OK - I know what I carry in Alaska bear hunting and I know what I carry hunting Elk...

I've read lots of threads on what to carry but I get the feeling it's primarily been when hunting DG (2010 for me), but what about when chasing PG around the Kalahari or Great Marico??

Scott, you can carry 3 rifles (if that hasn't recently changed). Last July I took a .223 with Nosler 60gr Partitions and a .280 with Nosler Accubonds. Ammo was Federal Vital Shok factory loads. I took 16 animals in 10 days. My .223 took Bontebok down to Steenbok without ANY damage to the hides. Ditto on larger game with the .280 including Cape Kudu. If you wish to inspect them, my web site is in my profile. I would post pics but I haven't figured this site out yet as per posting pictures. I leave in 2 weeks for Zimbabwe. I'm taking my 280 and a 300RUM. I don't need the 300RUM but I never use it here at home. I don't want to get kicked out of a tree stand Your welcome to email me if I can answer any questions. I'm going back to RSA twice this year.

Scott

When you ask "what do you carry" do you mean what rifle and caliber, etc? If so, you will find many threads on this issue.

About the lightest I have carried for overall PG was a 6.5x55, when I knew the largest animal I would shoot was a kudu. I have also hunted with 7x57, 30-06, 308, 9.3x62 and 375 H&H. All were fine, but the 6.5 was a little light- animals ran pretty far even after a well placed shot.

Since this is your first hunt, you will likely try for eland. 375 will serve you well, some guys like the 338 or 300WM. Everyone will tell you take the rifle you shoot best, shot placement is most important, and so on.

Really, the caliber and rifle you choose to hunt with (bolt, double, single shot) will shape the type of hunt you have, not for better or worse, but it will shape it.

For example, in Namibia, I was looking at a very nice kudu bull who thought he was invisible behind some bush. This was video taped, and the PH says "if you had your 375 you could shoot him, but we can't chance a miss with that 7x57." It would hve been nice to have the 375.....

Generally, 30-06 or better, with a 375 as a great choice, if you shoot it well.

If you are asking about what gear to bring, well, that is another thread, and the PHs as well as the moderators here have created good checklists of what to bring. As I have made trips, I always look at what I brought and what I used, and now, I manage with one checked rifle case and a carry-on, that is enough baggage, and it is a great way to travel.

Hope this helps.

You know... I never thought about how I worded the question.. What I was trying to answer is what "other stuff" do you carry into the field each day?

Do you carry a daypack and leave it in the truck? Do you carry 5 rounds, 10 rounds of ammo, etc... Water, candy...

I'm taking my 375 H&H Ruger #1 and have thought about talking a second rifle but am undecided - if I did I was thinking about taking a Ruger #1 in 22-250 for smaller antelope...

Scott:
I always take a small duffel or daypack to leave in the truck. I keep my camera, water, tissue paper, & anything else I might need during the hunt. Candy is good to have for the trackers & any kids you happen to run across. The last hunt in May & June of this year it was cool during the day & water was never an issue. I carry a belt loop ammo pouch with ten extras in it. I used a .375 H&H for Gemsbok & a 7STW for Nyala. A 7mm has always been my light rifle. I guess you take the rifles you're comfortable with & enjoy the trip.

Joec,

How do you decide which rifle to take out each day? I could take a 270 or 6mm as a light rifle.. To be honest, I could take my 30-06 or 300 Win Mag for everything but I love my 375 #1 ..!

$ $ $ $ $

I went "classic"...9.3x62 with 286 gr Partitions. Longest shot, 247 yds on Kudu...up the mountain, shortest 86 yds on wartie. The combo worked great. But anything capable of elk, etc is good for all. You never know what your next shot may be at....and you're not always near the truck...at least I wasn't...so I'd go with the rifle suited to the biggest game I was after....it works on smaller game too without much meat damage.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer

