Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa 30-06 in Africa

https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Can-...nited-States-of-America-for-personal-con

Unless you've got the proper permits indicated above in The link above, if US customs finds it when you come in it will be confiscated and you might face a fine.

The couple of times I've seen guys have it confiscated that was all that happened along with an ass chewing from the customs agent.

I've only come across one PH, a relatively young guy, who would dive as deep as you wanted to into gun gack.

The other's main focus centered on using what worked to get things done.

30-06 is very popular with locals in Africa, as illustrated by widely available ammunition. My guide used 7x57 for backup to my 7m RM, so 30-06 is more than capable up thru kudu.

I'm sure you're convinced by now, but to chime in, I used (almost) the same rifle on most the same animals you mention including Kudu (mine was a Tikka superlite 30-06). I was shooting 150 Etips and worked perfectly on everything I shot, just like it does here. If I did it over, the only thing I'd probably change is taking my Montana in 308 instead, just because I like it a -little- bit more than the Tikka.

I have used camp rifles on my 5 safaris in 22-250 (Springbok), .243, 30-06, and .375 H&H. So far I have not been charged a rental fee or for the ammo. The 30-06 did a great job on plains game from Blesbok up. The .243 did an outstanding job on a Red Hartebeest. African animals aren't bulletproof as long as shot placement is good. I would stick to 30-06 or larger in heavy bush.

more very useful thoughts and information yes i will stick with the 30-06 Tikka ,6 x Leupold , my handloads 180 gr. Nosler Partitions because i have plenty.my good friend who has been to Africa a few times is taking his 340 Weatherby mag. and a 223 , not sure on the other two`s rifles ? thanks again Pete53

I'm off to RSA in 2025. My outfitter said to bring my 30-06 and my 7-08 as my other. Mirrors all the advice in this string. I should have.come here first. 🙃

Generally U.S. Customs uses beagles to sniff out illegal meat on flights from Africa coming into U.S. Or at least they have on the trips I've made. I suspect this is because beagles have great noses, but are also well-behaved around lots of people, and not big enough to panic other incoming passengers.

Anyway, they are known among some incoming passengers (especially those living in Africa who love their dry meat) as "biltong beagles."

In the days before "biltong beagles" I did smuggle in some buffalo biltong inside my hunting boots....

another question : will this 6x power scope be ok ? or should i use a 1x5 Leupold ? i have both ?

My FN wore a 3.5-10X Leupold and it was fine.

My goodness. I have never had significant problems in the 23+ trips I have made.

I do my own paperwork for my rifles. No problems.

I usually take one rifle. If your rifle isn’t reliable enough to fire 40 rounds in 10-14 days you need a different rifle. I use common cartridges. Nothing fancy.

An extra scope and extra screws are nice but I have never had to use them. Incidentally the Africans love Leupold.

Two rifles are much more hassle than one primarily because of weight and volume.

Occasionally a bag shows up a day late but the airlines deliver it to you in RSA or Namibia. With airline apps that monitor the status of your bags that isn’t much of an issue.

I always use Patrick Wright for tickets and his staff guides me thru paperwork.

This is valuable background information.
It would appear that the pre-64 Model 70s in 30-06 will stay home while an older scarred custom Mauser M-98
will be making the trip. The Mauser is from the early 60s and is chambered in 30-06 Ackley Improved, but
it chambers and shoots 30-06 standard cartridges as designed.

Definitely Noslers and Swift 180 gr A-Frames. Along with an extra Leupold scope -readily attachable.
Or just maybe bring along the worn other Model 70 as a backup rifle-same caliber, almost. Decisions.

Pete & Fuller - You both might be overthinking this a little. Take whichever rifle you are more comfortable with and can shoot the best. I've never needed a backup rifle or scope in the 30 years I have been hunting in Africa (I leave tomorrow for two months). It's always good to plan for every possibility, however, your PH should be prepared for any challenges that come your way with firearms and scopes. So grab your best rifle and don't sweat the details.

FWIW

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This right here is the answer

Keep the Leupold 6x on your .30/06 and go hunt in Africa.

A word on variable power scopes and other field gadgets. Clients tend to get fidgety with variable power scopes, binos, range finders, etc when they should be on the sticks (if needed) pulling the trigger. If you have a variable power scope, set it for 6Xish and don't mess with it. Most of your shots will be within 150 yards.

The odd time you find yourself in a salt pan with zero cover, then you have time to crank up the power and contemplate bullet drop and wind. Pretty easy to find yourself with a 300+ yard shot in those conditions. Then there are the Vaal rhebuck shots; those can get quite challenging.

Of course dangerous game is another discussion...

I’ve taken 3-9, 4-12 and 1.5-5 scopes over there at various times. The only reason I took one as powerful as the 4-12 was the 3.5-10 on my 8 mag went TU about the second to last time I shot the rifle before leaving. The only reason I took a rifle as powerful as the 8mag was because one of my intended animals that trip was an eland. I generally leave my scopes set at 5-6x. If we go into thick cover I’ll turn it down. If a “ long” shot is required there will almost always be time to crank up the X if needed…. But if I recall the longest shot I’ve ever taken in Africa was a very nice zebra stallion shot with my 308 and 168Tsx at something around 280 yards. The 1.5-5 was on my 416 for buff and it was set at 5x for a 137yard shot. Actually 4 shots but that a different story! All of the shots killed the bull but as long as he wasn’t hooves up I kept shooting!

Your trusted 06 with a quality 6x will be perfect. Take the 1-5 as a backup if you’d like.

I’ve done rifle paperwork myself and have also used Riflepermits a few times. Don’t let the thought of transporting your own rifle be intimidating. It’ll take 20-30 min in the SAP’s office and a little paperwork and an inspection of your rifle. It’s all very simple.

Good bud killed a nice buff two yrs ago. Like you, he put 4 fatal shots into one, shot until it dropped. Never got out of sight.

He shoots a PF M-70 .416 Rem. PH liked 400 SAF, so that’s what he used. So I reckon PF’s can cycle pretty fast; bud is a good shot.

DF

Most of the PHs I have met in the Eastern Cape use the 270Win. Use good bullets and your 30-06 is more than enough.

on a different post on 24 hr.campfire starting to read about some problems with Tikka X3 bolts this is the rifle i was going to take ,that worries me some ? but since i have so many 7 mm bullets like 1,000`s i am considering to use my Remington 700 - 7 mm mag. that has been accurized , including a custom trigger and shoots extreme well ? >anyone else have trouble with a Tikka X3 bolt action ?