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crkennedy1
.375 member

Reged: 05/12/08
Posts: 501
Loc: Utah

Heading to Africa, which gun should I take?
#130395 - 25/03/09 03:59 AM

Okay, I've finally taken the step - I've booked a hunt to Africa! At our local SCI banquet last week I bid on and won a hunt with Ditholo Safaris in September. Ditholo is located about two hours North of Johannesburg. I will be hunting Impala, Springbok, Duiker, Gemsbok, Kudu and Wart Hog. I met and spoke with my guide (Ian Tolmay) and he told me that my 30-06 should be sufficient for all of these animals. I'd love to also bring my 375 H&H. Any opinions? Would my 375 be a better gun for the Kudu and Gemsbok? Thanks, Christopher

--------------------
DOUBLE or NOTHING

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450_366
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Reged: 17/01/07
Posts: 1068
Loc: Sweden, west-coast.

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: crkennedy1]
#130400 - 25/03/09 05:18 AM

My suggestion would be to take the one you shoot best with, any of them would work.

--------------------
Andreas

"Yeas it kicks like a mule he said, but always remember that its much worse standing on the other end"

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thorshammer
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Reged: 27/12/08
Posts: 150
Loc: USA

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: 450_366]
#130401 - 25/03/09 05:28 AM

3006 with 220 woodleighs gotta love heavy for cal bullets has you covered for your plains game esp for Impala, Springbok, Duiker, Gemsbok, Kudu and Wart Hog

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DuggaBoy
.300 member

Reged: 03/03/09
Posts: 106
Loc: Tx

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: thorshammer]
#130405 - 25/03/09 05:45 AM

"I met and spoke with my guide (Ian Tolmay) and he told me that my 30-06 should be sufficient for all of these animals. I'd love to also bring my 375 H&H."

"My suggestion would be to take the one you shoot best with, any of them would work."

Two good answers.

Trust the PH or go with someone else is how I would look at it ,if it were me.

I love my bigger rifles too, however, 2 rifles are twice the trouble in transport ammo etc.

Or, take the .375 because you love it, then shoot a light "camp" rifle on the smaller stuff.

--------------------
DuggaBoy
NRA-Life
Whittington-Life
TSRA-Life
DSC

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EricD
.416 member

Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: DuggaBoy]
#130410 - 25/03/09 06:21 AM

Take whichever you prefer, but there is no doubt that the 30-06 with decent 180 grain bullets will work more than sufficiently on all of the animals you list.

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TerryR
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Reged: 13/07/04
Posts: 42
Loc: Greensburg, Pa.

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: EricD]
#130412 - 25/03/09 06:26 AM

No wrong answer. Your 30-06 will work just fine on all those animals. 375 will kill them just as dead. The larger caliber isn't really needed, but why buy a 375 if you aren't going to take it to Africa. If it were me, I'd take them both.

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JabaliHunter
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Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: TerryR]
#130413 - 25/03/09 06:36 AM

A horse and a pig stick!

or the .30-06. Would the .375 be better on kudu and gemsbok? probably, but either will work fine. Use a Swift A-frame or other suitable bonded bullet in the 06 though... minimum 180 if not 200 or 220 grain as the ranges are not long...

You'll have a ball!

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crkennedy1
.375 member

Reged: 05/12/08
Posts: 501
Loc: Utah

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: JabaliHunter]
#130416 - 25/03/09 07:08 AM

I'm thinking I'll bring both guns, but I have six months to mull it over. In my 30-06 I currently shoot the Federal Premium 165 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. It's an expensive load, but it shoots so very accurate, and when I last did ballistics on it - that bullet flew flatter and longer than a 180 or even a 220... who knows. Thus, my desire to bring the 375 for the bigger game. Oh well - either way, I'm pretty excited for the hunt!

