When I finally get to Africa, besides the buff I'd like a hyena (probably use .338WM), jackel, and any of the small cats. Also small antelope's

I'll be taking my Lott, a .338 WM (pushfeed of course), but I was wondering of the .223, 22 Hornet, or .243 Win, which would do the least damage to the pelts?

What bullets should I use?

Thanks Jerry

The big bores don;t damage the smaller animals as a rule, the jackets are stiff and don't expand on light bodies, stay off the big bones..Taking too many guns can be a disaster in the airports and your only allowed two in a case...

Thanks Ray, I was concerned about the smaller cats and jackel though. I'm guessing the .338WM, but what bullets do you suggest?

Ray, while I got your attention, could you tell me anything about using predator calls in Africa?

Thanks again, Jerry

quote:

Originally posted by Minkman:

Ray, while I got your attention, could you tell me anything about using predator calls in Africa? ... Jerry

minkman,

I take a .270 and a .416 on my trips to Africa. I'd like to bring a .223 too but airlines won't permit it. I used a .223 that my PH had there last year, great for all the small critters. I shot dassies, jackals, duikers, blue balls, and some birds with it.

On a earlier trip I shot a Porkupine with the .270, "Much Damage!" Put it this way, if I have all the pieces I'm doing alot of sewing! later on in the safari I had a chance at another porkupine, this time I used my .416 with solids, hardly any damage..

I wish I could have gotten up to see you last month, I will be in touch!

It is my understanding from hunting hyena last year in Zim that electronic calls are banned in Zim. I don't know about mouth operated calls.

I shot a civet cat broadside and a side striped jackel head on, both at very close range, and a klipspringer, with my 9,3x74R, 286gr Woodleigh Soft. The hides were not damaged bad at all. They are all suitable for a lifesize mount.

quote:

Originally posted by Minkman:
but I was wondering of the .223, 22 Hornet, or .243 Win, which would do the least damage to the pelts?

What bullets should I use?

Thanks Jerry

Minkman, the absolutely worst chambering you could take if you don't want damaged hides, is the .243 Win. The 100 gr bullets skipping along at around 3000 fps, will take a large New Mexico Coyote in half, at under 150 yds. Take some solids for your 338 Win Mag, and as Tony says, stay off the big bones in the shoulder. I've shot lots of small animals with 375 H&H 300 gr solids, leaving a .375 hole on both sides!

I take my small stuff with a 250 grain solid in my .35 Whelen. I've got it downloaded to 53 grains of RL15. It amazed the PH when I took my klippie - he'd never seen one with so little damage that none of the quills popped out. I've got QD scope mounts and I take 2 scopes. One zeroed for full power loads and the second for the light loads.

Depending on what you're hunting the use of a small caliber is good.....however most camps will let you use a .222 or something like that. For plains game a .243 is still a fine gun for a second gun to back up a .300. .338, or .375

I agree with those that say to use the least number you can.

.270 is a good choice

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:

RIP, Do you know something about predator calling?

Minkman

On my last hunt to Zim in Sept. I took along my 458 RCBS & my 22 Hornet. I used the 458 for backup on buff and for plainsgame, and the hornet for everthing else. I shot a nice 2 diker, jackle, impala amd some guinne fowl. None of them took a step. I was shooting Winchester factory 45 gr sp. I know the PH was impressed with that little hornet.

Good luck

Minkman,
A couple years ago after an evening of adult beverages at the Reno SCI with my PH buddies from Zim, i sent them off with a mouth squaller (I believe Reno was glad to see us all leave with that damn squacker!! LOL)
Being of the reserved type, those 3 had barely made landfall back in Zim before they got themselves involved in sorting out a stock raiding lion. I will not attempt to relay the entire story, but it involved rapid response by the entire pride to the rabbit squaller & fortunately a rapid response back into the Landrover so no one was hurt. They got a big laugh out of it, but thought that since "varmints" come in a fairly large size there that it might not be best to use it anymore.

Mike

.

Mac's advice is excellent.

I'm taking a .338 Win. Mag. to Zimbabwe next season for plainsgame, and a many of the animals I hope to take there are on the small side. I intend to load 250 gr. softs for most of my hunting, but also have some Barnes 250 gr. solids to use on the smaller animals.

When I was hunting with Garry Kelly Safaris in RSA last year, PHs Shawn Kelly and Mike Curry were both very big on having some solids on hand for use on the smaller animals.

This strategy will also save the hassle of having to drag yet another rifle along. Too many rifles is a real nuisance........

I have used a 375HH, and a 30/06 on countless baboon, jackal, caracal, civit, etc. etc. None have been blown to bits. Some had bigger holes then others but over all the damage was not as bad as you would expect.

Steenbok seem to suffer much greater damage then similiar sized predators from bullets. I have seen a number of really bad Steenbok.

Here is a photo I have of a Caracal cat shot with a 30/06. He was peeking out from behind a tree and I shot him right in the neck. As you can see he is not all that bad. Although the bullet hole is not in the photo to keep it a bit more appealing.


Even so with a .243 or similiar, shot in the neck I feel rather confident his head would have been severed or at least torn loose. The other vital bit of info here is that you just never know what you will see in the bush. Imagine seeing a massive trophy of a bigger species and your carring a little 243!

I must say I'm not a fan of using less then 30 caliber rifles in Africa. Over the years and many harvested animals they seem to be the dividing line for consistant success, much like the 375HH is for DG. Certainly experts, or experienced riflemen with the dicipline to pass poor shots get by just fine with less.