Questions about owning and using hunting rifles un Africa

[Kavik]

I realize thus may become lengthy. However, I am US/ Canada dual citizen, retired, living in Kenya. Currently, hunting is not aliowed in Kenya. However firearm ownership is allowed with proper clearance. I grew up in S.W. Colorado and used rifles and hunted early on. I hunted elk and mule deer with a Winchester hi-wall 38/55. I immigrated to Canada and worked in B.C. and Yukon where I hunted moose with a Mannlicher-Schoenauer 7x57. While doing bush-type flying. Now I reside in Kenya near Lake Victoria. My Luo wife has family in Tanzania and I have ability to hunt there. Mostly my interest is in plains game and possibly leopard. I will need to re-outfit. My inclination lies in a 9.3x62 or, of course the proverbial 375 H&H. It woud be lovely to get a Rigby Highland Stalker in 9.3x62 or fantasy a 375 flanged magnum in a double. However, practically a used Husavarna 9.3x62 makes more practical sense in terms of worry about damage or other loss. I used to hand load but to take up that venture I would not know how to get componets and would probably be limited to a Lee-loader.
I wonder if, among the experienced members I may gain some insights. KAVIK

 

[BeeMaa]

Welcome to AH!

I believe your head is in the right place with the 9.3x62 or 375H&H. Either would be easy for a person of your experience to become proficient with. Plus these cartridges are easy to find ammo for and are capable of taking all manner of game with proper bullet selection.

I’d say it’s a matter of budget and availability as to the actual firearm you choose.

Best of luck with this journey. Let us know how it goes.

 

[grand veneur]

I realize thus may become lengthy. However, I am US/ Canada dual citizen, retired, living in Kenya. Currently, hunting is not aliowed in Kenya. However firearm ownership is allowed with proper clearance. I grew up in S.W. Colorado and used rifles and hunted early on. I hunted elk and mule deer with a Winchester hi-wall 38/55. I immigrated to Canada and worked in B.C. and Yukon where I hunted moose with a Mannlicher-Schoenauer 7x57. While doing bush-type flying. Now I reside in Kenya near Lake Victoria. My Luo wife has family in Tanzania and I have ability to hunt there. Mostly my interest is in plains game and possibly leopard. I will need to re-outfit. My inclination lies in a 9.3x62 or, of course the proverbial 375 H&H. It woud be lovely to get a Rigby Highland Stalker in 9.3x62 or fantasy a 375 flanged magnum in a double. However, practically a used Husavarna 9.3x62 makes more practical sense in terms of worry about damage or other loss. I used to hand load but to take up that venture I would not know how to get componets and would probably be limited to a Lee-loader.
I wonder if, among the experienced members I may gain some insights. KAVIK

Interesting question, but if you are living in Kenya and hunting in Tanzania I would not ask on a Forum where most of us give advice from the armchairs, very far from Africa. I have a house in Ouagadougou/Burkina Faso and have often spent some time there, but I knew which rifle I needed for hunting because of the terrain and the game that was not too far from me. Nevertheless, if you are not sure what you should buy in order to hunt somewhere in Africa, get a rifle caliber 375 H&H Magnum with a scope. Depending on how things turn out, you can always buy something extra, meaning a rifle for especially shooting big game or, if you are hunting alone without a PH, a stopping one if somethings don't go as planned.

 

[Kavik]

Interesting question, but if you are living in Kenya and hunting in Tanzania I would not ask on a Forum where most of us give advice from the armchairs, very far from Africa. I have a house in Ouagadougou/Burkina Faso and have often spent some time there, but I knew which rifle I needed for hunting because of the terrain and the game that was not too far from me. Nevertheless, if you are not sure what you should buy in order to hunt somewhere in Africa, get a rifle caliber 375 H&H Magnum with a scope. Depending on how things turn out, you can always buy something extra, meaning a rifle for especially shooting big game or, if you are hunting alone without a PH, a stopping one if somethings don't go as planned.

Thank you, perhaps I should look further into these things, however, I am thinking others like yourself will help as you have.

 

[Kavik]

Welcome to AH!

I believe your head is in the right place with the 9.3x62 or 375H&H. Either would be easy for a person of your experience to become proficient with. Plus these cartridges are easy to find ammo for and are capable of taking all manner of game with proper bullet selection.

I’d say it’s a matter of budget and availability as to the actual firearm you choose.

Best of luck with this journey. Let us know how it goes.

