuff in bush conditions.

[kayaker]

You load a 180gr Swift A-frame at about 2500ft/s, and you can shoot any antelope you wish with confidence.
There is no need to go heavier, which doesn't mean you should not do exactly that :)

Just saying, a modern bullet in a 308 is all the bush hunter in SA will ever need.
Which incidentally is why some don't like the 308, it's just too perfect to be likable, we firearm enthusiasts seek more than something that fill our needs.

This is true....

I own some less common chamberings (6.5x55, .300H&H, 9.3x62) but my .308 gets used most often. Only reason I don't own a .30-06 for everything is because I am gun nut, not for any practical reason.

[Pirate]

I have used PMP brown box and Sierra GK bullets in reduced loads in a 7x57, muzzle velocities of 1600 fps and 1450 fps, and they expanded perfectly in warthog out to 100m, I never tried them at longer range. My load for my .303 is a 150gr PMP brown box bullet at 2200fps, I have only shot two warthog and a jackal with it but so far all bullets have expanded, even the one that killed the jackal at ±150m.

The .303 Brish with a 215 gr soft nose, the 9.5x57 with a 270gr soft and the .404 Jeffery with a 400gr soft all at ±2150fps did very well at bushveld ranges.

Well there you have it... one less worry about that load crossed out. If I ever get the chance to creep up on something big, and I've not yet bought the 9.2x62 I promised myself for "one day" this 220gr load may well be called up for action.

Regarding stability in general, I do feel too much is made of it. A bullet needs to be stable in flight, and if the maths says it's fine, it's fine. While I get that the heavier VLDs and monos may not stabilise in a 1:12 (even 155gr Scenars are "just OK" at standard sea level temperatures as pressures) for hunting purposes I believe the difference to 1:10 is much of a muchness. 1:10 makes utmost sense for long distance shooting, and will of course be able to do everything a 1:12 can, but just like our game hasn't suddenly become tougher to kill in the last 20years, physics laws haven't changed to suddenly render the older slower twist rifles useless.

[Blink Stefaans]

So for bushveld hunting...if i can get a 200gr round nose for the 308 that should be enough for big eland?
What velocity are we looking at with somchem through a 24" tube?

[CorditeCrazy]

Personally I wouldn’t shoot an eland with a 308, their shoulder bones are as heavy as a buffaloes.