African rifles that will never see Africa

[dchamp]

I have used and rented the outfitters rifles in both Australia and Argentina because of permitting issues at the time and things worked out well.
The Last time I went to Namibia however the locks had been cut and torn off the case and my Win 70 .375H&H had a broken stock. We think it happened during the transfer in Johannesburg. My PH was kind enough to let me use his Bruno 602. I have shot my sons CZ550 but found out the hard way that their safeties while they look the same are the opposite of one another.

But would I take my rifles back to Africa? Yes

 

[dchamp]

So, now to the saving up part so I can hire travel with guns to make it easy.

I used Travel with Guns on both of my trips to Namibia and would use them again. They were very good to deal with, very responsive and stayed on top of things. Whenever I had a problem and I had a couple they were right there.

 

[sierraone]

I guess I have a little different opinion on traveling with rifles. I went on my first trip to Africa last year and since it was very short notice I choose to rent rifles. I own several that I would have really liked to take with me. I reload for each and practice with them frequently. I am blessed to have a 300 yard private range on the backside of my property. However, I despise hassles worse than not taking my owns rifles. So last year with such short notice I left them behind.

Fast forward to this year. I am leaving for Africa in a couple of weeks. I had planned to take my rifles this year. However, I am hunting with the same outfitter as last year and had very good luck with the rentals. After much thought, and with the knowledge that I will be using the same rifles as last year I have come to the conclusion that rifle rental is the way to go. Why subject myself to all the BS in this country and over there just to simply take my own rifles? The ones I really want to take are a Pre 64 .375 H&H and .300 H&H If someone stole or damaged those rifles thru negligence it would ruin my trip, why take the chance?

I equate the issue of traveling with rifles to the idea of ever owning a boat again. I have owned several and love to fish. However now I own no boats, but have very good friendships with a few charter captains. I enjoy the thought of stepping on their boat and enjoying a great day of fishing, and at the end of the day I step off the boat with no other responsibilities. No boat to clean and maintain. In my mind the same applies to traveling with rifles to Africa.

Just my 2 cents

I like your analogy with the boat, but still not sure we agree about the rifles!

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I guess it just depends on how much of a "hassle" you feel it is........some people just don't want to be bothered with paperwork, period!!!

Recently I had a friend who had more hassles getting a shotgun into Canada for a duck hunt than I did getting my guns to SA.....so I guess a lot of it is perspective.

However, I am a handloader........I like crafting my own ammo; playing around with powders, bullets, etc. to find just that right, accurate combination. To me, taking game with my own handloads is akin to catching a trout on a fly I've tied myself, or duping a flock of mallards with a bunch of decoys that I made in my spare time. Can't really do it with "someone else's" gun. I also like to shoot......A LOT!!! So I am familiar with my firearms and ammo combinations.

As for theft/destruction: that stuff can happen here as well......a thief can break into your home while your at work and take your firearms; just because they are in "your" home, doesn't mean some rat bastard isn't going to try and find some way to take 'em from yah!!! The plane could also fall out of the sky into the Atlantic, you could get killed in Joburg, you could get in an accident on the way to the concession, you could get bit by a mamba while stalking a zebra, etc. etc...........life is full of risks, but to not take them (risks) is not to live!

As it stands right now, I plan on taking my own firearms.......if I were to hunt in Great Britain, I would probably opt for the hire of a rifle.

Hmm......come to think of it, wouldn't that be the ultimate irony? You left your rifles home because you were afraid that they would be stolen/damaged, then while you were in Africa some low life breaks into your house and steals them?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I've done 4 hunting safaris and all have been with rented guns. The reason being I lived and worked either in Angola or Nigeria and I can't have my rifles with me, they are all locked away in a safe in the US. The convenience has been nice and no real issues with any of the rental rifles. It's actually fun and interesting to shoot some different guns. Spend a little extra time on the range at the beginning of the hunt to get familiar with gun, dry firing to check out the trigger, cycling the bolt, adjusting the scope and checking the safety. When I move back to the US and plan another African safari, I will likely take my guns, just to say I've done it. I guess I'll have to factor in if multiple countries are involved and if doing some non-hunting side trips with the wife are involved.

 

[Pheroze]

I have used and rented the outfitters rifles in both Australia and Argentina because of permitting issues at the time and things worked out well.
The Last time I went to Namibia however the locks had been cut and torn off the case and my Win 70 .375H&H had a broken stock. We think it happened during the transfer in Johannesburg. My PH was kind enough to let me use his Bruno 602. I have shot my sons CZ550 but found out the hard way that their safeties while they look the same are the opposite of one another.

But would I take my rifles back to Africa? Yes

That absolutely sucks! How the hell does someone have time to go through all of that effort in a secure part of the airport and not get caught! Very sorry to hear about that.

 

[Ryan]

I have used and rented the outfitters rifles in both Australia and Argentina because of permitting issues at the time and things worked out well.
The Last time I went to Namibia however the locks had been cut and torn off the case and my Win 70 .375H&H had a broken stock. We think it happened during the transfer in Johannesburg. My PH was kind enough to let me use his Bruno 602. I have shot my sons CZ550 but found out the hard way that their safeties while they look the same are the opposite of one another.

But would I take my rifles back to Africa? Yes

Sorry to hear of that. That said I've travelled to Namibia in '13 and '16 and Namibia itself is very respectful and straightforward with your firearms. So is Frankfurt, Germany. My only hastle was issues between airlines in Seattle (Luthansa and Air Namibia) and I worked it out by getting off my butt and calling. RSA is known to be a wild card.

