Best Calibers for Hunting Blesbok: Comparisons & Picks
Flat-shooting picks for open veld shots, with ethical and legal considerations.
If you’re planning a blesbok hunt, your cartridge choice is mostly about doing one thing well: placing a controlled, predictable bullet through the vitals at the distances the open veld often demands. Blesbok are medium antelope—tough enough that you want reliable penetration, but not so large that you need heavy-recoiling magnums. In many areas you’ll be shooting from sticks, prone, or off a pack in steady wind, with common opportunities from about 120–300 yards and occasional longer looks when the herds hang up. The calibers below focus on accuracy, manageable recoil, and bullet options that hold together on shoulder angles while still expanding well on lighter-framed game.
Before you load up: regulations vary by province, property, and outfitter (minimum calibers/energy, suppressor rules, and transport requirements can differ), so verify local rules and your PH’s recommendations. Whatever you choose, prioritize safe firearm handling, confirm your backstop, and commit to ethical shot placement—wait for a high-percentage broadside or slight quartering-away angle and use a bullet designed for controlled expansion.
Caliber Comparisons
| Feature | .243 Winchester | 6.5 Creedmoor | .270 Winchester | 7mm-08 Remington | .308 Winchester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recoil How much kick you can expect when firing. |
Low | Low–Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate–Stout (in light rifles) |
| Effective Range The distance at which the caliber remains accurate and lethal. |
0–300 yd typical (with proper bullets and shot selection) | 0–400 yd typical (verify drops/velocity) | 0–450 yd typical (flat trajectory; verify drops) | 0–400 yd typical (efficient; verify drops) | 0–350+ yd typical (trajectory requires honest ranging) |
| Bullet Weight Range The range of bullet weights typically available for the caliber. |
80–105 gr | 120–143 gr | 130–150 gr | 120–150 gr | 150–180 gr |
| Versatility How well the caliber or gauge performs for other game species besides your primary target. |
Great for light to medium game with correct bullets | Excellent all-around deer/antelope class; some larger plains game | Very versatile plains/deer caliber; scales up with 150 gr bullets | Versatile medium-game round; great in short actions | One of the most versatile hunting calibers worldwide |
| Ammo Availability How easy it is to find ammunition for the caliber. |
Common | Common–Moderate | Very common | Moderate | Very common |
.243 Winchester
A classic “light recoil, high precision” caliber that can be very effective on blesbok when paired with a stout 95–105 gr hunting bullet. It shines for newer shooters, small-statured hunters, and anyone who wants to practice a lot without getting beat up. The key is bullet selection: pick controlled-expansion designs and place the shot through the heart–lung window rather than trying to “break both shoulders” at sharp angles.
PROS
- Very manageable recoil for frequent practice and confident field shooting.
- Excellent accuracy potential; flat enough for typical veld distances with a sensible zero.
- Wide bullet selection in the 95–105 gr range built for deer/antelope-sized game.
CONS
- Less margin for error on steep quartering shots compared with larger 6.5–7mm options.
- Wind drift can be more noticeable with lighter bullets on blustery open ground.
- Some local minimum-energy rules or outfitter preferences may steer you to bigger cartridges.
Interesting Fact: With modern monolithic and bonded bullets, the .243 has proven itself well beyond its “varmint” reputation—many hunters now treat it as a true light game caliber.
Consider this Caliber If…
You’re recoil-sensitive, want a highly shootable setup, and expect mostly broadside shots inside ~250–300 yards.
6.5 Creedmoor
For blesbok, 6.5 Creedmoor is a sweet spot: mild recoil, high ballistic efficiency, and excellent 120–143 gr hunting bullets. It tends to hold up better in wind than .243 while still being easy to shoot well from sticks. Choose a controlled-expansion bullet and you’ll get reliable penetration on quartering angles without jumping to heavier recoil classes.
PROS
- Typically easy to shoot accurately with moderate recoil and good stock fit.
- High-BC bullets help reduce wind drift and keep impact velocity consistent at distance.
- Strong bullet lineup (bonded, monolithic, and cup-and-core) in 120–143 gr weights.
CONS
- Not as universally stocked worldwide as .270 or .308 in some regions.
- Longer shots still demand disciplined range/velocity checks for reliable expansion.
- Factory loads vary; confirm your rifle’s preferred bullet weight before the trip.
