SA with two 375s

[JamieD]

I'm going to Zim for buf, ele, leopard, and to SA for plains game. I have two 375 RUMs 1 with a 1.75x6 scope sighted in with barnes 350g TSX and solids and 1 with a 3.5x10 scope sighted in with barnes 270g TSX. I would like to take both to Africa so I have load and scope more suited to the game at hand. Also I would have a back up in case of damage or malfunction. The question is; is there a way around the 2 guns of a caliber in SA (like the permit for handguns for hunting) or (letter from PH saying you will be hunting two different kinds of game)? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Frederik]

JamieD, do you have someone coming along on the trip as another hunter or observer ? If so you could get that person to bring in one of the rifles for you and get the 4457 custom form signed in his name.

Otherwsie no and either ones of the scopes will work but I would opt for the 1.75x6 scope if at x6 magnification it looks too far to shoot then it is. Bring one rifle with the two different loads and just rezero after the first hunt. You could test at home what are the differences in POI and you could get to know how many clicks roughly would get smack bang on again.

Anyway logic tells me that if you zero the 350 gr bullets at 100 yards the 270gr bullets will shoot higher but if you are going to shoot plainsgame at longer range the 270gr loads should be a good bet to print 1-2" higher anyway at 100. So there shouldnt be too much hassle with rezeroing.

 

[JamieD]

Thanks Frederik as my wife is going with I assume that she could do the papers on one gun (that is if I can talk her into it).
FYI the 270gers at 3050 fps hit 2.5" high and 2" right of the 350s at 2675 fps the high I expected as you did but the right surprised me. But it is what it is. If I slow the 350s down to 2500 fps then they hit 2" low but not nearly as flat if I get a shot at a duiker or bushbuck while hunting buf in Zim.
I was also wondering if anyone has experience with the barnes 350 TSX or solids in one of the Big 375s on game. I've only used the 270s for everything from pigeons (practice) to elk, bison, and eland. I didn't get through and throughs on bison or eland both at little over 200 yards. Too fast and not enough SD I suppose.
Thanks again!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Thanks Frederik as my wife is going with I assume that she could do the papers on one gun (that is if I can talk her into it).

I'm only speculating when I say this, but if you go that route you may need to have your wife also listed as a hunter on your letter from your outfitter. Others I'm sure can correct me if I'm wrong.

Another option would be to use quick detachable rings on your scopes. Take the rifle that is most accurate with the lighter loads and sight in the 3.5-10 again using quick detach rings with those same loads of course. After that, swap out for the 1.75-6 scope and sight in with the heavier loads. The advantage here is you're only taking one rifle with you and if it gets "lost" in the airports, you're only out one rifle. Additionally it would preclude grabbing the wrong rifle for the wrong animal and make you think about it a little more.

I'm sure you've thought of this already, but I would have a concern carrying two bullets of the same type for the same caliber but of two different weights. If seated to the same OAL, you could easily mix up the bullets. The easy solution to this would be to mark the brass to identify which are which.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

I'm only speculating when I say this, but if you go that route you may need to have your wife also listed as a hunter on your letter from your outfitter. Others I'm sure can correct me if I'm wrong...

His wife will definitely need her own "Letter of Invitation" from the hunting outfitter.

JamieD, You may want to read the following article: Importation or Transiting Procedures Through Countries with Weapons & Ammunition.

 

[JamieD]

Phoenix Phil The two scope idea is what I think I will do, this is what I was going to do last year but the buf hunt fell through late in the planing so I didn't take both scopes. I built a second 375 rum ( I enjoy the first one so much) and wanted to be able to play with both, but more work then it is worth.

As we will be hunting three areas this year (1. buf, ele; 2. kudu, eland, zebra; 3. springbuck, reedbuck, duiker) I think I will take one 375 with two scopes and then a 300, 7mm-08, or 270. The 300 is my go to gun but is a little over kill for the little guys, so will lean toward the 270.

I had thought about the two barnes loads looking alike, I take a marker and put a ring around the head and neck of the round this can be seen from the side or top. But thanks for looking out for a guy.