Rifles and Cartridges

African Game Species and Cartridges
Importation of Hunting Rifles and Ammunition

AFRICAN GAME SPECIES AND CARTRIDGES

We recommend a rifle in a caliber of at least 7mm for African plains game, fitted with a 6x40 scope and approximately 50 rounds. This is, however, a personal matter and we suggest that you use whatever you are comfortable with. Remember bullet placement is all important.

The list below includes some of the more commonly used calibers and serves as a guideline only. The listed calibers do not necessarily comply with local hunting laws which may vary between countries.

Dangerous game
Typically the big five like elephant, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino, as well as hippo fall into this group. The legal minimum caliber for these species (except leopard) is .375 H&H..

Popular good all-round rifle cartridges for African plains game
.270 Win., 7x57 Mauser, 7mm Rem. Mag., .308 Win., .300 Win. Mag. and .30-06 Springfield

References
http://www.chuckhawks.com/hunting_rifles_game.htm
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ammunition/danger_111406/
http://www.cartridgedisplays.com/Woodplaque1.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/metric_cartridges.htm

IMPORTATION OF HUNTING RIFLES AND AMMUNITION

NAMIBIA

Firearm importation and restrictions for Namibia:

• The minimum caliber allowed for plains game hunting is a 7mm (.284).
• The minimum energy required at the muzzle is:
• 1,350 joules (996 ft-lbs for small- and medium-sized game
• 2,700 joules (1,991 ft-lbs) for large-sized game including eland, leopard and lion
• The minimum caliber allowed for large and dangerous game like African buffalo and larger, are .375 or 5,400 joules (3,983 ft-lbs).
• A maximum of 2 rifles and 60 rounds per rifle are allowed per hunter. Only ammunition for the specific calibre may be imported.
• Additional shotgun ammunition can be purchased from local gun shops.
• Black-powder hunting rifles may be imported into Namibia, but the importation of black powder is forbidden. Black powder can be purchased from local gun shops.
• No handguns, semiautomatic rifles or crossbows are allowed for hunting.

Temporary Import Permit for firearms into Namibia

• Although it is not required by Namibian Customs, we recommend that you carry your gun license with you while travelling. Some countries, including the United States, do not issue gun licenses. In this event a copy of proof of ownership should be carried instead.
• The visiting hunter must personally clear his/her gun with the police on arrival.
• To be able to bring your rifle and ammunition into the country, you have to present a Namibian Temporary Weapon Import Permit Application Form with your weapon to a customs official upon arrival at the Windhoek International Airport. You can download the Import Permit or you can complete it at the airport.
• To be able to complete the form, a hunter needs:
• Rifle details (Brand, Serial number, Caliber, Amount of ammunition)
• Proof of ownership of the firearm. US citizens need Customs Form 4457 signed and stamped by US Customs.
• The “Place of Import/Export” is: Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek.
• Address of the hunting farm or outfitter where the hunt will be conducted. For details about the address in Namibia contact the office of Intu Safaris.
• Passport
• Home address
• Return airline ticket (flight number and return date)
• Note: Should you prefer to travel without a weapon, a rifle and ammunition can be rented at the hunting lodge.

• Bows don’t need an import permit.
• The minimum energy level at the bow for plains game is:
  • 34 joules (25 ft-lbs) for small game
  • 54 joules (40 ft-lbs) for medium-sized game
  • 88 joules (65 ft-lbs) for large plains game
• The big five may not be hunted with a bow in Namibia.

SOUTH AFRICA

Hunting licenses, permits and regulations

• Note: Below is a summary of some of the most important rules and regulations and these are amended from time to time. Hunters should be aware of these regulations, but the outfitter and PH is responsible for obtaining the necessary documentation prior to a hunt and for the exportation of trophies.
• A foreign hunter does not need a hunting license when hunting on a registered (exempted) game ranch.
• However, hunting on a non-game proof fenced ranch (non-registered), foreign hunters need a hunting license issued by the provincial authority.
• If hunting on a non-registered ranch, different rules, regulations, seasons, bag limits and license fees apply and these vary between the 9 provinces.
• The Threatened and Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations of South Africa are part of the Biodiversity Act of 2004 and lists the following species: black wildebeest, bontebok, mountain zebra, roan antelope, tsessebe, oribi, blue duiker, Sharpe’s grysbok, cheetah, leopard, African wild dog, hyena, black rhino, white rhino, elephant. Not all species may be hunted and new amendments are made from time to time. Hunters need to be aware of the regulations to ensure the necessary permits are in place for hunting these species and exporting the trophies.
• Additional TOPS regulations prohibit the hunting of rhinos and large predators in a put and take situation. It prohibits the darting of these animals unless under the supervision of a veterinarian and with the required permits. The regulations further prohibit hunting in a small controlled area, like on a small game ranch.
• Hunting TOPS listed species with dogs, using .22 rimfire, airgun, automatic weapons, shotguns, and luring animals with bait (except leopards, hyena), sound or smell is illegal. Hunting from vehicles, boats or aircraft and using spotlights is also prohibited.
• Bowhunting of TOPS listed large predators, rhinos, crocodiles and elephants, is not permitted.
• Hunting at night for species like leopard or hyena using artificial lights requires a special night-hunting permit.

