My 14 year old son and I will be visiting the Eastern Cape in July of 18'. Will be looking at general plains game, Zebra/Gemsbuck at the large end. I have a Tikka T3 in .300 Win. Mag. and just preordered a new Tikka Stainless Lite in 6.5 Creedmoor for my son. Looking for recommendations on factory loads for both and optics for the 6.5. My initial thought for the 6.5 is Leupold VX 5 3-15 44mm firedot. Thank you in advance.
Whatever well constructed bullet that shoots well for you. Think swift A-frames, Nolser partitions or accubonds, Barnes TTSX, etc. I would suggest bullets toward the heavier end of the range 180-200 grains in the .300 and 130-140 grains in the 6.5.
More importantly buy or make a set of shooting sticks similar to the ones your PH will use and do a TON of practicing with you and your son. If you haven't already done so train yourselves to reload the rifle while keeping the rifle shouldered and to do so as soon as you have finished your follow through. Every PH I have hunted with (3) always said" reload" immediately following a shot and wanted me prepared for a follow up shot if necessary.
Go online and buy the Kevin Robertson perfect shot book. Read it, study the pictures.
Do more practicing, both live fire and dry fire.
If you are not in shape get in shape, the further you can walk and the more hills you can climb day after day will improve your chances for success and increase your enjoyment.
Bring two good quality pocket cameras, one for you and your son. Take tons of pictures.
More advice than what you asked for.
Where in the esatern cape are you going?
A lot of practice is a good idea.
At least with the professional hunters I've hunted with, a whole lot of walking wasn't needed. I think they all could have made a paraplegic successful.
I used 200 grain Accubonds out of my 300 Weatherby on my last trip and it worked really well on a Gemsbok, a bunch of Springbok, etc.
GRF, Not sure where in the Eastern Cape. Going with a group from church, work for a week on a construction project and then go hunting. The program is through huntsa.com. Thanks for the advice, not sure where to find shooting sticks. Perhaps I will search youtube for video on making a set. I will pickup the book you recommend.
1800; the eastern cape is lovely you will really enjoy it. YouTube is always useful for figuring out stuff. I have made shootings sticks out of hardware dowels, the shooting sticks the PHs have out of some skinny reed are much more rigid than the hardwood dowels.
all the best with your preparations and please be so kind as to post pictures and stories after your hunt.
GRF
A lot of practice is a good idea.
At least with the professional hunters I've hunted with, a whole lot of walking wasn't needed. I think they all could have made a paraplegic successful.
GRF and I have hunted with the same guy in the Eastern Cape. I requested that I hunt and stalk and not shoot from the vehicle, or near the vehicle. I got my wish. Most nights my legs were cramping and feet sore. I was unsure if I could go the next day. But rest and a little ibuprofen got me ready for the next day.
Due to back injuries I am not the most mobile person. But the PH kept learned my limitations and together I got to where I needed to be.
Hunting Africa will spoil you and change you forever. Do not be surprised if you immediately want to go again.
GRF, weren't the shooting sticks bamboo or something similar?
Shoot what your gun likes!!
If you're shooting factory, Try the heavies from different manufacturers (It can get expensive BUT if you're buy a Leupold VX-5......) Then if no satisfactory groups, work down,
For most plains game, any big game bullet will suffice and your standard "deer rifle" for America will not be out of place. Any 270 and above, 3-9 scope, etc....
Now, AFRICA - well that is enough justification for a new rifle, scope, etc - It's not needed but it's an excuse!
bamboo does makes sense now yu mention, thin and quite rigid.
Practice shooting on sticks sitting and standing--- a lot
bamboo does makes sense now yu mention, thin and quite rigid.
Going to look for the materials this week.
1800; the eastern cape is lovely you will really enjoy it. YouTube is always useful for figuring out stuff. I have made shootings sticks out of hardware dowels, the shooting sticks the PHs have out of some skinny reed are much more rigid than the hardwood dowels.
all the best with your preparations and please be so kind as to post pictures and stories after your hunt.
