Rifle selection for South Africa plains game hunt

[bebo]

Hello DivernHunter,
Thanks for the correction : "Nosler" and not "Nostler", Sorry .. bug .. ..

Federal (I use this cartridge)
BT : Ballistic Tip : Federal Premium Vital.Shok 130gr. Made in USA.
BC 0.432 no so bad ..
V0 3060 V100 2837 V200 2626 V300 2424V400 2231V500 2046
E0 2703E100 2324E200 1990E300 1695E400 1436E500 1209

http://federalpremium.com/products/details/rifle.aspx?id=237

Others :
Hornady : (I'll try this cartridge soon)
Muzzle 3200/2955 100 2984/2570 200 2778/2228 300 2582/1924 400 2393/1653 500 2213/1414

http://www.hornady.com/store/270-Win-130-gr-SST-Superformance/
else :
http://www.hornady.com/store/270-Win-140-gr-SST-Superformance-805431/

 

[Divernhunter]

I deleted my post as I goofed. I was thinking 30cal and not 270. I have used the BT in 25 and 30cal and it would be a poor choice in my mind. The SST is a better choice. For Africa the Interbond or a Partition or A-Frame would be a much better choice. The bullet is the cheapest part of the hunt and the one thing that determines success or failure. If the bullet alone was $5 it would be worth paying the price to help insure that a less than perfect shot was killing.

 

[bebo]

I agree with you, Divernhunter,
.270 Ballistic Tip 130 gr is excellent for mountain hunting or "target shooting"... I'm about to test SST, it seems very interesting!

And you're quite right when you say "The bullet is the cheapest part of the hunt and the one thing that determines success or failure."

 

[Patrick R]

Guy's,

Nothing wrong with the .270...many African animals died of this caliber...some mentioned already in this thread...

 

[Red Leg]

Guy's,

Nothing wrong with the .270...many African animals died of this caliber...some mentioned already in this thread...

I think all would agree - but the bullet does matter, and I would not use the 130 gr Ballistic Tip on anything much bigger than impala or springbok - the deer-sized game for which it is excellent. Something like a 140 gr accubond would be much better as a general purpose PG round.

 

[tiss kocovsky]

Spot one Phil.

Armygrunt- If you go ahead and decide that you may need a better scope, get ahold of me as I have a couple Leup's that are collecting dust. I'll donate 1 for your trip.

I'm thinking of gettin a leupold vx2. do you still have some for sale?

 

[sestoppelman]

Just got back from SA where we used a .284 Win with a 140gr Barnes Triple Shock at just over 3000 fps with great success, even a one shot kill on wildebeest. Cant go wrong with the '06 and a good bullet. I would go with Barnes, a Nosler Partition or AccuBond and leave the Hornadys home myself, they don't hold up that well, even the Interbond. Havent tried the SST however.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

Just cut the foam, and settled the 30-06 in its new case. The strap can just sit on the top. What other items would you suggest I place into the firearm case? I've considered taking my Dad's bolt 22 LR, but for just a couple of tiny critters I probably don't need the extra hassle. Anyone disagree with that sentiment? I considered taking extra 22 ammo along to give to the PH, since everything is more expensive there. I can buy it for about 6 USD for a hundred rounds locally, most days.

 

[sestoppelman]

Just don't take any ammo you don't have a rifle to shoot it from. SAPS wont like that. Is the serial number up where it can be seen without taking the rifle out of the case? It makes it easier. Also a chamber flag for the breech is a good idea, though not necessary. I did that and had a couple agents comment that it was a good thing. Be sure and have all of your customs forms filled out for everything. I got hassled on return to JFK because I didn't have the form that lists my old Nikon binos. I also had my luggage gone thru and while I had all my ammo in a locked hard plastic case inside it, TSA broke the lock off of it to check my ammo I guess, then just zip tied it in place of a lock. I had a personal combination lock on it. I guess they figured I should have had a TSA lock on it. Things have changed a lot even in the last few years. I had lots of hassles with all US govt agencies this trip. Going thru Joberg and SAPS was easy by comparison! On return to JFK, one CBP guy said I should have "declared" my rifles on the return home form on the plane! I asked where I should have done that and he said its on there. Well no it aint! You don't have to declare your own stuff on return, as long as you have the custom forms filled out ahead of time, which I did. Unbelievable.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

So, I should put the serial number of everything having one on the CBP form?

 

[sestoppelman]

YEP!

 

[CAustin]

Someone already said it but I will second the motion......take what you shoot best!

