Mr. Newbie heads to Africa

[Komatsu]

Hi guys,

Been hunting only around 20 times, mostly for white tails in New England. In 18 months, I'm heading on a guided safari hunt with 3 buddies and with PHs through Numzaan Safaris in South Africa. Pretty psyched! Plan to hunt Gemsbock, Warthog, and Impala. Been training in the martial arts 35 years and doing tactical shooting for 25. I dislike putting my safety in anyone's hands but my own.

I have a 35 Remington lever gun, a 30-06 and a .308. I'm thinking the '35 and certainly the 30-06 can put down any of the three I plan to hunt, but how likely is it that a lion, leopard, or cape buffalo decides to hunt me while I'm hunting these three and I'll have to put them down with the rifle I bring? None of these rifles would stop a charge from those guys... Was thinking I might pick up a 460 revolver but I hear they are tough to get into Africa... Should I just buy a 375 or something in the 400s?

Advice on these questions and any other general advice for a first timer hunting Africa would be much-appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Robert]

H&Hhunter is your go to for all things Africa hunting. He is the one who sold me on the virtues of the 375 H&H. I'll likely never hunt Africa but I'll never be under gunned anywhere I do hunt. If you can afford it, I'd say get one. The Winchester M70 Safari Express is about the best buy for your money these days. Have it bedded, and get used to shooting it and you'll have a rifle good for anything but the biggest elephants. One world, one caliber. 375 H&H.

Though I tend to be a bit partial...

 

[Patocazador]

Plan to hunt Gemsbock, Warthog, and Impala.

Don't underestimate gemsbok. They are tough and can be dangerous. Take the '06 or .308. The .35 would best be left at home.

Use premium bullets like Nosler Partitions or A-square and you'll be fine as long as you shoot straight.

When I went, any wounded animal was counted as a kill and you pay for it whether it is recovered or not so good bullets and good marksmanship make sense.

 

[Captcurt]

Got to go with Pato on this one. An 06 with premium bullets will take any of the plains game. The 375 is a fine round, but I wouldn't purchase one for a single trip to Africa unless I was well heeled. Your PH's job is to take care of the lion. Resumes do not look good when you state that a client got gnawed on.

 

[jmr40]

The 30-06 or 308 will easily handle anything you plan to hunt. You'll probably want to use heavier than normal and/or premium bullets. The solid copper bullets are well thought of. Leave the 35 at home, it is not in the same league.

If you WANT to buy a 375, either the H&H or 375 Ruger then it would be a good option too. And a better option if you have to stop something big hunting you. But I'd not spend the money for one unless I were specifically hunting something that needed the power.

 

[George P]

Minimum of the '06. Your PH should have something heavier for defense against dangerous game. ASK your safari guides/booking agent as they will tell you about guns, ammo, clothes, tips, paperwork, etc.

 

[Komatsu]

Thanks guys. Does anyone know how frequently dangerous game that are not being hunted attack hunters going after plains game? Should I just not be concerned about it? Just trying to cover all the bases

 

[WestKentucky]

Your PH should know the world he is in like the back of his hand. He should not be caught off guard by any of the big clawed critters. Your going to be in his territory hunting game that he knows and he will probably have trackers. Their #1 job is to get you home safe, and they take that job seriously. Trust him. If you don’t you are wasting your time and money.

 

[hillman23]

Get the best bullets (heavier for caliber and non-frangible that will penetrate well) that shoot consistently well out of your rifle. Ask your PH/safari service what distances are most common for shots taken in the hunting area and practice,practice, practice. Get comfortable shooting off shooting sticks (ask your PH if that's most common.) George P. and WestKentucky are right on: If you have questions, ask your PH/safari service and trust his answers. By the way, good luck, take a ton of pictures, and have a blast! Wish I was going with you.

 

[stringnut]

I have never been to Africa ,so, consider you a lucky individual. Have read a ton about it however. Also now several people that have gone. You might see a lion or two depending on where you are at. Cape buffalo are common ,but, unless you have extremely bad luck will not have any issues. Leopards are mostly nocturnal and pretty darn skittish, so, unless actually hunting for them an encounter is unlikely. You chances of any issues are extremely small. Probably along the lines of getting struck by lightning. Take the 308 or 06 and good 180 gr bullets and you will be all set. Talk to the outfitter and guide if you have any doubts.

 

[Grumulkin]

You might see lion but they'll probably be seen on the other side of a fence or from the back of the "bakke."



You could even seen a cape buffalo.