Thank you kindly. It would be interesting to know the best way of acquiring a particuluar ridle. It may be I would need to go outside of Africa to purchase. But then how does one bring it back? I was thinking of booking a safari, having a rifle shipped to the safari company and I then travel and get a safari experience plus my rifle.

 

[BeeMaa]

Thank you kindly. It would be interesting to know the best way of acquiring a particuluar ridle. It may be I would need to go outside of Africa to purchase. But then how does one bring it back? I was thinking of booking a safari, having a rifle shipped to the safari company and I then travel and get a safari experience plus my rifle.

I agree with @grand veneur about this…seek the council of a professional for the process of obtaining a rifle via legal means. Taking the advice of members with something this serious can have a range of consequences…most of which aren’t so good.

AH is great for what boots to wear, bullet to use for game or which particular hat looks the best on safari. Not so much for legal advice.

 

[saswart]

Welcome Kavik!

Great choices you are thinking off! Just note, legally, you are required to have a 375H&H for leopard hunting in Tanzania; whether it is enforced is uncertain. Do you require (apart from legality) a 375H&H for leopard...No, a 9.3 is more than capable.

Contact a gun shop in Kenya (Kenya Bunduki comes to mind) and ask them on legality of acquiring and owning the Firearm as foreigner in Kenya, and they should be able to assist as well as to how to transport it to Tanzania.

 

[Kavik]

Welcome Kavik!

Great choices you are thinking off! Just note, legally, you are required to have a 375H&H for leopard hunting in Tanzania; whether it is enforced is uncertain. Do you require (apart from legality) a 375H&H for leopard...No, a 9.3 is more than capable.

Contact a gun shop in Kenya (Kenya Bunduki comes to mind) and ask them on legality of acquiring and owning the Firearm as foreigner in Kenya, and they should be able to assist as well as to how to transport it to Tanzania.

Thank you! Thank you! This AH site will be a great help. KAVIK sez

 

[Lancaster]

A friend who lives in Kenya keeps his rifles with his PH in Tanzania, might just be easier

 

[Kavik]

Welcome Kavik!

Great choices you are thinking off! Just note, legally, you are required to have a 375H&H for leopard hunting in Tanzania; whether it is enforced is uncertain. Do you require (apart from legality) a 375H&H for leopard...No, a 9.3 is more than capable.

Contact a gun shop in Kenya (Kenya Bunduki comes to mind) and ask them on legality of acquiring and owning the Firearm as foreigner in Kenya, and they should be able to assist as well as to how to transport it to Tanzania.

I will probably try to get a Chapuis Ipihsi in 385 H&H (not flanged) and mounr a 1.5x6 Leupold on Tally. I had a CZ 550 years ago in US and did not like the fencepost feel. In Alaska I had a Steyr Pro hunter in 376 with 20 inch barrel. It was ugly but very accurate. Not CRF. I have never shot at an animal over 200 yds. Inc. sheep. Like open sighrs but a variable lower power makes sense. For now 375 H&H wil be cartridge but a handy rifle. I have mostly killed all but coastal bear and bison (which I have never hunted) with a Mannlicher-Schroenauer stutzen 7x57 160 gr accubond to 175 gr. Rn.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

For plains game I think 30-06 can't be beat. Easiest to find ammo and cheap to shoot. It will give a bit more reach too. Lighter to carry and less recoil than 375 H&H.

 

[Kavik]

 

[CBH Australia]

Is hiring a rifle an option?

I have visited Africa once and used a hire rifle. After introduction s and set up in the lodge etc I was taken to shoot on a target. The rifle proved accurate and I was considered proficient in a few quick shots and we went hunting.
I did ask my guide about showing my Australian firearms licence etc and he said the rifle is licensed and didn’t really elaborate so I guess I was legal.

For $25 a day I did not need to do import permits or declare rifles going through borders etc.

I fully understand those who take their own and I possibly would if I returned but if you are just getting back into it maybe you can believe a rifle. I guess though I am assuming you would be guided in Tanzania

 

[Kavik]

That is good alternative. The real part of this Africa hunting, I reckon is the trackers. Then the shooters like the whole technology and process of getting a good kill without creating "a situation" for the party. Sort of like the army: Intelligence Recon. Ambush and hopefully avoide Escape and Evade. My wife's father used to run after the game with dogs. They stil have his spear at family compound. I don't think they ever owned a gun. Quite different for me, the only danger I have fet is hunting moose alone and quatering up the carcass in grizzly country. I need education on A Lot.