Gentlemen,
My understanding of some of the new bureaucratic rules in South Africa concerning firearms may have some unpleasant consequences for the visiting hunter. As you know, in theory at least, the caliber of the rifle must be engraved on the action as well as the barrel in RSA. The problem I am referring to is mismatching headstamps on cartridges and the caliber engraved on the barrel of the rifle. Does anyone out there have a clear idea of what happens when your firearm has .416 Taylor engraved on the barrel and your ammunition has .458 Win Mag on the headstamp? I understand that this will not be allowed. Which means ditto for almost all wildcats where the headstamp is other than the caliber marked on the barrel. Can anyone shed any light on this new rule designed to increase security for the average citizen? I can just see the discussion at the airport where one proudly explains how he has resized his cases and handloaded his cartridges with designer bullets and the bureacracy kicks in with typical knowledge and foresight and seizes the whole lot, if not worse.
It was the reactivated 416 threads which made me think of this. If you don't use a factory produced case you may have a problem in SA. Or am I misinformed?

Wink,

you're quite right in what you say. Although whether the cops would look close enough to notice is anyone's guess. Why not just have some cases made with the correct headstamp? That way, you know you won't have a problem.

If you can't get them made in your home country, you could go to Ken Stewart of Stewart Bullets here in RSA. Ken is extremely good and is recommended in The perfect Shot by Kevin Robertson. He'll make whatever you like, and ship them to you by your choice of courier or registered post.

Send me an e-mail if you need his contact details.

Shakari

Thanks for the confirmation and the potential solution. For the time being I am fine in the brass department but I would like to have Ken Stewarts contacts even so. Given the price and availability of 416 Rigby brass in France I may buy some on my next trip to SA. Or even some other calibers for that matter.

Wink,

you can call or fax him on +27152899401 or if you want to use e-mail, you can send it to me and I'll pass it onto him.