I've only been to Africa once. That time was for plains game. It took me fourteen years to save for that one. On that trip, I took only one rifle, my Ruger '06. I have grand hopes of getting there again in a year of so. The costs even for plains game are a big expenditure for me, and I need to be careful about all of my expenses. I'm curious what opinions are on taking one riflw or two rifles for plains game, especially in light of the recent changes in baggage fees.
Thanks
Bfly

I always take an extra rifle on every trip no matter where I've gone. Never once needed it but did lend the extra to other hunters when something happens to theirs.

I use a Tuffpak so makes no difference whether i bring 1 or 2 as I can fit up to 3 in one case.

Depends on what game you're after - if you have small and very large, take 2, it should not add costs (as long as you stay within the accepted weight limit).

I always take (2). 375 and 300RUM for a backup but that is just me. Africa is a hard hard place to go if really tight on money for me. I just cannot stop pulling the trigger when a trophy is spotted. Good luck and have fun.

I have never taken but one rifle, no matter what the expected game might be. It's always either my 9.3 X 62 or the .375 H & H. Usually take an extra scope however. My PH has a good selection of rifles and ammo, like a 300 H & H; 375 H & H; 416 Rigby, 458 Winnie and a 500 double if I should ever have a problem with mine. I would think most African outfitters these days would have an adequate rifle should yours go South, so don't see the need for more than one.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

I always take two. Even for plains game only, I'd take two as I prefer to use my guns instead of camp rifles. That way, if something happens to one, you've got a back up. If it were a cost issue and you're tight on funds, that would be one thing, but taking a second rifle should be no more expensive than taking one so ... why not?

Hope you get back over the pond again and have a great time.

I also always take 2-3.

For me, its because I enjoy shooting my own guns.

If it is an issue to make weight, or if it would delay your trip because of finances, as others have said, there are usually other guns in camp and you can rent them.

I don't think the gun permits are that much more expensive with 1 vs 2 rifles. I had to pay overweight fees with a .375, a .416 Rigby and a .470 double in a tuffpack. Never broke weight with 2 in a case, although the case weight will make a difference. I really doubt 2 non varmint style mediums will give you a bit of trouble.

Enjoy your trip!

I too, always take two of mine.

Took 2 last time one for the wife and one for me so if one breaks just use the others. I packet both in a pelican case. No additional charges.

Good Luke and have fun

Two guns for me on my trips!

I too like two.

I agree with two rifles for two reasons; (1) for backup and (2) for variety. If I'm hunting large plains game (eland or giraffe), I like a 9.3x62 and something smaller like a 30-06. If neither of the above two are on my list, I usually take a 338 win mag. and 270 or 280. A two rifle hard case makes either choice an easy option.

First safari I took two. An /06 and an 8x68S. Shot 18 animals from springbuck up through eland. I tried to tailor my rifle to what I was hunting. I leave in a month and only taking a 6.5x55 swede this trip. Biggest thing I will shoot is a black wildebeast if I was after bigger stuff I would take a sexond gun in a larger caliber.

I favor two. Cheap insurance in case something goes wrong.

For a PG Safari I think you can get by with 1 rifle only if it is suitable for all the species and ranges at which you are going to shoot. The 30-06 is more than enough gun for most PG.

I suggest you simply arrange with the PH to use one of his rifles if you have trouble with the gun in the field.

Where will you hunt and what PG species are you going after?

Never took two rifles and don't see a reason to do, especially on a plains game hunt.

I have not use my rifle on the last 4 trips.

Just get on and off the plane and out of air ports with no any issues is great.

Always use the camp rifles.
If you are going with out fitters that don't have a good enough camp rifle then wrong out fitter chosen.

If you can not shot the rifle on hand, need to practice some more.

Any way looks like I am the odd one out.

Yes $100 per kg excess for baggage can blow the budget.

Regards Mark

quote:

Originally posted by cameronaussie:

Always use the camp rifles.
If you are going with out fitters that don't have a good enough camp rifle then wrong out fitter chosen.

Of all the outfits I have hunted with I would very much prefer to use my own rifles "big time".

I fully understand the sentiment of using one's own rifle, but I have seen countless hunters arrive here bringing two rifles, and ending up only using the one, with the other never leaving the case. I have also seen them using one, shoot great shots and fail as soon as they decide to give the other rifle a "chance"
Choose your best rifle, and stick to it. Nothing more needed.

I'm pretty much with Marius. I'd possibly suggest a second scope of the same type as the first one, zeroed as well, if you are worried about failure. I'd guess that's the part most likley to go bad on you. If you use something like a Warne detachable mount it won't take you more than 2 or 3 shots to get back on zero after a swop (if any).

That said, I think many guys feel that they are spending a lot of money and want to get to take their rifles to Africa. If that is your desire and you shoot the rifles that you choose well then I say go for it! Some guys want more than one of their rifles in their hunting pictures.

I can add that some safaris are a case of going to hunt a specific species on a specifc concession or in a specific area. Then using specific rifles is easy. My hunting as a resident means that more often than not, I may run into several species that I am hunting on the same property and if I run into a good one I want to have the right rifle for the job, so my choice is always based on the largest and not the smallest animal that I may want to shoot. I've been caught with the wrong rifle in my hands and a good trophy staring at me and it takes discipline not to take the shot. It's not a nice feeling.

I've always taken 2. Usually a .375 H&H and a .416 Rem. This year, it will be a .416 Rem and a 500 Nitro. I'd rather shoot my own stuff.

Especially against the background that you are on a budget I would take two rifles. You treasue your experiences and you may remember your rare travellings better if you have used your own guns. Besides that I have not paid more for two rifles-yet.Try zo keep your luggage light as far as your clothing etc. is concerned.

