I am scheduled to go to Zim for a 21 day hunt in June 2004.
I will hunt the following animals; 2 buff, non-trophy elephant, hippo, lion, leopard, and the typical assorted plains game.
I will take my double 450 No2 with soft and solid, and my 9.3x74R double [with scope in QD mounts]. I plan on taking around 15 solids for the 9.3.

My question is this: How many soft and solids for the 450 No2?
How many rounds for the 9.3? Is 15 solids enough, or should I take more?
Is there any TSA rule that specifically states you cannot carry ammo in the same case as a gun?
I am also going to take a handgun[44mag] if it is still legal when I leave.
Thanks

I wouldnt try and bring a handgun to zim. Thats a bad plan and is illegal to use on Govt land. I'm not sure about private ranches. I would take 20 solids of each gun and the rest in softs.

[ 06-15-2003, 04:22: Message edited by: LV Eric ]

Having four animals on license that require solids[first shot on the buffs softs] I would hope that 20 solids for the 450 would be plenty.... however you never know when you will meet a "terminator" and additional shots will be required.
The only other animal that the 450 might be primary on would be the lion if conditions are right. I thought It would be better to be "heavy" on solids or at least 50/50.
For the 9.3 I thought I would take 60 rounds, As it has a scope which probably should be checked from time to time, with 15 to 20 of those being solids, mainly incase the 450 gets struck by lightening or I happen upon a trophy buff while carrying the 9,3.
You guys and gals that have been to Africa, how many shots did you fire per animal?
I would rather have rounds left over than to be worrying about running out.

Weight the ammo carefully, but take all 5 kg. allowed. I would definitely leave the pistol home.

Take more solids than softs for the 450. Actually, I'd only take 10 softs and the rest solids. Maybe 30.

Not sure why you want the solids for the 9.3, although a few wouldn't hurt. I'd fill out the weight limit with softs.

Shooting close in with a double rifle - now THAT'S hunting !! Have a great trip.

HT
Thanks for the recomendations. The reason for the solids in the 9,3 is incase I happen upon a "solid" animal while carrying it, or the 450 quits working I could still use my own rifle for the hunt.

With those big shells you are going to hit 11 pounds very quickly. You need to weigh them and see how many of each make up a pound and go from there.

If you are traveling with someone who isn't shooting, you can split the ammo between yourselves and take 11 pounds each.

I would also think about buying ammo for the 9.3x74R in Africa if I could...that way you could use your allotment for the big one.

Take 40 rounds for the .450, assuming you can get them under the maximum weight limitation (allowing for the weight of all of your other ammo). By the way, take your wife and you can double the limit to 10 kg. (Even if you don't like her, that's a good reason to take her along.) My motto in this as in many other things is--better safe than sorry (check out James Mellon's excellent book--African Hunter--re: the story by PH Glen Cottar entitled "The Buffalo Who Had Eleven Lives." Also, I'd take 15 softs and 25 solids.

I went on a 14 day hunt in Zimbabwe in May.

I had 12 animals on license, so I took 13 bullets (one to sight in). Just so happened, I only needed 11, since I lined the impala and baboon up, to take them both with the same shot. If you can do this regularly...you may only want to take 1/2 box for your trip.

Jeff

Wife cannot go this time, shame, not only could we take more ammo but more rifles as well.

20rounds of 500gr. 450 No2 weigh 2.7lbs.
20rounds of 286gr. 9,3x74R weigh 1.6lbs.

Has anybody actually had their ammo weighed?
I never have, but I have only traveled in the states.

I have never had my ammo weighed....

Take 40 rounds for the double, 10 solids and 30 Softs is the usual recommendation...I'd be happy with all solids myself....

For the 9.3 I'd take a few solids, maybe 5 or even 10 and the rest softs...again I like the solids..GS FN solids for me as they work about as well as a soft anywayl.

Ray thanks for the input. I agree with your thoughts on the solids, I would not want to run short of them. As the No2 is for the big stuff I would probably use more solids in it than softs.