I have done both and killed everything I was after with rented and my own guns.

I shot a lion with a rented gun. I shot a Lord Derby Eland and Bongo with a rented gun.

Just check ahead of time with your outfitter and find out what he has.

I believe some hunters get a bit enamoured with their own guns. A gun is a tool, nothing more. I have no sentiments toward a gun of any kind. If your gun has sentimental value, then take it, but the gun has no feelings. I have never understood the concept of "I have to use this gun because my dad used it or some such." Use what you like. Taking guns is always a hassle, but to some, it is worth it.

Anywa

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If you can bring your rifle and chose not to that is enough for me to put you on ignore.

Shoot away,
I assume you are kidding, but if you are not, I do not mind being on your ignore list.

Also, my son and I shot leopards with rented guns also. These were sako's and very nice.

On our trip to CAR for LDE, one of the other hunters had built a custom rifle for this trip. It did not make the trip and was lost, later found. The good news was that Erik Mararv had new CZ's for us that worked great. This friend killed LDE, giant forest hog and buffalo with the borrowed gun. It all worked well.

I used the CZ's as well with no issues. Just check ahead of time and make an informed decision.

Also, I have made 100+ trips overseas, 11 for hunting and have had luggage issues 8 to 10 times. The luggage nearly always catches up but it is an inconvenience. Travel light if possible and carry everything on. Our trip to Namibia for 3 weeks required no luggage. We carried everything on that we needed for our trip.

We normally leave all of our clothing and loose stuff behind when we leave as the trackers take and use it or sell it. The cost of the clothes is small so we just new stuff for the next trip.

Again, do what you like as far as guns go. I rent and take them depending on where.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
I have done both and killed everything I was after with rented and my own guns.

I shot a lion with a rented gun. I shot a Lord Derby Eland and Bongo with a rented gun.

Just check ahead of time with your outfitter and find out what he has.

I believe some hunters get a bit enamoured with their own guns. A gun is a tool, nothing more. I have no sentiments toward a gun of any kind. If your gun has sentimental value, then take it, but the gun has no feelings. I have never understood the concept of "I have to use this gun because my dad used it or some such." Use what you like. Taking guns is always a hassle, but to some, it is worth it.

Anywa

more

Mostly I bring my own guns because I'm left handed. I haven't seen a left handed loaner rifle in camp yet.

On my buffalo hunt, I showed up in Bulawayo and my gun didn't. You should have seen the panic on my PHs face when I told him that I was left handed.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
...
Mostly I bring my own guns because I'm left handed. I haven't seen a left handed loaner rifle in camp yet.

...

I am left handed as well. Though, if one is using shooting sticks or shooting prone shooting a right handed bolt action is actually faster .

I've done it both ways.I missed one fine blackbuck in Argentina with a rented rifle. The Schmitt and Bender scope had a reticle problem and was left as a tip. Switched rifles and got everything I was after including Indian water buff(Gaur.)That was the only leased or borrowed rifle problem I had.I was well pleased with rifles leased to take lion,buff and others in Africa;Asian water buff and Banteng in the Northern Territories of Australia;red stag,tahr,chamois and fallow in N.Z.;desert mule deer in mexico etc. Not taking your rifles makes the trip much easier,especially,if planning a pre or post hunt sightseeing tour with your wife.I can relate to all who want to shoot the rifle and ammo they know best.......at times,that is what I do and NEED to do.When I next hunt Zim in 2015 for leopard and sable,I'll rent a .375 H&H and 30.06.I know the PH and trust him. His reputation and success depends on my success.Most well respected PH's and outfitters will treat you well........but,if they say bring your own DO IT. Enjoy. Jim

I have done both, too. If you are flexible with shooting other rifles and if you know that you get a good rifle then, I wouldn't mind renting one.

So I would say it depends very much on yourself and on the country you visit.

This year on my hunting trip in US I will rent one. It is just too much hassle

As someone with a love affair with my doubles I would rather not hunt than hunt with another's rifle. But that is an emotional statement. Factually, it is much more simple and a little less expensive and a lot less worry to hunt with a rifle already there. And if your PH has a good rifle the experience will be fine. However I have seen some "camp rifles" that were best used as boat anchors with poor scopes, 15 pound trigger pulls, broken stocks, etc. My advise would be to ask very detailed questions about the quality of rifle if you make the choice to use theirs.
Cal

I hate traveling with guns. It adds so many issues like lost guns, lost hunting days ect. I have a gun right now lost in air france baggage system - hopefully shows up in a few days.

But I will always take my own rifle. I am used to it and I have killed a fair bit of game with it. That gives me mental and emotional comfort and confidence.

A rented gun is like rented golf clubs or rented bowling shoes. Can use it in a pitch or if the hunt is a very easy hunt - plains game at a ranch.

But if you are spending big dollars on a single animal - lion/leopard, elephant. And an injured animal can cost you the whole hunt plus a size able trophy fee why risk it with a rented gun.

Mike

We brought and borrowed on our trip. I took my own rifle and we borrowed a rifle for my wife to use. She had no problems with the rifle except a misplaced shot on a Wildebeest which we didn't recover. Other than that she connect three time for three kills. I did borrow a .222 one evening to hunt Jackals with. The PH told me it was good to go but, it didn't feel right to me. The crosshairs looked tilted to me and I missed three times. I only blame myself for not shooting it prior.

I had no problems with SAPS or clearing the firearm in Joberg. The only hassle I got was clearing customs on my return. I'm not the only one here that has problems with TSA agents upon arriving back to the U.S.A.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
If you can bring your rifle and chose not to that is enough for me to put you on ignore.

thank God for that. please add me to your list( although i suspect i am already on it)......

I just couldn't do it without my own guns.......it wouldn't be the same. ( well I could but I wouldn't like it)


.

I've done both, of the last three hunts to Africa,NZ, and Argentina, I have used guns there.If you are planning any side trips to say, Europe, or the UK, don't take your own. They are an albatross around your neck for the entire time. No Country wants your guns in it! However before you borrow one from the PH, check to see what you will be using and what condition it is in.
For me, if I can't get one from the ph, I'll find a hunt where I can get one.

i have used camp rifles on my last 7 safaris- usually for free other than ammo cost. 1 elephant, 1 leopard, 2 hippo, 2 crocs, 2 buffalo, and a large assortment of PG, including sable, kudu, gemsbok, Suni,red duiker, jackal, bush pig, etc., etc., etc- all with an assortment of Remingtons, Winchesters, Whitworths, and CZ's- and all with quality scopes.... no wounded and lost animals. ZERO! no permits, no gun clearance fees, no extra baggage costs- AND NO HASSLE..... if it goes bang when i pull the trigger and hits where i aimed, i am satisfied. i leave for Cameroon in 3 weeks and the Caprivi in late May. i will be using loaners.