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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 common calibers and serves as a guideline only. The listed calibers do not necessarily comply with local hunting laws which may vary between countries.
Small game
| Steenbok, duiker species, klipspringer, rhebuck, oribi or similar sized species |
| Suggested calibers: |
.223 Rem., .243 Win., 25-06 Rem. |
| Suggested bow draw weight: |
40-50 lbs |
Medium sized game
| Springbok, impala, common reedbuck, bushbuck, warthog or similar sized species |
| Suggested calibers: |
.243 Win, 25-06 Rem, , 6.5x55 Swede (.264 caliber), .270 Win., 7mm Rem. Mag., .303 British, .308 Win., 30-30 Win., Mag., 7x57 Mauser |
| Suggested bow draw weight: |
50-60 lbs |
Large game
| Oryx, kudu, wildebeest, hartebeest, waterbuck or similar sized species |
| Suggested calibers: |
.303 British, .308 Win., 30-06 Springfield, .300 Win. Mag, .338 Win. Mag., 7mm Rem. Mag., 7x57 Mauser, 8x68S (.32 caliber) |
| Suggested bow draw weight: |
60-70 lbs |
Very large game
| Eland, zebra, giraffe |
|
| Suggested calibers: |
30-06 Springfield, .300 Win. Mag, .338 Win. Mag., .375 H&H, 8x68S (.32 caliber), 9.3x62 (.36 caliber) |
| Suggested bow draw weight: |
70+ lbs |
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.
Suggested calibers
| Elephant, Cape buffalo, rhino |
- Minimum .375 H&H or .378 Weatherby Mag., .416 Rem.,
416 Rigby, .450 Dakota, .458 Win. Mag., .458 Lott, .470 Nitro, .500 Nitro |
| Lion |
-Legal minimum .375 H&H |
| Leopard |
-30-06 Springfield or 7mm is adequate |
Popular good all-round rifle cartridges for African plains game
.270 Win., 7x57 Mauser, 7mm Rem. Mag., .308 Win. and .30-06 Springfield
Bullet types
| Varmint |
Fragmenting bullet |
| Medium size game |
Soft point or plastic tipped bullet |
| Large or dangerous game |
Controlled expansion bullet |
| Elephant, Cape buffalo |
Controlled expansion bullet and/or solid points
(Only solids may be used on buffalo, elephant, hippo, rhino) |
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
The Namibian authorities do not place any restrictions on the temporary importation of hunting rifles, shotguns and ammunition. To be able to bring your rifle and ammunition into the country, you have to present a Namibian Temporary Weapon ImportPermit Application Formwith 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. Only ammunition for the specific rifle you are bringing into the country is allowed. A hunting license will be purchased by the professional hunter/outfitter before your arrival.
Although it is not required by Namibian Customs, we recommend while travelling, especially via South Africa, that you carry your gun license with you. Some countries, including the United States, do not issue gun licenses. In this event a copy of proof of ownership should be carried instead. One hundred (100) rounds of ammunition per firearm is the maximum allowable. Only ammunition for the specific calibre may be imported.
Guidelines to complete the rifle import permit for Namibia:
- For details about the address in Namibia contact the office of Intu Safaris
- The "Place of Import/Export" is: Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek
- Should you prefer to travel without a weapon, a rifle and ammunition can be rented at the hunting lodge for the duration of the hunt.
ZIMBABWE
An import permit for rifles into Zimbabwe will be issued upon arrival at the airport.
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 Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek.
- Please transport your gun 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.
- No handguns ( pistols, revolvers), automatic or semi-automatic weapons may be imported into Namibia and Zimbabwe.
- It is legal to hunt with black powder rifles in Namibia.
- It is illegal to transport black powder and percussion caps. These can be purchased in Namibia.
- It is legal to import bows for bow-hunting purposes. No import permit is required.
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