Scott, I take two guns each day; a light and medium rifle. If you using a .375 H&H, take some solids with you. Pygmy Antelope don't fare well with radidly expanding bullets. Use the solid and aim about 4 inches behind the shoulder. This will leave you with a decent cape. Avoid angled shots, or take your .22-250 with Nosler Partitions (if available) but stay away from any "varmit" bullet. Sometimes they blow on through without much damage but sometimes they do a bad number. Our PHs keep soft cases for clients to bring 2-3 rifles in the truck. I carry a medium day pack with the usual gear: mini LED flashlight, medium folding knife, folding saw, 1 box each of extra ammo, t-paper, compass, sm tape measure (for Taxidermy purposes), disposable cameras (last year my PHs digital camera lost battery power after one pic of my Nyala), light weight rain gear, light waterproof gloves, flo., orange trail tape, bottled water (you need water even if it's cool, your body needs a lot over a 10+ hunt) and a few snacks. This sounds like a lot but it's not really; I'm prepared. I also carry an aluminum case for my bino's and range finder; lens cleaner, mini tool kit and extra batteries. Nothing is worse than a problem in the field that can't be fixed.

Everyone to their own, I personally dont like to a pack horse when hunting so all I carry I carry on my belt, ammo,knife,maglite,camera and tissue in pocket ( for `scope,bino or anyother neccesity ),binos round my neck and 30-06 over the sholder and that`s enough for me !
I do make sure there water in the truck or the trackers carrying some.

Scott:
My 375 H&H has been with me on all my trips to Africa. I enjoy that rifle more than any other but I was afraid I would need a bit more reach for the Nyala. I didn't as it turned out & when I go to Tanzania this October for two buffalo the 375 will go along as well as a 416 Model 70. There are other threads here that give a lot of good advice about what to take to the field each day, but it comes down to what works for you at the time & place. I don't like to be a pack mule when out in the field, but I am considering a water bladder of some kind on this hunt. They say it is awfully hot in October in Tanzania. If you don't take something it is a long way back to the states. L. David Keith is a lot tougher than I am. I would have to have a cart to drag along behind me to carry everything he takes, but then again whatever works. After you go out a day or two you will know what you need. Experience is probably the greates teacher, & is probably the reason you see such a variety of advice. You will enjoy the hunt & learn as you go.

I plan on carring either my 338 RUM or my 300 RUM. The 338 RUM shooting 210gr nosler partitions or my 300 RUM shooting 200gr Nosler Partitions. I'll be in South Africa. Hunting Plains game.

I read that a lot of you carry two or more rifles when hunting PG.

Please tell e why?

I fit the rifle to the animal. Personally, I'm not going to use a large caliber rifle on an animal the size of a house cat etc. That's just me. I don't carry both rifles at once, but they are ready at a moments notice when traveling. Once on foot, I usually take a small to medium caliber depending upon what I'm hunting. However, if hunting DG, that must be taken into account and solids would be called upon to take small to medium antelope. I respect game too much to blow them in half, so I'm as careful as possible when choosing a caliber. Shot placement is what we all strive for and I'm all about that. My trophies so far have all qualified for lifesize mounts but like anyone else who doesn't own a museum, most will be shoulder mounts. As for hauling around my day pack, I wouldn't think of Elk hunting in the Rocky Mountains without it, Africa is no different. However, I take what I need and leave the rest behind in the truck. I always have bino's attached to my chest strap and my PH usually carries my range finder. I'm about to leave with a .300RUM and why? Only because I haven't used it in Africa before. I may or may not use it, but I will if I get a chance on large plains game, but so far the .280 & .223 has done well for me. Good hunting, David

quote:

Originally posted by L. David Keith:
Scott, you can carry 3 rifles (if that hasn't recently changed).

I was told by my S.A. PH that you can only bring two guns per hunter in to the country.

JP, that's what my PHs have told me, but upon reading the game laws of RSA, it said you could bring 3 guns with up to 100 rounds per. I follow their advice and bring two. Tomorrow one of my Outfitters from RSA will be here and I'm going to ask just out of curiosity. I'm planning on taking 2 rifles and 1 shotgun on our June trip, but I'll confirm to be sure. Good hunting, D.

I've only been once and generally I like to travel light. After 2 days I had the essentials (for me) worked out.

Bino's On a chest harness

Small camera. (the Bigger one stays in the car for when it arrives to pick up the game)

Water bottle

Ammo pouch with 10 spare rounds. Topped up at every opportunity.

A lens pen.

