My first step towards Africa. Medium Bore

I'll try and measure the pull on my Winchester and let you know how it compares to your CZ. I'm not planning to hunt any dangerous game on my africa trip this year, but my uncle and cousins in South Africa are planning the hunt so I really have no idea what we will end up hunting. So I figured I was best off taking a rifle that was flexible enough to use for any hunt I could get the opportunity to go on, hence the 375 H&H.
 
You should use their rifles! There is no need to go through the hassles of a SA firearm permit, getting hassled by the luggage handler who wants money to bring your gun to the police, waiting inline at the airport to get it processed, making sure all the Is have I dots and Ts have cross. I only bring my shotgun there. I borrow a rifle! Only tip the luggage handler once he brings the firearm to the police, a looney will do! Tell him you have no bills! I saw French hunters give 20E at the luggage claim!!??? DUMB!!! Make sure that you have a copy of your Canadian registration!!! Leave a $5 note among the paperwork at the police station at the airport. It speed things and make sure that you have all the paperwork including SA permit application, photocopy of Canadian PAL, photocopy of Canadian Firearm Registration etc.

Doing the above, I was always promptly served before most of the other arrivals! BTW, reserve your car rental here beforehand and preferably use www.sixt.com The other rentals agencies are very expensive and somewhat unreliable!

Regards,
Henry:cool:
 
Thanks for the advice Henry. I have heard stories about greasing the wheels with police over there. I will have to weigh the benefits of using my own rifle versus avoiding the hassle I guess.

Right now I do plan to take my own rifle. Borrowing a rifle in the RSA would however make it easier to stop and visit relatives in the UK on the way home. If I want to do that when taking my own rifle I'll need a UK permit too. I'm sure I could get an invite to go Roe stalking, which would allow me to get a permit. A 375 H&H may seem a bit excessive for Roe though!! But as UK permits are more hassle han those for RSA I will likely not stop there if I take my own rifle.

Interesting what you said about taking your shotgun to RSA, is it easier to take a shotgun than a rifle for some reason? Or is it just so that you have one that fits properly? I have heard that there is some good wingshooting in RSA. Perhaps I should look into some wingshooting in RSA as well !!!

I went pheasant shooting in England in 2009 but borrwed a shotgun there as permits for the UK are as I mentioned before a royal pain, even though I have dual Canadian/British citizenship. I lucked out and shot very well with a Beretta O/U belonging to my dad's friend. It fit me well enough that i bought one of my own when I got back.
 
Hmm, Maybe that is the difference between a gun nut and a hunter. I would never consider going to Africa if I couldn't shoot my own guns.
 
UK permits cost 45 pounds! And are a Pain in the A** at "to declare" customs! I bring my shotgun because it fits me! I shot some 500 birds in less than 4 hours over a maize field! I also shot the Pan African and did well to up my ranking in the World FITASC ranking. I managed 281 out of several thousand FITASC shooters!

I have been to England several times. It is a pain with the shotgun and costs too much! It is easier to bring a shotgun into SA. Due to airline extra expenses, bringing two guns by air can increase your costs. Air France would allow two luggage untill early 2010. Now they charge extra luggage for the shotgun case. They are the cheapest flights to S.A.!! They even fly the new A380 to Joburgh! I am flying the A 380 to Paris this July. Also be advised that Jo'burgh is 5,000 feet above sea level and most of the area nearby is just as high! Balistics do change at altitude! I shot birds at over 70 yards using LM! Locals were shooting the Compak (5-stand) with cylinder and IC at targets 40 yards out plus, with cylinder and IC!

Regards,
Henry:cool:
 
Well I would clearly prefer to shoot my own rifle, but I don't think using my cousin's nice old mannlicher stocked Brno 21 in 9.3x62 (if I recall correctly what it is) would make me any less of a gun nut. The 375 H&H will stay with me even if it doesn't go to africa, which it likely will, I've only had it a few days and I already love that rifle.

Henry, if Air France is the cheapest i'll have to check them out, especially if they fly the A380 on that route. I'd love to fly on one of those!!!
 
