I cannot attest for the scientific accuracy for this survey but the general idea clearly filters. I am not in any way associated with this survey and I did not contact the author at all. Below is merely what the author reported. The source is mentioned right at the end and if you want to remain unbiased then read the report before going to the source. I am also unsure as to when this survey was undertaken and I'm sure salesmen now have a better idea about what to sell because hunters are seemingly becoming better informed prior to arrival.
Pieter
This is the report:
A SURVEY OF WHAT AFRICAN PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS WANT YOU TO BRING.During the past years, I have undertaken an intensive survey of African outfitters and Professional Hunters, (PH�s).
Most PH�s have said that there are two times they are scared when hunting, (ok, maybe three):
l. When they go to meet a client at the airport that they have never met before. He has no idea what this guy looks like and what kind of shape he is in.
2. When the client opens up his gun case, and they head for the range. Lord only knows what the salesman at the local discount store sold this poor guy. This is especially true, since odds are that the salesman has less experience than the client does.
The client tells the clerk that, "He is going to Africa and what does he need?" The salesman immediately hands him a 300 Loudenstomper-Ultra-Wounderby with a muzzle brake and a great big scope.
The salesman never even asked what he was going to hunt or at what ranges or conditions might be encountered.
3. The final time he is scared is when the client wounds a Buffalo, Lion or Leopard, because he (the PH) is the guy who must find that animal and finish the job. Moreover, guess who has the best chance of being chewed on?
Below is listed the replies of the PH�s contacted.
What do "most" PH�s want a hunter to bring for guns?
For Plains game: (Including Leopard)
Most important, is that a client bring a gun he is familiar with and can shoot the best.
1st choice is 300 Win Mag with 26 votes
2nd choice is 30-06 with 24 votes
3rd choice is 338 Mag with 18 votes
4th choice is 7 mm Rem Mag with 9 votes
5th choice is a 270 Winchester 7 votes
6th choice is 7 mm STW or any of the ULTRA Magnums
For "Dangerous" Game (Buffalo, Lion, Elephant, Rhino, or Hippo):
1st. Choice is 375 H&H with 54 votes
2nd Choice is 416 Rem with 11 votes
3rd Choice is mixed Double Rifles of 470 etC.
Are many of the scopes hunters bring too big? 48 yes and 5 no.
Is there any particular gun or scope that you HATE to see one of your hunters arrive with?
First place went to Weatherby (aka, Wounderby), they got 27 votes. The new ULTRA Calibers and STW�s are not getting any raving reviews so far either.
Followed by the 308 Win, 264 Win.
The reason the most everyone hates the Weatherbys, (and the Ultra�s) is because the recoil is too severe, and the client flinches and then makes a bad shot.
IF a man uses the RIGHT bullets AND can stand the recoil, the Weatherby and Ultra�s are awesome killers.
Scopes were not a major factor, except if a variable power, the client always has it cranked up to max all the time. Better to set it at 4x or 6 x and then if needed, power up to 9x or 12x.
Do very many hunters bring reloaded ammo? 48 yes. Which is about 1/3 or more of their hunters.
Is there particular factory ammo that you LOVE to see your hunters bring?
Federal Premiums with Nosler Partitions or Trophy Bonded Bear Claws got 51 votes,
Remington ammo with Swifts got 19 votes.
PMC or Wby with Barnes X bullets got 14 votes.
Winchester Fail Safes got 9 votes.
Have you ever experienced any misfires?
Factory misfires. 78 no 5 yes
Reload misfires? 79 no 4 yes
Do you or any of your PH's reload? 17 yes 49 no.
Do you think that the "Super Premium" bullets, like Trophy Bonded, Swift A-Frames, Fail-Safes, and Barnes-X etc are worth the extra cost? 59 yes 24 no.
How about Nosler Ballistic Tips and other "plastic tipped" bullets?
A simple NO will cover the replies. They are too violent on impact, and seriously lack reasonable penetration.
Should your hunters practice more? 77 YES
Do reloaders tend to be better shots than those that do not reload? 66 yes 2 no
Do you like hunters to bring guns with KDF or Mag Na Ports?
75 NO and 0 yes (Better to bring a smaller gun that kicks less.)
If hunting dangerous game, does the client REALLY know what might be in store for him?
No way, they watch all the Mark Sullivan videos and see TOO MANY charges, (and most of those are allegedly staged anyway.) What they really do not realize is that their little soft bodies are not ready for the bush.
They bring Boots that are new, and their feet will hurt an hour after arrival. No way are they ready for a long hard hunt on foot or their belly.
Many clients are there only because they feel it is the "IN" thing to do and they must keep up with the "Jones". They are much wiser the second time around.
Source:
African PH opinion survey source