GRF
Going to make the sticks with my son. Preparing is 1/2 the fun.
My 14 year old son and I will be visiting the Eastern Cape in July of 18'. Will be looking at general plains game, Zebra/Gemsbuck at the large end. I have a Tikka T3 in .300 Win. Mag. and just preordered a new Tikka Stainless Lite in 6.5 Creedmoor for my son. Looking for recommendations on factory loads for both and optics for the 6.5. My initial thought for the 6.5 is Leupold VX 5 3-15 44mm firedot. Thank you in advance.
How about a fixed 6x or if you want a variable,a 2x7.
My 14 year old son and I will be visiting the Eastern Cape in July of 18'. Will be looking at general plains game, Zebra/Gemsbuck at the large end. I have a Tikka T3 in .300 Win. Mag. and just preordered a new Tikka Stainless Lite in 6.5 Creedmoor for my son. Looking for recommendations on factory loads for both and optics for the 6.5. My initial thought for the 6.5 is Leupold VX 5 3-15 44mm firedot. Thank you in advance.
How about a fixed 6x or if you want a variable,a 2x7.
Excellent thinking. For my son that glass would work. My thoughts are that after the trip, I could use the gun to get started shooting long range. I do better with higher magnification and an illuminated reticle.
Don't be bashful about getting in practice off shooting sticks with a .22. All of the skills and none of the noise or cost. Eastern Cape hunting will usually get you within 200 yards of your game. Be fit, but EC hunting is not elk or sheep strenuous in all but specialized cases. Weather is very nice in July, and can be cool in the mornings and evenings. Be prepared for lows in the low 40s and the high for the day to be anywhere from 58f to 80f. I know that's quite a range, but i've hunted in short sleeves and in a medium heavy coat and gloves in July there.
I don't know squat about factory loads, but whatever you use here in the states for deer will be just fine, assuming you hit them right the first time.
For scopes, I use nothing but fixed 6X, plus a few random 4X for good measure. I did borrow my pH's rifle in the Limpopo though, but never took the variable he had off of 3X or maybe 4X...can't quit remember.
One thing I should add: bring half the cloths and twice the money you were planning to...
Plus 1 to the half the clothes and twice the cash
Check with your PH about clothes. Many places in the East Cape have thorn bushes much like what are called "cat's claw" in Arizona. Good brush pants can be something you might consider.
Don't be bashful about getting in practice off shooting sticks with a .22. All of the skills and none of the noise or cost. Eastern Cape hunting will usually get you within 200 yards of your game. Be fit, but EC hunting is not elk or sheep strenuous in all but specialized cases. Weather is very nice in July, and can be cool in the mornings and evenings. Be prepared for lows in the low 40s and the high for the day to be anywhere from 58f to 80f. I know that's quite a range, but i've hunted in short sleeves and in a medium heavy coat and gloves in July there.
Love the idea of practice on the sticks with a .22. That kind of weather sounds perfect to me.
Don't be bashful about getting in practice off shooting sticks with a .22. All of the skills and none of the noise or cost. Eastern Cape hunting will usually get you within 200 yards of your game. Be fit, but EC hunting is not elk or sheep strenuous in all but specialized cases. Weather is very nice in July, and can be cool in the mornings and evenings. Be prepared for lows in the low 40s and the high for the day to be anywhere from 58f to 80f. I know that's quite a range, but i've hunted in short sleeves and in a medium heavy coat and gloves in July there.
Love the idea of practice on the sticks with a .22. That kind of weather sounds perfect to me.
I don't know squat about factory loads, but whatever you use here in the states for deer will be just fine, assuming you hit them right the first time.
For scopes, I use nothing but fixed 6X, plus a few random 4X for good measure. I did borrow my pH's rifle in the Limpopo though, but never took the variable he had off of 3X or maybe 4X...can't quit remember.
One thing I should add: bring half the cloths and twice the money you were planning to...
Thanks for the heads up on clothes. I think my son and I should both be able to fit in one 50lb bag.
