Any suggestions or experiences with hunting in Afria with a handgun (handcannon)? Single shot, Revolver, Calibers, effective ranges?

I have an T/C encore and am considering a pistol barrel for it to try bigger game in the future. Anyone used one in Africa? Any stories and pictures would be appreciated.

My dad shot his gemsbok with XP-100 (260 rem) and my buddy shot his black wildebeest with .44 6" Colt Anaconda. The gemsbok was shot at over 150 yards, while the wildebeest was shot at less than 100. The wildebeest was shot after a long belly crawl, while the gemsbok was shot after the beaters spooked it towards my dad's position on the side of a hill. Gemsbok went down with the one shot, while the wildebeest required 2 other.

If you do a search within the hunting reports section for my user id, you should be able to find pictures and more information.

I used a S&W 44mag and took a warthog, wildebeast, blesbok and springbok. Farthest shot was 80yards was happy with the performance and am glad I took the pistol. I just got a 500mag seems to shoot great! I stll dont think it with replace the 44mag. Got the change the front sight then I can tell.
If you are using a handgun check on the laws in the country you are hunting. Know the weapons limits and stick to them! I think under 100 yards is a good starting point for a revolver.
Dean

So far, only South Africa and Zimbabwe are the only countries that allow handguns into the country for hunting. Namibia may be another one, but I don't know for sure. After all, the "Colonial Powers" have had a thing against handguns and this attitude is handed down to the "Liberated Governments." I've also heard that in Tanzania that a handgun is possible only with a $1000 permit.

I went on a handgun hunt in SA last Aug. Took a black wildbeast, eland and a springbok. I used a savage Striker in .308 and a TC Contender in 375 JDJ. Practice alot!! Be aware of South Africa's new regs concerning handguns. A couple of highlights are nothing over 45 caliber ( that includes 454 and the S&W 50), and my understanding is no revolvers, unless you can prove it is "custom made for hunting" whatever that means. I was going to bring my 454 casull, but they turned down my application. Good luck!

Everything in Africa has been taken with a hangun Larry...from Magna-port cam out in the late 70's with a .44 mag and took lion, buff, ele, leopard and hippo in Zim. I shot a buff and an ele during the trials in 96 to gett handgun hunting re-alowed (it got banned by an admin error when the regs were redone in 1990). Used a S&W M58 in .41 mag.

On the dangerous game, if you are planninmg to use a revolver you will have to accept that only perfect angles will do for you to shoot and that may cost you a trophy- but the same rules apply to bowhunts and black powder. With the MOA hand cannon I played with it was accurate enough and powerful enough for all african game dangerous game, from any angle. Just - can you shoot it accurately????

quote:

Originally posted by Riodot:
Any suggestions or experiences with hunting in Afria with a handgun (handcannon)? Single shot, Revolver, Calibers, effective ranges?

I have an T/C encore and am considering a pistol barrel for it to try bigger game in the future. Anyone used one in Africa? Any stories and pictures would be appreciated.

Riodot

Here is Richard's own brief report on his cape buff hunt with us /

Regards, Peter
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This hunt was in Zambia mid Aug, near the Kafue Nat Park. In sand hills and hardwoods, many ant hills to shoot from. The temp was 78* and elev 3500'. I used a 500 Maximum hand gun, made by Jack Huntington in Ca. and CP bullets 525 grn hardcast @ 1500 fps.

We were on foot for two days, but could not get near the herds due to the winds. The third day we got in an open jeep, we found five bulls alone and tracked for three hrs only to lose them.

The great African trackers found them again in about half an hour. After about forty five mins
following again, I got a shot off at 60 yrds. It took out the shoulder and both lungs. Almost went down. He ran for about 150 yrds. but never got out of sight. We went on foot, four more
shots over 80 yrds to finish him off. This was the first buff taken on the ranch with handgun.

Thanks to Kelly for the Cast Performance bullets & to PH Dene / Richard B from Florida

I just recently did a handgun hunt in RSA. I hunted in the Limpopo area right on the Zimbawa border. I used a 375JDJ for my complete hunt. I took a zebra, kudu, eland, blesbok, and a couple impala. My shots were from 60 to 180 yards. Bullet selection and shot placement are extremely important. Do a search on my user name and you can see the pics. Hunting with a outfitter that understands handgunning is important. PM me and I will give you my phone number and I will answer any questions you have. Taking handguns was no more difficult then taking rifles. I will never forget my handgun safari.

Am I mistaken, or did some members on this forum get drawn and quartered for mentioning 45/70 rifles in africa,for any species. Pretty much africa period??? Just curious...

quote:

Originally posted by charger:
Am I mistaken, or did some members on this forum get drawn and quartered for mentioning 45/70 rifles in africa,for any species. Pretty much africa period??? Just curious...

You are correct. To some on this forum, if you hunt dangerous game or even plains game with anything less than a Holland and Holland Royal Grade 470 Nitro express, you are commiting a mortal sin.

I am going to S.Africa in March -06 w/a group of pistol hunters 9-12 guy's who are going w/Madubula Safaris.I will be taking a 475 Maximum,TC Encore GNR 410-12"bll and a 375 GNR Carbine for longer shots (150-200 yds).If you will check out http://www.reedercustomguns ,look under Africa trips you will see plenty of game taken with pistols.Don't let ANYBODY tell you it can"t OR shouldn't be done.

Sean

Charger and Tembo

the .45-70 question is like using any of the revolver rounds in many respects. They lack the penetration necessary to take an ele with a frontal shot (and may be marginal on a frontal shot on buff). Therefore they do not qualify as a Dangerous Game cartridge. You can hunt with one - sucessfully. But you are imposing limitations on yourself and you, the client must be happy withthat and accept that your choice of firearm may well cause you to go home empty handed.

Some of the Hand Cannon rounds I have played with are throwing a bullet of sufficient sectional Density, fast enough to kill an elephant from any angle- Kill- not necessarily stop... and certainly wouldn't rate as a stopping round for lion or buff.

Still, if that is what "boils your veggies", use it. It is acceptable provided you are a good enough shot and a good enough hunter to make up for your equipments shortcomings, and don't whine if you don't score! Also, I don't recomend 1st time hunters using marginal equipment (weather rifle, handgun or bow) until they have killed a buff, ele or whatever with a normal rifle and are not going to get buck fever at being within 20 yards of five tones of meat...and fully appreciate the limitations that they are imposing on themselves.

Ganyana, I agree with everything you said. IF one is to try DG with a handgun, be sure it and you are up to the task. I have only 2 hand cannons that I would even think about attempting a buff with. A 416 GRN and a 375 JDJ. IMHO, these are absolute minimum.

I carried a 44 mountain revolver in S.A. some time back. It was great fun to have with me. Took a couple of impala with it and used it to coup de grace several animals.
I hope to carry a ruger single action with me to Mozambique in Aug. I'll post how that turns out.

I was thinking of a 454 casull or a 7mm.08 for plains game only. I am not interested in DG with pistol. It sound s like a smaller rifle caliber is my best choice if I cannot bring a 454 into SA. 7mm.08 or maybe a 30.06. Thanks for the feedback.