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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting One or two rifles for RSA Plains Game hunt?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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| One of Us |
Should I bring a back-up rifle to RSA? Or just the one main rifle that is my go-to? Plains game will all be Kudu size or smaller so either rifle would serve the purpose. Thanks! | ||
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Good old 30/06 would work fine here. Why take more than you have too? Last time I just took my 9.3x62 for Buff and down. Came home with Buff, Sable, B Wbeast, Springbok, Mtn. Zebra. You can borrow money but you can not borrow time. Go hunting with your family. | |||
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It isn't any harder to take 2 rifles than 1 to SA. There's no fee, 2 rifles fit in a typical case. Its the cheapest insurance you can get. Having said that, I always ended up using a .375 for all plains game. | |||
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I just took a spare scope. However I will take a spare firing pin assembly, or at least a spare firing pin spring. I never had a problem with my rifle prior to going, but the last 2 days of my safari I had a couple rounds that were getting light strikes. CLeaned everything out with nothing found. When I got how I put in a new spring which was noticeably stronger and haven't had an issue since. There are a couple parts that are more likely than others to cause you an issue. Just taking spares of those parts may be as good of a solution as anything. Yes it's cocked, and it has bullets too!!! | |||
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I like to use my own rifles. If you have two you feel comfortable with, bring both, as long as they are not the same caliber (SA law as I understand it...) If you don't care, the PH undoubtedly has a back up if yours fails. 2 in one case makes it pretty easy. Really, it is not a major issue to bring 2, but if you would rather not, its not going to be a "you're done" if it goes belly up, either. | |||
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Took 2 different calibers Shot most of it with the 375 and would again. | |||
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Always just take one, either my 9.3 X 62 or .375 H & H for Buff and down. The PH I hunt with has both of these should I have a problem so basically not a problem. Don't need to lug the extra weight around and have two different ammo caliburs to worry about. One and done!!  Larry Sellers SCI (International) Life Member | |||
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My one and only trip,so far!, I took 2: 375 h&h and a 30-06...had all the forms filled out and figured why not? And used both just because. So now I can say 2 are blooded! Now, what do I take this June???????? | |||
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Anymore I just bring my 375 H&H. It's the only gun I'm bringing to RSA next week. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
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i would bet that EVERY PH in Africa who hunts dangerous game has at least a .375 in camp- which also obviously works for plains game!! that's why i believe in none and done. haven't bothered with taking a rifle for years and never will again. no matter where i go, i go straight to baggage claim and walk out of the airport.screw the crooks at airline checkin/SAPS looking for bribes.1 checked bag and i am out of there! Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
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Knowing what rifles your PH has available as a backup can mean worlds of confidence, or worry, for your decision. Three of us went to Namibia and didn't even take rifles but I knew I had an excellent 375 (went 6 for 7 shots), and Lisa had a custom tricked out 30-06 (11 for 14 shots). Paul had 3 different rifles (7mm, 300, 338), but only had 8 rounds per rifle! It was close with 10 trophies and 10 culls, but we got it done If there had been rifle problems, it might have been tight. | |||
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First trip I took a 9.3x62 and a 6.5-284, I used the 9.3 for everything but a wart hog. I carried the larger rifle until all the big animals on the list were shot; warthog was on the last day. Second trip buff were on the list so I took the same 6.5 and a 460 Weatherby for the buff. I had only shot paper with the 460 so I used it for my eland. The 6.5 was then used until we went after the buff. I will take at least two rifles the next trip. I have a vision of a perfect hunt were the rifle suits each game animal being hunted. Reality seems to interfere with my vision. Mark | |||
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My last RSA trip had my Sako 338 Federal being my go-to rifle. Glad I brought my Kimber Caprivi 375 H&H as backup since I had a giraffe become available during the hunt. Its a good idea to bring two rifles. Jack Hood DRSS | |||
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Bring one; Murphy's Law is at least 50/50 to rear its ugly head. Bring two; odds are 50/50 you won't fire the second one. I have only made three trips to Africa, so am no expert. That said, I have taken two all three trips. I hope to make it back next summer. I will be taking my Holland first cousins. Old Model 70 in 300 H&H, and a very nice custom 375 IMP built on an FN Belgium Magnum Mauser action. | |||
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I always take two. One of them is always a .375 H&H and is my go to rifle. If I'm hunting buffalo, then I take a bigger bore. Both of my rifles get put to use. | |||
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+1  In eleven Safaris, two rifles each trip, with the exception of the second and eleventh where I carried an over/under Browning shotgun as the second firearm for some of the smaller trophies and for bird hunting.  | |||
