My thoughts would be to take 375 and 30-06. Do I really need to take 2 rifles or would I be better off taking 1 rifle and 2 scopes.

Biggest animals in the bag will be Eland and Zebra.

It is better to have it and not need it, rather then need it and not have it.

One rifle two scopes should be ample enough. If you consider luggage limitations.

It would really suck to travel halfway across the world with one rifle and something happen to it. Take two for the insurance. You may not need it, but you will be extremly happy if you do.

Since you are just after plains game the '06 should be all you need assuming you are confident of its condition and especially if your PH has a back up rifle available.

Had the same question this past year, only the calibers were .375 H&H and 6.5x55 Swede. I just took the 375 and would do the same again. That said when I go again I will likely also take a 22-250 or 223 just because I want to spend a day just shooting Jackles and Baboons. They were a hoot last time. The 375 just unziped them a bit much to do anything other than a skull mount with the baboon and couldn't do anything with the jackle.

Since you are paying for animals 375H&H will keep them down... A 270 gr bullet in the rifle will reach way out there...
Talbot scope mounting QR system tow sets of rings and one base both scopes sighted in take of and interchange if you like...Did it this way on three safaris..

Good luck and enjoy all of Africa,

Mike

I would take two - the .375 and a lightweight rifle for small/medium running game. I had a ball using my Remington Model Seven on scampering jackals - a great test to see if you are good at making quick shots. Also you might run into duiker, baboons, and hare that will present only fleeting shots once they know you're after them.

Namibiahunter

My vote is for two rifles. I quit taking two rifles hunting because I never need the second rifle. Well, on the first day of a 10 day elk hunt, the horse and I did an end over rolling down a mountain. Broken rifle stock! Never again, I always take two rifles. Take the second rifle. You have insurance against all sorts of horrible diseases hoping you won't have to ever use it, so this same thinking should go with you on the hunt concerning rifles, take the second rifle and try them both out, it's quite educational.

quote:

Originally posted by Phoenixdawg:
My thoughts would be to take 375 and 30-06. Do I really need to take 2 rifles or would I be better off taking 1 rifle and 2 scopes.

Biggest animals in the bag will be Eland and Zebra.

Without luggage limitation, two rifles, one light and short for walk and fast close shots, another more heavier for windy days and as a spare rifle, otherwise ask to your outfitter what he has, if the things become wrong with your gun

Normally, I am a belt and suspenders kind of guy, and prefer to take two guns on a trip. My reason is mostly insurance in case of malfunction or damage, but also to be able to fine tune the calibre to the job.

Having said that, I took only a single rifle on my trip to Namibia this past summer. I took only one to simplify logistics and reduce weight. I never missed the backup rifle as my primary rifle performed flawlessly, and suffered no injury.

I did take a backup scope, however, but never took it out of the case.

I always take two rifles: you just never know when murphy strikes. you can always bring it back if you don't need it, but, its hard as hell to use it if you don't have it with you!

I'd take a rifle and a shotgun. Bird hunting in Africa is a blast. No pun intended.

Take two...........I nearly slid all the way down some shale/gravel on a kopie in Zim......if I'd have dropped my only rifle it would have sucked............

And as I love knocking off baboons, I tend to take one rifle set up for long shots.....