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Hunting >> Hunting in Africa & hunting dangerous game

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DPhillips
.375 member

Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 819
Loc: Alaska

Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two?
#22173 - 13/12/04 10:41 AM

Just curious, do you (or would you) take just one rifle or a primary and a back up? I've been thinking that it might be better to just take one rifle, but have seen pictures of hunter's rifles arriving in Africa with broken stocks.

What do our resident African Hunting veterns recommend?

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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two? [Re: DPhillips]
#22180 - 13/12/04 11:43 AM

I always take 2 rifles along-just in case. On the other hand, if you take only 1, and something happens to it, there is almost always one available in camp to use. On my last trip, my hunting buddy took his new 375 H&H and to be frank, it was too much gun for him. He was afraid of it, and couldn't shoot it. He flinched so badly that his P.H.wouldn't let him use it to hunt with. Instead, the P.H.went back to his house and brought out a 7 X 57 for my friend to use. He went on to make 10-12 one shot kills with it. After we got home, I bought the 375 from him cheap.

I'm a firm believer in Murphy's Law, so I always take 2 rifles along.

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40248
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two? [Re: DPhillips]
#22185 - 13/12/04 12:55 PM

I'm not a 'veteran' but have taken only one rifle on both of my African hunting trips. The first time a .30-06, the second I elected to leave that home and only took a .375. The next I will almost certainly that a .450 and the .375, unless serious long range shooting is expected.

Weight pays a big factor. Plus all the extra ammo needed.

I also like the simplicity of just a .375 and well used firearms.

On the other hand I do not like to trust using a 'camp' rifle, as sometimes these can be shit.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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shakari
.400 member

Reged: 09/02/03
Posts: 1107
Loc: South Africa

Re: Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two? [Re: NitroX]
#22186 - 13/12/04 03:39 PM

All you really need is one (decent quality) rifle, and if you use a quality guncase with quality locks then it's highly unlikely to get so damaged on the way over you couldn't shoot it......in fact, in all the time I've been in the business I've never had a client arrive with a rifle that went wrong in the bush (or before arrival) that couldn't be fixed in the same place.......I'm not suggesting it never happens, but it's never happenend to me.

Most problems that occur with clients rifles are either caused by a lack of attention before the hunt, such as a brand new rifle that has been fitted with the wrong scope mounts and hasn't been test fired before leaving home (DOH!) or even more occasionally a rifle that has been deliberately vandalised by airline staff. (zero altered on the scope etc)........and if that happens they'll probably vandalise ALL your rifles, no matter how many you bring.

Having said that, as John says, most company loaner rifles are shit and should be avoided if possible. We use a Blaser with a Swarovski scope as a loaner, but that's a much better quality rifle than most companies would use.

Mike also raises two good points. If you're really a "belt and braces" man then a second rifle can be a great comfort, but it's important to bring a calibre you shoot comfortably and confidently. I've had clients who flinch away from a .375 and others who shoot a .458 Lott single handed, so get used to shooting whatever you bring before you arrive.

--------------------
Steve "Shakari" Robinson
Kuduland Safaris (Africa) Ltd
info@kuduland.com
www.kuduland.com

Edited by shakari (13/12/04 03:44 PM)

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foxfire
.375 member

Reged: 25/11/04
Posts: 511
Loc: Long Island N.Y.,

Re: Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two? [Re: shakari]
#22194 - 14/12/04 12:03 AM

I'm going with the "Murphy's Law" believers here. To travel thousands of miles and spend thousands of dollars and let your hunt rest on the thought of maybe using someone else's gun is poor planning in my book.
I've haven't been to Africa yet but have hunted many places in North America and had situations that were handled very easily and nicely by my second rifle.

--------------------
No good deed goes unpunished

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470Nitro
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Reged: 17/09/03
Posts: 467
Loc: Madrid - Spain

Re: Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two? [Re: DPhillips]
#22227 - 14/12/04 10:54 PM

I used to carry 2 guns since I use to hunt dangerous game. If you're going to hunt just plainsgame you can do it with a .338WM or .375H&H only.