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My first trip was for Plains Game, Kudu and down, I only took a 7mm Rem mag. It worked fine on everything. My second trip was for PG and Buffalo so I took my .375 RUM and another 7mm Rem mag. I took 5 animals with the .375 RUM and 6 with the 7mm. the 7mm would have worked fine for everything except the Buffalo, and the .375 RUM would have worked fine for everything. My third trip was to the Eastern and Southern Cape for PG up to Kudu and Eland. I only took my .375 RUM. It worked fine for everything including 300 yd plus shots on a Vaal Rhebok and a Gemsbok and it was certainly enough gun for a couple of Steenboks and a Jackal. I borrowed a .308 Win with FMJ bullets from my PH for my Cape Grysbok. Last year I only took my .300 Weatherby for PG from Sable down. Unless I go after Buffalo or bigger, that's probably the only rifle I'll ever take back to Africa. NRA Endowment Life Member | |||
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Well you are hunting only plains game and a good medium flat shooting cartridge should do it for kudu size game and obviously for smaller game, taking two rifles of similar caliber and that you shoot comfortably may be a good idea in case one of the rifle fails in some way | |||
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None. I rented rifles my last 4 trips and it worked out great - lion, leopard, bongo, Lord Derby Eland.... | |||
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I have done both - - taken my own and used camp/PH loaner rifles. I now will always take my own (.375 Ruger) and use a good agent to deal with the forms. Too many variables with a borrowed rifle : unknown/ reloaded ammo, unfamiliarity with gun and/or optics, etc. Just my opinion. | |||
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As stated earlier, I would take two as it is very, very cheap insurance considering what the hunt is costing. Also, since it is South Africa, your potential animals are going to vary greatly in size from a massive eland to very small species like grysbok, springbuck etc. which gives you great variability in the caliber(s) you choose to take. On my last trip, I took a 300 WSM and a 257 Weatherby. I shot most of my animals with the 257 as I had many of the smaller species on my list. It is obvious that some hunters don't have the attachment to their rifles as some of us do, but I need to carry MY rifles with MY ammunition as it contributes to my experience. | |||
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Hunter54 You didn't say what rifles you were considering. I'd take my flattest shooting for the Vallie and Mt. Reedbuck and then another rifle for more general game at more moderate ranges. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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I'm leaving for South Africa (Eastern Cape) and will have my cake and eat it, too. It's a 16 gauge 2 3/4" and a 7x57R Cape gun. The shotgun barrel shoots buckshot, slugs and #6's well and the rifle barrel is a sub 1" shooter. I'm packed and just waiting for noon on Monday!   Isn't it the rule that you must use a Cape gun for the Cape? JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous. | |||
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That certainly is an interesting firearm, JudgeG. The only easy day is yesterday! | |||
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I took my 375 with an extra scope on my first safari. Ever since then I have taken whatever I am using and Mrs Blacktailer's rifle. If mine breaks she will let me use her's if I ask nice.  Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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Take two. I always take my 300RUM and 375H&H but that is just me. My gun case did not arrive on my first safari and I used the owners 30.06 and it worked great from Grysbok to Kudu. Just take what you are comfortable with. I prefer not to use someone elses rifle but no have issue using somebody elses as well. | |||
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LittleJoe just hit the nail on the head for me: if a case gets lost, well, that's two rifles lost... Just match the rifle to the biggest game. I used a 300 H&H on my PG hunt with great success. 180 gr tsx's at 2950 made for great effect. Having said that, I'm likely to take my 7mm RMag next time to have a light rifle to stalk with. Either way works fine though. Regards, Robert ****************************** H4350! It stays crunchy in milk longer! | |||
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I usually take 3: .280 Rem, .223 Rem, and a 12ga shotgun. Realistically, base your choice on the game your going to take. You won't need a .300 win mag to take a Springbok. You can but why waste the meat and take the chance on ruining a nice mount or flat skin? I have shot many large plains game animals with a .280 including Leopard. The .223 is for smaller plains game from Impala down to Grysbok. It also has taken a number of Baboon and other varmints. Bullet choice is probably more paramount, but accuracy is the real object. Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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I've taken two rifles on both my safaris. Even though I only shot one, I was much more comfortable and confident having a second rifle that I was completely familiar with along for the ride. 1st PG safari, I took my Winchester 70 in .30-06 and used it on everything. I had a Winchester 708 in 338 Win Mag as backup. 2nd PG safari, I used the .30-06 again, but brought a CZ-500 in 375 H&H. It is just as easy to bring two rifles in a single gun case as one. "Personal is not the same as important", Corporal Carrot, Men at Arms | |||
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For Kudu and smaller plains game, one trusted reliable and accurate rifle in 30-06 or better should work. I suggest 180 or 200 gr. bullets. | |||
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That's great unless you're left handed, like me. You should have seen my PH's face when my rifle didn't show up at baggage claim in Bulawayo and I told him that I was left handed. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
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thank God, i don't have that problem!  Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
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If taking two rifles, is the spare left in camp, or carried by a tracker? With a scoped-bolt and double-rifle duo, I take both out (the double is in a rucksack, but can be assembled in seconds when needed for close-up or deep-cover shooting). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition” ― Rudyard Kipling | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting One or two rifles for RSA Plains Game hunt?
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