Hi,
I will be traveling in South Africa, and while there I have an opportunity to hunt Kudu and Impala. I have limited experience hunting with rifles, since my hunting until now has been with a shotgun. I will need to acquire a rifle appropriate for this class of game, and will likely then use it for North American hunting in the future (deer, elk, etc). I would appreciate your recommendations regarding models and calibers. I would like to keep the bare rifle budget to $1,000, and am anticipating spending an additional $500-$750 on a scope. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Look at a Tikka T3 Hunter in 30-06. That will meet all your requirements.
http://www.tikka.fi/

Top it off with a Leupold 2.5 X 8 Scope. You can find some good deals on e-bay.

I might suggest borrowing a rifle from whomever is your host.

If you really want to buy a rifle make it a bolt action in either .30-06 or one of the .300 magnums with a high quality 3 x 9 or higher variable scope. A 7 mm mag. might be an alternative also.

quote:

Originally posted by RAC:
Look at a Tikka T3 Hunter in 30-06. That will meet all your requirements.
http://www.tikka.fi/

Top it off with a Leupold 2.5 X 8 Scope. You can find some good deals on e-bay.

I will second that most excellent suggestion

why not try a 300 wm a-bolt stainless stalker. i took it to africa and had no trouble woth kudu. it has long range and no problems with any north american game. id make 30-06 minimum to buy. brian

Of the major manufacturers most of the bolt actions would work fine. As the other guys I would also suggest something in .30 caliber such as .30-06 or one of the .300's. Leupold is a great deal of scope for the money and a 2.5x8 or 3.5x10 would be a fine all around choice.

Since you mentioned your experience has been with a shotgun I would strongly recommend against just borrowing a rifle when over there. Rifle shooting, especially at the distances you may encounter on a plains game safari, is likely a world apart from the hunting you're used to. To get the most of your trip you should be quite familiar with rifle shooting from shooting sticks in hunting positions and conditions long before you leave for the safari.

Have a great trip and we expect photos when you return.

Kyler

You actually need two rifles. First invest in a bolt action 22lr. Marlin is fine. Put an inexpensive scope on it and use it to get acclamated to rifles, they are a little different from shotguns. Once you feel comfortable keep shooting it to ingrain good shooting habits. Nothing will make you a good shot but practice and a 22lr is the ultimate practice implement. Plus it's fun. Next buy any of the major brands, they all work. Pick the one that feels the best. I suggest that you go with a 30-06. It is deadly on any plainsgame up to eland. A leupold scope and you are set. Next all you need is a 375 H&H and you can hunt anything, anywhere.

You can pick up a good condition Sako AV in whichever caliber you choose on gunbroker for less then 1000. That would be my choice... But if you want to save a couple bucks the Tikka T3's are great and very accurate rifles. I have one in 338 WM. Shoots MOA easily with factory ammo. And guess what, it has a Leupold 2.5-8x36 on it. Great combo.

Borrowing a rifle from the outfitter is far and away the easiest thing to do. No permits no travel issues just go enjoy the hunting

Of all the animals you have decided to take these are two of the least difficult to kill. Impala are small and fragile and Kudu are without question the easiest to kill of all the bigger plains game. They are soft and usually die with very little struggle. What they lack in staying power they make up for in natual abiltiy to avoid being shot to begin with. I have seen a dozen killed with a .243 and we have never lost a single wounded bull in 15 years now.

Don't sweat the firepower what ever you have will work.

Muggles

What I'd do in the short run is ask the person you'll be hunting with what he has available. Then you can purchase your own similar rifle to practice with before the trip. Getting used to tripod / hunting sticks is quite a trick, and you need lots of practice starting now.

Once you've been, you'll likely dive into all kinds of caliber/rifle/scope particulars and AR is the place to go crazy on information / research. Have a grand time starting out!!!!

BNagel

Thanks for all of the valuable feedback.

I would suggest a Browning A-Bolt Composite Stalker or Stainless Stalker in .300 WSM topped with a Leupold Vari-X III 4.5-14x50mm.

Rifle = around $600

Scope = around $500 (or you could get an LPS for around $850)

Total = $1,150 for scope and rifle

and I would definitely agree with TerryR on getting a cheap .22lr with either a Nikon scope or a cheap Leupold to get accustomed to shooting a rifle with a scope. It is very different from a shotgun.

Muggules
I Have several thoughts that just my opinion about guns, so take it for what it's worth.
1. Never buy a new gun, or buy a gun in a retail Gun store. You will pay 30% - 60% more. Gunbroker has great deals and will help you find a transfer dealer in your area.
2. you can buy a Rem 700 30-06 on gun broker for under $300 some times as low ass $225. often you can get a good scope or stock in the deal for just a little more I just bought a donor rifle that had a new McMillian stock for $325, the stock is worth more than $325 so the rifle was free and is now a 257 STW.
3. Don't buy a A bolt they are verey poorly made probly the lowest quailty rifle by a major manufacturer made today, Ruger is also of low quality and inacurate. Stick with Remingtion or CZ in your price range.
4. Burris fullfield II is a awsome value in scopes the prices on Ebay are the best.

Good Luck
Dr B

300 Win Mag Remington Model 700 Custom KS Mountain Rifle.
Will cost you a little more than $1,000.00 but you can use it for any North Anerican species and African species except for your larger dangerous game. C'mon Muggles's , I know you have the extra cash to do it. You only live once.

If you want more of a challenge while you are there hunt with a handgun. One of the Encores in 7mm or 30 cal. would be just the ticket and with some practice you won't be giving anything up in reasonable range either. If its a rifle you stay with try the Weatherby Ultra-Lightweight in 30-06 topped with a 3x9 or 2.5x8 Leupold. They are very light, very accurate and within your price range.

your rifle is a personal thing. why don't you go to some gunshops, look around, and mark down your picks, then ask the question of which one

quote:

300 Win Mag Remington Model 700 Custom KS Mountain Rifle.

I agree with joedjr, excellent choice. A second calibur too maybe in the 223 range, for those little critters. The taxidermist will like you more if you don't blow the little guys apart!

good luck on your trip!

I would get a .300 win, or another of the new .300 mags. The '06 is enough.. the .300 could give you a little more flexibility (kudu are big). You might consider a Ruger (CRF has some virtues, and that's what's available right now).

Kudu like bush and use cover -- you'll have some good hunting. Impala are open-fields animals... you'll have a good spot-n-stalk experience with that.

Rather than borrowing a gun there, I'd buy one. Reason being is that you have not had a lot of chance to PRACTICE with a rifle if most of your hunting has been with a slug gun; and its great to practice with a rifle before you go.

Dan