I was discussing and planning the trip with the fellow that I'll be going with. He's been twice now and mentioned that you cannot bring reloaded ammunition, only factory and that the officials do inspect the ammo. I surely don't question him, but is there no way around this? We did discuss the possiblity of shipping the ammo before hand. Any ideas and suggestions from those of you that have already gone...Dogleg? Martinbns?
Factory or Reloads for Africa?
- Thread starter gitrdun
- Start date
I haven't shot factory in the rifles that I plan on bringing. As far as trying to "disguise", I sure as heck wouldn't want to get into a hassle over it. I've googled for such info, but all that I can see for restrictions are 200 rounds maximum, and that the ammo is specific to the rifle(s) that you are bringing. Nothing about reloads. When I travelled to the Yukon this past September, the airline specified that the ammo must be in a factory box. I brought mine in a MTM plastic case, had no issues. But, I'd prefer getting out of a jam at the Calgary airport than in Jo-burg with some customs official.
seemed pretty easy in jo-burg
Was there last april. Was on business, but my business involves guns so we had some. Was pretty straightforward. they have a seperate customs office for firearms (they get lots of hunters).
Just use a good case, that can't be pryed open. I suggest a Pelican or similar, with a keyed alike lock everywhere that is possible!!
We learned the hard way. One of our case was pryed open and they reached in and stole items. Though I don't have conclusive proof (ie: camera from the baggage handling area) I am 100% certain it occurred in J0-Burg baggage area.
Was there last april. Was on business, but my business involves guns so we had some. Was pretty straightforward. they have a seperate customs office for firearms (they get lots of hunters).
Just use a good case, that can't be pryed open. I suggest a Pelican or similar, with a keyed alike lock everywhere that is possible!!
We learned the hard way. One of our case was pryed open and they reached in and stole items. Though I don't have conclusive proof (ie: camera from the baggage handling area) I am 100% certain it occurred in J0-Burg baggage area.
I envy you and wish to one day travel there myself. I have gone through this in my head many times before and always figured I would use factory premium ammo. I've fired alot of rounds. Thousands of them to be honest. Of all those centerfire rounds, I had only one misfire. It was a .300 Winchester I handloaded. After I heard the click, I examined the cartridge and found a half moon around the primer. I guess I used too much pressure when seating it. It never happened again, but it's always been in the back of my mind. If I were to go on an expensive hunt, with the possibility of dangerous game, I would feel most comfortable with good quality factory stuff. That's just me.
Giterdun,
There are countries that forbid handloads, and I can't remember which ones they are. South Africa and Zimbabwe are fine with handloads. The 200 rounds per weapon number you give sounds like South Africa. The issue there is that you can't fly with more than 5 Kilos of ammo anyway so the limit may as well be 2000 for all the good it does. That airline rule where factory boxes is mentioned is poorly worded. In practice they want to see all cartridges individually separated, but that won't help you if the guy you get wants to be a prick. I have put 20 round cases inside the factory outer box, filled the factory box with handloads, and used MTM boxes and so far nobody has said anything about any method. I have gotten my ammo weighed, cartridges counted on entry and head stamps compared to barrel markings. So far nobody has said anything about handloads being a problem, but I haven't been everywhere.
There are countries that forbid handloads, and I can't remember which ones they are. South Africa and Zimbabwe are fine with handloads. The 200 rounds per weapon number you give sounds like South Africa. The issue there is that you can't fly with more than 5 Kilos of ammo anyway so the limit may as well be 2000 for all the good it does. That airline rule where factory boxes is mentioned is poorly worded. In practice they want to see all cartridges individually separated, but that won't help you if the guy you get wants to be a prick. I have put 20 round cases inside the factory outer box, filled the factory box with handloads, and used MTM boxes and so far nobody has said anything about any method. I have gotten my ammo weighed, cartridges counted on entry and head stamps compared to barrel markings. So far nobody has said anything about handloads being a problem, but I haven't been everywhere.
I took handloads for mine, in a hard MTM case no problem. The head stamp must match the rifle barrel ensription and the registration docs you use to preregister there. I took 40 rounds each for my 300 winny and Brendan's 30-06. The process of getting my guns into RSA was really simple. I used a service called HOLAsa, they faxed me the SAPS docs, I filed them out, got them notarized here including the registration certificates from the CFC and faxed them to HOLA. They met us before security at the airport, we jumped the line at customs, got our bags and then went to the police service office where our PH met us. Best $100 I spent.
