Want to bring 3 rifles?

30 October 2016, 17:33

longfeather1

Hello All,

Beginning to plan another safari to South Africa or Namibia. I've hunted both countries before and always brought 2 rifles, one heavy & one light. This trip over I'd like to bring a third but I can't seem to find any info that says yes or no to a third gun.

I thinking of doing a Winchester lever gun trifecta: a model 64 for light stuff, a model 71 for the bigger plains game, and an 1895 in .405 for buffalo. (No I'm not trying to be a Makris wanna be

Any info greatly appreciated

Best regards,
Longfeather

30 October 2016, 18:24

hunteratheart

Twice I've done 3 gun and I find I usually just end up with 2 in the field and the 3rd only ever comes out on the range for verifying sight in. Save the weight and space.

30 October 2016, 18:41

sharpsguy

If you want to do the lever gun thing, all you need is a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 and some 350 grain bullets for the light stuff, and some Garret Hammerheads for buffalo. The Garret 45-70 Hammerhead ammo will handle a buffalo with plenty of horsepower left over. They don't call them Hammerheads for nothing.

My Marlin 1895 is the Cowboy in 45-70 and holds eight in the magazine and one up the pipe. It is also a tack driver.

Do a little research and see what Brian Pierce did with a 45-70 Marlin on buffalo several years ago. You will likely forget about the 405 Winchester.

30 October 2016, 19:19

WV Hitman

I've taken 3 pistols every time I go for the last 30 years. Never a problem.

31 October 2016, 02:04

lavaca

Never took 3. The real limitation is on ammunition, but this got me thinking. My wife is going for the first time next year. I've always thought a rimfire would be a lot of fun on birds, and frankly, dik dik and the like. Also, may tuck in a double for buffalo for a nice change.

31 October 2016, 05:06

crbutler

Three for one person is doable, but you need to get the approval in advance. I think most countries are two, with more as special permission, but that probably has some airline involvement as well.

You will probably get into airline overweight charges.

That being said, I have brought 3 on full bag hunts... medium, heavy, and one light or long range, or double.

The real limiter is ammo.

I have ran out of ammo for one of the choices at times, and then start using the next applicable after that.

31 October 2016, 05:38

larryshores

I have taken 3 plenty of times. In 2015 for example, I took my 500 NE, a 416 Remington Mag and a Benelli 12 ga.

It is a bit more of a pain but it can be done.

31 October 2016, 06:33

crshelton

My 1895 .405 is jealous!

What bullets do you plan to use?
I have taken the big stuff with both 300 and 400 grain .411 bullets.
Another strategy would be to take one 1895 .405 rifle and use 300 grain bullets on everything except for the 400 grain Woodies on cape buffalo.
Have fun and take lots of pix!
At 2250 fps, 300 grainers can reach out a ways.

31 October 2016, 07:07

ledvm

quote:
Originally posted by larryshores:
I have taken 3 plenty of times. In 2015 for example, I took my 500 NE, a 416 Remington Mag and a Benelli 12 ga.

It is a bit more of a pain but it can be done.

You still cannot take 3 rifles in one case anymore...can you?

I still have 3 rifle Americase from the days when it was allowed.

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31 October 2016, 07:12

crbutler

Lane, I have done so repeatedly, as recently as 2015. 3 in a tuffpack.

Depending on which, I get hit with overage fees about 50% of the time.

31 October 2016, 07:26

ledvm

Maybe that was just an SAA rule???

31 October 2016, 09:02

JTEX

I have taken three rifles in my tuffpak the last three trips, no issues, no special permission.

It was,overweight.......I just paid.....

.

31 October 2016, 14:46

larryshores

quote:
Originally posted by ledvm:
quote:
Originally posted by larryshores:
I have taken 3 plenty of times. In 2015 for example, I took my 500 NE, a 416 Remington Mag and a Benelli 12 ga.

It is a bit more of a pain but it can be done.

You still cannot take 3 rifles in one case anymore...can you?

I still have 3 rifle Americase from the days when it was allowed.

I believe that varies by airline but I am not 100% sure.

01 November 2016, 00:53

samir

Just returned in May from zim and SA On BA WITH 3 rifles in a tuffpack without problems or overweight fees.

01 November 2016, 01:54

ledvm

Did any of you guys that flew with 3 in a case fly SAA?

01 November 2016, 02:08

crbutler

In my case, no. Gracy recommended against it.

Delta/KLM had no issues, but did require advance notice.

01 November 2016, 02:08

dogcat

A few years ago Delta and SAA both would not let me carry 3 rifles in one case. I would check with the travel guy that knows about traveling with guns. Someone here knows who he is.

Further, I rarely take guns anymore. Most PH's have good guns and I shoot theirs to avoid the hassles. Yea, Yea, Yea - I know, you love your gun. You have an emotional attachment to it.

I never really understand that anymore than a plumber loves his wrench or a carpenter loves his hammer. A hunter loves his gun....

Anyway, do what you like and what you can afford... taking your gun usually adds several hundred dollars to any trip.

01 November 2016, 02:35

ledvm

quote:
Originally posted by dogcat:
A few years ago Delta and SAA both would not let me carry 3 rifles in one case. I would check with the travel guy that knows about traveling with guns. Someone here knows who he is.

Further, I rarely take guns anymore. Most PH's have good guns and I shoot theirs to avoid the hassles. Yea, Yea, Yea - I know, you love your gun. You have an emotional attachment to it.

I never really understand that anymore than a plumber loves his wrench or a carpenter loves his hammer. A hunter loves his gun....

Anyway, do what you like and what you can afford... taking your gun usually adds several hundred dollars to any trip.

Ross,
You and I use the same travel agency...except you always use Stacey and I always use Linda.

Last year Linda and Stacey both told me SAA still didn't allow 3 in a case.

01 November 2016, 04:21

longfeather1

All,

Thanks for the input much appreciated.

If I can get a decent 180 grain load made up for the .348 I may just take the model 71 and the 1895.

Although the model 64 is dying to show what a hopped up 30/30 can do on the smaller plains game.

CR Shelton: I was planning on using 300 grain CEBs. They make one bullet that is actually reversible. Load it one way and it's an expandable, flip it around it becomes a solid. I also have some 300 grain Hawk bullets that good expanders on lighter game.

Again, thanks for the info.

03 November 2016, 00:09

samir

quote:
Originally posted by ledvm:
Did any of you guys that flew with 3 in a case fly SAA?

03 November 2016, 20:45

BuffHunter63

If I were to go on a combo plains/DG hunt and wanted to take 3 rifles I would go with:

.243 for little guys (dik dik, impala, etc,)
.300 Win Mag for bigger antelope (sable, kudu, etc)
.416 Rem Mag for DG and heavy animals (eland, giraffe, etc).

This array of bullets/cartridges should work well for any creature in Africa. (Plus I already own rifles in these calibers.).

BH63