Interesting Fact: The Creedmoor’s reputation was built on precision competition, but its real hunting advantage is how calmly most people can shoot it—often improving real-world field accuracy.
Consider this Caliber If…
You want an all-around antelope/deer-class caliber that handles wind well and stays comfortable for long practice sessions.
.270 Winchester
The .270 Win is a time-tested plains cartridge that matches blesbok country perfectly: flat trajectory, plenty of energy, and excellent 130–150 gr hunting bullets. It offers more “reach” and forgiveness than the light calibers while staying well below magnum recoil. If you’re hunting mixed plains game, the .270 also scales nicely to larger antelope with the right bullet.
PROS
- Flatter trajectory makes holdovers simpler when ranges stretch across open veld.
- Great balance of speed and bullet weight for reliable penetration and expansion.
- Very common hunting round with broad factory ammo and component support.
CONS
- Recoil is still moderate, but it’s noticeably more than .243/6.5—practice matters.
- Some rifles can be picky with very light or very heavy bullets; test your load.
- Short-barrel setups can be loud; hearing protection and safe muzzle discipline are important.
Interesting Fact: The .270’s long-standing popularity means you can usually find proven loads quickly—handy when travel logistics complicate ammo availability.
Consider this Caliber If…
You want a classic “do-most-things” plains caliber for 150–350 yard shots, and you’re comfortable with moderate recoil.
7mm-08 Remington
If you like efficient performance without stepping into full-size .30-cal recoil, 7mm-08 is an outstanding blesbok option. It pushes 120–150 gr bullets with excellent sectional density, giving dependable penetration and good wind behavior. In a well-fit rifle, it’s often easier to shoot well than faster cartridges, and it performs beautifully from practical field positions.
PROS
- Efficient, controlled recoil profile that’s friendly to compact and lightweight rifles.
- Great bullet choices (120–150 gr) with strong penetration for quartering shots.
- Often excellent accuracy and consistent velocity from mid-length barrels.
CONS
- Factory ammo can be less common than .308 or .270 depending on where you shop.
- Trajectory is good but not as “laser flat” as the .270 at the same zero.
- If you chase very long distances, you still need careful wind calls and verified drops.
Interesting Fact: Because it’s based on the .308 case, 7mm-08 tends to run smoothly in short-action rifles—many hunters appreciate the handiness in vehicles and on foot.
Consider this Caliber If…
You want a short-action rifle with comfortable recoil, but you still want authority on medium antelope at varied angles.
.308 Winchester
The .308 Win is the dependable “workhorse” choice for blesbok: abundant ammo, forgiving terminal performance, and a wide range of 150–180 gr bullets. It’s not the flattest on paper, but inside typical blesbok distances it hits hard and penetrates well—especially with bonded or monolithic bullets when you need to punch through a shoulder on a less-than-perfect angle.
PROS
- Extremely common ammo availability and broad load selection.
- Strong terminal performance with 150–165 gr bullets at typical veld ranges.
- Versatile for many game species; easy to standardize if you hunt multiple animals.
CONS
- More drop and wind drift than sleeker 6.5/7mm options if ranges push farther out.
- Recoil is moderate-to-stout in lightweight rifles—good technique helps a lot.
- Some loads are optimized for shorter barrels; confirm velocity and zero with your setup.
Interesting Fact: Many military and match rifles have been built around the .308, which helped drive a massive ecosystem of accurate bullets and proven loads for hunters too.
Consider this Caliber If…
You want maximum simplicity—easy ammo sourcing, proven bullets, and reliable performance from 50–300+ yards.
Final picks for blesbok: match recoil, wind, and your real distances
Any of the calibers above can be an excellent blesbok hunting caliber when you pair it with the right bullet and verify your rifle’s zero before you step onto the veld. If you want the easiest path to confident shooting, the .243 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor are hard to beat—just stay disciplined about angles and choose controlled-expansion bullets. If your hunt may include longer shots, steady wind, or a mix of plains game, the .270 Winchester and 7mm-08 Remington offer a very practical balance of trajectory and penetration. If you value ammo availability, simple logistics, and proven terminal performance above all else, the .308 Winchester remains a safe, effective “one rifle” choice.
Whatever you carry, build your plan around ethics and safety: confirm local regulations (minimum caliber/energy, permitted projectiles, and any property rules), practice from realistic field positions like shooting sticks, and commit to shot placement that produces a quick, humane kill. When in doubt, close the distance, wait for a better angle, and make the first shot count.