I found out recently I was offered a job for a US Gov contractor southern Africa (mostly based out of Pretoria) and was trying to figure out what rifles to part with if I get permission to bring some of my rifles.

I'll be gone for about 3 or 5 years (the length of the contract dependant on how long my training is) and we are getting short on relatives to leave $20,000 worth of guns with.

Here's what I have comitted to the concept.

9.3x62 and 30-06 Sauer 202 (two barrels, same rifle)
375 Ruger built on an older M77 R with the tang safety
other free standing 30-06 and 308 rifles that are probably alot tougher than the 202
Everything else is either not a common ammunition caliber or too small to be my "one" rifle.
416 Ruger.

Thought is bringing just one if they let me, of course they are all headed to the sales block if they don't let me bring anything. Of course thought about buying a new Ruger M77 African in 30-06 or 300 Winchester and putting it in a McMillan stock, since it's a tougher rifle. (NOTE I SAID TOUGHER, NOT BETTER, OR COOLER).

What are your thoughts?

Some considerations I had, reloading probably isn't an option. So the wierd stuff has to go. Integral scope mounts, CRF, and no detachable box magazines gives the concept strength.

The job starts in November, and they have narrowed the selection process down to 3 locations. Buenos Airies, Bangkok and Pretoria. They tell me I can't take a firearm to Bangkok or BA.

Sell it all and buy a .375 H&H M70 and be done.

Highly unlikely you can take firearms into RSA either.

The usual requirement is that you have a residency visa, own business visa or work permit before you can even apply for a firearms permit and you can usually only apply for one once you're in country.

In the second two cases, you get the visa/permit and then apply for a temporary firearms permit which is valid only for the duration of the visa..... then to make it worse, you can't apply for a new visa until (IIRC) 6 weeks before the old one runs out and the new one takes 6 months or so to be issued so in that interim period, you need to hand the firearms into the SAPS until you get the new visa/permit and only then can you apply for the new temporary firearms permit and only when you've got that can you collect your firearms.

Easy it ain't!

Black passport. So the visa isn't a problem.

Having never been in a gun shop in Pretoria my question was more to the availability and quality of ammunition.

Is there such as thing as F-Class or Fullbore in South Africa?

Thinking heavy barreled 300 or 30-06 that will do laywork as a hunting rifle. I can borrow a 375, 416 or 458 if I end up with the funds to hunt pachadyrms.

Lots of good gun shops in the area but my advice would be to buy firearms & ammo there because it'll be a hell of a lot easier than taking them in when you go.

You might also PM Jaco Human & Luan who both post here for advice on housing, (Pretoria can be dodgy) firearms, ammo & hunting.

Luan incidentally has a great hunting offer on the hunts offered forum right now.

If you have a black/dip passport the firearms permits will be linked to that so although probably a bit easier, not easy & again Jaco & Luan might be able to offer help & advice.

Take the Sauer, sell the rest.
There are guns in RSA if you need one or two.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:

Is there such as thing as F-Class or Fullbore in South Africa?

Fullbore & FClass are the predominant target shooting sports in SA. Bloemfontein is the centre of fullbore in SA, but I am sure you could find matches within easy driving distance from Pretoria.

I lived & worked in Joburg for several years. I was commuting from home to SA and back, spending up to 8-12 weeks at a time in SA. I brought a rifle with me on most of those trips, but of course I was never there for a long, continuous period like you are describing.

I shot at a number of Benchrest matches in SA while I worked there, and made a number of great friendships during that time.

I am not so familiar with Pretoria even though it was only an hour away (in good traffic, which is certainly not the case during morning or evening rush hour). Feel free to ask any questions that I might be able to help you with.

I'm just curious, what is a black passport? It sounds cool and think I want one. Ha!

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:

Having never been in a gun shop in Pretoria my question was more to the availability and quality of ammunition.

Is there such as thing as F-Class or Fullbore in South Africa?

There was 9.3x62 ammo (of varying quality) .308 and .30-06 in every gun shop I visited, when last over there. Not too sure about .375 Ruger though. I'd leave that one at home.
The bigger calibre Weatherby ammo was available as well. There are often local and euro brands of ammo ( eg Blaser ) that aren't readily available in the USA for you to try out.
It's all expensive to buy so take your credit card.

I believe, Full Bore is alive and well in RSA being an Olympic sport.

One untapped resource for info is the Taxidermy shope around Jo'Burg etc.. They often know where the culls, cheap hunts and trophys are coming from, as they deal with so many operators. Drop into one and have a chat.

quote:

Originally posted by Code4:
I believe, Full Bore is alive and well in RSA being an Olympic sport.

Fullbore is not an Olympic sport. It is still included in the Commonwealth Games though.

USA government passport

quote:

Originally posted by DCS Member:
I'm just curious, what is a black passport? It sounds cool and think I want one. Ha!

Regular (dark blue cover)
Official (brown cover)
Diplomatic (black cover)
Refugee Travel Document (also known as "Refugee Passport") (blue-green cover)
Re-entry Permit (blue-green cover), cover titled "Travel Document"

US Gov Officials are blood red, I used to have one of those.

quote:

Originally posted by J.R.Jackson:
Regular (dark blue cover)
Official (brown cover)
Diplomatic (black cover)
Refugee Travel Document (also known as "Refugee Passport") (blue-green cover)
Re-entry Permit (blue-green cover), cover titled "Travel Document"

Thanks.

I live in Pretoria. We have got a couple of decent gunshops, to name 2: Safari and Outdoor and Zimbi Guns. If not loaded ammo you'll be able to source reloading components for the calibres you mention. Reloading is very common here and the only components you won't recognise is the propellants. Feel free to PM me.

Thanks!

Bloemfontein eh?

Hmm, two of the spots they already filled were Lesotho and Swaziland.

How are they, I know Bloemfontein is a quick trip from Maseru.

BWW

There is a strong Bisley club in Pretoria that shoots the F-Class as well. They use the 1000 yard range at Walmansthall which is a military range. Further more you will be able to buy most any rifles at shops like Safari and outdoor as well as Zimbi guns. Very capable gunsmiths that would be able to fit any Hart,Pacnor, Truvello,Walther,and more,barrel to any action of your choice.

Go and have a look at the following websites. It is not Cabellas or Bass World but they cater in most of the shooters needs.

www.safariandoutdoor.co.za
www.zimbibooks.co.za

Shit, we are developing but we are not all bush!

Sounds like a good plan, I'll bring a couple of Rem 700 actions with me.

quote:

Originally posted by Anton van der Spek:
BWW

There is a strong Bisley club in Pretoria that shoots the F-Class as well. They use the 1000 yard range at Walmansthall which is a military range. Further more you will be able to buy most any rifles at shops like Safari and outdoor as well as Zimbi guns. Very capable gunsmiths that would be able to fit any Hart,Pacnor, Truvello,Walther,and more,barrel to any action of your choice.

Go and have a look at the following websites. It is not Cabellas or Bass World but they cater in most of the shooters needs.

www.safariandoutdoor.co.za
www.zimbibooks.co.za

Shit, we are developing but we are not all bush!