Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa 6 Weeks Away--Here are our plans

I took a book bag and a large wheeled case on my last trip. Everything that I needed fit in the book bag, but you can't carry on ammo and I will not check camera gear or binos. I filled the wheeled bag with t-shirts and other gifts for the PH and staff. You can then bring home any trinkets in the empty bag.

Leupold sent me a new, complete set of mounts. I'll carry these as backups, but won't put them on my .375. So far, they've been bullet proof on a well-traveled 300 Wby, but, since I have the Optilocks, I'd as soon trust them on a hard kicking gun.

One thing is for certain, the Leupold QR Sako mounts are cast, then machined into a stream-lined shape. They would likely be fine for most applications, but not all.

I own 2 sets of Optilocks that I bought in the 80's and early 90's. These were Stoeger imports, and, once upon a time, well-supported. The only issue, of course, with Optilocks are the inevitable expense associated with them when you break a plastic insert or ruin a screw head. Since Berretta cut the US suppliers out of the picture, and, Berretta doesn't support them worth a hoot, be prepared to pay $50 or more for replacement parts. Still, in spite of Berretta (and, I do believe they are a spiteful outfit), overall, its worth the weight and expense of the Optilocks.

Anyway, I should have all my bases covered when I leave. I do appreciate Leupold's level of service.

PS, I mentioned in the quoted post, I'd spin up the TSX's. In my 20" barreled Sako, with 73.5gr RL15, they run 2550 fps and, on average over 5 groups of three (15 shots), run 1.25" @ 100 yards. Should work for the bigger African stuff.

sounds like you are going to Namibia based upon the game list and I think you have the right game for the country. I did a similar hunt a few years ago, found that 1 rifle .375 H&H with 270 grains Barnes X loaded to about 2500 fps was perfect.

As for knives, flashlights, agree with all comments above, instead of the knives, cash and cigarettes are greatly appreciated, probably more so than knives.

have fun

After talking to the outfitter, its cash preferred. So, that's what I'll do. Hadn't thought about cigarettes, though. I bet that would be appreciated.

I, too, just returned (May 29th) and will support the advice given here. 2 changes of clothes would have been plenty, but I took three. Take a GOOD flashlight, as if you need it, you will want the brightest one you can get.
The 375 and loads are very similar to my winchester, 2.5-8x Leupy with 270 grain Barnes TSX handloads,and I could not have been happier.
Be ready to hunt, as the bush in SA was very thick and visibility was very tough. Take shoes tat are very quiet to walk in, as plainsgame can hear better than the FBI on a stakeout.
Enjoy your trip, treat your PH well, and take lots of pictures!

Best of luck!

Matt

I left a carton of smokes with the outfitter to give to his trackers/skinners. Also gave my outfitter a couple of rolls of duct tape and a box of 375 H&H Swift A-Frames. I didn't know if he had a 375 or not but figured he could use them for trade bait. Turned out one of his rental rifles was a 375 H&H. Dad also brought a couple bags of mixed chocolates to give our PH. He was munching on those all week.

This was in addition to the cash tip I left.

And I'll second Ingwe on bringing some Ranch dressing if you can.

Does the ammo go in a separate bag than the guns, like in the duffel with clothing? Haven't flown with a rifle since the mid 80's.

The ammo has to go in a locked box and NOT in the same case as the rifle. There is a weight limit of 5kg for ammo IIRC. Thinking of putting 25 rounds in my luggage and 25 in my wife's. Maybe one will make it.