Save the big scope for when you come back. Yes to home made shooting sticks. Make a bi-pod and a tri-pod and practice with both. Or get a trigger stick and give it to the guide. Carhart double faced pants worked well and were quieter than the nylon bush pants. Filson are good but the waxed double tin can get hot.
Get a pair of boots now and break them in. Practice shooting like you are playing golf or shooting sporting clays. That is walk around and shoot at unknown distances off the sticks if you have a place you can do this. The majority of shots will be standing up so stay away from the bench once you decide on a load.
Don't take too much stuff but where I go overboard on is camera's. One trip I had four and don't regret it. You can give a point and shoot one to one of the trackers and may get some interesting photos this way. Save your money for trophy fees as you will be guaranteed to have opportunities on whatever you don't have a tag for.
I would bring one full size good quality bino and another small one like the Yosemite 6x30 for your son. Sharing binoculars doesn't work well.
Be prepared for cool weather temps can be chilly in the AM in an open car. A down vest or sweater is nice and weighs almost nothing. Have a tougher jacket to go over it or you will leak feathers everywhere.
Have a great trip.
Save the big scope for when you come back. Yes to home made shooting sticks. Make a bi-pod and a tri-pod and practice with both. Or get a trigger stick and give it to the guide. Carhart double faced pants worked well and were quieter than the nylon bush pants. Filson are good but the waxed double tin can get hot.
Get a pair of boots now and break them in. Practice shooting like you are playing golf or shooting sporting clays. That is walk around and shoot at unknown distances off the sticks if you have a place you can do this. The majority of shots will be standing up so stay away from the bench once you decide on a load.
Don't take too much stuff but where I go overboard on is camera's. One trip I had four and don't regret it. You can give a point and shoot one to one of the trackers and may get some interesting photos this way. Save your money for trophy fees as you will be guaranteed to have opportunities on whatever you don't have a tag for.
I would bring one full size good quality bino and another small one like the Yosemite 6x30 for your son. Sharing binoculars doesn't work well.
Be prepared for cool weather temps can be chilly in the AM in an open car. A down vest or sweater is nice and weighs almost nothing. Have a tougher jacket to go over it or you will leak feathers everywhere.
Have a great trip.
Tejano,
Thanks for the advice on Carhartt. We will make those shooting sticks soon.
Steve
Some form of short little gaiters is a good idea.
There are thorns on everything.
There was a grass that had black skinny seeds that they called blackjacks. They stick to everything and are hard to remove from some fabrics. Next trip I might have them stop at an army surplus store and I will buy a couple of SADF sweaters, and just leave them at the end of the hunt with the staff. Beats picking the blackjacks out of my sweaters when I get home ( last day I belly crawled for my gemsbok and was covered in blackjacks).
Some light leather gloves may be handy.
You will get scratched by thorns, whether you wear short sleeves and shorts or long sleeves and pants. I'm not used to the thorns, tend to burn easily and hate bug dope and sun screen. I wore Cabelas lightweight Microtex shirts and Cabelas 7 pocket hiker pants. Texas Huntco gaiters and uninsulated Meindl lightweight hunter boots. All worked well. If I changed one thing, I wish I could have tried a high top Lowa Zephyr boot. They may have been even more comfortable.
Just received notice from the 24hr campfire group buy that my Tikka stainless light is on the way. Planning to order Talley rings and a Swarovski Z3 tomorrow. Any other suggestions?
Wear the clothing that you wear in the USA.....same boots
Even though my African experience is low compared to some I can tell you to not spend money on new or extra stuff.......it's just not needed
Just came from eastern cape . I used a 300 mag in a Winchester model 70 stainless classic. i load a 180 gr Barnes triple shock over 64.8 grains of imr-4831. took kudu,blue wildebeest, gemsbok and an impala all with one shots.i seaedt bullet .04 from lands. Hope u have a great hunt !!!
