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We hear this phrase often when someone suggests taking a less common cartridge on safari. My question is about gun stores in Africa; I have done internet searches and see they do exist. If I did bring a rifle in a cartridge that should be available, such as 375 H&H or 30-06, and my ammo did not show up could I walk into one of these stores with my SAPS papers and PH at my side and buy ammo? Is there product on the shelf? Looking at the Savuti Arms site (Just a random site, I know nothing about them) they have a decent list of ammo, is it really there? Mark | ||
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Your original question refers to Africa but the post refers to your SAPS permit. Assuming you're asking about South Africa in particular as opposed to Africa in general, ammo for most common calibres is available in most largish towns and ammo for a lot of less popular calibres is available in some towns. Can you buy ammo if you produce your SA temporary firearms permit? - Yes you can. Ammo availability & ease of purchase in other African countries varies immensely from country to country. | |||
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I have been to a couple of gunshops in Namibia and they seemed to have ammo available for the cartridges the locals used. IIRC there was 270win, 7x57, 308win, 30/06, and 8x68 for the most part, with a few others mixed in. The ammo they stocked was loaded by PMP for the most part. Keep in mind that the locals have to purchase there ammo somewhere, so the shops that want their business have to keep the ammo in stock. Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
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+1 any south African gunshop will have the common calibres, a box or 2 at a time in the smaller towns. Get your P.H / Outfitter to do a quick check at his local store, its just a phone call Dave Davenport Outfitters license HC22/2012EC Pro Hunters license PH74/2012EC www.leopardsvalley.co.za dave@leopardsvalley.co.za +27 42 24 61388 HUNT AFRICA WHILE YOU STILL CAN Follow us on FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/#!/leopardsvalley.safaris | |||
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You can also buy reloading components in Namibia and South Africa, Mark. That's assuming your outfitter has a reloading bench. This may mean bringing dies/unprimed brass if you have an obscure cartridge but use a common bullet (.308 or .375 or .458 for example). Might have to play with the right South African powder, but it worked for me when KLM/Air France refused to carry my .303 ammo some years ago. Regards, Tim | |||
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Thanks guys, that is what I wanted to know. To listen to some people the shelves of an African gun shop are like a North Korean grocery store. The SAPS reference was just to say I had the appropriate gun paperwork, would change with country. When taking reloading components do they have to match the rifles being brought in? Could say bullets for the PH be brought in country without the rifle? Mark | |||
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Mark I split up my ammo half in each bag that way half of ammo is better then no ammo. I was sand bagged in Amsterdam on my way to Tanzania. Guns all baggage except the bag with my ammo and my clothes. Mike | |||
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Can't reload at all in some countries, Mark. Key is to ask the PH to check local law/regulation. Do not know what, if any, US laws/regs exist on reloading components either... Regards, Tim | |||
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With a bit of forewarning you can get almost any ammo you want in JHB, South Africa. Whilst SA may not be at the same standard as America in terms of choice there are a couple of hundred thousand active rifle hunters in South Africa. Federal, Hornady, Remington, Winchester, PMP and a couple of European brands are fairly common | |||
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In Zim, ammo is extremely expensive. A box of .375 HH Federal will run $300 to $400. Take plenty and leave the extra with the PH#s. | |||
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Better to 'shoot it off at the range'  as it's technically illegal to leave it behind/give it away and as recent events have proved...... Big Brother just might be watching.  | |||
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I just returned from Windhoek, Namibia....I find that the gunshops in this city is reasonably well stocked, but I can recommend Rosenthal guns...very well stocked with Romey ammo in lots of NE calibres and some nice rifles ie a M98 Mauser in .500 Jeffery from Reimer Johannsen, bullets from Woodleigh etc. I bought bullets for my .475 NE..  | |||
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Mark, An immense amount depends on which African country you're talking about. South Africa for example is fairly well stocked and even has people such as the wonderful Ken Stewart of Stewart bullets who will load any number of any calibre for you and at the other end of the scale you have countries such as Tanzania and Uganda where shops with ammo are about as rare as rocking horse doo-doos. The good news is that even the latter countries the guys in the hunting industry are usually jacked up to help each other in times of need so will get on the blower to see who has what when needed. | |||
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Agree with the comments made by dogcat and Shakari on ammo availability, cost, and leaving it behind. I was looking for a box of .375 H&H solids in Zim last Sept and they wanted close to $400 for the box of 20. My PH told me that he had someone looking for a box of 470 NE for a double and they were asking $1,000 for it. As to leaving it behind, I have always been told that it is illegal and not to risk doing it, although I know that many of you do so. | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Ammunition availability in Africa
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