 

[8x68]

I bought my 450 Rigby because: 1.It sounded cool...a 450 Rigby just kinda rolls off the tongue, and 2 with the intent on hunting the Dark Continent one day. Started saving then my friend who used the "you dont have one of those" commands stated that I don't have a 404 Jeffery. Well because I was commanded I got one made. Then he said you don't have a 9.3x62 so I had to have one of them. Then he said you don't have a 458 Lott, 35 Whelen, 358 Norma Mag, 7x64 so I had to have one or several of each. I have no money for Africa now because I was told "you don't have one of those". Just to show him I also bought 4 7x57's, a 444 Marlin, more 7x64's, and a 7mm STW without his permission. HA....that'll show him. So the next time a big tusker (big bucktooth ground) charges me I'll close my eyes and imagine it's a big Dugga Boy, or Elephant charging, and I'll shoot it right between the eyes at 5ft after opening my eyes of course. Brave Huh?

 

[Rule 303]

I bought my 416 Rigby to take to Africa. I have and hope to do it again next year. I load my own and using a rifle tailored to me with ammo tailored to it floats my boat.

 

[Shootist43]

8x68, we should all have a friend like yours. Does he issue these commands in front of your wife or does he know better? LOL

 

[Rick Cox]

I've only been to Africa once: Namibia, and had zero hassles. In fact the main pain was reentering Canada. Got hauled off a grilled, but no real issue. Just have all paper work in order.
It's just me, but I hate borrowing shit, using my own rifle is part of the fun.. And I buy guns to use, and insure them against loss or theft.

 

[8x68]

I bought my 450 Rigby because: 1.It sounded cool...a 450 Rigby just kinda rolls off the tongue, and 2 with the intent on hunting the Dark Continent one day. Started saving then my friend who used the "you dont have one of those" commands stated that I don't have a 404 Jeffery. Well because I was commanded I got one made. Then he said you don't have a 9.3x62 so I had to have one of them. Then he said you don't have a 458 Lott, 35 Whelen, 358 Norma Mag, 7x64 so I had to have one or several of each. I have no money for Africa now because I was told "you don't have one of those". Just to show him I also bought 4 7x57's, a 444 Marlin, more 7x64's, and a 7mm STW without his permission. HA....that'll show him. So the next time a big tusker (big bucktooth groundhog) charges me I'll close my eyes and imagine it's a big Dugga Boy, or Elephant charging, and I'll shoot it right between the eyes at 5ft after opening my eyes of course. Brave Huh?

Corrected a sentence boo boo

 

[8x68]

8x68, we should all have a friend like yours. Does he issue these commands in front of your wife or does he know better? LOL

I'm not sure if you have read any of my previous posts large calibre rifles but the friend to whom I refer to is a gentleman who I used to work with at a gun store. He was my best man at my deathknell sorry wedding (sudden cold shiver). I hunt at his camp in the fall. He and his partner got me started on the DG game rifle idea. I was told that I had to buy a BRNO 602 in 375 H&H. I said why and they said "because you don't have one". So I bought it, and so it began. Then it was the BRNO 602 in 8x68. Then 30 yrs later it was the 404J etc etc. He's just jealous because I have them and he doesn't but the flip side is he has some really cool stuff.
In answer to your second query: Well since my zipper faces forward as opposed to side control if I want a rifle I go buy said rifle. He lives 6hrs from me so all our communications are done by text, or email. Wife doesn't care anyway. If there are any grumbles I just point out that I bought her an expensive diamond ring which she lost, and a horse.

 

[larry4831]

I took my 416 Ruger and my Ruger 270 win to Africa. I doubt either will see Africa again because next go round for pg I'll be taking different rifles. Once I get to do another DG hunt I'll be taking my 375 H&H instead of the 416. I'm proud of the battle wounds my 416 received hunting lion and buff though. I probably won't use it much other than just target shooting and hog extermination but I smile every time I look at the forward side of the barrel where the finish is worn down from miles of it being slung over my shoulder in the bush. When I went to Romania I borrowed a rifle and it didn't bother me but it would have been nice to have had my own guns. Using a loner didn't take away from the experience one bit though.

Screw slots buggered up from using the wrong screwdriver, rust all over the rifle,that's neglect. But, where the bluing is worn off from where you were carrying it, couple nicks from the hunt,that's character.

 

[CAustin]

All my hunts have been with my rifles. I agree with other post here that a Nick or rub mark is character on a great rifle. So far I have taken four different rifles to Africa and I'm about to take number five and give it a try.

 

[Dr Ray]

Getting rifles into Namibia is super easy, def. worth it to take it along

I'm glad to hear that
I want to take one of my Sakos that are so beautifully furnished. After reading the stuff to go through J'burg I thought it would be a drama.
I'm from Australia

 

[Dr Ray]

agree - no problems in Namibia

Did you go through J'burg?

After reading the stuff I assumed everything would be difficult.
I'm from Australia and will travel through to J'burg and then to Namibia

 

[Shootist43]

Dr Ray, first off welcome to AH. To answer your question re getting rifles through JoBurg and into Namibia the process is relatively easy. I too was concerned my first trip. luckily there is a very easy solution that lots of AH members use. That is retain http://riflepermits.com/to help you clear SAPS. Individuals attempting to go it alone have been known to run into "fabricated" difficulties with their paperwork resulting in a bribe to clear them up. Henry the owner of Rifle Permits is a lawyer, SAPS employees don't "muck about" with his clients. I warn you that this site is addicting, you will spend many happy hours absorbing the knowledge and experiences of fellow hunters.

 

[Dr Ray]

Many thanks

 

[James Cook]

Did you go through J'burg?

After reading the stuff I assumed everything would be difficult.
I'm from Australia and will travel through to J'burg and then to Namibia

yes, went through j'burg. stayed overnight there. the lodge where we stayed helped us through j'burg, which may have made it easier there.