When I arrived in Zim and my rifle didn't Pierre (my PH)said "we can get you a loaner." You should have seen his face when I said "I'm left handed". He looked like someone kicked him in the stomach.

I shot hundreds of rounds with my rifle and ammo in the 6 months before both my trips to Africa, I wouldn't be comfortable with a strange rifle and ammo.

quote:

I do not pull my guns out of the safe and fondle them, nor do I proudly show them to visitors. In no way do I consider myself a gun nut.

You mean you don't own a double rifle?

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Originally posted by billrquimby:
Nope.

Bill Quimby

Quite right and the last double I fondled said they were twins.

Done both.
Would like to have my own guns due to the same reasons others have brought forward: familiarity being the most important aspect; and the memoirs associated with the gun later.

The loaners have served me absolutely superbly.
On the 1st trip to Zim to where you cannot import guns from Europe legally I of course rented the gun. I asked in advance what is available and found the same type and caliber of gun to practice in advance. This worked out splendidly, indeed.

On my 2nd trip I had problems with my own gun ending up with a loaner. All shots thereafter were one-shot kills. The only problem was the scope kept hitting me in the forehead.

When tarveling in Europe, always my own gun. The main reason being I shoot a lever action and mostly hunt driven boar in Europe. Thus, the bolt action would not be very ideal.

In the U.S. I sort of went halfway as I was supposed to use a loaner but actually bought a gun. Of course the gun was spanking new so no better or worse than a loaner from the familiarity point of vew. I didn't get to shoot anything but paper targets so can't really comment on how well it works.

For those pondering I would suggest you ask the outfitter what will be available. Thus you can make a more educated decision as to bring your own or to loan.
Also this will give you the opportunity to practice with a similar kind of gun before the trip.
One caveat, though: the scopes on the loaners I've used have not been worth much.

- Lars/Finland