I've got a couple of buddies going to Zim with me this year. They both want to take .204 for shooting small game, baboons, impala, etc. I am NOT a fan of the superlites but they are steadfast on their choice. My question, is the .204 legal in Zim?

I doubt that they are legal.

Despite not being legal, they are not great choices, unless they load strong, hunting bullets. (Available in 20 cal?)
Baboons are bigger than people think and must still be killed humanely, despite being problem animals.

quote:

strong, hunting bullets. (Available in 20 cal?)

I too, am looking for these so I can shoot some Blackbuck here in Texas. I haven't found any yet so, if anyone knows of them, I'd appreciate a PM.

I think the bottom line is that the 204 is not adequate for baboons, impala etc. Even if it was legal I think it would be a very bad idea to use it. After the PH has tofollow up a few superficially wounded animals the 204's may get put away quickly.

Mark

Even if legal, which I also doubt.

The 204Ruger in Africa for the above mentioned game is NAGI!! (Not A Good Idea)

I've killed enough deer sized game with 223REM to know that you must be extremely selective in shot opportunities to succeed. I've used 223s for unlimited cull hunts where that was the maximum caliber allowed for the hunt. Simply put, it's a head shot only, under 40yds weapon for deer sized stuff. It's a sit and wait type deal. I would not even attempt stalk hunting with the 223REM. You simply must wait for the perfect shot opportunity with a light cartridge. Stalk hunting does not afford you the luxury of that wait. I absolutely would not expect the 204ruger to fair any better.

IMHO, trying to prove the 204RUGER for this purpose is practically guaranteed to result in a couple of very long sad days.

Varmint cartridges are a BAD idea in Zim. Besides being illegal for smaller antelope, there is a lot of brush to intercept a fragile bullet.

If you're going to be hunting in somewhat open areas, a .270 or 7mm Rem. Mag. is tough to beat for baboons.

I prefer a .30-06 with 180gr. bullets, as both the baboons I shot there were within 50 yds., and they were a target of opportunity (I was hunting bushbuck or impala at the time I encountered the baboons).

George

I am in agreement with all of the above. I have a hard time convincing people who have never been to Africa that what works here in the States is not the best over there. One of my buddies on his first trip knew better than me that a 165 grain boattail bullet killed deer in Texas so it should be fine in Zim. Two lost kudu later he finally conceded that I was right and Africa game is TOUGH! If the .204 is not legal, end of conversation. Thanks guys.

Let them shoot them and amass a big list of wounded animals and they have to pay the bill..

I feel bad for the wounded though...


Mike

I take a .223 on most safaris. It is very capable of taking Baboons and PG up to Bushbuck if using proper bullets and shot placement. However, the .204 is not the same, and I would not use it on anything with a trophy fee attached. Well constructed .204 bullets for medium game are unknown to me currently and if so, would not be a choice for me.
LDK

I am comfortable with a .223 and a good 60 gr. Hornady for anything up to and including Mule Deer..I have culled Impala and Springbuck with it and it worked like a charm..

Anytime you use a light caliber you must know your and its limitations, simple as that, keep shots under a 100 yards and use a properly constructed bullet and stick it in the right spot..One of my favorite deer guns is a 6x45 with a 75 gr. Hornady..the 6x45 is very popular in Africa and they like the slow moving 100 gr. bullet for culling.

Most folks that condem the small calibers have not used them, the problem is some that use them abuse them and try to make things happen that they shouldn't..Same can be said for archery and muzzle loaders to one degree or another.

I have no experience with the 205 or any caliber below the 22s, and doubt that I will ever use them short of my 5mm and thats my rabbit gun, but it kills coyotes pretty well.

I shot a lot of deer for a fencing crew in Mexico on a ranch my dad had leased. I shot them with a Win. M-63 auto with both regular 22s and with H.Ps..I never wounded one..I could hit them twice in the chest and they didn't go very far or a shot in the head and down they went..I shot them at under 50 yards and placed the bullet.

IMO, if you do your hunting before you shoot the caliber is not that big a deal..

I used a .375 soft on a baboon at 200yds, made a good killing shot hru the vitals and he went about 15yds! I thought that was incredible! The recoil of a .375 makes me not want to go 15yds.

I used a .375 solid on an impala at about 150yds, again a good shot thru the vitals and he went about 60yds! Seems like I'd not be inclined to use a varmit caliber given my very limited experience.

Why not take a .17 Remington?

One does not need experience in Africa to conclude that relying on a .20 caliber rifle, for which only fragile varmint bullets are made, on a hunt which costs thousands of dollars to even begin and then thousands more for every animal that you even wound is simply foolish.

I know you asked about Zim but,We took a Ruger 204 to RSA last Sept for small game like Duiker,Steenbok,Porqupine and a few cull Impala(head shot only). It was deadly at 80 and 100 yards being the longest shot we took. We used the 300 for all the bigger animals and longer shots.