Common shooting distances

[Steve Gibicsar]

As I had mentioned in the introductory thread, I'm planning a hunt within the next couple of years and am starting my planning. I know that I'll be getting a plains game package with someone but the rest, I'm not sure of. I would like to use a handgun and/or an open sighted levergun but from many of the reports that I've read, the animals are taken beyond the 100 yards that I am comfortable with. I have several scoped rifles and would probably bring a .35whelen or 7mm rem mag if need be. I've learned that many states don't allow handguns but I don't know how many guns one is allowed to take into Africa. Is hunting plains game with a scoped revolver or open sighted rifle viable?

 

[Shootist43]

Steve, you can take two rifles into RSA (although they must be different calibers) you can also take a hunting handgun. I believe the more it looks like a hunting handgun the better read 44 Mag scoped revolver or a big TC single shot. My scoped 35 Whelen has been to Africa on both of my safaris. Most PH(s) will tell you that the majority of shots will be 100 yards or less. That may be true but figure on a couple of longer shots as well. My closest shot was at 60 yards on a Warthog, my furthest was 225 yds. on a Blesbok. Depending where and what you are hunting there could be a herd of animals involved with your PH wanting you to take a specific one. Africa has some small deer sized animals and even some fawn sized that are full grown, so a 30-30 could be used but I'd probably take my Mod 99 Savage in 308 if I were to ever take a Lever gun on Safari. "Edward" is an AH member that has taken more than his fair share (LOL) of African animals with a handgun. You might want to send him a PM to get the real skinny on hunting Africa with a handgun.

 

[sierraone]

My longest shot in Africa has been 90 yards. My son's longest has been 357 yards. For me personally, 150-200 yds is the longest shot I will take on any African animal regardless of gun type or caliber.

 

[Steve Gibicsar]

The handgun would be my 7-1/2" super redhawk in .454casull and the levergun would probably be my Win 1895 in .405win., a little hotter than a 30-30.