--------------------
DOUBLE or NOTHING

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thorshammer
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Reged: 27/12/08
Posts: 150
Loc: USA

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: crkennedy1]
#130417 - 25/03/09 07:34 AM

Do what ever your heart desires but look into the heavier for caliber bullets

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rscott
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Reged: 21/03/08
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Loc: wyo., USA

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: EricD]
#130419 - 25/03/09 08:05 AM

Quote:

Take whichever you prefer, but there is no doubt that the 30-06 with decent 180 grain bullets will work more than sufficiently on all of the animals you list.

i totally agree with this opinion. just take the '06.

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Bramble
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Reged: 29/07/06
Posts: 950
Loc: England

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: rscott]
#130428 - 25/03/09 10:52 AM

Take the .375. There is no romance in going to Africa with a military caliber, might as well take an AK47.

Regards

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BeltedMagnum
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Reged: 09/10/08
Posts: 24
Loc: New England

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: rscott]
#130429 - 25/03/09 10:54 AM

I did a similar bag with a 7mm rem mag which is pretty close to the 30-06. My father did the same hunt as I did a year before with the 375H&H. We both had similar results although his hog dropped on the spot and mine went for a little stroll. My father really wanted to hunt in Africa with a 375 and I can't blame him. I however, couldn't afford to clock in as much range time with the 375 as I could with the 7mm.

My advise is the 30-06 based off the fact that it will do the job as well as the price of ammo. I shot three boxes a week for just shy of 5 months before my trip. Not only did it give me a chance to check my gear for gremlins, but I was 100% sure of myself when I arrived. Everything looks and feels different (in a good way) so it was comforting to know that I had the prep work down.

Just another 0.02 I don't know about at your range, but the long distant rifle range (300 yds) is typically vacant. I sighted in at 200 yards and would shoot one or two shots, walk down to the target and jog back. Helped me both get use to shooting with an elevated heart rate and get use to a great deal of walking. I am no great white hunter and am happy to admit that every time I was getting to pull the trigger my pump station was working overtime with excitement.

Whatever you bring, shoot straight and enjoy every second.

--------------------
Hunting Africa with Dad. Does it get any better?

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9.3x57
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Reged: 22/04/07
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Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: Bramble]
#130436 - 25/03/09 12:16 PM

Quote:

Take the .375. There is no romance in going to Africa with a military caliber, might as well take an AK47.

Regards

Bramble, you rascal.

This is actually quite true.

So take the .375, tho in reality ErikD is absolutely right, the '06 and pretty much any decent 180 grain bullet will remove the gun as an excuse for a lost trophy.

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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tophet1
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Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: 9.3x57]
#130444 - 25/03/09 01:25 PM

I would strongly recommend the .30-06 with that favourite load. On your list Gemsbok is the toughest animal you will hunt.

The .30-06 is about ideal with a premium 165 and will have the range if you are challenged by Springbok. You will also need something very accurate if you are hunting duiker and springbok at longer ranges. An accurate .30-06 will give you confidence and you will also have more of a chance to watch your shot impact with the .30 cal rather than the .375. (Something I find very satisfying.)

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crkennedy1
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Reged: 05/12/08
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Loc: Utah

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: tophet1]
#130447 - 25/03/09 03:07 PM

This is all great advise. I also have two double rifles (one in 30-06 and one in 45-70). To really be traditional, I'd consider taking one or both of them, but frankly I think I'm much more accurate with my bolt actions. I think I'm allowed to bring 200 rounds of ammo in per gun (or is it total ammo?) That would make a big difference as to whether I'd bring both the '06 or 375 or both. Is it 200 rounds per gun?

--------------------
DOUBLE or NOTHING

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tophet1
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Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: crkennedy1]
#130449 - 25/03/09 03:59 PM

Most airlines have a limit of 5kg for ammunition. You can safely allocate approx 5 rounds per animal hunted and this will leave enough for sighting in and scope adjustments if required as well as hunting.

I left my PH most of the 40 rounds I took to cover 8 animals. Depends what kind of a shot you are.