Firearm importation

• Make sure you have the following documents in hand:
• Passport
• Return air ticket
• A stamped and endorsed “Proof of ownership”. US citizens need a 4457 certificate obtainable from a US Customs office or download 4457 certificate.
• SAP-520 form (download SAP-520 form). The form must be completed in black ink and in readable block letters. Please note that the form must be signed in the presence of a police officer at the South African airport.
• Letter of invitation sent to you by the outfitter. The outfitters permit number must be on the invitation.
• The outfitter also needs to list:
  • 1. Hunting area
  • 2. Caliber of weapon(s) needed for the hunt and a statement that the weapon(s) will be used for hunting only
  • 3. Period of the hunt
  • 4. Type of hunt the client has purchased e.g. plains game, big game, bird shooting etc.
• Two firearms are permitted, but these may not be of the same caliber.
• Two shotguns are permitted. If they are of the same gauge, prior permission for importation is required.
• Fully automatic guns are not allowed into the country.

ZIMBABWE

Minimum requirements for rifles and bows

• Elephant, buffalo, hippo
• A minimum bullet diameter of 9.2mm and energy level of 5,300 joules (3,910 ft-lbs) is required. In practice this means a 9.3x62 as the minimum caliber but most operators regard the .375 H&H or 9.3x64 as the minimum.
• A special permit is required for hunting Class A game with a bow.

• Lion, giraffe, eland
• A bullet diameter of at least 7mm (.284) and an energy level of 4,300 joules (3,170 ft-lbs) is necessary.
• In practice, a 7mm Remington Magnum with a 175 grain bullet is the minimum. Most operators would regard the .300 Magnum as the minimum while many require a .338 Winchester Magnum as the minimum for lion.
• A compound bow with a draw weight of at least 35 kg (77 pounds) and an arrow of minimum 45 gram (702 grains) is required. The broadhead may have only two cutting edges.

• Leopard, crocodile, hyena, kudu, sable antelope, blue wildebeest, waterbuck, zebra, nyala, tsessebe, hartebeest, gemsbok, blesbok
• A bullet diameter of at least 7mm (.284) and an energy level of 3,000 joules (2,115 ft-lbs) is necessary.
• In practice this means a 7x57mm Mauser with a 140 grain bullet.
• A compound bow with a draw weight of at least 32 kg (71 pounds) and an arrow of minimum 40 gram (624 grains) is required.

• Warthog, impala, reedbuck, bushbusk, sitatunga, jackal and animals smaller than 25 kg (56 lbs).
• A bullet diameter of at least 5.56mm (.22) and an energy level of 850 joules (630 ft-lbs) is necessary.
• In practice this means a .22 Hornet with a 45 grain bullet. However, most professional hunters will require a larger caliber like a .243.
• A compound bow with a draw weight of at least 25 kg (56 pounds) and an arrow of minimum 30 gram (468 grains) is required.
• A shotgun or a .22 rifle may be used for birds.

Firearm importation and restrictions for Zimbabwe:

• A hunter is required to show proof of ownership. This can be a firearm certificate or customs export declaration (e.g. US Customs Form 4457).
• An import permit for rifles (Visitors Certificate to Possess Firearms and Ammunition) into Zimbabwe will be issued upon arrival at the airport. Remember that Zimbabwe, like most countries in the world uses the English system of writing dates - day, month, year. Writing dates correctly may prevent problems with the paperwork when leaving the country.
• A limit of 5 rifles is partially enforced. Ammunition imports is limited to 300 rounds. To import more rounds, the outfitter is required to obtain a special permit in advance.
• Handguns and shotguns may be imported for hunting purposes. However, handguns are legal in some areas only and require an import permit. This can be applied for by the outfitter.
• Black-powder rifles are legal but needs to be minimum of .40 caliber and the professional hunter must be satisfied with its performance.

Temporary importation of firearms into South Africa

Flight connections to Zimbabwe often require that travelers have to overnight in Johannesburg. This then requires anyone carrying a firearm to obtain a temporary import/export permit from the South African Police Service at the airport. For details on firearm importation into South Africa, refer to the guidelines above.

• Only compound bows are allowed for hunting.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Take out full insurance for all firearms before travelling anywhere in Africa.
• At the check-in counter at your point of departure, insist that the airport agent checks your firearm all the way through to your end destination e.g. Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek, Namibia.
• Transport your firearm in a lockable, hard gun case.
• Ammunition may not be transported in your rifle case, but instead must be transported separately in a lockable, metal ammo case. As you may be in transit through other countries, these laws may apply.