Often when arguing about what rounds to have chambered in your DGR, ammo availability comes up.
But how does that work? Do we have to rely upon the PH to have a stock of ammo, or go to local gun stores? And how common are those?

What rounds are commomly available?
The .458 WinMag and .375H&H are probably the most common, but how about the rest? What can one within reason expect to find in Africa if your own ammo is lost?
Is the .416 Rem more common than the .404 Jeffery? And how stands the .416 Rigby and .458 Lott? .338 WinMag, .30-06?

I know there is not one true answer, as Africa is a large continent, but please share your experiences.

Thanks,

Hey Bent,

In my single experience I was picked up in Harare and whisked off to the hunting area where there was nothing even close to a store resembling a gunshop. All this without my checked bag that contained my 375 H&H ammo. The PH had spare ammo in camp for my rifle.

If I decide to take an odd ball cartridge next time like my 375 Ruger I think I should be comfortable with the idea of using one of their rental rifles once I get there.

quote:

What rounds are commomly available?

I saw 404 Jeff, .375 H&H, .458 WM, .416 Rifby in Port Elizabeth......but I wasn't really paying a lot of attention to what all was available.

Best to email your PH and ask what is locally available.

I packed my ammo in a separate box and then packed that box in my Tuff-Pak with my rifle so it was all together when I got there.

Most available:

7.62 x 39

Second most available:

7.62 x 51

In DG calibers, my opinion is that the .375 H&H is most available. 458 Lott would seem to be second. 416 Rem and 416 Rigby after that. Followed by 458 win mag and .470 NE. The other double calibers, .404, and the oddballs seem to be non-existant in most locations other than RSA.

7.62 X 39 . . . Yeah, that makes sense.

When I saw this post I phoned round the gun shops in Harare... today- you have a choice of .416 Rem (2 shops) and .458 Win (one shop, one box of Federal Premium left). There were some odds and sods of left over .375 ammo. As always, the situation will improve as the season progresses, and ammo gets left behind and the PH's sell it off.

So basically, if you are going to Africa, the only ammo one can be pretty sure of getting is the .375 H&H.

That is a bit disturbing, giving less weight to some opinions that bringing odd calibers to Africa is to big a risk.

But it makes sence to discuss it with your PH in advance.
With the cost of a trip to Africa, having your PH order 40 rounds of your cartridge of choise(within reason), seems a small prize for a great insurance.

How common is 9.3x62 ??

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
How common is 9.3x62 ??

Mr Boot,

In 04 I rode into town (Hoedspruit RSA) with our PH for supplies. While in a store that looked like any of the feed and farm supply stores you'd see all over the southern US, I asked if they had any 9,3x62. The lady running the register consulted a computer and said they were out at that time but they could have some in two days if I needed it.

I didn't need it, but it made me feel better knowing I could get some if I ran out.

I'm tempted to see if my PH for next year's hunt can get the shop to have a couple of boxes handy in case the baggage gorillas loose mine enroute. I figure that buying them regardless would keep all of us happy and wouldn't add that much cost to the trip...

It,s possibly sad to say that is as far as ammo availability has come since Pondoro hunted in Africa ......But at least it will probably work .....

Gumboot

9,3x62 is actually more widely available in Zim than .375 H&H. It is also made by PMP in south Africa so you will be able to easily get supplies in South Africa or Namibia. In Zim you have a choice of RWS or PMP.

,,,, Ganyana ,,, Which is better ,, What bullet does PMP load ...Does RWS still load the Tug in their 9.3 x62 ammo ??? Thanks ..