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Firearm Recommendation

Choosing the Right Firearms for Your South African Hunting Expedition

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“Hunting is not just about the pursuit of game, but the mastery of your equipment and the responsibility to make ethical choices. Choose your rifle wisely and become one with it, for it will be your loyal companion on the thrilling adventure that awaits in Africa.”

Precision in Action

When embarking on a hunting expedition in South Africa, it is important to consider your options when it comes to firearms. You can either bring your own trusted rifle(s) or rent one from us to avoid any potential airport issues. However, it is crucial to be aware of the legal requirements regarding minimum bullet weights for different species.

To ensure compliance and make an informed decision on which rifle to bring, we strongly encourage you to review the specific guidelines on minimum bullet weights.

In this guide, we will provide recommendations for rifle calibres and bullet weights, as well as offer advice on ammunition and sighting in your rifle

Firearm options for hunting:
Bring your own or rent from us

You will have the opportunity to pursue both plains game and dangerous game species. As a hunter, you are presented with two choices regarding firearms. You may opt to bring your own trusted rifle(s), leveraging your familiarity and experience with them. Alternatively, to mitigate any potential issues at airports, an alternative solution could be the convenience of renting one of our rifles, complete with good quality scopes. For further details, please refer to the links provided below

Travelling with a rifle or bow
Rifle Rental

“Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person.”

Fred Bear

African Hunting Unleashed:
The Definitive Guide to Selecting the Perfect Calibre

From our perspective, determining the ideal calibre for hunting in Africa is relatively straightforward. We suggest selecting a rifle calibre that you feel entirely comfortable and proficient with, as well as being able to manage the recoil effectively. However, it is crucial to be aware of the legal requirements regarding minimum bullet weights for different species. These regulations may impact the selection of calibres to ensure compliance. We strongly encourage you to review the specific guidelines on minimum bullet weights, which can be accessed through the provided link. It is advisable to thoroughly familiarise yourself with this information before making a decision on which rifle(s) to bring for your hunting pursuits.

Recommended calibre and bullet weight requirements in South Africa

Recommendations

Commonly used calibres in South Africa

The preferred rifle calibres commonly used in South Africa include the 270, 7 mm Rem Mag, 308Winchester, 30-06, 300 Win Mag, and .375 H/H. When selecting two rifles for hunting, we suggest opting for the .308 Winchester, 30-06, or 7mm Rem Mag as the primary rifle, and the 375 H/H as the secondary option. This combination will allow you to effectively hunt any species in South Africa, and these calibres are widely recognised and easily accessible in terms of ammunition. The inclusion of the 375 H/H is mainly recommended for hunters targeting buffalo and other larger game. It is important to consider the specific animals you intend to hunt when making your decision.

Plains Game Calibres

For hunting larger plains game, we recommend using calibres such as the .270, 30-06, 7mm, or 300 Win Mag. For smaller plains game species, the preferable choices are the 243 or 6.5 Creedmoor, or similarly capable calibres. It is advisable to select high-quality ammunition, specifically opting for reliable multi-purpose expanding bullets like Barnes, Nosler partitions, and Swift A-Frame, which have consistently demonstrated excellent results in the past. These options are our top recommendations for soft points when targeting large plains game, and solid bullets for smaller plains game. These selections have proven their effectiveness time and time again in the challenging bush environments. It is best to load ammunition weighing between 130-180 gr for optimal results.

Dangerous Game Calibres

When hunting dangerous game, it is imperative to adhere to the minimum requirement of a 375 magnum rifle. We highly recommend utilising an 80/20 split in ammunition, with 300gr soft nose bullets and 300gr solids.

Amount of Ammunition

We highly recommend bringing a sufficient quantity of ammunition, around 60 rounds for each calibre, for your safari.

Before Arrival

Before departing from your home, it is crucial to familiarise yourself with your chosen firearms and practice using them. We recommend sighting in your plains game rifle to be approximately two to two and a half inches high at a distance of one hundred yards. This adjustment will allow you to comfortably take shots within a range of 250 yards without needing to compensate for distance. We also advise zeroing all rifles with scopes before your departure. Although scopes will be checked again before hunting commences, it is possible that they may have shifted during transit. Whenever possible, we suggest opting for a scope with variable power for greater flexibility in different shooting conditions.

When travelling with your own firearms

For individuals travelling with their personal rifles, we kindly direct your attention to our comprehensive guide on traveling with rifles or bows, available under the Safari Planner tab. It is important to note that South Africa mandates a temporary import/export permit for firearms and ammunition when entering the country. To ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience, we highly recommend engaging the services of a professional clearing agent to guide you through this procedure. For more detailed information on traveling with rifles, kindly follow the provided link, which will assist you throughout the entirety of the process.

Travelling with a Rifle or Bow