The lens pen was the surprise "essential", but depending on the time of year there can be a feirce ammount of dust around which quicckly covers lenses on optics. At last light with a low sun shining onto to the objective lens of a scope the fine dust particles tend to refract the light making the sight picture less than perfect. A quick once over with a lens pen/brush, improves matters no end.

Rgds,
FB

On my person I carry the following items, most in a GI magazine holder on my belt:

LED light
Lighter
Eyeglass Repair kit
Small snack baggie with Immodium, Tylenol, sudafed, antibiotic cream, bandaids, moleskin and tweezers
Insect Repellent
Mossy net (for head)
T.P.
Lens cleaner (use T.P. for lens paper)

Plus

handkerchief
knife
life saver individual mints
hand sanitizer
35mm trophy camera

On belt: Extra Ammo and water

Around neck: binocs

On my last trip, I got lots of this stuff into my Camelbak pack.

On Truck:
Two rifles in soft cases in racks
Extra ammo
Pack with cameras, tapes, batteries, books and charger in cab with batteries charging

Coat/Jacket, sweater

Just the important stuff. Ammo, binocs, hat, bandanna.


In the truck I have bug lotion, sunblock, lens wipes, 35mm camera, candy, lots of batteries. Our wireless mics eat up 2 sets a day sometimes.

However camelback has been kind enough to provide me with a couple of there water back packs so I will try to use one of them this trip. Water bottles slosh around so much and make so much noise. I hope these packs are quieter.

I don't know if I'm getting older, fatter, lazier or wiser but I carry only what I consider the bare esentials.

Rifle/ammo

Binos

Multi tool

T.P.= lens cleaner

Sunglasses

Small camera

Bug dope/sun block

The crew will carry water, video cam or whatever else you need.

As for other gear on this last safari to Cameroon and the one before to RSA I literally only filled about 1/2 of my Filson duffel. I'm considering a smaller one so my gear won't get so jumbled up. I think Americans tend to over do it on gear because we have available so much neat stuff that we might need. I've also given up taking gifts for the crew as money is more portable and universally appreciated.

Mark

Mark - you are so right! We notoriously overpack!! I make a diligent effort to cut back on every trip.. I can remember going to Alaska hunting and nearly needed an extra airplane for my gear :-)

This summer when I go to RSA I'm taking one small duffle, my gun case and my carry on - that's it!!

"...What I was trying to answer is what "other stuff" do you carry into the field each day? "

I like to go light where ever I'm hunting. In RSA I wear jeans and a comfortable shirt. Chilly mornings I'll wear a fleece vest. Equipment wise, my rifle of course WITH A COMFROTABLE SLING, cannot over state the sling when walking far! My current favorite is one of those crocodiile slings, while it may look cheesy to some it's wide and padded enough to make it VERY comfortable on my bony shoulder. Additionally I carry ten extra cartridges in a fold-down belt pouch, a favorite old hunting cap, my bino's and ocassionally my digi-camera in a case with both shoulder strap & belt loop to keep it out of the way. Oh I almost forgot - CIGARETTES and lighter/matches - if you smoke take as many as you legally can, you'll use them and they are usually welcome tips & gifts. That's pretty much it! In RSA you're unlikely to be too far from the truck to need a canteen, GPS, compass, etc... If it works outside the states you may want to take your cell though.

Rifle will be a 7mm Rem mag or my .375.

Binos on a Crooked Horn harness, wear a bush vest with a small digital camera and a bright LED light, candy, ten rounds in a belt carrier, boonie hat, TP, Benchmade folder, lenspen and sunblock. In the truck, small daypack with an MRE, rehydration salts, first aid kit I've had for years, box of ammo, more candy, spare batts for the light and camera, chewing gum and Immodium. And I always carry a Swiss knife. That's enough for me.

I forgot to mention water. I carry a flask if the trackers aren't carrying water. There's almost invariably a cooler on the truck with plenty. And I hydrate thoroughly prior to leaving camp.

There are plenty of good suggestions, this is my 2c

I tend to try keep it simple ...
my 30-06 & ammo
Bino's & Good small Digital Cam
an orange and pocket of dried mango keeps the energy up.
a small powerful tack torch LED/Hal combination .. nothing as evil as trying to navigate through thorn scrub in the dark!!!
...enough water

and of course decent blades one fixed skinner /gen hunter and a my leatherman...

thats all....
early morning start of with a few layers of light clothing and strip as it warms.

