I have developed an 8mm wildcat (8X57 Mag) and would like to test it at Tholo in Botswana. I will be using 375 Ruger basic brass to form the case with no headstamp. How difficult is this and is it even doable. Thanks.

Be prepared to use a loaner or rented rifle once there.

Scott is correct. I've had my ammo checked maybe twice in all my African travels. It just isn't worth trying to be original and ruining your hunt and possibly spending some time being interrogated.

If your looking for ballistic tests on animals, go to Texas and shoot some hogs.

Would hand stamped cases with proper barrel markings work? if not I'll take something else. Thanks.

I'm not sure anyone here is qualified to answer that with any certainty.

Maybe one of the travel experts?

We may have talked about this already. It will be an issue in both South Africa and Botswana if the barrel stamp and head stamps don't match. In Maun where you will enter Botswana, they look at your ammo to tax it, and generally count every round and make sure it matches rifle. In SA ammo must match a gun as well.

I sure wouldn't show up with ammo not stamped...

Maybe "Quality Cartridge" I believe is the name can make you some properly head stamped cases.

quote:

Maybe "Quality Cartridge" I believe is the name can make you some properly head stamped cases.

Minimum order requirements may be prohibitive.

It's a crap shoot and not worth the chance. I've had trips where the ammo is not looked at at all, and others where the rounds are both counted and the head stamp checked to match the barrel markings of caliber. It is not worth the chance but if you really want to hunt with your rifle, get the head stamped to match the barrel. I'm sure RMC can do this as well as any machine shop. Yes, it will cost some, but you will have to balance the cost to the memories made.
good luck.
Cal

ozark hunter,

I'll just second what everybody else has said. Don't ruin your hunt over trying to bring your wildcat unless the head stamps match the barrel stamp. Some will chime in that they have never had an issue but it's not worth the hassle you may encounter to take the chance.

Mark

Thanks all. I will just take a 30-06 and use my wildcat for the USA. It worked well for whitetail this fall, and it was great using something you designed and got working. Elk or moose will be on the agenda next. I will check into Quality Cartridge brass for hunts in the future overseas.

Here's some personal, first hand experience for you to consider.

I've used a 338-06 on several trips to both Namibia and Bots. On one trip to Bots I had a batch of ammo where one bullet weight was loaded in properly stamped brass, and another bullet weight was loaded in resized, fire formed, Lake City Arsenal National Match 30 cal brass. A complete over sight and hugely potential F---up on my part.

At entry @ Maun, when they were counting my ammo to determine how much tax I owed, they caught the two differently marked cases.

The inquiry by the official was polite and not-at-all aggressive or intimidating, and I was allowed to go with all my ammo. But I'll NEVER make the same mistake again. It's Africa. One must pay attention to detail. Anything can happen.

My wife used a 375JDJ at Tholo. Not exactly a common cartridge with the proper headstamp. But I was able to procure properly headstamped cases. Which was a good thing as they checked my cases and the number fired going in and leaving.

How about having barrel rest amped to 375 Ruger since that's the brass your using.