I guess it all depends upon whether you are a dedicated rifleman, addicted to loads, trajectories etc, or whether you are a hunter for whom a rifle is a tool. If the latter, you will probably find something appropriate to rent. Me, i wouldnt be caught dead without MY loads and My rifles, just because a large part of the enjoyment of the hunt for me is using my stuff! Each to his own, no one is superior to the other.

I agree. I just don't understand it because I consider myself a rifleman, too. I can cite loads and trajectories, but I am not addicted to them. I have handloaded for more than 50 years (starting with a Lyman tong tool), and once competed in 200- to 500- meter metalic silhouette matches in Mexico, firing at least 60 rounds of centerfire ammo off hand without rests or slings every week for four summers. I work up a load for each rifle, then never change it. I have way too many rifles -- nearly every modern caliber from .22/250 through .458, collected over the years at bargain prices -- but they're all still tools that I use for my true love, hunting.

I made the mistake of planning on using a borrowed rifle just once - a bear hunting trip in Canada - and would never even consider it again. After inspecting the rifle they had available for me on arrival, I cancelled the hunt and went fishing instead.

For me, it would be EXACTLY like a honeymoon without sex. More fun and lots cheaper to stay home and watch paint dry.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

I have always prefered to use my own rifles and reloaded ammo for my hunting. Last year my rifles got lost in Joberg and didn't make it to Bulawayo until the second week of a two week elephant hunt. My choice was to use a borrowed rilfe or sit around camp or take pictures not knowing when or if they would ever show up. I borrowed a Ruger MK 1 458 from Lou Hallamore for the the hunt. I ended up shooting my biggest bull ele with it. I must admit I wasn't entirely comfortable with a push feed rifle with a 4X scope for hunting elephant but it worked out just fine and the bull went down with a successful side brain shot at 28 yards. You do what you have to when you have to.

465H&H