Once again, it will probably be on the other side of a fence or from the bakke. I was told that a few days before this photo was taken, one chased the tracker around the bakke a time or two but they do respect an electric fence. Your professional hunter will keep you out of danger or solve the problem if one arises.

Of the rifles you mention, I would take the 30/06. You're allowed two so you could take the 35 Remington for the impala and similar light stuff. If you really want respect, take a 375 H&H Magnum and learn to shoot it well. If you want more respect, take a 460 Weatherby Magnum (I never did that). On my first trip, I took a 375 H&H Magnum and used Speer cup and core bullets (not premium). All 6 animals I shot with it, including a blue wildebeest and zebra, died with one shot. I also took one on my second trip but only used it for a black backed jackel and an African wild cat; i.e., it was my "varmint" gun (LOL) and shot them with nonpremium Hornady FMJ bullets.

When I've gone, I've alway taken a handgun and have never had a problem. If you wish to take a revolver, make sure it's the hunting type (i.e., long barrel and better yet with an optical sight) as you're not allowed to bring a handgun for "self defense" but just for "sporting" purposes. Just get it approved before you go. You will not, however, need it to kill charging cape buffalos and lions so if you're not going to hunt with it, I wouldn't bother.

Your outfitter will want to sell you trophy animals and will try to guide you to his taxidermist. I would research taxidermists before you go and use the one you want. Also ask about cull hunting. There are always cull animals that need to be shot and if you make it clear you're not going to bite on more higher priced trophies, you could probably get in a bit more shooting more economically.

You might also ask your questions on www.accuratereloading.com as there are a lot of experienced Africa hunters that visit that site.

 

[Patocazador]

Thanks guys. Does anyone know how frequently dangerous game that are not being hunted attack hunters going after plains game? Should I just not be concerned about it? Just trying to cover all the bases

Grumulkin has, at least, seen a lion over there. The most dangerous thing I encountered was a truck driving on the wrong side of the road.

There is no public hunting land that I'm aware of in South Africa. It is all private and many farms have high fence. The land-owner owns all the animals on his land and basically sells them to hunters. The PH has already worked out the details with the land-owner and knows what animals and what size the farmer allows to be shot. The head, hide and horns belong to the shooter and the carcass belongs to the farmer who will market it. Your trophy fee pays for just that, the trophy, not the meat. There are sometimes a few exceptions like zebra and warthog. Chicken-fried warthog steaks are delicious. I had to go to a restaurant to eat gemsbok even though I had killed one.

Here's a website from South Africa where information might be obtained. It is mainly geared to South African hunters who are meat hunters not trophy hunters.

http://www.gunsite.co.za/forums/forumdisplay.php?13-Hunting-Forum

Practice shooting and have a good time.

 

[Komatsu]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate your input.

 

[T.R.]

My Uncle Larry hunted in New Brunswick and Ontario many times for moose and black bears. His rifle? A Marlin levergun in 35 Remington shooting 200 grain core-lokt ammo. Uncle Larry toppled many animals during these hunting adventures in Canada. None got away. The only limitation of this cartridge is distance - it does its best work at 150 yards or less. I suggest find out typical shooting distances and let this info be your guide to which rifle to bring.

TR

 

[H&Hhunter]

Hi guys,

Been hunting only around 20 times, mostly for white tails in New England. In 18 months, I'm heading on a guided safari hunt with 3 buddies and with PHs through Numzaan Safaris in South Africa. Pretty psyched! Plan to hunt Gemsbock, Warthog, and Impala. Been training in the martial arts 35 years and doing tactical shooting for 25. I dislike putting my safety in anyone's hands but my own.

I have a 35 Remington lever gun, a 30-06 and a .308. I'm thinking the '35 and certainly the 30-06 can put down any of the three I plan to hunt, but how likely is it that a lion, leopard, or cape buffalo decides to hunt me while I'm hunting these three and I'll have to put them down with the rifle I bring? None of these rifles would stop a charge from those guys... Was thinking I might pick up a 460 revolver but I hear they are tough to get into Africa... Should I just buy a 375 or something in the 400s?

Advice on these questions and any other general advice for a first timer hunting Africa would be much-appreciated.

Thanks.

On a game farm in South Africa you have a 0% chance of having a dangerous game defense encounter. You can’t carry a handgun for defense in South Africa. Your 06 with good 180 gr bullets will be perfect.

