I've seen very few (maybe none) camp guns that are of quality. 15-pound trigger pulls, low quality scopes, etc. I prefer to hunt with my own rifles. It's not just the quality, but that I know the feel of the rifle or gun, it's part of the bond. In fact, I'd rather stay home and watch Oprah than hunt with another's weapon.
Cal

I would rather shoot myself with a shitty camp rifle than watch Oprah

Camp rifles are only good as excuses for missed shots!

quote:

Originally posted by LB:
My rifles and shotguns are reminders of many wonderful days afield. When I pick up my African rifles they are full of memories in the bush. A borrowed gun doesn't provide that lasting memory.

quote:

Originally posted by drongo:

quote:

Originally posted by LB:
My rifles and shotguns are reminders of many wonderful days afield. When I pick up my African rifles they are full of memories in the bush. A borrowed gun doesn't provide that lasting memory.

That is 100%!!

Right on!

quote:

Originally posted by JTEX:
How important to you is it to use your own Rifle?

I have seen stories about terrible camp rifles that are frightening.....and stories about very good camp rifles....

I am a confessed gun nut and handloader to me it's important to use my own rifle and handloads.

One day when I hand 'em over to kids, grandkids or friends I will be able to tell them this rifle went to Zim or Argentina or South Africa with me. I will be able to sit in my dotage and fondle those firearms and remember the hunts I had with them.

Just like when I fondle one my Grandad left me and think on the time I spent with him.

How many of you feel the same way?

Couldn't have said it better if I tried!

I have guns that belonged to my grandfather, and my father , and even two that belonged to my mother! They are all tried and true, and have taken lots of game on lots of fun hunts!

………………………………………………….

I have done both. I took my own rifles on my first two hunts and on the
3rd trip, I borrowed the PH's .308. Although I would rather use my own guns,
I am fine with eliminating the hassle of using my own guns.

An Outfitter friend came to my house a few years back and I showed him some of my
different rifles. He really liked my .32 Special and encouraged me to take it to Africa.

Its by far my most prized rifle as it was a birthday gift from my Grandpa in 1986. I would never
risk losing or damaging it in Africa. Although there is some risk using it stateside, I will only use it
here.

I have hunted with borrowed rifles, no problems there at all.

But, for me at least, hunting with a rifle I have designed and built myself, for a cartridge I have designed myself, with bullets designed and built right here at home, it is a different matter all together.

My rifle does not get carried by trackers, does not get cleaned by camp staff.

I will not allow any of the staff in camp to even carry it to my tent!

One time years ago I got off the truck, and put my rifle in the mess tent, while I have drink before going to my own tent.

Suddenly I see someone picking it.

"Hay! Leave my rifle alone"

One of the professional hunters said "It is alright Saeed. He will clean it for you"

"PUT THAT RIFLE BACK! Anyone touches my rifle again, it will be the last thing he does!"

They all laughed, but got the message.

No one touched my gun again.

I see now that this is an old post. My reply after the fact was much different than before the fact. Quite interesting

quote:

Originally posted by gunslinger55:
I planned on bringing my "babies" with me and have been dialing them in for the hunt in Oct. Then I was offered to take 2 McMillan rifles with me for the hunt. I was torn because I wanted the memories with my rifles but since I will have a chance to shoot them quite a bit before the hunt I figured why not? I hear they are pretty nice. Still have the import problems but I figure it's the best way to go with someone elses rifles...Plus I can buy after I try so maybe I will have some new "babies" after the hunt

I pefere to use my own guns, on my own adventures.

Last years I was an severall safaris, in one camp the outfitter has one of the best rifle collections I ever seen.

"Good clients": They can get modern Heym double, some custom 98, pp.

Or - maybe - an old / original Rigby .416 or an Gibbs in 450.

I have never really associated the weapon I use while hunting with the memories of my hunts. I can remember a lot of finer details about hunts than most people I hunt with. Anyway, I see guns to be a tool used while hunting, nothing more really. I do enjoy collecting them though. Because of this, I have no problem using a camp gun. I suspect that is the reason why there are camp rifles, for people like me. I can also pick up someone else's gun and shoot it just fine.

Here is another way my brain works I have been on way more deer and elk hunts where I have never even fired a shot, so what did the gun do to make that hunt memorable? Nothing, it was the people and time in the field that make my memories. That goes for even the successful hunts I have been on as well.

To me, one's own rifle represents the entire hunting experience. The actual hunt only last 10 days to two weeks in the field, but the whole experience includes all the anticipation of that short period in the field. That anticipation includes perhaps purchasing a new rifle, working up loads for that rifle, practicing in all different situations and all the time with the anticipation of the hunt expanding that two weeks to the entire year. Using someone else's rifle takes away from that extended enjoyment and seems like, "Well if they give you a club, would you use that to dispatch that critter" That is not why you are paying so much for that hunting "experience". Having said that, the last trip to Mozambique cost over $1000 dollars to bring a rifle to use on our hunt! The local airlines extra charge to get the rifle with our luggage to the international flight, the extra charges for rifle and demanding that the ammunition be shipped in a separate package for those legs, (so the could charge for an extra bag), the countries charge for a rifle license and then the charge for ammunition used. Over a $1000 for each hunter. So we are now left in quite a quandary as to what to do the next time. Do we bite the bullet and pay the $1000 or sacrifice the year long anticipation of that wonderful time on the actual hunt.

