Walk across Africa

[sestoppelman]

I now have a proper rifle for this sojourn. Couple years ago I happened on my LSA Enfield factory sporter, think Lee Speed in .303 British, (The Ghost and the Darkness) . Handy, lightweight, adequate power for most things and totally appropriate. What could be better?
I have even been buying and stashing factory 215 gr RN loads for it. They shoot great in this old rifle with its express sights.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I think I’d take a No. 5 Mk1 Lee Enfield, loaded with 215s. Light weight, fast action, detachable ten round mag.

 

[enysse]

I was reading the answers and unless I was mainly hunting elephant or Cape buffalo which I think is doubtful. I would take a simple Win Model 70 7x57.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

.340 weatherby lh with a Nikon monarch aftrican in a good set of quick detach mounts.
I'd be awful sad leaving my double 28 gauge home though.

Without legal ramifications I would think a .340 would take buffalo? I've never hunted them perhaps someone could chime in who has experience with both .340s and buffs

 

[WebleyGreene455]

Well for me it would depend on the context of the weapon and reason. Africa-legal hunting rifles? Custom Mauser 98 in either 9.3x62 or 8mm, if not an outright takedown model with both. 1880-vintage rifle? Toss-up between a Mauser 1871 and a Winchester '73. Any rifle at all? Well that's a tricky one but I think I'd pick a Para-FAL in 7.62 NATO because it's been-there-done-that in African biomes.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Well for me it would depend on the context of the weapon and reason. Africa-legal hunting rifles? Custom Mauser 98 in either 9.3x62 or 8mm, if not an outright takedown model with both. 1880-vintage rifle? Toss-up between a Mauser 1871 and a Winchester '73. Any rifle at all? Well that's a tricky one but I think I'd pick a Para-FAL in 7.62 NATO because it's been-there-done-that in African biomes.

The FAL is my second choice.

 

[enysse]

A .340 Weatherby is plenty for Cape buffalo.

 

[Alaska Luke]

Hum in 1880 an encounter with hostile locals or colonial powers would be a possibility right? So we want a gun for animal defense, fighting and hunting.

My choice would be a custom made 350 Remington Magnum. I would build a rifle similar to the Ruger Scout. Short barrelled with a 10 round magazine and several extras. Heavy loads for hunting and low recoil loads for small game/people.

For other logistics I'd bring along a minimum number of porters and make sure a couple spoke most of the local languages. Then travel light and fast to avoid problems.

 

[WebleyGreene455]

The FAL is my second choice.

Well now I really think about it, I'd go with a HK417 over the FAL, especially with a suppressor and the benefit of an optic. But some kinda custom FAL would be a good alternative if I was gonna go that route.