Last trip I used 140gr. Barns TTSX in a 7 Rem Mag. I shot 6 Mountain Zebra, 2 Gemsbok,Jackal and a Baboon, Use premium bullets and remember African animals vitals are a little farther forward than animals in the U.S.
Lots of great advice in this thread. Follow it and you'll be golden.
Have the scope mounted on the new Tikka T3x stainless lite. What factory ammo does the campfire recommend?
I have hunted the Eastern Cape for the past 9 years and I am going back in 2018. Large parts are very hilly, thus take a rifle and equipment you trust and can shoot comfortably and accurately. Practice with sticks (bamboo works well) and please don't mount a scope for "star gazing". I have used a fixed 6x S&B all these years. Above all enjoy it!
Have the scope mounted on the new Tikka T3x stainless lite. What factory ammo does the campfire recommend?
Whatever shoots best from your rifle
I do however recomend a premium bullet
TTSX, GMX, Accubond, Partition or any comparable bullet
Thanks for all the advice. Have our tickets, need advice on a gun service and place to stay for the Johannesburg overnight layover before the final leg to Port Elizabeth. Can I take two rifles in a case? My son will be 15 years old when we travel I assume I will need to be the person on the paperwork for both rifles. Trying to decide between taking a Ruger #1 .270 or Tikka T3 .300 Win Mag for myself. Taking a Tikka T3X lite stainless in 6.5 Creedmoor for my son. Going with a group of 8 visiting churches and doing some light construction in Transkei then off to hunt.
There are many opinions on where to overnight in J'burg. IMHO:
City Lodge in the Airport--most convenient, especially if you have to catch an early flight out the next morning. It is as nice and modern as any modern one in the US. Food is good, but supper costs extra. When I stayed there for some reason the restaurant wasn't open that night, so I had to wander around the airport to find airport food to eat. Breakfast was great.
Africa Sky--Fantastic place to kick back and stretch your legs some after a long flight. They will handle all of your meet and greet/SAPS, shuttling so you don't have to worry about any of it. It's a 10 minute ride from the airport. You will get a fantastic steak dinner and great breakfast included in the price, and you can grab a few free beers as well. Rooms are nice, clean and comfy, service is great. They also have a USA bank account, therefore you can just go down and deposit your check right into their account and have everything paid before you go, and don't have to use a credit card or cash while you're there.
I'd probably take the 300mag in case you decide to whack an eland. The 270 would work fine for everything else, and probably the eland too with a premium bullet. Eland are HUGE! Good luck, sounds like you and your son will have a blast.
City Lodge, Africa Sky, Afton House and Intercontinental are where most stay. I can only speak to Africa Sky and Intercontinental as I have stayed at both. Africa Sky is turn-key, Permits, Meet & Greet, Lodging and Food, I understand Afton Is too. City Lodge and Intercontinental (both at the airport) you have have to arrange your permit (do it yourself or use a service like Riflepermits.com), hotel and food. Certainly City Lodge will be more affordable then Intercontinental. There are plenty of places to eat at the Airport from expensive Quills (very good) at Intercontinental to fast food in the terminal. My favorite place for fast food is Nando's, Nothing beats their Pari Pari chicken.
I would recommend that you you stay on the airport grounds. It's easier and safer. I have nothing against Africa Sky, other then the bar is outside and in the winter its cold. But there are just too many off airport robberies around the airport. Until that is completely under control, (and they are making some headway) for me its just not worth the risk.
And make sure the rifle permit service you use allows you to fill out the forms, then scan and email them back to the permit service like Africa Sky, Rifle Permits, etc. Some of them tell you they accept the forms by mail only (Air 2000 IIRC). Mailing stuff over there is PITA, and not necessary.
Topsoil.....who did you use for your travel arrangements. If you used Gracy or Steve Turner's Travel With Guns, they will do permits for you as well.
Heading out shooting this weekend. PH tells me he uses Bog Pod Tripod. My son and I will be using the same sticks. What distance should we zero in a 6.5 Creedmoor and .270?
I would zero for 200 yards but make sure you know drop figures out to 400 yards.