Anyone do any handgun hunting in africa? If so what did you use and what did you get? I want to take my 629 this year. Just wondering who else has done it.
Dean

I have a buddy whos hunts with handguns and has been to Africa several times. All his animals were taken with the 375JDJ, 6.5JDJ or a 44 mag. He's taken 2 of the big 5, a leopard and cape buffalo. He was planning on lion 2 years ago but the country he was going to hunt in had some trouble.
I hope to go to Africa as a retirement gift to myself when I leave the Air Force in 3 years. I'm taking my 375JDJ, 309 JDJ and either my 454 or 44 mag.

Personally, I think you need something with a little more punch than the .44 mag. I know it's been done, but something with more power at range would be MUCH better. I'm going across next year and am taking both my 9.3x62 RIFLE and my 375JDJ Contender. Either is big enough to do the job if I do my part. That's my $.02. Gary.

I agree with the range part. I am going to only shoot 50yrds or less and not going to try for anything bigger than a warthog. Will use the rifle for long range and big.
Dean

Be aware that if you wound and lose an animal you still PAY for it. The ethical or Sportsman like matters aside, it can be an expensive learning experience if your not up to the task or under gunned. I'm not making any judgements on 629's or Tonto's abilities just adding that information.

And....... despite their small size warthogs are one of the tougher plains game species. I would do an impala, or one of the other smaller antelope before I would try a warthog. I have shot them head on with .375's and two feet later there was my slug still under the hide in its butt. They are quite tough.

Frank N.

[This message has been edited by Frank Nowakowski (edited 04-23-2002).]

I also know the hunter who JD mentioned, and he's filled a large trophy room with handgun hunted animals from Africa.

Hunting with a handgun is no different then with a rifle. You must be aware of the limitations of the gun and round, and shoot within those limitations. Most hunters aren't willing to live within those limitations, and don't understand others who are.

As far as the above mentioned hunter, he uses a Ruger Redhawk, and loads a 320 gr cast @ 1400 fps. That is a load that is too hot for a 629, though I don't know that dropping down to 1200-1300 fps will make that all much difference.

Thanks for the replies. I think I will limit what I try for. Probally start with impala. I will make sure I am in close!
Dean

I was on my first trip to South Africa last summer. I used a Contender with a 375JDJ barrel and a 3xLeopold scope. I shot a rodent monkey to prove my abilities with a handgun to the landowner and after that something un my action broke. I had brought a spare action but for some reason I couldn't hit anything with it. I did manage to get a Kudu but gave up after missing several easy shots with my spare. I had to borrow a riffle to finish mu hunt. Over all it was still a trip of a lifetime and hope to make it back at least once.(Again, With my bankers approval of course) And yes I will use my Contender.Here in Canada we can't hunt with handguns so whenever I go somewhere that I can use it, thats my firearm of choice.
Mike