Africa,Here I Come ! ( I hope )

[bigpete]

So.....I've dreamed of going to Africa and hunting there since I was 5. Not sure why but I suspect early exposure to Allan Quartermaine and Tarzan,coupled with dads fox hunting etc played a part.
With the recent events in my life I've made the realisation that I can actually go to Africa,very soon even. In fact,I'm hoping to spend my 50th birthday over there.
I've been doing a bit of research and I think I'm going to go with Cruiser Safaris and a 10 day,6 species plains game hunt

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[Blr243]

Wow. A few days ago you posted that you were a little bit jeslous because I was getting some pigs over the Xmas holidays. Now the tables have turned. Hope it goes very well for you

[No1Mk3]

Are you taking your own rifles and transiting via Perth? (ie: flying Qantas to WA then with SAA to Johannesburg) If so make sure you have a WA Permit for your rifles before landing in Perth. Depending how long you are in Johannesburg I would recommend a dinner at Carnivore Restaurant in Muldersdrift, spit roast game meats, pork and beef, sadly they no longer offer Zebra from what i hear, but it is still a great feed.

[bigpete]

Are you taking your own rifles and transiting via Perth? (ie: flying Qantas to WA then with SAA to Johannesburg) If so make sure you have a WA Permit for your rifles before landing in Perth. Depending how long you are in Johannesburg I would recommend a dinner at Carnivore Restaurant in Muldersdrift, spit roast game meats, pork and beef, sadly they no longer offer Zebra from what i hear, but it is still a great feed.

I have no idea if that's the case yet. I'm planning for the trip to be in 2027 and its early stages yet

[bigpete]

Wow. A few days ago you posted that you were a little bit jeslous because I was getting some pigs over the Xmas holidays. Now the tables have turned. Hope it goes very well for you

Still am,and tbh the trade I've had to make to get to do this trip ain't worth it.

[bigpete]

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So,I'm hoping to use my mauser 98 in 35 whelen, and my CVA Rocky Mountain Big Bore in 58 cal.

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For the whelen I intend to use 310gn woodleigh soft points provided they shoot well

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[bigpete]

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The 58 hawken will be firing .570 prb over 110gn of 2f. Its a little high at 100m so I'll have to order a new front sight and get it shooting lower, but its quite accurate. I may possibly look at getting either Lee REAL bullets or Maxi Balls for it just to bump up the kinetic energy and for ease of reloading,but I'm sure the round ball will work pretty well,and flattens out nicely

[Wm.Traynor]

Good Hunting Big Pete

[Wm.Traynor]

Good Hunting Big Pete

[bigrich]

do it pete . i had the finances at one point and did a guided trip to NT . i'm glad i did it while i could afford it , i can't these days .

africa would be next level . do it pete , and tell us all about it on this forum with plenty of pics

unless you get eaten by a lion ......

[Larry]

Leave the guns behind and take a camera. Even though the animals are farmed and people are making a living out of the hunt. The thought of killing one of the majestic animals that leave you in awe as a kid is just wrong in my mind. If it is not the right thing to do killing a snake in youre backyard then killing a lion, tiger or elephant in Africa is next level bad.

[Larry]

Leave the guns behind and take a camera. Even though the animals are farmed and people are making a living out of the hunt. The thought of killing one of the majestic animals that leave you in awe as a kid is just wrong in my mind. If it is not the right thing to do killing a snake in youre backyard then killing a lion, tiger or elephant in Africa is next level bad.

But do the trip a life experience you will never forget. So many things to see and experience.

[bigpete]

Leave the guns behind and take a camera. Even though the animals are farmed and people are making a living out of the hunt. The thought of killing one of the majestic animals that leave you in awe as a kid is just wrong in my mind. If it is not the right thing to do killing a snake in youre backyard then killing a lion, tiger or elephant in Africa is next level bad.

How does her f***ed sound lol
f***ing greenie

[bigpete]

do it pete . i had the finances at one point and did a guided trip to NT . i'm glad i did it while i could afford it , i can't these days .

africa would be next level . do it pete , and tell us all about it on this forum with plenty of pics

unless you get eaten by a lion ......

Its nearly more expensive to hunt 1 feral buffalo in Australia than it is to hunt in Africa. I've never understood why they charge so much to hunt a feral animal that legally needs to be controlled anyway

[Oldbloke]

Have you looked into NT buff hunting without the guide? I believe it's possible but you need to be in the know.


Yes, Africa is probably a bit cheaper even allowing for flights.
Any idea what the costs are to get trophies back to AU? I'm guessing it isnt cheap.

And yes, take your camera.

[Bugman]

Have you looked into NT buff hunting without the guide? I believe it's possible but you need to be in the know.


Yes, Africa is probably a bit cheaper even allowing for flights.
Any idea what the costs are to get trophies back to AU? I'm guessing it isnt cheap.

And yes, take your camera.

NT buff hunting! Shooting in the nude! Not with a body like mine!

[bigpete]

Have you looked into NT buff hunting without the guide? I believe it's possible but you need to be in the know.


