Hi Folks,

I was planning on going to Africa for the first time in a couple of years. Well,...we had our SCI fundraiser the other night and I wound up winning a plains game safari in RSA for Oct. So...now it's time to figure out what to bring. Included in the deal was a Nyala. Figure I will also try for a Zebra, Impala, and Gemsbok....that said I have two rifles I'm thinking of bringing. a CZ 550 in 375H&H and a Mod 70 in 30.06....the question is...do I bring both,...or just one. I'm wondering if the 375 would be "too much" on all of the game, and conversely if the 30cal is "not enough"...worse comes to worse I could bring both, but I'm wondering if that would be unnessary?

Anyhow...let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Steven,]
First off, congrats.

That .30-06 will do just fine all by itself.

I'd use either 180 Grain Nosler Partitions either handloaded or in the Federal Premium loads. But then I'm old fashioned!

Rich Elliott

Your 30 Gov't will be fine as Rich said. I always take two rifles myself. The 375 would be nice to have on the zebra (eland as well if you plan on one) but not mandatory. 180 or 200 controlled expansion bullets would make things simple and work just fine. Good luck. Who are you hunting with?
Doug

Steven,

Good on you! Given that you'll end up going back, again and again and again, this may well be the most expensive free trip in your life...

I've brought both my 30'06 and 375 on both my previous trips to S. Africa. I simply want two rifles in case one goes South. As MH said the 375 is nice ot have on zebra and eland.

I agree with Rich on the bullet. I alternate between NP and the Swift A-Frames in most of my rifles. I use 180 gns in my 30-06 and 300 gns in my 375.

-Steve

Steven30127, your 30-06 can handle it all, my 300 Win Mag with 180 grain A Frames handled all plains game in SA. As I say, was more than adaquate

But..... if you have a convenient way to transport two, I would take them both, always nice to have a backup. In SA I brought a 416 Rem Mag as backup, never used it, but it was there. Because "stuff happens", be prepared.

There is no "right" answer to your question... You could go with either or both and get along just fine. I would just make sure that you are overly familiar and confident in the rifle or rifles you take along. Go to the range and shoot a bunch... at different distances and build your confidence... If you are more confident in one rifle or another... take it. It will serve you well and if it malfunctions the PH will have a replacement for you to use.
Aaron

Since there is no such thing as "too much gun" and shot placement is the Holy Grail, use the rifle you shoot best with. Personally, I like the idea of going to Africa with an "African" caliber. On my October three day hunt (see hunting reports)I borrowed Jaco Human's Sako in .375, loaded with 200 grain Impala bullets. About as much felt recoil as a pellet rifle but a very nice hole all the way through a Cape Eland.

I asked the same question prior to going to RSA and my PH told me to bring a 30-06 and nosler 180 grain partitions.

I left my .375 home and took a 300 H&H with 200 grain A-Frames. This worked very well.

In retrospect my PH was giving me good advice as the 30-06 would have been totally adequate and a pound and a half lighter. The A-Frames however was a good move IMO. The 30-06 is not very far in trailing the 300 magnums!!!!

If I was to return strictly for plains game it'll be a 30-06 M-70 featherweight and either 180 or 200 grain A-Frames handloaded and I'd not take two guns. Your PH will have a gun if you need. Go light as you can. Take a good set of binoculars instead.

Congratulations on winning the hunt.
You don't need both, either alone will do just fine, but its nice to have both. A back up gun, like a spare tire, is nice to have.

Thanks guys....I'll take your advise and take both. The story of how I got this was kinda cool....I had no intention of bidding on a hunt this year...figured next year I would start considering one for my 40th birthday. I was at the fundraiser with my daughter when the acution started. When he got to "Ally Robins Safari- 5 day hunt Nyala trophy fee and dip and packing included - valued at $5500" I just sort of watched....no one really bid on this! I ended up putting in a "oh what the hell" bid at $1200. Bumped it to 1400 and wound up the winner!

So...rearrainging my calendar now...figured- hey at the end of the day....I'm finally going to Africa!!!

Sherlock, both rifles will definately work...YOu are paying trophy fees so no gun is too much...

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Steven30127:
When he got to "Ally Robins Safari- 5 day hunt Nyala trophy fee and dip and packing included - valued at $5500" I just sort of watched....no one really bid on this! I ended up putting in a "oh what the hell" bid at $1200. Bumped it to 1400 and wound up the winner!

Damn you stole the hunt! $1400 is cheaper then the trophy fee alone, I hope the 5 day daily rate is included in the 1400 as well.

quote:

So...rearrainging my calendar now...figured- hey at the end of the day....I'm finally going to Africa!!!

You'll be going back!

Congrats on the hunt.