The recurrent malarial fevers to return to Africa are getting worse. I need to go back, real bad. I'm hoping to hunt in Zim or SA, if Zim falls off the map. I have a 416 Taylor and a 9.3x74 Chapuis that I would probably take. Three questions are rolling around in my head, while I lay awake at night.

Of those who have made many trips, how often have you experienced lost ammo? I know there won't be any Taylor ammo on the shelf, and probably not for the 9.3 either. Both rifles would be useless without ammo.
Second question, I'm guessing that in Zim, cartridges are probably not available. What cartridges might be available to either buy or beg from most PH's?

So....should I be replacing my Taylor with a 375? The Chappie is going ammo or not.
Thanks
Bfly

" ... how often have you experienced lost ammo?"

Never. I had baggage arrive in Jo'burg a day after me, but that was before I factored in at least a four-hour layover before my flights to RSA.

Bill Quimby

Never had the ammo go missing from the cliets bags. Have only had one client arrive last year with his bags Bags arrive the next day... that's just jo'berg airport for you.

You would be surprised just what is actually availbale here- especially if you pre-ordered it. 9,3x74 is available at both Harrisons in Harare and Impala seeds in Byo. .416 Taylor can be made up by Nimro on special order. If you are really concerned (and I wouldn't be) just pre-order a box of each- or post a box of each surface mail to the PH three months before you leave

Thanks, that is very comforting.
Bfly

quote:

If you are really concerned (and I wouldn't be) just pre-order a box of each- or post a box of each surface mail to the PH three months before you leave

Ganyana

I'll be brining a rifle to Zim in 09 chambered for a wildcat cartridge…

I’ve often asked the question here about shipping ammo ahead of time…

Most of the responses I’ve gotten have been that it’ll be a real pain to do so…

I’d rather go through a little hassle three months before I leave than wind up with no ammo…

I know I need to talk to my outfitter….but do you have any advice on how to go about shipping ammo to Zim????

Thanks

Matt V.

Black Fly, my guns/ammo got "lost" at joberg in 05, guns arrived Bulawayo finally, but no bags/ammo. I had a 375 and a 264. We borrowed 375 ammo, a 30-06 and ammo...and hunted. There was no 264 to be bought.

The rest of my stuff arrived day seven.
troy

i had a bag lost with all my ammo. didn't get it back until the end. ended up buy one box of 470's in joberg and going on a hunt with that. didn't end so well. learned that i split my ammo up with a little in each bag so that if 1 gets lost i still have ammo

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
If you are really concerned (and I wouldn't be) just pre-order a box of each- or post a box of each surface mail to the PH three months before you leave

Ganyana, can the PH legally receive that ammo via the Postal Service (UPS or whatever) in Zim??

- mike

quote:

Originally posted by mho:

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
If you are really concerned (and I wouldn't be) just pre-order a box of each- or post a box of each surface mail to the PH three months before you leave

Ganyana, can the PH legally receive that ammo via the Postal Service (UPS or whatever) in Zim??

- mike

Gentlemen, you cannot post loaded ammo by USPS, it is considered a RESTRICTED ARTICLE, (class-C explosive).

It must be shipped by UPS, or other common carrier, within the USA! The rule now is ammo can be in the case with the rifle,and if the rifle doesn't show up, there is no need for the ammo, and if the rifle does show up, the ammo will be with it.

The above rule about ammo in the case with rifle, is causeing some problems in other countries where it is forbiden to place ammo in with the rifle. So when you get there, abiding by the USA rule, you get in trouble with the destination country, and when you leave that country, they will not allow you to place the ammo in with the rifle, and you get into trouble when you hit customs in the USA, because the ammo is in another bag, and not locked in the gun case! Sort of a "CATCH-22"

quote:

Originally posted by DTala:
Black Fly, my guns/ammo got "lost" at joberg in 05, guns arrived Bulawayo finally, but no bags/ammo. I had a 375 and a 264. We borrowed 375 ammo, a 30-06 and ammo...and hunted. There was no 264 to be bought.

The rest of my stuff arrived day seven.
troy

The 375, and a 30-06 would be no problem in most cases, but damn, 264 Win Mag is not common on shelves, even in the USA, and certainly not so in any other country!

quote:

The above rule about ammo in the case with rifle, is causeing some problems in other countries where it is forbiden to place ammo in with the rifle. So when you get there, abiding by the USA rule, you get in trouble with the destination country, and when you leave that country, they will not allow you to place the ammo in with the rifle, and you get into trouble when you hit customs in the USA, because the ammo is in another bag, and not locked in the gun case! Sort of a "CATCH-22"

Mac

Ammo in the rifle case would make me feel a whole lot better...

As long as I had the correct ammo for my hunt I’d be happy….If I lost it on the trip home that be not nearly as upsetting…

What kind of trouble can you get into arriving with ammo in the rifle case?

I send about 100 to 150 hunters to remote areas every year and I would say about 10% of them arrive without ammo or gun or luggage and end up using the PHs rifle and ammo..

Most times the luggage is just late, but if you chartered into camp, then you either lose days or you have to pay a charter flight to get your stuff into camp...

That is why I suggest that cleints arrive a few days early, enjoy the sights, get rested up, and then go on their hunt...Keep in mind that your gun and ammo are seperated and this lends credence to your concern...

Also, this is a good reason not to use a wildcat, use a standard round such as the 375, 458 or 416 Rem or Rigby, and your PH can usually scrounge up some ammo, even in Tanzania or some of the more remote areas..We try to keep a few boxes of various caliber ammo in our camp for just such ocassions..

It is always nice for a hunter to leave some of his extra ammo with the PH, in the event another hunter comes up short..Pierre stockpiles this ammo for just such a case.

Bottom line is your safari is an expensive proposition and its up to you to help us keep the risks to a minimum and you can do that by heeding the above suggestions.

BTW, shipping ammo to a foriegn country is a good way to end up in Federal court, ask Bob Francis of Wesley Richards fame or a couple of other ammo makers, that haunt the SCI shows..

MHO _ a PH can legally recieve ammo here. You can also have ammo in the same box as your rifle. Just be sure to check your rifle straight through from the USA to Zim and not to Jo'berg

I often bring back ammo for clients after the reno show. Your operator should!!! be ble to make a plan! Phone Harrisons and order the stuff! It will be over priced but it will be waiting at this end!

Each year I go to Africa I take more ammo than I need. Upon leaving I leave all my ammo with my PH who stores it for me. I do this for when the airline decides I don't need ammo. I have also told the PH that he can share any of my stored ammo with any other unfortunate client that might run into the same problem.

My ammo has been lost twice. The first time my amoo and clothes showed up about four days later. The second time it happened my gear showed up the next day.

On another note the firearms I travel with internationaly are more common sizes to find ammo for in far away places. I tend not to get involved with wildcat cartridges.

Ganyana,
The problem is not on your end, its with Home Security, the postal services, and US Customs in the USA..

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
MHO _ a PH can legally recieve ammo here. You can also have ammo in the same box as your rifle. Just be sure to check your rifle straight through from the USA to Zim and not to Jo'berg

I often bring back ammo for clients after the reno show. Your operator should!!! be ble to make a plan! Phone Harrisons and order the stuff! It will be over priced but it will be waiting at this end!

I will not be going till August 09...

My ph will be stateside for the shows next year...perhaps I could pass of a box to him there...

Got plenty of time...a few hundred extra bucks and a little hassle would be worth it to have the ammo there just in case...

Thanks to all who answered and to Saeed for maintaining this site.