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eagle27
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Reged: 24/01/09
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Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: tophet1]
#130450 - 25/03/09 05:26 PM

I certainly concur with most of what has been said regarding a suitable gun/cartridge to take to Africa but where is your sense of romance and adventure. Surely you could feel the presence of Bell, Taylor and all the rest of those great white hunters from yesteryear alongside you when you make the stalk and the shot.

Me, well hopefully I will fulfill my dream to hunt in Africa one day and the question of suitable rifle will not be up for discussion. It would have to be my Type A 404 Mauser for everything.

Take the 375 H&H and live the day.

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thorshammer
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Reged: 27/12/08
Posts: 150
Loc: USA

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: eagle27]
#130451 - 25/03/09 05:37 PM

Like I said take which ever you have your heart set on I took all my Plains game with a 7x57 which some consider light but with proper shot placement and bullets will take eland

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500grains
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Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: thorshammer]
#130452 - 25/03/09 05:59 PM

Just take the 375 and extra ammo.

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thorshammer
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Reged: 27/12/08
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Loc: USA

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: 500grains]
#130453 - 25/03/09 06:12 PM

well the question should of been taken in to consideration is there elephants and buff on the properity because u might want to take the 375 and some solids as insurance

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93mouse
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Loc: Slovenia

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: thorshammer]
#130455 - 25/03/09 06:19 PM

One day you will be back for DG, so no better exercise than a couple PG prior that - take H&H - your confidence in rifle will rise with every game taken.

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EricD
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Reged: 27/02/04
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Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: Bramble]
#130457 - 25/03/09 07:13 PM

Quote:

Take the .375. There is no romance in going to Africa with a military caliber, might as well take an AK47.

Regards

Bramble,

My wife has used her 30-06 while in Africa, and I can't say that the cartridge caused any lack of romance between us.

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crkennedy1
.375 member

Reged: 05/12/08
Posts: 501
Loc: Utah

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: EricD]
#130479 - 26/03/09 01:33 AM

500grains - a picture says a tousand words! Perhaps the 375 IS the ticket, but I am deadly accurate (up to 200 yards) with my 30-06. Both rifles are Browning A-Botls, stainless stalkers. Perhaps a few more trips to the shooting range bring me more enlightenment. It's getting expensive though. Perhaps it's time to start reloading.

--------------------
DOUBLE or NOTHING

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: crkennedy1]
#130483 - 26/03/09 01:48 AM

cr- no one I'm aquainted with, has the 'spare' cash to become proficient using only factory ammo. If independently wealthy, it is possible, of course - none of my friends are - dang. Even at only $20.00 per box for '06's, that's $100.00 minimum for testing to find a descent load that your rifle likes and to get sighted - then comes the practise - several $100.00's later, it's time to hunt. At $80.00 (or more) per box for premiums in a .375, you've broken the bank just testing and sighting- even before practising to become proficient with the piece. Take the '06 if you don't load and spend several $100.00's to become 1 with it.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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bigmaxx
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Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.

Re: Heading to Africa, which gun should I take? [Re: DarylS]
#130493 - 26/03/09 05:00 AM

I went to Zimbabwe last year to hunt buffalo and plains game. I took a .458 lott for the buffalo and wound up shooting a big bull hippo on land as well. I talked to a few guys here on NE and decided to take a rifle capable of stopping dangerous game as my second rifle. I finally decided on a Ruger Hawkeye African in .375 ruger. I purchased dies and reloaded for both rifle. I shot two or three times a week. It was time and money well spent. I had several occasions when I was really glad I had a .375 in my hands instead of a .30 caliber. Elephants are always a threat, and other nasties abound. I was well pleased with the performance of the .375 with Swift A-Frames in 300 grains and Hornady solids. I kept solids in the bottom of the magazine but never needed them. I hope this helps. Just shoot alot and go enjoy your safari. BTW, factory Hornady ammo for .375 is a bit over $50.00, about the same as premium ammo for your '06.

--------------------
One day at a time...

Edited by bigmaxx (27/03/09 04:37 AM)

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