You’ve got to understand that the vast majority of hunting done in the country of South Africa is on tightly controlled high fenced hunting ranches. Now if your were hunting in Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Caprivi strip of Namibia or Tanzania that is a completely different ball game where hunting is conducted on vast blocks of wild land and your chance of a dangerous game encounter is almost 100%. That is where you need to start thinking .375 and up.

 

[Jerry M]

I've been to Africa twice. I the three animals described with my .30-06 using my reloads with 180 Nosler partitions. Three shots, three animals. It is important that you take a rifle that you can shoot and are not afraid of. The PH is not going to allow you to get hurt. There will be amazing trackerswho will know where every animal is , in the vicinity.

Do practice regularly, practice shooting offhand, seated & prone. Practice taking the safety off quietly. Pad the stock around the sling swivels is they hit the stock and make any noise.

Be prepared to be pampered and see the animals of a life time.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[Tradmark]

Funny, i was on a large game ranch in south africa, came out of my lil hut for breakfast and made the turn for the 100 yd walk to the breakfast area and was face to face w a lioness. Froze after drawing a bead on her w my srh 454. She stared, i stared and she moved off. Rest of the week i was glad to have that 454 w night sights walking to and from.

 

[eastbank]

I have used different rifles on five trips tp Africa, but I shot 90 % of the animals taken with a .375 H&H mag and think its a shoot all rifle from dikdik to buffalo. buy one and relive the hunt every time you handle it and let your friends handle it when telling of your hunt and watch their eyes light up. in botswana I saw lions, lepords and buffalo and kept a eye on them as they passed.

 

[Kano383]

Leopards do their possible best to avoid humans, so much so that they are difficult to see. They charge if wounded and followed, but if you leave them alone you’ll probably not even see one.

Lions are lazy things, they won’t come for you unless you are actively looking for trouble. Females with cubs are feisty... Again, leave them alone, they’ll just look at you yawning.

Buffalo, in herds they bugger off as soon as they smell you. Alone, they can create problems: a wounded and resentful bull mulling his discontent behind a bush, a cow hiding in the thick with a new calf... But these occurrences are very rare.

Now, IF one day it happened that you’d get charged, a 30-06 in the brain would stop it, a 500 in the meat wouldn’t stop it.

Just have good and stout bullets in, and know your rifle. Know your rifle. If you hit what you aim for, fast, without having to think, because you’ve worn the bluing off that rifle over twenty years of carrying and shooting it, you’ll be much safer than with a shiny big boomer just off the shop...

And, to reiterate: chances of getting in trouble with big critters while plains game hunting are very, very remote.

 

[Komatsu]

Excellent! I'm pretty good with my .06 but will be much better in 18 months when we go to Africa, after I send several hundred more rounds through it.

Thanks again for the comments.

 

[eastbank]

you will be amazed by how much the animals in Africa try to hang onto life. and while its true a 06 with kill them, with a heavy caliber your margin of error is greater and may turn a dangous animal enough to put a killing shot in.

 

[kudu]

The one trip I made to S. Africa I was amazed at how tough the animals were compared to a whitetail deer. I hunted all game ranches with high fences, smallest was about 7 square miles, biggest was about 18 square miles. That is a lot of walking. The fences were mainly to keep out poachers, at least that was what I was told. 30-06 is plenty for what you are hunting, I had a .338WM in a Ruger #1 that I took the majority of my animals with, had a backup .375 Weatherby Mag on a Remington 700 that I took a blesbuck and a springbuck with, over kill, but it was the gun I had in my hands at the time. I used Barnes X bullets for everything, real impressed with their performance and both guns were sub MOA with my reloads.

 

[H&Hhunter]

A .375 H&H is never the wrong answer. And if you are hunting plains game on a ranch in South Africa neither is a .30-06 with premium controlled expansion bullets. Oh and YES African animals do have their vitals in a different location than North American animals. If you shoot an African critter behind the shoulder you’ve gut shot them. Their heart and lungs lie between the meat of their shoulders. You must shoot them between the shoulders for a clean kill. They call it the vital triangle over in Africa.

I highly recommend a book by Dr. Kevin Roberts called the Perfect Shot mini edition. Do NOT shoot African game behind the shoulder, American style you will be doing a lot of tracking and paying trophy fees on animals shot and not recovered if you do.

And it goes without saying that the big cats are the exception to the rule of shot placement on African game.

 

[hillman23]

A .375 H&H is never the wrong answer.

It doesn’t matter what question you’re even asking!

 

[eastbank]

use enough rifle and be done with it.