The rifle is a 450 No2 Double.
Here is the Game I have on Quota where the 450 No2 will be used.

2 Trophy Bull Elephants.
4 Crop Raiding Bull Elephants
6 Cow Elephants
2 Cape Buff Bulls
1 Hippo

So, how many Softs and Solids would you recommend for the 450 No2?

My second rifle will be my 9,3x74R, which will be used for plains game.
I plan on taking 20 Solids in case I run into something big while hunting plainsgame, and to back up the big gun in case something goes wrong with it.
I will also be hunting leopard so several bait animals in addition to what ever other plains game I shoot. Length of hunt 30 days.
How many Softs do you recommend for the 9,3?

Do I read that correct, 12 elephants?

Wow! I can't count that high!

11 pounds, including one box of softs.

Iwas going to say not more then 10 softs and the rest solids...



Mike

SBT has got it right.

I could be wrong, but doesn't airlines limit you to the amount of ammo you're allowed to take in your luggage?

If that is the case, take as many as you can!

The only animal I will be using softs on in the 450 would be for buffalo. I would like to have a few extra softs just in case I see a good plains game animal when carrying the 450.
The problem is the 11 pound weight limit.
I have never had my ammo weighed, but it would be my luck to have it done this time.
What I am looking for is how many rounds [the number not the weight] do ya'll think is enough.
How many rounds per animal, just to be on the safe side?

Your list has 15 head of game on it. I'd figure 4 shots each just to be safe. So, 60 rounds should be adequate and still come in under the 5kg weight limit.

78 rounds of solids, 2 softs in case you get a chance to shoot a cat

bring your wife....girl friend.....girlfriends. then your allowed 5 kgx2.....x3

nothing say's die like 22+ pounds of ammo.

NE450No2

Those .450 No2 Nitro Express rounds are damned heavy.

Each round weighs 60 gms. I use a plastic tool box with styrofoam to hold the rounds and that weighs almost 400 gms. About 75 rounds can be carried in the 5 kg limit (11 lbs).

Mr Grains suggestion sounds about right!

But you will need to also take 9.3x74R ammo and handgun ammo as well. And still fit in the 5kgs????????

I tried to take my 9.3x74R and .450 No2 to the Top End last year. After factoring in the 9.3mm ammo I wanted, I found I could only fit in 11 .450 rounds in the 5 kg so left the big gun home.

If you need more ammo I will trade you 4.5 kgs of ammo for an elephant. I'll bring it over personally.

Good luck.

PS How do you carry your 450 No2 ammo ie what sort of ammo box ?

I'm thinking along the lines of 500Grains for the 450 but would bring 60 solids. I might bring four softs.

For the 9.3 I would bring ten softs and the ballance in solids. I doubt that would be many before you reach the limit. I would want that many softs just in case I had to resight my rifle after the trip over. Get resighted with the solids and confirm with only a pair of softs, hopefully.

I wonder if you can't pre arrange for some 9.3 ammo that shoots well in your rifle. Surely some factory load must shoot well and perhaps you can have your PH or outfitter bring in some from SA.

A buff hit well with a solid dies quickly, at least the two I have shot well with solids did, so you don't need softs for them.

Another alternatives is to use the Ph's spare rifle for your bait shooting if the DG you shoot isn't sufficient.

A last thought is to bring 11 pounds worth of ammo. I havn't read the "rules" in almost a year but I recall that a very strong arguement can be made that the 11 pounds is the weight of ammo permitted, and that it must be in...That would be 11 pounds of ammo, packaging not included. If they weigh your ammo, make them weigh only your rounds and not the packaging too.

The twenty round plastic boxes I use for my ammo weigh within .2oz of three rounds of my DR ammo. Federal twenty round 375H&H size boxes with the plastic inserts weigh as much as two rounds of my 458 and 2 1/2 rounds of 375H&H with 300grain bullets.

Packaging weights:
Twenty round box of unknown maker: 5.2oz
Superior Ammo style box: 3.5oz
Federal 375H&H size box with inserts: 3.5oz

Worst case with trying this is that if you loose the arguement at the airport you are only back to square one and less maybe a dozen of your reloads - I'd be jettisoning 9.3's, or have a buddy standing by to take you 450 rounds home for you.

Hope this helps,

JPK

At 3 solids each animal plus 10 add'l. softs, let's call it 60rds, you'll probably exceed your weight limit for ammo. That would be my min. though. Sounds like a great trip w/ a lot of walking.

I would figure on 4 rounds of soilds per ele and buff. You probably will use use less then an average of 3 per but you have some extra in case of a extra tough animal combined with some poor shooting. I would also take two softs for the initial shot on the buff. Why can't you use your 9.3 with solids for insurance shots on ele and buff assuming you will be having a tracker carry it for you?

I have been taking 20 rnds. of solids for three or four elephants and still usually bring half of them back.

465H&H

Has anyone had their ammo weighed??

Not trying to put a curse on you NE450, but I have never had a problem. I took 60 rounds to RSA and they never even bothered to ask about it. I fly to Texas in the US, and I have take 100 rounds of .308 and another 100 or .223 and then 50 of .44 Mag and never had a problem. Just act very nice to the agent and get them talking about something else, and I haven't even been charged overweight baggage.

Maybe they just like my personality and think I am handsome.

For this sort of game, I would take only solids.

Saeed,

Yes for the elephants, buffalo, hippo.

But 450 NE NO2 is also hunting leopard, plus probably some bait and plains game. At an absolute minimum, he will need two of his reloaded 9.3x74R softs reserved for the leopard. Two more for his 450 or 9.3 for the follow up, hopefully to a dead leopard, would be nice as well.

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by sierrabravo45:
Has anyone had their ammo weighed??
::snip::
Maybe they just like my personality and think I am handsome.

I know I’m not handsome enough, and I suspect my personality isn’t charming enough. I’ve had my ammo weighed twice (in 35-40 flights with ammo). First time I didn’t even know there was a restriction, wound up tossing about half my ammo in the garbage. Second time, there were two of us traveling together, and I managed to legally carry 40 rounds of .308 and 135 rounds of .458 Lott. I’m voting that you bring along a friend and use their ammo allowance.

I usually pack my ammo in the smaller Pelican cases.

I had mine weighed in RSA on my first safari...


Mike