Baboon rifle?

30 April 2009, 08:35

daniel77

You guys sure do shoot some expensive, and heavy recoiling stuff at what amounts to varmints. I think the 22-250 would be perfect for them, but I've never shot one, so what do I know. I might take a shot at one with the 375 if it was my first or something, but to actually hunt them, I'd be more practical. How much can a baboon weigh? 40 lbs?

30 April 2009, 08:50

brair

I've never shot a baboon but have had them on my car while travelling through a wildlife park.
If memory serves a bull baboon can weigh 90 lbs. and is probably twice as strong as a 200 lb man.Not to mention a mouthful of canine type teeth.

If my memory is faulty perhaps somebody can correct me.

Regards,
Brair

30 April 2009, 08:51

<thors460>

Chacma Baboon up to 90 lbs Regular Baboon 30lbs

30 April 2009, 08:52

Bwana Moja

I've shot a handful over the years and usually just go for a head shot with large calibers and small. Usually I'm stringing them up for a double treat leopard bait, and the head shot creates a lot of barbecue sauce. But at the risk of sounding like a softie, I have a problem shooting them because I feel like I'm shooting a person. I've got just about everything in Africa hanging in my trophy room except a baboon. Just don't wanna look up at the wall at night and feel like I shot my brother.

Moja

30 April 2009, 09:00

<thors460>

im with you sable ive only shot 4 but everytime i do its their hands that get me kind makes you feel bad because they have fingers not hooves

01 May 2009, 02:45

Use Enough Gun

Well, I guess that I'm a little insensitive, because I've got two Chacma's coming in the next taxidermy shipment, and I just love to shoot the big, old, aggressive, mean and cantankerous males, especially when they're beating the daylights out of the others. I usually wait until I have a clear full on chest shot and then take the shot directly through the heart. A vast majority of the ones that I have shot have died instantly and have been used for leopard bait. By the way, my favorite baboon caliber is the .300 WSM, using 180 grain trophy bonded bear claws.

01 May 2009, 04:08

michael458

Let's see, I have shot them with 35 Whelen, 338 Winchester, 300 Dakota, my wife's 6.5X55, 45/70, 45 Colt, 416 Remington, 458 Lott, 358 STA, and probably some more I can remember. I think the perfect boon gun, well, nearly anything is perfect if you hit them! I think I would like 25 WSSM, 6.5 WSM, 223 WSSM or anything that is close to those for the perfect rifle. Long range capable, and if they are close maybe they get exploded? God, I always wanted to do a baboon like a prairie dog and see the red mist!

Michael

http://www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com/default.html

The New Word is "Non-Conventional", add "Conventional" to the Endangered Species List!
Live Outside The Box of "Conventional Wisdom"

I do Not Own Any Part of Any Bullet Company, I am not in the Employ Of Any Bullet Company. I do not represent, own stock, nor do I receive any proceeds, or monies from ANY BULLET COMPANY. I am not in the bullet business, and have no Bullets to sell to you, nor anyone else.

01 May 2009, 04:17

<thors460>

01 May 2009, 04:22

Blair338/378

quote:
Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Well, I guess that I'm a little insensitive, because I've got two Chacma's coming in the next taxidermy shipment, and I just love to shoot the big, old, aggressive, mean and cantankerous males, especially when they beating the daylights out of the others. I usually wait until I have a clear full on chest shot and then take the shot directly through the heart. A vast majority of the ones that I have shot have died instantly and have been used for leopard bait. By the way, my favorite baboon caliber is the .300 WSM, using 180 grain trophy bonded bear claws.

UEG,

I'm with you. A little insensitve

I'd love to import one to Oz, but their importation is banned. They would make an excellent trophy.

And picking off the big bastard bulls is the way to go

01 May 2009, 04:54

Code4

In five weeks I'll be into them with a 9.3x62 ???? I'll post a terminal ballistics report.

Somehow I think I'd prefer my son's .243W.

01 May 2009, 05:16

N E 450 No2

If I was going to Africa with the specific intention on killing a bunch of baboons, I would take my Blaser R 93 in 308, with its Leupold 2.5-8 LRS with its BDC, and my Leica 8x40's with the Laser Rangefinder and 500 rounds of Winchester 168gr Ballistic Silvertips.

Now that would be a fun trip.

PS I would want to add a few cow elephants with one of my doubles... But that is just me.

01 May 2009, 06:42

lavaca

My initial reaction to shooting baboons was negative. They are primates -- too human, I thought -- (how true that is). On a bowhunt in Namibia, I passed on a big male that presented perfectly in front of the hide at 20 yards. Then, the whole damn troop moved in and stayed. They chased off everything else that came in. They fought, screamed, fornicated (repeatedly) etc. I was so sorry I hadn't shot the male. Then, he sat up and presented a perfect face on chest shot at 60 yards, which was a lead pipe cinch for me at the time, but the PH would not let me take what he thought was a low percentage shot. Bottom line, while I started thinking I did not want to kill ANY baboon, I now wanted to kill EVERY baboon. That said, I will say I really enjoyed seeing them in Tanzania. Different animals. Different type of hunting. I didn't have to watch the "monkey porn" over and over again.

