Heading to Africa…what rifle do I take?

[PlumberEd]

Got my answer…the airline and South Africa doesn't care. The issue is my connecting flight is in NJ where it's illegal to possess a suppressor so I'm SOL in taking my own.

Are you able to connect through Atlanta?

 

[Trappernewt]

Are you able to connect through Atlanta?

It's already been booked and paid for unfortunately

 

[Brijake]

Are you able to connect through Atlanta?

Are you saying if flights are booked through Atlanta, you can bring your own?

 

[Dean2]

It's already been booked and paid for unfortunately

Just borrow a suppressor from your PH, or if he doesn't have the right one, get him to pick one up so it is there when you get to camp. Probably cheaper than switching the flights. In Canada we can't have them at all, but as long as your barrel is threaded you can use them in SA.

 

[Chranah]

IIRC I read a long while back that the African Outfitters prefer you to have a Controlled Feed Action vs. a Push Feed Action because of reliability in feeding a round. This was with dangerous game in mind.
I just did a quick search and found https://chuckhawks.com/controlled_push_feed.htm where he does mention Africa.

 

[Dean2]

IIRC I read a long while back that the African Outfitters prefer you to have a Controlled Feed Action vs. a Push Feed Action because of reliability in feeding a round. This was with dangerous game in mind.
I just did a quick search and found https://chuckhawks.com/controlled_push_feed.htm where he does mention Africa.

TOTALLY irrelevant for plains game.

 

[Web1350]

Take whichever rifle you shoot the best. My experience in two trips to RSA: Your shots will not be too far. I suggest using a stout bullet. I used Nosler Partitions in .30-06. Practice shooting from Shooting Sticks. Learn the anatomy of the animals you are hunting. The organ placement is different from Whitetail deer, Bear, etc. Unless you plan on shooting everything from the back of the safari truck buy a pair of chaps for the 'Wait a minute brush" it will shred normal hunting pants/Jeans.

Good luck

 

[PlumberEd]

Are you saying if flights are booked through Atlanta, you can bring your own?

Yes, that is what I did. I added my suppressor to my CBP 4457 and obtained permission from the ATF via ATF Form 5320.20 to travel to RSA with my suppressor.

 

[PlumberEd]

It's already been booked and paid for unfortunately

That sucks. Like others suggested you may rent a suppressor and for that matter a rifle from the PH.

 

[skipglo]

PH said most shots 200 yards and under. I honestly am most comfortable with the bigger 30 Cals. I have never hunted with the 280AI, 28 Nosler or the 6.5PRC.

Just answered your own question I'd say

 

[Web1350]

My son and I were in South Africa in 2023. We both used a 30.06. I killed a black and a blue wildebeest and he killed a golden wildebeest and impala. All were one shot kills. There were two other hunters in our camp who were both using 7mm Rem mags. They both shot other game such as zebra, etc and were successful with the 7mm. I forget what they called these bushes/trees with these spike-type thorns ( I had my own name for them) but they were nothing short of brutal. The guide and I both had them penetrate the soles of heavy boots and you needed pliers to pull them out. They're literally as tough as nails and can't be broken. So if you do a lot of stalking like we did, be prepared.

 

[Chranah]

TOTALLY irrelevant for plains game.

Makes total sense.

 

[DMack]

Wife and I are heading to South Africa in late April. Will be hunting the usual…Wildebeest, kudu, warthog, springbuck, blesbuck, waterbuck. No super large animals. My question is what rifle to take. The outfitter says my wife's 7mm-08 is plenty and the rifle fits her perfect so that's what she wants to use. I was thinking a 280AI or 28 nosler. I also have a 30 Nosler and 6.5 PRC. I THINK THE 300 ultra mag is a little much. Never having gone I can't decide and there are so many choices lol. I have heard these dark continent critters are TOUGH.

I'll be there the first week of May! Using their 300 PRC's. Quality rifles so I'm good with not having to go through the hassle and risk of taking mine.
Good luck!

 

[Trappernewt]

Are you saying if flights are booked through Atlanta, you can bring your own?

Yes. As long as you aren't traveling through a state they are prohibited