What African game have taken using a .22

[Manica-boy]

I intend to use a .22 to hunt for the pot, nothing big and I would like to know what game I can take a .22lr

Is it good for warthog and

 

[IvW]

21. The following norms apply to minimum rifle calibers for the hunting of different categories of wild animals- ( a) .22 or 5.56mm rimfire rifle for the hunting of- (i) furred game up to and including the size of rock hyrax; and (ii) feathered game;

So no you cannot hunt warthog with any .22lr. A rock hyrax is the size of a rabbit

 

[Kawshik Rahman]

Manica Boy
I am not sure that it would even be legal to use a .22 Long Rifle in Africa to shoot animals . Of course , l have not hunted there ever , but l had a client who did a safari in Africa fifty years ago before he came to India for his Shikar. He gave me this information that the .22 Long Rifle calibre is not allowed for hunting. He seemed very well read , but maybe the law has changed after so long. Maybe a magnum .22 rimfire may be legal ?
At any rate , l have looked at an internet photograph of a wart hog . They look larger than an Indian bush boar and l doubt a .22 Long Rifle bullet would do the work on the wart hog cleanly. Perhaps someone more experienced than me can contribute.

 

[ActionBob]

I used a 22 Hornet on a cape greysbok. About perfect for that. Of course that is a center fire....

 

[Nkawu]

Guineafowl, francolin, rabbits, and doves are good for the pot, and a great deal of enjoyment can be had pursuing such small game with a 22lr. Most likely many members who grew up in Africa hunted similar with a well worn family .22 or pellet gun as youngsters. I firmly believe unrivaled marksmanship skills are developed during this phase of childhood. I can’t count the number of francolin I shot running with an old Anschutz after I graduated from a Diana pellet gun. Apologies for the tangent.

 

[Ryan]

.22 LR is a great rifle to start with, most every American did learning good shooting and hunting skills chasing small game. As mentioned above, gamebirds and rabbits will fill the pot well and you'll hone your skills hunting them. Plus you'll be out on the farm learning the lay of the land as you do it. Move up to the .303 Enfield mentioned in another thread for the bigger stuff like warthog after you get good with the 22 LR.

 

[Manica-boy]

I used a 22 Hornet on a cape greysbok. About perfect for that. Of course that is a center fire....

Hi what's difference between centrefire and rim fire from a performance point of view
Thanks

 

[Manica-boy]

Guineafowl, francolin, rabbits, and doves are good for the pot, and a great deal of enjoyment can be had pursuing such small game with a 22lr. Most likely many members who grew up in Africa hunted similar with a well worn family .22 or pellet gun as youngsters. I firmly believe unrivaled marksmanship skills are developed during this phase of childhood. I can’t count the number of francolin I shot running with an old Anschutz after I graduated from a Diana pellet gun. Apologies for the tangent.

Thanks Nkawu. I find the .22 perfect though I haven't shot anything with it yet. I did ha e two pellet guns as a child and I have shot doves and pigeons and now feel I am ready to graduate to proper firearms. What I like about the .22 is it's quiet enough to fire in the garden in urban surroundings without alarming the neighborhood

 

[Manica-boy]

.22 LR is a great rifle to start with, most every American did learning good shooting and hunting skills chasing small game. As mentioned above, gamebirds and rabbits will fill the pot well and you'll hone your skills hunting them. Plus you'll be out on the farm learning the lay of the land as you do it. Move up to the .303 Enfield mentioned in another thread for the bigger stuff like warthog after you get good with the 22 LR.

Thank you sir. I intend to shoot tin cans and birds as much as I can to get practice

 

[BeeMaa]

Welcome to AH.

Hi what's difference between centrefire and rim fire from a performance point of view
Thanks

Pretty much EVERYTHING.
Bullet weights, velocity, terminal performance, reloading...everything is different.
Please read...
https://thegunzone.com/rimfire-vs-centerfire/

 

[Ridgewalker]

I have used a .22 lr on civet and guinea fowl. The bullet was put in the proper place. The civet never moved. I will use one again in 2020 for genet. I believe it is an appropriate cartridge for them.

 

[Nkawu]

The million dollar question is what make of .22lr do you use or will you get? There will no doubt be fierce loyalty by members for their preferred manufacturer.

Below are photo’s from Westley Richards Facebook page of a .22lr ‘best rifle’ made to replicate a customers DG rifle, for training purposes.

 

[Manica-boy]

The million dollar question is what make of .22lr do you use or will you get? There will no doubt be fierce loyalty by members for their preferred manufacturer.

Below are photo’s from Westley Richards Facebook page of a .22lr ‘best rifle’ made to replicate a customers DG rifle, for training purposes. View attachment 310097View attachment 310098

I will be using an old Charter Arms AR-7

 

[Manica-boy]

The million dollar question is what make of .22lr do you use or will you get? There will no doubt be fierce loyalty by members for their preferred manufacturer.

Below are photo’s from Westley Richards Facebook page of a .22lr ‘best rifle’ made to replicate a customers DG rifle, for training purposes. View attachment 310097View attachment 310098

I doubt I would get that in Zim. In the UK I would definitely get it but the trouble is I don't have a gun licence as it's very hard to get here in the UK

 

[TokkieM]

Many many years ago I saw an old man drop a young waterbuck bull with a. 22lr, when I cut my teeth with a. 22lr there was no minimum calibers if you owned the land. Headshots only on Impala, Bush buck, Duiker, Grysbok and young Kudu bulls. Body shot on Nyala Bull and several Lynx as well as Jackal. I did not wound a single animal and non went further than 50 meters before expiring, most went less than 20 meters. All ammo used was solid lead bullets and the so called standard velocity ammo from Swartklip (no longer in existence). Often found the skulls crushed in the back of the animals shot from the front. Longest shot was probably 60 meters. I do not advise or encourage the use of a. 22LR, I am telling you what it can do.

 

[Manica-boy]

Thanks TokkieM

Our of curiosity how close can one sneak up on game generally if you are downwind? Is it easy to get within 30 metres before they are spooked?

 

[Dr Ray]

I suggest that a 22 on warthog would result in wounded animals.
I don’t think it would be a good idea unless you’re shooting piglets.

 

[Kawshik Rahman]

For beginners , l would recommend this .22 Long Rifle calibre rifle. It is of Czechoslovakian make by the firm Brno and bolt operation. Very accurate and light .My niece even secured her first deer with this very rifle ( although l do not recommend such a practice ) . Start with hares for practice.

 

[TokkieM]

Thanks TokkieM

Our of curiosity how close can one sneak up on game generally if you are downwind? Is it easy to get within 30 metres before they are spooked?

That is the same question as how long is a piece of string. Area, species, single or herd animals and most of all the hunters abilities come into play and I honestly don't think many have the ability to stalk into 30 meters of a herd of impala. Solitary animals and good cover are often a better option, bushbuck stalk easy if you know what you are doing. I have shot 16 bushbuck in my life and none where over 30 meters away, some as close as 10 meters. I have shot 2 Kudu that I could poke with the arrow in my bow, not from a hide, but walk and stalk.
Skill is what it takes to come close, camo and wind only gets you so far.

 

[Manica-boy]

Wow TokkieM. I love that. If you could kindly give me tips on how to sneak up on them till I really close. I don't want to have to take long distance shots since I'm still learning

Btw are warthogs easy to find at night with a flashlight?