I'm suffering form analysis paralysis, so I thought I'd get a little advice from the group. I'm heading to Zim next May for an 18 day Lion hunt with Impondo Safaris. George Hallamore will be my PH again.

While lion will be my primary objective, I also have tuskless elephant and buffalo on quota. I'm guessing we'll use buffalo and elephant for bait, so I will be hunting them. After the lion, my primary interests are hyena, bushbuck, grysbok, honey badger, civit, reedbuck, and then whatever else comes my way.

I'm struggling with which rifles to bring with me. I typically bring a heavy and a light rifle.

For heavies, I have a .416 Rem built on an MRC 1999 action that is all ready to go with 370 Northfork Softs and solids. It's topped with a Leupold 1.75-6 Euro with heavy crosshairs. I also have a .375 Model 70 that's ready with 270 grain TSX's and 300 grain banded solids. This one is scoped with a Leupold 2.5-8 with German #4 crosshairs. Both rifles are very accurate and both can handle any of the larger animals. I shoot them both about the same. The .416 has better open sights on it, but I like the extra magnification on the .375. I think it's six one way half a dozen the other for the actual calibers....so what say ye, .375 or .416 for lion, elephant and buffalo?

For light rifles, I've always used my .300 Win Mag in Africa. It's built on an MRC action, uses the same stock pattern as my .416 and is topped with a 2.5-10 Swarovski PH with a #4 reticle. Using 168 grain TSX's at around 3100 fps, I've killed a lot of plains game with it. It does really tear up the small stuff though.

I also have a David Miller 7mm Mag that rarely makes it out of the safe anymore that I could bring. For most of my hunting around here, I've switched to using a 6.5X55 built on an MRC using the same stock pattern as the other two. It's light, handy and shoots 160 grain Hornday's right at 2500 fps. I think of it as my "little .375."

So I need to bring either the .375 or the .416. That's a given.

So here's my dilemma:

I could bring both of them, that way I'd have a backup for ele and buff in case something happened to one of them.

I could also bring one of them and my .300, which would be legal for lion as a backup. It also has my best low-light scope which could be a benefit hunting over bait.

I could bring my 6.5 Swede or the 7 Mag and change things up. For the size of plains game I want, the Swede would be perfect. But then again, do I want to be walking around in DG country carrying a 6.5 Swede loaded with softs? My girlfriend is most likely going to be joining me in camp about halfway through. While she's not planning on hunting now, that could change and the 6.5 would be a good rifle for her to use.

I could bring a heavy rifle and a shotgun. I'd like to do a couple of days of bird hunting if I have time. But I could probably borrow a shotgun.

So what do ya'll think?

Pete

Pete,

I've pretty much changed my mind about a heavy/light battery. My opinion now is particularly with multiple DG species on the menu as your safari will have your light rifle should back up your heavy. Your 416 can be your primary for the DG and the 375 the back up and perfect for plains game of any size with the softs and solids you have loaded.

If your girlfriend comes along perhaps she needs to carry the 6.5 as part of her own luggage. It can be done!

Mark

No controversy here....take the 416 and the 300.

I would bring the 416 and the 375. I just came back from Zim and used a 375 H&H for my light rifle and was very pleased with its performance on plainsgame.

I'd take the 416 and the 375, but I'd move the scope from the 300WM to the 375 for lion.

I'm with Mark, take the 416 and 375.

I have also come full circle on the "what gun to take" question. I used to swear by two rifles but have simplified my way of thinking... especially in heavy bush like you will find in most of Zim. I would carry one rifle... the .416. It will run the table on everything from grysbok to elephant and is absolute murder on buff and lions.

quote:

I've pretty much changed my mind about a heavy/light battery.

Oh, brother. Have finally seen the light, have we?

Don't know what the question was and it is irrelevant anyway, as one should always take two rifles, whatever their calibers.

I'll also vote for the 416 and 375. What happens if you've collected your elephant and buffalo, have baits hanging, and your are out hunting bushbuck with the 300/7mm/6.5 when you bump into your trophy lion? Obviously you'll use what you've got in your hand, but what would you like to have in your hands?

I've done the .416 & .300 on five of my safaris without any issues and see no reason to change. Don't make your selection of rifles more than it is and enjoy the safari.

quote:

Originally posted by talentrec:

So I need to bring either the .375 or the .416. That's a given.

So here's my dilemma:

I could bring both of them, that way I'd have a backup for ele and buff in case something happened to one of them.

I think you answered your question....

And, I would not want a 6.5x55 in my hands in a DG area.

Last October I hunted elephant along with impala, giraffe, eland, kudu, klips, whatever came along. I took my 458 and a 375. Shot the elephant, giraffe and even an impala with an open sighted 458. The two rifles were just fine for me. In 2005 is shot two buffalo among other things and carried the 458 with a 338 as a "light" rifle. I really enjoyed that battery too. I am now building a 416 Rigby and the 375 or 338 will probably follow it too. ......although I have a pre-64 300 H&H that is dying to go sometime. I feel your pain. But on a hunt for the bigger stuff like you are taking, carry the 416 and 375.

I always just assumed that there was an airline or counry reg that keeps us to limiting ourselves to two guns.

I just looked at Delta's website. According to them, each passenger can bring one case containing up to four firearms (rifles and shotguns). I could easily fit three rifles and a shotgun in my tuffpak. Is there restriction in either South Africa or Zimbabwe limiting a hunter to only two weapons?

Pete

An arm chair opinion - build a new rifle in 9.3X62 to match your 416!

quote:

I just looked at Delta's website. According to them, each passenger can bring one case containing up to four firearms (rifles and shotguns). I could easily fit three rifles and a shotgun in my tuffpak. Is there restriction in either South Africa or Zimbabwe limiting a hunter to only two weapons?

Read on a little further, you'll find an excess baggage charge for more than two rifles/shotguns.

Right, but what's a little excess baggage charge in the grand cost of a safari?

Your PH is likely to go into cardiac arrest if you show up with four rifles. Or at least have a terribly bad headache!

questons is whos is impondo safaris. is it the greef group?

BigBBear, you're correct.