Ok I have decided that I will not be taking the .450 Marlin, but why is it not as good of a choice as the .45-70? I have shot both and the .450 Marlin is like a .45-70 on steroids.

On another note, I think that I will attempt to pick up rifles there. They say the easiest way to get a rifle when you are a resident(alien) is to buy an old "POS" rifle and scrap it, and use the licsence to buy another rifle, but I am not sure that practice is legal.

I would like to bring some rifles with me, but I probably will not ship them over until I can get liscences. I will probably not bring over the .30-06, as per suggestion, and replace it with either the 9.3 Mauser or the .308win(7.62NATO). As for the large rifle I will probably opt for the .458 Lott or a .375H&H. I was considering the .416 Rigby, but $112(US) for a box of shells is rediculous.

Thank you all for your time and advice

For pure practicality take a 30-06/308 and 375 H&H.



For some great cutural insight read the "ladies No. 1 Detective Agency" series set in Botswana by Alister McCall Smith.



... what a GREAT opportunity!



Best,



BA

Proeliator,

The factory .450 Marlin ballistics can easily be duplicated with handloads of the 45-70.



The run of the mill factory 45-70 loads are anemic, to be safe in Trapdoor Springfields, etc.



You can get the 45-70 specialty loads by Garrett, etc. that would outdo the .450 Marlin factory loads for hunting.



The 45-70 is a rimmed cartridge that is more reliable in a lever or double or single shot. The .450 Marlin is an oddball belted cartridge with a belt that is longer than the H&H belt.



Ammo for the .450 Marlin would really be tough to find in Botswana. Either the 45-70 or .450 Marlin would be a handloading proposition to have good ammo for hunting. That would depend on shipments from RSA or USA to get ammo into the Botswana bush. The black holes of the USA, Botswana, and RSA postal services do not have a reliable wormhole connection as yet. Shipments may be ending up in another galaxy far, far away ...



.308/.30-06, .375 H&H/.375 Wby, .458 Lott: pick any two of those.



Whatever the hurdles with guns, it will be a passing annoyance to get into action in Botswana, though don't start thinking of any deceptions with the licenses. We are still waiting for a current Botswana resident to give us the scoop on the firearms and ammo situation.



Botswana seems to be the most economically and politically stable country in all of Africa. Sadly, it also had the highest HIV/AIDS rates among its population, last time I checked. It is sparsely populated for its size, and may be getting more sparsely populated if they don't turn that around. In 2001, Basie told me about seeing some of his citrus ranch help, Tswana and San natives, wasting away and dying from it. One has to wonder about their sexual mores and "dating" customs. I was told some of them would "screw a wood pile if they thought there was a snake in it."



I was charmed by the country and people, and have started reading the Alexander McCall Smith series, and everything else I can find on Botswana, for giggles and grins. He presents a much kinder and gentler view of the mores.



PHC had his ashes scattered in the Chobe river. The Okavango is one of the last true wildernesses left on earth. There is much to look forward to if you can relocate to Botswana for some "years." I wish I had the chance.