Yes, Africa is probably a bit cheaper even allowing for flights.
Any idea what the costs are to get trophies back to AU? I'm guessing it isnt cheap.

And yes, take your camera.

Yes I have. Its why I owned 2 45-70's and a 458wm at one stage. Unfortunately all plans fell through. Plus I've not been dreaming of hunting the Territory, which I hate anyway. I've been dreaming of Africa
And hell yes I'll be taking my camera....I'm just as excited about the birdlife as I am about the hunting lol

[bigpete]

Have you looked into NT buff hunting without the guide? I believe it's possible but you need to be in the know.


Yes, Africa is probably a bit cheaper even allowing for flights.
Any idea what the costs are to get trophies back to AU? I'm guessing it isnt cheap.

And yes, take your camera.

NT buff hunting! Shooting in the nude! Not with a body like mine!

Me neither lol

[Billo]

If I was taking a Whelen to Africa Bigpete I dont think Id be using a super slow 310gr Woody, I'd be more inclined to use an Outer edge 196gr mono, drive it hard and fast at 28-2900fps

[bigpete]

If I was taking a Whelen to Africa Bigpete I dont think Id be using a super slow 310gr Woody, I'd be more inclined to use an Outer edge 196gr mono, drive it hard and fast at 28-2900fps

Hmmm that IS an option. The woodleighs do have an excellent reputation though and I'm very much in favour of the traditional bullet designs

[Billo]

If I was taking a Whelen to Africa Bigpete I dont think Id be using a super slow 310gr Woody, I'd be more inclined to use an Outer edge 196gr mono, drive it hard and fast at 28-2900fps

Hmmm that IS an option. The woodleighs do have an excellent reputation though and I'm very much in favour of the traditional bullet designs

Reputation is great but a Whelen would struggle to push a 310gr at what 2200fps, that makes its ballistics terrible and impact speed at ranges even worse. No doubt it would penetrate but traditional aint always the best option, I dont think having animal run off on a trip of a lifetime is something Id risk......

Im also assuming the Ruger 35 Whelen you have also has the faster twist ?

[bigpete]

I don't have a ruger 35 whelen. Its a mauser 98. And I already load over max with 225gn SGKs so I'm pretty certain I can actually get higher than 2200fps. But it will 100% depend on whether they shoot well

[Billo]

I don't have a ruger 35 whelen. Its a mauser 98. And I already load over max with 225gn SGKs so I'm pretty certain I can actually get higher than 2200fps. But it will 100% depend on whether they shoot well

I just assumed you had a Ruger ( lol been playing with my Ruger 358 all week, so suffering a bit from Rugeritis ) cause they come with a faster twist where as a lot of older rifles have a 1:16 which will struggle to stabilize a 310gr bullet.

Im just about to do some load development next week with the 196gr as the Barness TTSX I run are stupid expensive

[Oldbloke]

Taking your own rifle might be tempting. I can understand that. But there could be a few hassles.

But most of these safaris offer a loaner 375H&H.
That's the way I would go.

[bigpete]

Taking your own rifle might be tempting. I can understand that. But there could be a few hassles.

But most of these safaris offer a loaner 375H&H.
That's the way I would go.

I'd rather not go.
People take their own firearms ALL the time.
The only issues are you need cases with the appropriate head stamps,and you can't transport blackpowder

[mickb]

Amazing stuff Pete, lucky buggar. I worked in Africa for a while, if you want any travel tips feel free to send me a PM. I still have the old spiel memorised we used to give to new workers on contract. EG if transiting in a hotel choose above ground level to avoid burglaries but not higher than 3rd floor as 3rd world fire services may have crapola trucks or no ladders lol. All that sort of thing.
On a safari you will have everything taken care of course and I dont think they want anyone coming to grief.

Also I support the idea of taking your own guns ,and shooting whatever you can afford. It will get eaten by the party anyway.

[bigpete]

Amazing stuff Pete, lucky buggar. I worked in Africa for a while, if you want any travel tips feel free to send me a PM. I still have the old spiel memorised we used to give to new workers on contract. EG if transiting in a hotel choose above ground level to avoid burglaries but not higher than 3rd floor as 3rd world fire services may have crapola trucks or no ladders lol. All that sort of thing.
On a safari you will have everything taken care of course and I dont think they want anyone coming to grief.

Also I support the idea of taking your own guns ,and shooting whatever you can afford. It will get eaten by the party anyway.

Cheers mickb. I'll contact you. Tbh I'm not sure what questions to ask or anything. I've never flown or left the country before. As for lucky....I guess so ? I'm only going to be able to do this because dad died unfortunately so its very bitter-sweet. But he'd approve i think.

[Bugman]

Whenever you go, whatever you take with you, just enjoy the experience. Life is way to short and the regrets are always waiting.

[Billo]

Whilst shooting someone elses gun might work out OK I'd prefer to have my own tried and trusted rifle that I know intimately in the heat of the action.

[bigpete]

Since 4am I've been trying to learn Swahili using Duolingo.
Verdict.....I suck lol