Availability of Ammo for DG in Africa?

[TK73]

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am thinking hard about getting an additional dangerous game custom bolt-action magazine rifle in addition to an already existing .375 H&H. I haven't made up my mind on the most appropriate caliber, but it should be over .400" bore. Besides performance of game and tolerable recoil, one important criteria for caliber selection is availability of ammunition and components now and in the future.

I have heard from various sources that it's almost impossible to bring rifles and "wildcat" ammunition through certain African nation's Customs if the headstamps of the doesn't match the caliber designation of the rifle. Is this a correct? If yes, that would be a problem if I'd bring a rifle in cal. .458 Lott and handloaded cartridges made from .375 H&H brass. Of course, .458 Lott rifles can be used with .458 Win. Mag. ammo, too, but if some eager Customs Officer looks closely that might result in major trouble, too.

For the Gentlemen and Ladies who have already hunted in Africa, do you know which ammunition for dangerous game is routinely in stock at local African gun shops (I understand that retail sale of ammo isn't possible in all African countries)? I think that might become an important consideration if the African hunter's luggage doesn't arrive timely (or, even worser, at all) at its designation.

Judging form various field reports I think I am not comfortable with the performance of the .458 Win. Mag. and .416 Rem. Mag., but still there's a plethora of fine big bore DG calibers for bolt-action magazine rifles existing (.416 Rigby, .404 Jeffery, .425 Express, .450 Dakota, .450 Rigby, .450 Ackley Mag., .460 Short A-Square, .470 Capstick, .495 A-Square, .500 A-Square, .505 Gibbs, .500 Jeffery). Often, they fall under the same objections mentioned above. If I don't make a sensible choice now, I fear being stuck with a rifle that's difficult to obtain ammunition/reloading components for later.

Thank you for your kind comments.

 

[H&Hhunter]

" I fear being stuck with a rifle that's difficult to obtain ammunition/reloading components for later.

Thank you for your kind comments."

TK 73

There is only one round for your purposes, .458Lott.

50 rounds of brass from Hornandy $21.99.
Reloading dies $29.00 to ($55.00 for Redding dies.)
Utlizes any of the numerous .458 diameter bullets. $15-$95.00 per 50.
Resizer die for .375 to .458, $55.00.
Will fire standard .458 Win rounds. PRICELESS!

You will be able to find .458win and .375H&H just about anywhere ammo is sold in Africa. .470NE is also fairly popular.

With the commercialization of the .458Lott several years ago it's actually cheaper just to buy .458Lott brass and reload it than to buy .375H&H brass and resize it. The 458 Lott is the easiest and most economical heavy to feed and load for. NO others even come close.

 

[TK73]

H&Hhunter:

Once again, I've to say a big "Thank you very much!" for the time you took to answer my (many) questions. Although, I think the .416 Rigby is an absolute fabulous round for general hunting in Africa, I lean more towards a .45" dia. bore (top contenders: .458 Lott, .450 Rigby; the latter calls me because it operates on low working pressures like the smaller dia. .416 Rigby), because the step up in power/performance from the .375 H&H seem to be more noticeable than with any .416. The .458 Lott seems to gain a lot of market acceptance lately, isn't it?

H&H, do you know hunters that own expensive bolt-action magazine rifles made by great companies Holland & Holland Ltd. or John Rigby & Co.?

I definitely can't afford a gun made by them, but visiting the homepages of these famous gunmakers is quite exciting (incl. the breathtaking prices too!!!), but I guess this is a "different" world I am not entitled to enter...

Again, thank you very much.

 

[H&Hhunter]

"The .458 Lott seems to gain a lot of market acceptance lately, isn't it?

H&H, do you know hunters that own expensive bolt-action magazine rifles made by great companies Holland & Holland Ltd. or John Rigby & Co.?"

TK 73,

Yes the .458Lott is rapidly becoming the new standard for a dangerous game round. And deservidly so in my opinon.

To your second queston yes I do know some people who own and hunt with several of the best quality bolt guns. In particular I've a friend in South Africa who's father has quite a nice collection. Rigby, Orbendorf mauser, and the like.

Wnne in Tanazania several years ago I couldn't help but notice one of the game scouts rifle. It was beaten and bashed beyond immediate recognition the blueing was completelt worn off and the wood was worn and oil saturated, despite it's obvious years of abuse it had very distinct lines. Further investigation proved it to be a John Rigby and co .375H&H. When I inquired as to it's history the scout told me a man gave it to his father "a long" time ago as a gift. I can only guess as to the history of this rifle. But you do see some of these historical rifles still in service in Africa.

 

[TK73]

H&Hhunter: Thanks again for your kind information.

When I inquired as to it's history the scout told me a man gave it to his father "a long" time ago as a gift.

Read a similar thing in one of the forums about a gentleman handing over his double rifle to the PH as a gift in the end of a successful African hunt! If I recall correctly, the hunter said he doesn't need the gun anymore after he collected the trophy he was looking for!

I agree, it would be interesting to know to whom the John Rigby & Co. .375 H&H originally belonged to, and which adventures the rifle has seen after it was given to the scout's father.

Waidmannsheil!