Happy hunting mate, may the warm African sun shine on your back and may your first Kudu make you proud.

Just a word of advice .... make sure of your paperwork around the temporary importaion of your firearms. Contact a local hunting organization if you need advice.

Something new to consider Recently I visited one of our local Mega-Sporting-Goods-Stores and saw a new garment made by Primos (game calls). They have now entered the hunting clothing business. I spied their new Varmit Hunters Vest and after careful examination, bought it. It is perfect for Africa (except where camo is illegal). It has rifle and shotgun shell loops, various size pockets: water bottle, hand warmer, Bino, rangefinder, etc. There is a small lanyard with a tiny compass/temp gauge and a host of cool but useful features. It is mesh vented and I'm taking it with me soon back to Africa. I think this will eliminate the backpack since it allows better movement through the bush. It also has a drop down ground cover to keep your rear dry in case you sit on wet ground. They are roomy and appears to be a quality product. I'll report on it when I return. LDK

There is never much room in a African hunting vehicle, the best way to keep your kit organized is with a day pack or a small expandable bag such as RedOxx.

On my person;

rifle with fullmag, action open, 5 or 10 rounds on belt carriers.

10x25 Ultravid binos.

Surefire Lumamax L2 flashlight.

Knife: I took two along on my last hunt with Mike Kibble, a full custom fixed blade hunter by Kelly Carlson and Blade Tech folder and swapped off between the two.



In the vehicle;

15X56 Leica Geovid glasses in the case/bag... instantly available!

Sometimes even a spotting scope if the quarry warrants that type of glassing.

2nd rifle in soft case.

Sunscreen!!!! Lip Balm, Sunglasses

A Silent Suede jacket in Dry Plus and thinsulate. It wont pick up grass seeds or tear easily from thorns unlike bloody fleece

Insulated gloves and a skin tight pair as liners.

Forget fleece, its a pain in the arse with thorns and isn't warm enough when the vehicle is moving along roads at speed.

Beany, Cap and a broad brimmed dark colored hat

Extra ammo, kept out of the sun.....................

Camera gear, extra batteries in a top quality case.

Small diamond sharpening hones.

And a multi tool.

Thanks for the tips! We are headed to Namibia in 7 weeks and this type of info is PRICELESS!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Couestaxi:
Thanks for the tips! We are headed to Namibia in 7 weeks and this type of info is PRICELESS!!!!

Have a good one, mate

Hi Scott

you only need one gun and that is a 375h&h with 300gr bullets with a mv of 2300f/sec that is if you are hunting in the bushveld if you hunting in the open plains you can look at other calibres.

let me know where you are hunting and i can give you info on how the are looks like and what to use

quote:

you only need one gun and that is a 375h&h with 300gr bullets with a mv of 2300f/sec that is if you are hunting in the bushveld if you hunting in the open plains you can look at other calibres.

You are definitely right but I'm a confirmed gun and handloading looney. When I go hunting, I like to try out a new gun and or handload. On my South Africa trip, I took a 375 H&H Mag. and everything I shot at with it died with one shot. I also took a handgun in 357 Herrett which fit nicely in my Camelback (a nice thing to have by the way). It worked well also; no animals lost by either myself or my buddy on the whole trip (about 27 animals total taken).

For my 2008 South Africa trip, a 300 Weatherby Mag. is going for sure as well as a 12 guage shotgun for birds. I'm taking a handgun as well but I'm not sure which one.

For U.S. citizens, U.S. Customs doesn't permit taking more than 3 firearms out of the country without a special permit.

quote:

For my 2008 South Africa trip, a 300 Weatherby Mag. is going for sure as well as a 12 guage shotgun for birds. I'm taking a handgun as well but I'm not sure which one.

Where in SA are you going to hunt?
i enjoy the 300 win mag but it a matter of horses for courses so i dont use mine a lot 90% of my hunting is in the bushveld of Natal Mpumalanga and Limpopo and i had only one shot in 15 years of hunting in the bushveld that was over 130m. and there is always bushes and branches involved.

if you are going to the bushveld you are not going to use the 300 weatherby to its full potential and you can expect excesive meat damadge at short distances. So usepremium grade bullets it might help.

i have hunted al over SA so tell me where you are going and i can tell you what to expect from that area.

luckily everybody is not the same otherwise we would al be maried to the same woman LOL.
its all about confidance and trust in your ability and rifle.

there is saying that comes from the boerwar and says beware of the one rifled boer.