01 May 2009, 23:15

Karamojo Bill

I have baboon on my tag for this August. At one point I thought about bringing a dedicated varmit rifle for them & jackal. I contacted my PH and he said that there was probably no better gun for them than the .22-250.

Since then I have decided to save on extra baggage weight and forms and just bringing my .338 WM and more ammo.

01 May 2009, 23:33

500 Fan

I don't think there is generally any need to bring a dedicated rifle unless culling is in order. I've always been 100% satisfied with my 270 Winchester, even at very long range and this caliber is a very good for plains game also.

03 May 2009, 17:47

michael458

It hit me this morning trying to think of something that would be interesting to me. I have a 6.5 WSM, but it is a featherweight light barrel rifle. Great for a couple of shots but heats up too fast after that. I have several WSM actions laying around, I am going to build another 6.5 WSM, but with a more stable stock and heavier barrel. I think this just might be the perfect baboon rifle/cartridge. I can run a 120 gr bullet at 3300 fps and change. 1.5 inches high at 100 puts it 3 inches low at 300--12 inches low at 400 and 24 inches low at 500 or close to that. This might be great fun, not to mention that the little 6.5 WSM is pretty good on most other critters too, impala and such.

Michael

08 May 2009, 12:23

trapmonkey

I would love to go on a baboon only safari, like hunting varmints great fun.

I've used the 300 win mag on them and also a .223. I've had some sucess staking out a chalet in the early mornings where somebody with a smokers cough was getting responses from male baboons. hilarious!

09 May 2009, 23:16

Idaho Sharpshooter

if baboons look too "human" to you; just think of them as democrats. Works for me...

Rich
Buff Killer

10 May 2009, 01:41

Use Enough Gun

10 May 2009, 02:53

michael458

Idaho

WEll Said! My Hero!!!!! Kill them All!

Michael

03 October 2015, 15:57

BenKK

I'd like to resurrect this thread to gain any more ideas and suggestions that guys might have since it started. I would love to dedicate a good amount of time to hunting/culling them.

03 October 2015, 17:49

BNagel

Run 'em through a minefield -- BABOOM!

Seriously, my wife plans to use her .270 Weatherby again. Shoot whatever you have along.

03 October 2015, 18:19

Opus1

I've had to clean out a few condos of bobos. Best at night with a .223, night vision scope and suppressor. Start with the biggest and work down.

As other's have stated, pretty much anything will get the job done. But they can be surprisingly tough.

The only good bobo is a @(-_-)@ bobo.

04 October 2015, 05:12

lavaca

Leave tomorrow for Tanzania. Might shoot one this time. Haven't ever before. The olive baboons are pretty, but ... they are too much like Democrats and that's too close to us ..

04 October 2015, 09:38

Andrew McLaren

quote:
Originally posted by Karoo:
To follow up on what Peter said: use enough gun (.243 and up.) Quite simply, because baboons are problem animals many hunters (shooters) forget their ethics and kill these animals inhumanely. My ranch has problem baboons and I shoot them, but make every effort to make a clean kill. Every animal deserves at least that.

Andrew McLaren
Professional Hunter and Hunting Outfitter since 1974.

http://www.mclarensafaris.com The home page to go to for custom planning of ethical and affordable hunting of plains game in South Africa!
Enquire about any South African hunting directly from andrew@mclarensafaris.com

After a few years of participation on forums, I have learned that:

One can cure:

Lack of knowledge – by instruction. Lack of skills – by practice. Lack of experience – by time doing it.

One cannot cure:

Stupidity – nothing helps! Anti hunting sentiments – nothing helps! Put-‘n-Take Outfitters – money rules!

My very long ago ancestors needed and loved to eat meat. Today I still hunt!

04 October 2015, 10:24

Venture South

In South Africa on farms where they get shot at, I suggest a 303 with a 10 shot magazine and a red dot. You need to be able to hit them on the run if you want to take more than one.

Get as close as possible before you start to even look at them.
I suggest riding up to them in a donkey cart or on a tractor with a blue overall on.
Cover your face so they think its not white.
You basically need them to think you are a farm worked on his way to work.

Short of that, Opus has the most effective way of doing it.

04 October 2015, 10:47

Beretta682E

I don't get shooting baboons or other primates or honey badgers.

Why shoot animals so close to humans - I can sit at a waterhole outside camp at Save Safaris and spend the whole day looking at the baboons there.

They are exactly like humans - when their basic necessities are met their focus turns to screwing with the weakest or picking fights. They can't live in peace or solitude.