--------------------
-----
down by the river on a friday night
pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight
talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute

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Ndumo
.300 member

Reged: 21/12/03
Posts: 230
Loc: Namibia

Re: Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two? [Re: DPhillips]
#22236 - 15/12/04 04:59 AM

One rifle only is fine. Take something like a .30-06 with 180 -200gr premium bullets if not after girrafe or eland, or a .300 with 200gr and heavier bullets if hunting Kalahari or other terrain where longer shots are the norm. If eland also, .338 WM, girrafe .375/ 9.3 minimum.

--------------------
Karl Stumpfe
Ndumo Hunting Safaris (Pty) Ltd.
karl@huntingsafaris.net
www.huntingsafaris.net
+264 811 285 416

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DPhillips
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Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 819
Loc: Alaska

Re: Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two? [Re: DPhillips]
#22237 - 15/12/04 05:19 AM

Thanks to everyone that has responded. The original idea was for Zim Sable & Plainsgame hunt and carry two rifles in case something bad happened to one. Primary rifle is the Winchester M70 chambered in 300 H&H. I'm developing loads for the 200 grain North Fork right now. The other rifle I was going to take is my 20 year old Ruger No.1 in 338 Win Mag. While the 300 H&H is relatively new to me, I've only had it about a year now, I have shot it a lot and it is quite accurate and very comfortable to shoot. The No.1 I traded for new about 20 years ago and it has been with me on all kinds of hunts here in the U.S. It shoots very well also and recoil is mild. I had thought the 338 might be a better choice for Eland, but figure the 300 with 200 grain bullets would work well also.

I just didn't know if taking two rifles was a good idea or considered "overpacking" for the hunt.

Have considered taking two scopes for the 300 H&H, both in Talley QD mounts and sighted in before leaving. I figure the scope is the weakest link in the setup and the extra scope would keep me hunting should a bad spill (or bad baggage handlers) ruin the scope.

Edited by DPhillips (15/12/04 05:25 AM)

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40248
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two? [Re: DPhillips]
#22246 - 15/12/04 09:17 AM

Mate, pack the QD scopes in your cabin luggage. I try to do this when I can, same with all camera gear.

Doesn't sound like overpacking at all and the .300 H&H is an African (and world) classic.

A .338 sounds better for eland to me too. They are big animals.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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470Nitro
.333 member

Reged: 17/09/03
Posts: 467
Loc: Madrid - Spain

Re: Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two? [Re: NitroX]
#22265 - 15/12/04 08:14 PM

En respuesta a:

A .338 sounds better for eland to me too. They are big animals.

At least a .338 for a near 1 ton animal. Even a .375 is not too big for them

--------------------
-----
down by the river on a friday night
pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight
talkin' 'bout guns and dreamin 'bout women
never had a plan just a livin' for the minute

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allenday
.333 member

Reged: 18/04/04
Posts: 318

Re: Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two? [Re: DPhillips]
#22335 - 18/12/04 12:55 AM

On the last three safaris, I've taken just one rifle plus an extra scope, and so far, I've never needed the extra scope. One rifle for a plainsgame safari is plenty.

Since I had a rifle problem in Africa once due to a stateside gunsmithing error, I do take a spare parts kit (for the Model 70), which really doesn't take up much room or weigh very much. Included is a spare extractor and ejector; a pin, spring and screw kit; small wrenches for trigger adjustment; plus a screwdriver with detachable bits that'll fit the scopemount screws and action screws, as well as a couple of small punches. Since I first put this efficient little kit together, I haven't needed it in the field, but the day might come when I do.........

AD

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atkinson6
.375 member

Reged: 26/01/04
Posts: 678
Loc: Idaho

Re: Plainsgame Safari - One rifle or two? [Re: allenday]
#22802 - 29/12/04 11:00 AM

For plainsgame I would be satisfied with any good 300..I use a 300 H&H handloaded with 200 gr. Noslers and it will sure kill an Eland...I have never found Eland hard to kill if you stick a properly constructed bullet in the right spot.

A 30-06 or .270 will also work fine for plainsgame as will a 338....

My idea of a perfect combination is a 270,7x57 or 30-06 (take your pick) combined with a 338 Win shooting 210 gr. Noslers.....I like the idea taking two guns on a plainsgame or any kind of hunt if transportation of the extra gun is not a problem.....

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