Take one with a spare scope. Select a caliber suitable for the biggest animal you plan to hunt. You can always take a few solids for the little guys. Consider having your gun pillar bedded and take it in two pieces and assemble when you get there. A shot or two will get back to zero and so much easier to transport.

Much easier to travel with one gun and two scopes. Most of my stuff killed with '06 and 9.3x62. Last time was 9.3x62 only. Five animals down from Springbok to Mtn. Zebra. All one shot kills.
Had one Tuffpak with gun and clothing plus one rucksak with the rest of the stuff. Lots easier traveling that way.
Your old trusty '06 with the right ammo will do the job again and again and again.

I've taken one, and two. For a PG hunt the need for a second rifle is greatly reduced IMHO. I would take a spare scope but have never had a reason to use one so if you don't have a spare, don't go out and buy one just for the trip.
As long as you have a reliable gun/scope combo that you have confidence in use it. Check with the PH to see if there will be a back up in camp and enjoy your trip.

Black Fly,

I highly recommend you take two. It's not more expensive to do so and in the unlikely situation that you broke an extractor or something of that nature you still have one of your own rifles to hunt with. Since as you say a safari is a big financial expenditure for you why not eliminate as many chances for problems as possible.

Mark

I have always taken 2 rifles, and once took 3. However, if I were going only for plains game, I'd just take one rifle but would take a second, zeroed scope with me.

I have had a scope fail, and did not have a replacement. The failure was apparently due to my hard case being tipped over and landing on the concrete floor. That was for my light rifle, which was a 338 and I ended up having to use my 416 or my PH's 300 mag the rest of the way. The PH's rifle was just OK, and In really wished I was shooting my 338. I wished I'd had an extra scope to throw on that rifle.

You'll be fine with one rifle and an extra scope, as long as the caliber is enough for the game you're hunting.

I agree with DLS. Take one rifle. Equip it with QD mounts and take two zeroed scopes.

Taking multiple scopes makes a lot of sense, both as a backup and so you can change the role of a rifle after the main work is done by changing loads/scopes.

Even if I carried a spare scope, I would check to see if there was a backup rifle in camp if I only took a single rifle,

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Black Fly,

I highly recommend you take two. It's not more expensive to do so and in the unlikely situation that you broke an extractor or something of that nature you still have one of your own rifles to hunt with. Since as you say a safari is a big financial expenditure for you why not eliminate as many chances for problems as possible.

Mark

Totally agree. I dry fire one of my rifles every day for practice. After 20 years of doing this, the firing pin finally broke. What if that happened on safari?

If you do bring one, I would also bring an extra firing pin assembly and the means to change the extractor, as well as a spare scope.

AAW - After "only" twenty years of dry firing your rifle and the firing pin breaks, duh!! I would demand a refund or a new rifle from the manufacturer if I were you. Have a great day.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Black Fly,

I highly recommend you take two. It's not more expensive to do so and in the unlikely situation that you broke an extractor or something of that nature you still have one of your own rifles to hunt with. Since as you say a safari is a big financial expenditure for you why not eliminate as many chances for problems as possible.

Mark

Totally agree. I dry fire one of my rifles every day for practice. After 20 years of doing this, the firing pin finally broke. What if that happened on safari?

If you do bring one, I would also bring an extra firing pin assembly and the means to change the extractor, as well as a spare scope.

Thanks to all for the advice. I'll roll it all around in my hard head for a bit. I have a mind like a cigar box with a few marbles in it and a hole in the corner. The marbles will roll around for a while and one will eventually fall out. Usually it's the right one.
Thanks
Bfly

quote:

Originally posted by cameronaussie:
I have not use my rifle on the last 4 trips.

Just get on and off the plane and out of air ports with no any issues is great.

Always use the camp rifles.
If you are going with out fitters that don't have a good enough camp rifle then wrong out fitter chosen.

If you can not shot the rifle on hand, need to practice some more.

Any way looks like I am the odd one out.

Yes $100 per kg excess for baggage can blow the budget.

Regards Mark

you are not the odd one out... i haven't taken a rifle on the last 6 safaris, while killing elephant, buffalo, hippo, croc, and leopard as well as the usual assortment of plains game from kudu down to suni. no fuss, no muss, no permits, no extra expense, quick check-in, check out and no dithering about what to take!

Going over for Cape Buffalo in 2 weeks taking 2 rifles. A 470 Double and a 416 Rigby. I may have a chance for Roan and Sable after the buffalo, so the 416 will be for that and back up. Next year doing 10 days in Namibia then 10 days RSA, I'll take one rifle a 9.3x62, both hunts are for plains game. That's all ill need.

I'd take two. Some of the PH loaner guns I've seen were not exactly ideal.

I took three, plus wifes one last time ( since I had the extra room in the second case ). My battery consisted of 300WM, 375HH, and 416 Ruger, for everything from steinbok to elephant. The 375 was thought of as backup to both rifles, but wow, used it more than the other two combined.

Next trip, this year, bringing another 375, and the same 416 double, no scope on the double, 1.7x10 on the 375. Not bringing an extra scope, but the 375 has iron sights, and my eyes are still adequate for irons out to several hundred yards, so no extra scope needed.

Bring a big enough case that you can fit an extra rifle in it, no extra charge.

I "2nd" lavaca's 1-rifle suggestion. Take the caliber for the biggest animal you intend to shoot, get fully comfortable shooting it, and use it for everything. You can kill a 12 lb. honey badger or civet with a well-placed solid, even in .375. Drills a .375 hole if you avoid hitting major boneage.

I always took 2 rifles on plains game hunts, and always just ended up using a .375 for everything. Even so, I'll continue to bring the spare.