Lever actions in Africa...

[Tundra Tiger]

Some of the members on this site know I favor lever actions for hunting, and pretty strongly. On my two trips to Africa I have hunted with a Marlin GBL (.45-70), a Marlin MXLR (.338 Marlin Express), and a Savage 99 (.300 Savage), harvesting 18 animals.

I know of a few folks who have also taken lever actions to Africa. I realize lever actions are not the traditional firearm to take to Africa - some have suggested they are "fine for hunting in America" .

My own love of lever actions started before the age of 10, with a single shot Ithaca Model 49. (I still have that rifle)

My questions to you fine folks...

Who has hunted with a lever action in Africa?
What did you hunt and harvest?
What model/caliber did you use?
Handloads or factory ammo?
And photos are always nice.

 

[bigborelover]

If i were to go to africa with a lever action , it would be a 50-110 wcf.

 

[MS 9x56]

I would think a browning BLR in 358 winchester should do just fine.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I am absolutely open to hearing the suggestions people have about what they would take, but I was more hoping to hear from and see the experiences others have had in using lever actions in Africa.

 

[pmangelos]

Some of the members on this site know I favor lever actions for hunting, and pretty strongly. On my two trips to Africa I have hunted with a Marlin GBL (.45-70), a Marlin MXLR (.338 Marlin Express), and a Savage 99 (.300 Savage), harvesting 18 animals.

I know of a few folks who have also taken lever actions to Africa. I realize lever actions are not the traditional firearm to take to Africa - some have suggested they are "fine for hunting in America" .

My own love of lever actions started before the age of 10, with a single shot Ithaca Model 49. (I still have that rifle)

My questions to you fine folks...

Who has hunted with a lever action in Africa?
What did you hunt and harvest?
What model/caliber did you use?
Handloads or factory ammo?
And photos are always nice.

I used a Winchester 1895 in .405 Winchester. I took this Buffalo with it last September. I used it with 350 Gr Cutting Edge Bullets at about 2150fps. The rifle was the talk of the camp, several of the young PH's had never shot a lever gun so I let them have some fun with it after the hunt.

Paul

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I used a Winchester 1895 in .405 Winchester. I took this Buffalo with it last September. I used it with 350 Gr Cutting Edge Bullets at about 2150fps. The rifle was the talk of the camp, several of the young PH's had never shot a lever gun so I let them have some fun with it after the hunt.

Paul

View attachment 703734

I can't freaking like that enough!!!!!!!!! Well done sir!!!!!! And thanks for sharing that.

 

[Brian]

A lever action is an excellent choice for Africa.

You probably know that Teddy Roosevelt used the same rifle and cartridge as Paul posts above. He called it "Big Medicine."

I note that Paul used the 350 grain CEB bullet at 2150 fps. Awesome bullet that greatly improve the performance of that cartridge over what ever TR used back in the day.

I'll bet a dollar that Paul got a one shot kill on that beautiful buffalo.

 

[Huvius]

Look through vintage photos of African safari and you’ll see the Winchester 1895 quite a bit.

 

[Brian]

My grandson, age 16, will use his Model 88 Winchester, 308 on his next trip to Africa. Lever actions are pretty cool.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Again, the purpose of this thread... I'd like members who have actually hunted in Africa with a lever action to share about their experiences.

 

[SETH RINGER]

MARLIN 1895 45/70 GUIDE GUN BY WILD WEST GUNS IN ANCHORAGE
2002: MY "ONCE IN A LIFETIME SAFARI" NOBODY HAD SEEN OR HANDLED A LEVER GUN ON THE RANCH. SUPERIOR AMMO 300GR TSX: KUDU, ZEBRA, IMPALA, WARTHOG
2018: BUFFALO BORE 350GR TSX: LIONESS, ONE SHOT AND MY HUNT WAS OVER BUT MY SON DID A BUNCH OF HUNTING WITH OUR R-93.
MARLIN 1894CSS 357MAG WITH BUFFALO BORE 158GR J.H.C.
2007: SOUTH AFRICA : CIVIT, GENET, PORCUPINE, CARACAL, AFRICAN WILD CAT
ZIM: ROCK DAISY'S AND CARP AND/OR CATFISH OFF THE BRIDGE WITH THE YOUNG GUIDE WHO HAD NEVER HANDLED A LEVER BUT HAD A BLAST SHOOTING IT.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

MARLIN 1895 45/70 GUIDE GUN BY WILD WEST GUNS IN ANCHORAGE
2002: MY "ONCE IN A LIFETIME SAFARI" NOBODY HAD SEEN OR HANDLED A LEVER GUN ON THE RANCH. SUPERIOR AMMO 300GR TSX: KUDU, ZEBRA, IMPALA, WARTHOG
2018: BUFFALO BORE 350GR TSX: LIONESS, ONE SHOT AND MY HUNT WAS OVER BUT MY SON DID A BUNCH OF HUNTING WITH OUR R-93.
MARLIN 1894CSS 357MAG WITH BUFFALO BORE 158GR J.H.C.
2007: SOUTH AFRICA : CIVIT, GENET, PORCUPINE, CARACAL, AFRICAN WILD CAT
ZIM: ROCK DAISY'S AND CARP AND/OR CATFISH OFF THE BRIDGE WITH THE YOUNG GUIDE WHO HAD NEVER HANDLED A LEVER BUT HAD A BLAST SHOOTING IT.

Photos perhaps?

 

[Bwana91]

I brought my Winchester model 1895 in .405 Winchester a couple of times. Hornady factory loads. Same gun that Teddy Roosevelt called his "medicine gun" for lions. Killed several plains game animals.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I brought my Winchester model 1895 in .405 Winchester a couple of times. Hornady factory loads. Same gun that Teddy Roosevelt called his "medicine gun" for lions. Killed several plains game animals.

Photos?

 

[mitch4570]

Surprised no one chimed in with a 475 turnbull 1886.

 

[SETH RINGER]

2018

 

[Brian]

2018View attachment 704378

Great photo! What calibre and bullet please ? Thanks, Brian

 

[SETH RINGER]

Great photo! What calibre and bullet please ? Thanks, Brian

45/70 BUFFALO BORE 350GR TSX

 

[Brian]

45/70 BUFFALO BORE 350GR TSX

Thanks Seth. I should have asked you how long is the barrel on that rifle. Thanks again, Brian