You should use their rifles! There is no need to go through the hassles of a SA firearm permit, getting hassled by the luggage handler who wants money to bring your gun to the police, waiting inline at the airport to get it processed, making sure all the Is have I dots and Ts have cross. I only bring my shotgun there. I borrow a rifle! Only tip the luggage handler once he brings the firearm to the police, a looney will do! Tell him you have no bills! I saw French hunters give 20E at the luggage claim!!??? DUMB!!! Make sure that you have a copy of your Canadian registration!!! Leave a $5 note among the paperwork at the police station at the airport. It speed things and make sure that you have all the paperwork including SA permit application, photocopy of Canadian PAL, photocopy of Canadian Firearm Registration etc.

Doing the above, I was always promptly served before most of the other arrivals! BTW, reserve your car rental here beforehand and preferably use www.sixt.com The other rentals agencies are very expensive and somewhat unreliable!

Regards,
Henry:cool:

Don't listen to this! I'm sure Henry knows his stuff, but we all have different ideas of what's a PITA and I can guarantee 9/10 of those willing and wishing to hunt Africa will be impressed with the ease of bringing your favorite rifle. It's a lot, lot easier than it sounds there in the above description. I'm doing it again this year, and truthfully I was blown away by the ease the first time. Just have your SAPs 520 form filled out before you land, easy to do on the plane over, and a couple quick permits you can get over the phone from our government then emailed to you, no charge, and it's as easy as that. I self clear mine, and it could be any simpler. I wouldn't spoil an African hunt with a loner gun, that's like a hooker on prom night. I love my .375, albeit I opted for the Ruger RSM as it offers some more features I prefer over the M70, but the M70 is a proud second for me.

The RSM, with integral rib, Circassian walnut stock, all steel bottom metal and sculpted steel grip cap, 4+1 capacity for .375, barrel band sling swivel and front sight, one standing two folding leaf NECG Express sights, and true 4" Magnum action. Hell for strong, and an unreal action built for the true heavies.

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All signs indicate we'll be heading back to Alberta for a visit, shortly after the end of the month. We should be Grandparents again. While there I'll check with our Son In Law to see if they had any difficulties taking firearms in 2009 when he and our Daughter went to Africa. He posted a detailed breakdown of their adventure as Graylake on the thread 1st Trip To Africa........ Dial Up Bewarned, on 08-26-2009, 08:16am. If there were any difficulties I didn't notice any posted.
 
A friend of mine is looking for a 375H&H Safari Express like mine. They seem to be in short supply. Anybody know of one in a shop in Canada? None available here and local shop says they can't get one in.

Dan
 
By itself, a rifle doesn't get anyone closer to Africa.

It's sort of like those little promise rings that high school girls used to have to declare that they were kinda, sorta, thinking and hopeing about promiseing to be engaged someday to the guy that they are banging now.

When they get older they know that without a date and a deposit the ring doesn't doesn't mean much. Fact is, with the second two in place the first is optional.

You have to decide, are you going or are you playing?:p
 
By itself, a rifle doesn't get anyone closer to Africa.

It's sort of like those little promise rings that high school girls used to have to declare that they were kinda, sorta, thinking and hopeing about promiseing to be engaged someday to the guy that they are banging now.

When they get older they know that without a date and a deposit the ring doesn't doesn't mean much. Fact is, with the second two in place the first is optional.

You have to decide, are you going or are you playing?:p

but think of the fun a guy gets to have on either side of your analogy without ponying up the big $$$.
 
I am going.It will be 2013.
If I am still living I will hunt in Africa. Looking at Botswana or Zimbabwe. I have started saving and have cut purchases and will be buying nothing except that which is necessary. The only exception to that will be another bird dog the next year or so. It costs me very little to hunt and shoot here. I can walk out my front door for moose and bird hunting. I am going to make Africa happen. Life is a blink

Dan
 
but think of the fun a guy gets to have on either side of your analogy without ponying up the big $$$.


Yeah, but one way you're screwing yourself out of a good time, and the other way you're screwing yourself into one.;)


I'd be the absolute last person to discourage anyone from doing Africa. Lots of guys talking about it, that doesn't help. Just doin' it, gets it done.:D
 
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