Jim

My problem is collecting too many guns, if that’s a problem. I do have some “go to” guns and should’ve left it at that. I do recall that saying about the man with one gun...

Fit on rifles doesn’t bother me too much. Fit is key on shotguns and I do most of my international hunting in Argentina where bringing a gun is a pain. However, I own the same guns I shoot there. I feel that it doesn’t matter there, as you will adjust in no time and we can adjust shims for cast, etc.

I will add that DG is different. I wish I had used a gun I was more familiar with on a water buff hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by jhaney:
To me, one's own rifle represents the entire hunting experience. The actual hunt only last 10 days to two weeks in the field, but the whole experience includes all the anticipation of that short period in the field. That anticipation includes perhaps purchasing a new rifle, working up loads for that rifle, practicing in all different situations and all the time with the anticipation of the hunt expanding that two weeks to the entire year. Using someone else's rifle takes away from that extended enjoyment and seems like, "Well if they give you a club, would you use that to dispatch that critter" That is not why you are paying so much for that hunting "experience". Having said that, the last trip to Mozambique cost over $1000 dollars to bring a rifle to use on our hunt! The local airlines extra charge to get the rifle with our luggage to the international flight, the extra charges for rifle and demanding that the ammunition be shipped in a separate package for those legs, (so the could charge for an extra bag), the countries charge for a rifle license and then the charge for ammunition used. Over a $1000 for each hunter. So we are now left in quite a quandary as to what to do the next time. Do we bite the bullet and pay the $1000 or sacrifice the year long anticipation of that wonderful time on the actual hunt.

Jim

IMHO, the answer is, pick a different country...

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I have hunted with borrowed rifles, no problems there at all.

But, for me at least, hunting with a rifle I have designed and built myself, for a cartridge I have designed myself, with bullets designed and built right here at home, it is a different matter all together.

My rifle does not get carried by trackers, does not get cleaned by camp staff.

I will not allow any of the staff in camp to even carry it to my tent!

One time years ago I got off the truck, and put my rifle in the mess tent, while I have drink before going to my own tent.

Suddenly I see someone picking it.

"Hay! Leave my rifle alone"

One of the professional hunters said "It is alright Saeed. He will clean it for you"

"PUT THAT RIFLE BACK! Anyone touches my rifle again, it will be the last thing he does!"

They all laughed, but got the message.

No one touched my gun again.

Agreed. I only hunt with my guns and no one will be handing them without my approval. That approval is only extended to those who handle them as works of art not 'tools'.

I enjoy my rifles and scope combinations and have always considered them part of the hunting experience .

However I would like to see the high end outfitters offer as an option/rent as part of the hunting package say a Echol’s .404 Jeffrey or a Wiebe .458 Lott to hunt DG .They could also offer a .300 H&H for plains game. These do not need to be exhibition grade rifles, but good , solid, accurate hunting guns with quality glass. This would probably not be a money maker for the outfitter but could easily be a pay its own way situation. A service for their clients. Knowing what gun the hunter would be hunting with ,the hunter could bring in his own ammunition.

As I get older hauling a double rifle case all over the airport, dealing with inspections by anti gun airline employees.The extra costs the airlines are charging. Not to mention arriving at the airport 4 hours early to make sure your guns get on the plane is a hassle. Also not traveling with guns opens up other flight options through various non gun friendly countries saving money and sometimes time.

If I was offered a Serious hunting rifle close to or equal to what I own at home or even better , I would strongly consider travel without my guns. This is not my idea as I have read of at least one well known outfitter I believe in Tanzania already offering this service.

Say the outfitter charged the hunter $550 a week gun rental. At 20 weeks rent the outfitter would receive if my math is right $11,000 toward the cost of the rifle/scope. Not that I would want to do this on every hunt but it would be a great option at times.

I have never rented a rifle in my life. Considering the cost of the safari and the minimum usage that would be an insignificant surcharge.

I always prefer to use my own rifles for many reasons. With the wife, it is more important because any standard rifle stock is too big for her. However, if my guns do not arrive and they have camp guns, let me take a few familiarization shots and lets go hunting.


Safe travels and safe shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
I have never rented a rifle in my life. Considering the cost of the safari and the minimum usage that would be an insignificant surcharge.

That's until you have someone using one of your cherished rifles as a walking stick...

I wonder whether a southpaw has ever hunted with a rented rifle. Most likely none of the camp rifles will have been built for left handed hunters. Probably not a real problem when it comes to PG, but DG? Rather not...

Left handed friends of mine have been hunting with my right hand rifles for years.

They hunt so called dangerous game every year with them.

Never had a problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Sunshine:
I wonder whether a southpaw has ever hunted with a rented rifle. Most likely none of the camp rifles will have been built for left handed hunters. Probably not a real problem when it comes to PG, but DG? Rather not...

we had 378 and 460 loaner rifles LH and RH in CAR.
i doubt we ever charged for the rifles, for the ammo yes.

as a lefty too i prefer left hand action but can shoot both sides.