A side note of you plan to take a backup rifle it can't be the same cartridge, can't import two of anything for some reason.
A side note of you plan to take a backup rifle it can't be the same cartridge, can't import two of anything for some reason.
I beg to differ.I like their wording. I believe the phrase they use is " The manufacturer's packaging." I manufacture my own ammo and truthfully answer "yes" every time.
Edit: I forgot to answer the original question!
I've yet to have a handload dud. I have had factory duds. If I had the option........
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With who: There are two possibilites, one of which is Lucca. The other is another outfit that I forgot their name, and I was looking at the photos no later than yesterday. Anyways, they guide out of several camps, one of which is on the Limpopo River.
When: April '09.
For what: Kudu is very high on the list, Blue Wildebeest, Gemsbuck, Impala.
I started thinking of this last year, if I hadn't had my reservations about the booking agent in Calgary, I would have been there this June. The price was very restrictive, the booking agent untrustworthy. At that time there was no way that I could afford a buffalo. Now, it's quite possible.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I think it depends on which country you intend to enter. Wildcats might be a big problem as the cartridge head stamp doesn't match the chambering stamp on the rifle barrel, but when I was in Tanzania the PH used handloads exclusively that he brought into the country from the US in MTM boxes. I suppose you could put your handloads in factory ammo boxes to ensure there would be no problems with the bureaucrats.
- Location
- AB foothills
If you're spending that kind of money for a trip like that,
Use premium handloads!
Use premium handloads!
I've done a couple hunts in Limpopo, in some cases right down by the river. Its bushveld country with mostly close range shooting. I cheerfully used my .375 for nearly everything, your .338 will be just as good.Use sturdy bullets and try to break a shoulder. Your list makes good sense for the area. I took two of everything on your list in that area, except for impala which I took 4 of. Think also about bushbuck, waterbuck, eland and Hartebeast while you are there. Some of the best bushbuck hunting in Africa is right there, it would be shame to miss out.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
X3
There is nothing the factory can produce that you can't do better. You have an unlimited choice of components, you get to choose the velocity and the recoil level, and the terminal performance you want. African PH's agree, handloaders are typically the better shots amongst their clients.
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X3, Absolutely.
If you're handloading you've got control over what you're producing and chances are you know how the load (and your rifle) shoots much better than someone who's been handed a rifle that they're unfamiliar with, shooting mystery ammo.
Of course, if you don't handload then you're better off buying premium factory ammo and shooting it enough to be confident that you'll be hitting what you intend to hit on your hunt.
BC Bigbore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- BC's Peace Country
Ross Seigfried wrote an article about handloading absolutely reliable cartridges. As an african PH, he knew what he was talking about from seeing the results of thousands of shots fired at game. When you carefully put together your own ammunition, you know the cartridge will chamber, fire & eject. In the article, he points out what he's seen fail in factory cartridges including cartridges with no powder, primers with no compound, brass with no flash hole, etc. A selected, once fired case resized and trimmed, a new primer carefully seated, individually weighed powder charges, precisely seated bullets & finally working every shell through the action, and you have eliminated all you can to ensure that when you are about to make the shot of a lifetime, the cartridge will chamber, fire & eject without failure. Premium factory ammo is great but my handloads are more reliable to my way of thinking.
I used my handloads, that being said I had a problem with mine while I was there. I took once fired brass and when I initialy loaded them I used a new batch of H1000 which was too hot and I had three primers fall out while I was there. I just visually checked them and did the standard shake test to see if any had fallen out during a stalk. Sounds ridiculous, but in Ft McMurray, you can't buy brass and I started with the new bag and didn't have time to get more before I left. All the other things that Ross suggested I did, but I felt pretty stupid admitting to the PH my little problem. After he saw me shoot he stopped worrying about it.
AS an aside, my PH doesn't use handloads himself in his 458 win mag, because he's afraid he might make a mistake.
AS an aside, my PH doesn't use handloads himself in his 458 win mag, because he's afraid he might make a mistake.