Mike

04 October 2015, 18:08

Opus1

If you saw the destruction that even a small troop of bobos cause you might change your mind. They wipe out every bird nest in the area, they kill small game by the truck load, they can screw up a game stalk from miles away, they destroy solar systems, pumps and irrigation systems, wipe out your garden in a matter of minutes, kill pets and domestic animals, and crap all over the areas that you want to use to watch sunsets and scout game. And of course they breed like.... rats.

While they have a slight "Awww Cute" appeal to some, they are a pest. Once they become brazen enough to enter camp, all bets are off and the extermination begins. I will leave one or two bobos behind for the tourists, but anything more than three becomes a problem.

In regards to honey badgers, they can be a huge pain in the ass as they are smart, determined, fearless and destructive. But they do not destroy the habitat, flora and fauna and I would never consider shooting one. However, after one destroyed my camp kitchen, I was tempted...

04 October 2015, 20:01

Venture South

quote:
If you saw the destruction that even a small troop of bobos cause you might change your mind. They wipe out every bird nest in the area, they kill small game by the truck load, they can screw up a game stalk from miles away, they destroy solar systems, pumps and irrigation systems, wipe out your garden in a matter of minutes, kill pets and domestic animals, and of course the crap all over the areas that you want to use to watch sunsets and scout game. And of course they breed like.... rats.

While they have a slight "Awww Cute" appeal to some, they are a pest. Once they become brazen enough to enter camp, all bets are off and the extermination begins. I will leave one or two bobos behind for the tourists, but anything more than three becomes a problem.

Opus is right. Second to a delinquent African government Baboons are the most destructive force on Earth. Often begging the question as to whether their similar appearance and behaviour point to a link between said Government and the Baboons.
The recent discovery of Homo Naledi seems to confirm this thought

05 October 2015, 00:10

lal

I agree, FN/FAL is ideal for all our baboon species. A rimfire works well too...

05 October 2015, 00:23

jaegerfrank

Sure they ara a pest and I enjoyed shooting them. Mostly with 375 and in CAR with 7x64.

07 October 2015, 13:36

Bren7X64

Remember PHC wrote a story about taking baboons at a farm called Vlakfontein in Zim - it was a real over-the-top assault using a MAC-10, IIRC.

There were also burning moats involved - but it was a long time ago I read this.

07 October 2015, 22:58

Pegleg

Thierry Labat's tracker, Mudini would run down baby baboons if we could get close to them. Always a hoot to see. Mudini would have been a great wide receiver! Fast.

08 October 2015, 16:03

Barry Groulx

It's not Baboon Kong - most folks here use the 7x57, .308 or .303. I've seen it done with my own two eyes with a .22LR. It's all about the shot. .22-250's fine.

quote:
Originally posted by D Hunter:
Some may laugh at this question as in "What is the best possum gun", but truthfully. Obviously a large caliber will kill a baboon. This question is for the folks that do it day in and day out as a depradation issue. Would a varmint gun like a 22-250 be enough gun? Would a 300 mag of some ilk be better? I assume lots of the shooting takes place at long range so that a flat shooter is an advantage. Scope of preference? I don't currently own a varmint rig at present.(could be another excuse to buy a rifle.) On my next trip to Africa I hope to kill one of my close relatives with the big canine teeth.

20 October 2015, 02:26

Pegleg

quote:
Originally posted by Pegleg:
Thierry Labat's tracker, Mudini would run down baby baboons if we could get close to them. Always a hoot to see. Mudini would have been a great wide receiver! Fast.

20 October 2015, 05:55

Clan_Colla

the 6XC--does well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umkEy0Womk0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9IYpwx3-_w

20 October 2015, 22:30

McKay

I had the most fun shooting them with my 500Jeffery with 535 woody softs at 2350fps.

20 October 2015, 22:36

Opus1

and why not!

21 October 2015, 00:40

Todd Williams

quote:
Originally posted by Beretta682E:
I don't get shooting baboons or other primates or honey badgers.

Why shoot animals so close to humans - I can sit at a waterhole outside camp at Save Safaris and spend the whole day looking at the baboons there.

They are exactly like humans - when their basic necessities are met their focus turns to screwing with the weakest or picking fights. They can't live in peace or solitude.

Mike

Oh good grief!

21 October 2015, 01:48

Beretta682E

quote:
Originally posted by Todd Williams:
quote:
Originally posted by Beretta682E:
I don't get shooting baboons or other primates or honey badgers.

Why shoot animals so close to humans - I can sit at a waterhole outside camp at Save Safaris and spend the whole day looking at the baboons there.

They are exactly like humans - when their basic necessities are met their focus turns to screwing with the weakest or picking fights. They can't live in peace or solitude.

Mike

Oh good grief!

Like I said I don't get it. I did not say anyone else should not do it given that it was a joke with Opus who really likes shooting baboons. Now honey badgers should be a protected species !!

I will make sure to send you my list of things to shoot in the save in 2016 for prior approval

Mike