Ammo selection for Africa, warthog, bush pig and impala

geologist

geologist

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I will be hunting at a co-workers game preserve in South Africa. I'll be in Eastern Cape, South Africa near Cathcart.

What factory ammunition should I go with? I'm planning to hunt warthog, bush pig and impala with:

BRNO 600 30-06, B&L 3x9x40 and

BRNO 602 .375 H&H Leupold 1.5x5x20 in Warne QDs so I could use the express sights (they shoot well for me) if I need to.

Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Basically anything that expands, retains a decent amount of weight and is accurate from your rifles will do just fine. Nothing overly tough on your list. The 30-06 would easily handle it all. So would the 375 for that matter.
 
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geologist said:
I'm bringing the 602 just because it's Africa and in case I get more ambitious game wise.
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I brought a .37( on me first Safari for the same reason, then ended up using it for everything. If you want a factory load take Remington 300 grain A-frames. You don't need them for your species, but they do fit in with the theme of ready for anything. Pigs and Impala arent tough, but in the theme of ready for anything, take a load that you would confidentently use for elk under all conditions. An impala ram is the size of a small whitetail doe. Beautiful animal with good sized horns for it's body size. If they weren't so common they would be the most expensive thing in Africa.
 
Federal Vital-Shok has the 165 Partitions loaded, it would be an excellent choice in your .30/06, as would be standard Remington Core-Lokt 180 SP's (R30064).

Federal also loads a 300 grain Partition in the Vital-Shok line that would be a good round as back up to the lighter game, but with more mass, energy and penetration on bigger game, if you decide to go that route... enough for anything short of Rhino, Hippo, Buffalo and Elephant... although it would likely take care of those also... get dogleg, Ardent or Douglas to chime in on preferred bullet construction for African dangerous game... I have zero experience there except through friends who live in Zim.
 
geologist said:
I'm bringing the 602 just because it's Africa and in case I get more ambitious game wise.
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On the off chance you decide you want to shoot a gemsbok, wildebeest or something like that I would load a decent bullet. Think a 180 or 200gr premium bullet (Partition, A-Frame or TSX) in the '06 and a 260 Accubond, 270 Partition, A-Frame or TSX in the 375. Realistically, the small stuff will die just fine with most bullets. African game is tough, but nowhere near bulletproof. Shoot them right with a decent bullet and you won't have any problems. My brother and I both killed impala with 300gr solids from a .375 Ruger because we were running low on softs and I wanted to keep a couple in case we found the kudu I was looking for. Come to think of it I shot my civet with a solid as well.

And remember the African Hunting Rule Of Thumb - Take half as many clothes and twice as much money as you think you'll need.
 
375. If you have dangerous game on the menu. If not the 3006 will cover the whole gambit for the species you've mentioned, I'd even go lighter. Don't forget guns and ammo eat up valuable weight. And you get charged by the gun leaving country if your with Lufthansa. I've shot some lovely impala and warthogs and to be honest a well placed 223 would do the trick. Take it for what it's worth and enjoy every second. Africa is a magical place for some a nightmare for others. Enjoy
 
JHC-II above there has carried rifles in Africa for sport and for work a great deal, and much of it wasn't pleasant in very green places. Bit of an aside but interesting history in our membership.

I can't add anything valuable here as even a .243 could cover the list, and your .30-06 is absolutely sufficient. However, as you well know your .375 will do anything the -06 will and if you shoot it well, I'd chose it for the iron sights option, you mentioned they work for you. Much of African rifle choice is sentimental, at least for myself and friends, and a 602 is a proper classic African working man's rifle and the cartridge the same- for whatever that's worth. The PHs couldn't care less if you have the -06 or .375 as long as you hit what you point it at.

As others have alluded to, take your time and express you'd like an excellent example of the Impala. They are exceedingly beautiful and huntinng a big one is just tricky enough to be fun, easy enough to keep it enjoyable.

Did a write up on hunting Impala a couple years ago,

http://www.morrisonarms.com/2013/01/306/
 
Ardent said:
An Impala mount by guess who, JHC-II gracing the wall of my room at work camp. Should see the looks you get when you haul taxidermy into camp to feel at home.

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Ur such a redneck... are your cowboy boots under the desk?
 
Ardent said:
I can't add anything valuable here as even a .243 could cover the list, and your .30-06 is absolutely sufficient. However, as you well know your .375 will do anything the -06 will and if you shoot it well, I'd chose it for the iron sights option, you mentioned they work for you. Much of African rifle choice is sentimental, at least for myself and friends, and a 602 is a proper classic African working man's rifle and the cartridge the same- for whatever that's worth. The PHs couldn't care less if you have the -06 or .375 as long as you hit what you point it at.
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They'll probably be appalled by my 602 as the barrel has been cut down to 20" :).
 
No I think it'll be right at home, PHs' rifles are as a lot some of the most beat, bush customized, and tinkered with rifles out there. Lots of 20" barrels in Africa, the bush gets mighty thick and more than how you can point in the jesse / thorns, is how much less short guns snag in general carry. You know that very well from work as well, most of my work guns are either short or very short too, and that's not missed in Africa either. A 20" barrelled 602 is the same as a 24" double, so still well within the realms of aesthetic reason. :)
 
My pre64 300H&H looks like it's been to hell and back. Really should give it a day at the spa, but the damn thing works like a charm. Most PH rifles live a life in the back of a Toyota or rover so they do get the crap beat out of them. During your hunt diligent use of an old shaving brush on the action will keep the dust at bay, tape on the end of the barel for that portion. Not a big fan of flip up scope covers so mine sport those neoprene covers. When it's time to hunt cover off no caps to worry about. You will re regulate your rifle upon arrival, most PH will insist on a 100 yard zero. Best to do this afore hand as your not wasting ammo in country. If your up north. No oiling as it will grind away. In the jungle. Plastic stock and don't stop oiling as the moisture is just like being by the ocean, if not worse. But like everyone has said, an ought 6 will do the trick. I pack light as I'm a bit of a shopper when in country. And as ardent has said impala can be a wonderful hunt. Wait till you hear them snort and wheeze. You know your busted then, and oh so many eyes watching you. End of story, if you've shot a 06 all the time don't be rushing out to buy a super magnum. I've seen more hunts ruined by someone taking a rig there unfamiliar with and become recoil sensitive on the hunt. You wound it, you bought it. A trip to Africa for most is a hunt of a lifetime don't wreck it by using unfamiliar kit and make sure your boots are also broken in. Just enjoy and post pictures I'm computer illiterate so am not able to post.
 
I'll add to the impala appreciation. I thought I had a pic of all three on the wall at mom and dad's place but I can't seem to lay my hands on it.

Picture195.jpg
 
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