 

[Velo Dog]

Just cut the foam, and settled the 30-06 in its new case. The strap can just sit on the top. What other items would you suggest I place into the firearm case? I've considered taking my Dad's bolt 22 LR, but for just a couple of tiny critters I probably don't need the extra hassle. Anyone disagree with that sentiment? I considered taking extra 22 ammo along to give to the PH, since everything is more expensive there. I can buy it for about 6 USD for a hundred rounds locally, most days.View attachment 29473

Last time I spoke with a PH about .22 rifles, (I like them very much for hunting small game and certain edible birds), he told me that foreigners were not permitted to import any rim fire weapon (this was 3 or 4 years ago).
Not sure if that is still in effect or not but worth checking into early in your planning, if you seriously wish to bring one.
However, it is very typical for the camps and hunting lodges in Africa to have a .22 rifle and cartridges handy.

 

[BigTexMan]

I hope you have a fantastic trip. I just returned from SA on the 5th and had the time of my life. You can't go wrong with the 30-06. A good scope and good bullets are important. I used a hand loaded TTSX bullet in my 338 Win Mag. I didn't "need" all the extra power, but it doesn't hurt and I love that rifle and scope. My hunting partner took the same rifle/bullet combination for himself and a 270 for his boys. He took some factory ammo loaded with Swift A-frames. Those worked very well on the animals his boys shot.

Enjoy every minute of the trip and soak it all in!!

 

[ArmyGrunt]

Interesting tidbit about the rimfire ammo. A must-check for sure.

I can't wait to get there. The countdown timer on my phone keeps getting smaller, but it feels like it's said 65 days for weeks, but it's only been saying that today. I'm taking two cameras and lots of SD cards with me!

 

[BigTexMan]

You may consider taking a video camera as well. My wife used it to capture a couple of my shots. We also got quite a bit of video of the landscape and different animals. I plan on putting a video together, but that's a back burner project for now.

 

[ActionBob]

Hey Grunt;
I had my binos in the gun case, also a couple small flash lights, knife, one of those neat $20-$30 gun tools, a cheapie aftermarket Leatherman type tool, range finder... You really shouldn't need a range finder as the PH will tell you how far or most likely get you in point blank range or tell you how much hold over. Our PH had tools for the gun but mine was nicer and I made a gift of it too him. Then gave the trackers each a flash light and one a knife and the elder one the Leatherman. If your a coffee drinker you might want one of those little thermos cups with the lid like you take in the car. Unlikely you need an expensive flashlight but a couple $5 l.e.d. double A ones are handy and at the end of the trip give them away to people who will really appreciate them and fill the space in the case with curios. These gifts should probably be in addition to cash. You should not really need the knife or tools but if you do, then you "really" do, so a personal choice. Again, decent quality but cheap enough you don't mind lightening the load and leaving behind. And I would pack a real cheap soft gun case, like a $10 one and just leave it in camp. This is assuming you are needing space for mementos/curios, otherwise you can bring the stuff home if you want.

And +1 on having the serial numbers on gun AND the bolt facing up!

As for bullets, the best you can and that your gun shoots well. Ammo makes great gifts to leave behind for the PH or outfitter if they can use it. And then the case works to hold African trinkets..... We found stands out along a highway near a park and were able to negotiate some incredible prices on stuff until we ran out of room... Use Rand for this.

 

[RickP]

Last time I spoke with a PH about .22 rifles, (I like them very much for hunting small game and certain edible birds), he told me that foreigners were not permitted to import any rim fire weapon (this was 3 or 4 years ago).
Not sure if that is still in effect or not but worth checking into early in your planning, if you seriously wish to bring one.
However, it is very typical for the camps and hunting lodges in Africa to have a .22 rifle and cartridges handy.

There are plenty of outfitters and PH's on this site that you should be able to get the .22 LR issue addressed. Never heard of the issue though and not been warned to avoid that during my two previous RSA hunts. But as someone else mentioned, just make sure that you have a gun that will take the ammo plus only one gun in a given caliber. Yup, kinda' weird but that's the rules.

 

[Velo Dog]

There are plenty of outfitters and PH's on this site that you should be able to get the .22 LR issue addressed. Never heard of the issue though and not been warned to avoid that during my two previous RSA hunts. But as someone else mentioned, just make sure that you have a gun that will take the ammo plus only one gun in a given caliber. Yup, kinda' weird but that's the rules.

Hi RickP,

I'm a little foggy, have you brought a .22 to South Africa or are your saying that it has never come up in conversation with your PH ?

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[RickP]

Hi RickP,

I'm a little foggy, have you brought a .22 to South Africa or are your saying that it has never come up in conversation with your PH ?

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

It has never come up. When discussing what to bring/not bring, the .22 was never mentioned though semi-autos and military digital camo were.