One or Two Rifles?

[Grady]

OK, I did a search and either I missed the answer or it was not there.

Here is the question...When importing a rifle with multiple barrels into RSA for a safari, does it count as one rifle with multiple barrels or does each barrel count as a separate rifle?

The question centers on my Blaser R-93 with a 375HH and a 30-06 barrel...one or two rifles? Also how many rifles can you bring with you int0 RSA for a safari?

 

[Grady]

I am asking the question because I am looking at a hunt in 2016 for my daughters and myself and I an trying to decide what rifles to bring over. In my Blaser, I will bring the 375 but should I also bring the 30-06, 264 Min Mag or the 300 RUM barrel with me or just another rifle (308) for my daughters?

Thanks

 

[brushmore]

Can your daughters handle and shoot the 375 well? If so then there's your answer. That would make things much simpler.

 

[Timt]

I didn't have any problems bringing two barrels with me in 2013 (.308win and 45blaser).
They counted the rifle with one barrel as a whole rifle and the barrel as a barrel. As long as you got licenses/correct paperwork for it it's no problem. I had two silencers with me aswell so a grand total of 6 licenses with the appropriate numbers on them. Was no problems but I would prefer using a meet and greet service with pre-approved permits to make sure.

On the other hand I would prefer to take two rifles in your scenario as you would always end up with the wrong barrel mounted on the blaser since the animal you want will step out just as soon as you mount the small cal on there.

If you are not hunting dg I would probably grab the 30-06 barrel and some good premium ammo and be happy with that. Nothing you can't take down with a 30-06 imo.

 

[Grady]

My youngest is to small for the 375. I am thinking the 375 for me and the 308 for them.

 

[K-man]

The second rifle will come in handy on a long stalk or if both of you want to hunt seperately. Take what you or your daughters shoot best.

 

[Bernard de Lange]

Hi Grady. My 2cents. Firstly what are you planning on hunting? If you are hunting anything to the likes of Wildebeest, Kudu, Eland I would recommend the .375 it is definitely Africa's Calibre. I would recommend bringing both the 375 & 30-06 barrels for your Blaser & a separate Rifle in 308 for your daughters. The 375 is a little overkill if you are hunting average sized plains game. Then stick with the 30-06.

If you are hunting Limpopo area with thick bush the 375 is always the best bet.

 

[Red Leg]

A tough 180gr bullet from a 30-06 will handle any plains you run across. And of course, so will the .375. I did a similar thing with my Blaser S2 in Moz. Brought .375 and '06 barrels. I used the .375 for buffalo and the '06 for PG to include sable. However, in the Delta, when we were after buffalo, we were only after buffalo. On a PG hunt, you will be taking targets of opportunity, and I can almost guarantee that you will have the 'o6 barrel on when an eland steps out and the .375 in place when a record springbuck gives you a quartering shot at 300+. On my first PG safari, I took a .338 and .270, and other than sighting in, the .270 never left the case.

Back to your original question, clearly indicate a rifle with extra barrel on your permit form (if you use a rifle permit service - highly recommended - they can handle easily). All the rifles you named will deal with PG, so bring the one with which your daughters' are most comfortable for them to use. The last thing you want to do is try to change barrels in the back of a truck as your daughter's impala drifts away into the thick stuff.

 

[Grady]

Gents, thanks for the relies. After messing around a little with all the guns and talking with my oldest, I think I have decided on the .308 for the girls and I will stick with the .375. We will be hunting together and my oldest has informed me that if we come across an animal the is to small for the .375 she will gladly take care of it for me with the .308...I guess I may end up being her gun barer for this trip......

By the way, I will be hunting PG. We plan on a Gemsbuck, Nyala, Red Hartebeest, Warthog, Springbuck, Bushbuck. I have a few promising loads with the 308 that I am working on with Varget and 168gr Barnes TSX. With the .375 I will be using 250gr Hornady GMX with Varget again. This load is already showing sub MOA.

 

[BRICKBURN]

............ We will be hunting together and my oldest has informed me that if we come across an animal the is to small for the .375 she will gladly take care of it for me with the .308...I guess I may end up being her gun barer for this trip ..............

Someone has made a plan behind your back!

 

[Scott Slough]

I would check with the outfitter and see if he has a rental rifle for your daughter(s) with a suppressor. I used one on my safari and it reduced the sound and recoil of a 7 mm Rem Mag to significantly below your 308. Sound is MUCH more likely to cause a flinch for me that recoil.

I was so impressed with the suppressed rifle that I will never take a PG rifle with me to Africa.

 

[Royal27]

Gents, thanks for the relies. After messing around a little with all the guns and talking with my oldest, I think I have decided on the .308 for the girls and I will stick with the .375. We will be hunting together and my oldest has informed me that if we come across an animal the is to small for the .375 she will gladly take care of it for me with the .308...I guess I may end up being her gun barer for this trip......

By the way, I will be hunting PG. We plan on a Gemsbuck, Nyala, Red Hartebeest, Warthog, Springbuck, Bushbuck. I have a few promising loads with the 308 that I am working on with Varget and 168gr Barnes TSX. With the .375 I will be using 250gr Hornady GMX with Varget again. This load is already showing sub MOA.

I took my Grysbok with my .375. Tell her that she may not get to shoot much if she uses those rules!

 

[Grady]

Someone has made a plan behind your back!

It seems like I am always the last to find out stuff in my house!

 

[Grady]

I would check with the outfitter and see if he has a rental rifle for your daughter(s) with a suppressor. I used one on my safari and it reduced the sound and recoil of a 7 mm Rem Mag to significantly below your 308. Sound is MUCH more likely to cause a flinch for me that recoil.

Thanks Scott, I am not to worried about the recoil for her, she actually likes shooting this particular rifle (Win Mod 70 with a synthetic stock). And she shoots it pretty well.

 

[Imbambala]

Grady, my advise would be to bring the 375 and the 308. Those two calipers should suffice for any plains game you may encounter. That way your daughters will be accustomed to shooting the 308.