Handguns on African Safari?

[.455_Hunter]

Do modern hunters on an African big game safari ever carry a "back-up" handgun like hunters here do? Seems to me that if its a good idea to carry a .44 mag revolver while hunting bear in Alaska, that is would similarly be a good idea to carry one while hunting dangerous game in Africa. Thanks for your input.

 

[Sunray]

Handguns are not allowed in most African countries, as I recall. A .44 Mag wouldn't help on big, nasty, beasties. Won't penetrate enough or have enough energy. If you don't kill, say a charging elephant or Cape Buff with your rifle, you wouldn't have enough time to make the decision, draw, aim and fire any handgun either. You'll be a squishy red spot in the dirt. The 'back up' is the pro hunter.
Not much point in carrying a handgun when you have a rifle. Hunters carry handguns, Stateside, because they can.

 

[BADUNAME37]

A 500 Magnum with some kind of Corbon hard-nose lead bullets around 700 grain would be about the best you could get. I think the longer barrel version, say at least 8" or more in length. I have the 4" which is handy, however accuracy suffers out to 50 yards with that length barrel. I use it for deer and black bear out to about 50 yards with handloads that are a bit calmer than factory and Barnes 275 grain solid copper flying ashtrays (extreme hollowpoints).

 

[Shaky]

If you are given the opportunity to utilize a backup weapon against one of Africa's dangerous game, you should save the last round for your PH. He should (and will) use his weapon to end any charge in the event a second weapon becomes necessary.

That said, the biggest of the big bore handguns have proven merit in taking large, dangerous African game (and likely only attempted due to the safety net of a PH with a 470 NE looking over the hunter's shoulder).
http://www.rathcoombe.net/sci-tech/ballistics/methods.html

 

[788Ham]

You'd best forget the handgun, if you're taking a substantial rifle, learn to reload in a hurry, and the PH is going to be right behind you with his loaded also!

 

[Robert]

The guy you want to ask is H&Hhunter. He has been there many, many times. And no the PH is not always there to save your skin. Again H&H is your best bet. He has taken more game in Africa than most people have in their home state.

 

[Grumulkin]

You don't need a backup weapon. If there is any chance of a dangerous game encounter, your PH will have one. In addition, as mentioned above, only a few African countries permit the temporary importation of handguns. Those would be South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Also, unless you belong to a shooting club and plan to enter some type of competition, the only type of handgun you can bring is a hunting handgun meaning it should have a long barrel and a scope. Semiauto handguns are not allowed.

So, taking a handgun purely for the purpose for protection from a dangerous animal encounter doesn't make sense.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I have seen a couple of PH's who carry a handgun as back up to their rifle for following up a wounded cat. The thought being that if a leopard or a lion gets you down you'd have capability of making a contact shot on the cat before he finishes you.

As has been mentioned here as a client it's not practical.

Here you go..

The guy with the pistol is a Zimbabwean AFAIK. I do know he is a Professional Hunter, (PH)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kfpZ2G1y6M