In the early stages of trying to plan a 2009 South Africa trip. Am going to take the '06, and am looking at the Woodleigh protected point.

Seems they work best within a certain velocity window. Thoughts?

What grain weight of bullet are you thinking about using?

Woodleigh makes a good bullet, I shoot them in .411" for my 411 Hawk, but I can't comment on the 30 caliber offerings. They are reknowned in Africa for taking game. I can't believe they wouldn't give you fine performance.

Where are you hunting in RSA? What outfit? Any animal in particular you interested in hunting?

I have tried North Fork's 30 caliber bullets (on African game), if you are interested in trying some of those. They are a super bullet. I took my Greater Kudu, Sable, Nyala and Waterbuck with the North Fork, coming out my 300 H&H. I didn't recover any, even stem to stern shots. The internal damage to the animal was just terrific.

I'm not sure what distance you will be shooting, but for any reasonable distance, I really like the North Fork.

Looking at Kei River (Ranch?) near East London, SA. Written up in American Hunter (NRA). The prices appear very reasonable.

Thinking about either 165 or 180 bullet. The Woodleigh might only come in 180.

For plains game I would use Nosler Accubonds or any of the readily available premium bullets on the market today. Unless you just want to try Woodleighs, I would use what is easy to get. I've used Accubonds on several Safaris with outstanding results. I would do a little deeper research on where your hunting. Sometimes write up's can be a little misleading. The writer gets a free hunt so they tend to only paint rosey pictures. Although most Outfits in RSA are good quality, some offer more than others. Some have few game while some have a tremendous amount of game and high potential for trophy class animals. You are welcome to contact me if I can answer any questions. Good hunting, grayghost

For plains game I would use Nosler Accubonds or any of the readily available premium bullets on the market today. Unless you just want to try Woodleighs, I would use what is easy to get.

My thoughts exactly. With our plains game there is really no NEED for the most expensive ultra-premiun bullets, but of course if money is no problem then there is no reason not to use the Woodleighs...

I hunt with two calibres, .243 and 30-06, and I do *most* of my hunting with the '06. I normally hunt with Nosler Partition, and they've never let me down (never used Accubonds, but will try them when my present batch of '06 hunting rounds, reloaded around 2001, have been used up - perhaps in 5-6 years from now...)

I would do a little deeper research on where your hunting. Sometimes write up's can be a little misleading.

Am going to take the '06... Thinking about either 165 or 180 bullet.

I love the 165 grain for smaller animals, but would recommend that you rather use the 180's as they would be more suitable for Kudu, Gemsbok, etc. The Eastern Cape has quite varied topography, ranging from near desert open plains to very dense bush, and I would rather have a heavier bullet should I have to hunt in the bush. Also (and that would not be your primary concern if you're hunting for trophies), the higher velocity of the 165 grein bullets cause more meat damage. I'm a firm believer that slower & heavier = better :)

Oh, and WELCOME to South Africa, and enjoy the hunt...

Oh, and WELCOME to South Africa, and enjoy the hunt... Thank you for your thoughts. Any comment on Kei River Ranch?

FH

Thank you for your thoughts. Any comment on Kei River Ranch?

No, never hunted there, so really cannot comment.

I will ask around, though, and will post if I hear anything negative about them...

For most plains game I have used 180 grain Nosler ballistic tips in a .300 Wby. I have recovered many of them from just under the hide on the opposite side of greater kudu and gemsbok. One large bull kudu was at 500 yards and the bullet stopped just short of exiting and expanded great. The kudu dropped on the spot, got up and ran (slowly) for 100 yds and died.

Kudu40
In the early stages of trying to plan a 2009 South Africa trip. Am going to take the '06, and am looking at the Woodleigh protected point.

Seems they work best within a certain velocity window. Thoughts?