I'm going to be hunting in the Northern Province. I realize, I won't be using the 300 Weatherby to it's full potential but I LIKE the gun. Bullets will be Barnes Triple Shock X-Bullets and Barnes Banded Spitzer Solids both in the 165 to 168 grain range which both shoot the same place and are quite accurate in the rifle. The solids will be for small stuff like steenbok, jackel and for head shots (maybe) when cull hunting. Since it's a switch barrel rifle, I could take a 375 H&H Mag. barrel as well and I may do so if the SAP will permit 3 guns and 4 barrels.

I haven't yet finalized my handgun choice; it's between 7mm/08, 460 S&W Mag. and 500 S&W Mag.

Any ideas or advice for Northern Province hunting would be appreciated. I would like to do some predator calling if the PH will go for it. I think it's something that may not be tried often; therefore I want to try it. I've heard some of the antelope come to predator calls as well as predators.

The Northern Province is all bushveld and we had late rains in April so the bush will be pretty thick this year.i went hunting the end of march and the hunting was tough. I took 9 animals with the biggest being a 30,5 inch Waterbuck and i didnt shoot further than 70m once.

your loads look alright but i would go for a 220gr load if you have one. i found that the extra weight just gives you a better blood trail and is not easily deflected by twiggs.

we have used Hornady interbond 150gr in a 30-06 and had a one shot kill on a wildebeest so there is nothing wrong with the bullets its only the velt conditions that bothers me.

when i hunt the northern province i take 180gr in my 308 and 300gr in my 375 nothing else i lost an eland last year because i didnt shoot it with my 375 i used the farm's 30-06 and i didnt get the required penetration.

we have some tough animals like zebra,blue wildebeest(poor man's buffalo) and eland. i have seen a guy shoot a zebra with a 9.3x62 with a bad shot we found it 500m furthur without a blood trail if he used anything less we wouldnt have found it.its not always a perfect world out there.

have you booked your trip already and what animals are you looking for.Who is your outfitter?

i have not tried predator calling yet on plains game but it works on jackal. i dont think it is allowed but i will find out for you.

I'm going with Ubathi Game and Hunt. As far as what animals I'm going after; it will be zebra, red hartebeest, bushbuck and jackel (the later not everyone's idea of a trophy) for sure. For other animals, I'll just let things take their course; if I ran in to a really good warthog better than the one I've taken, I'll go for it, etc. I'll do as much cull hunting as is available.

Sounds good you must try African Hornbil safari's its also an excelent outfit and very profesional with Louis Fouche as the PH if done a lot of hunting with him and had a great experience every time.

his email adres is as follows hornbill@lantic.net
website www.hornbillsafaris.co.za

Don't shortchange the jackal. I'm leaning back against a black-backed hide I took in '05. It's draped over my desk chair's back. The hides turn out lovely.

Howdy Guys,
I just got back from the RSA and Namibia after a wonderful two weeks of shooting. I only took 11 heads, but two in our party exceeded twenty. As to what rifles to carry, I used a 9.3x62mm and a .270 WCF this time. Now I am a 9.3mm convert and I won't carry the .270 again, even though it did the dead each time I used it. Will carry a .280 or 7x64mm as my "light rifle" instead. Otherwise, carry a flashlight, knife, tissues, ammunition, camera and film of media. The PH will have the water, etc...
More on photography, whatever you take, digital or film, be sure you carry enough accessories to keep the camera going. I carried the only film camera, a ten year old Nikon N90S, and I was the only photographer in our party still operating when the trip was over. The digitals all failed for batteries or ran out of media. (poor planning? maybe) I did have a lens to fail on me, but I carried another so I kept right on shooting for eighteen rolls, which was especially important when all those new digitals stated to fail. Now I am stuck making copies for everyone.

Sierra2
The people who ran out - how many batteries and how many gigs of memory cards did they have?

Thanks

A little biltong or dry vorst would be nice.....

I asked the same question awhile back.

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=790101212#790101212