African Dangerous Game caliber requirements

[chukkars]

I have a question I posed on the "lion video" topic that maybe JJHack could answer. Are there caliber requirements for dangerous game in African coutries. After watching the lio video numerous times with my boys and talking with "rimrock" I agreed with him that the recoil on the clients gun looked light. No judgements being made. I'm just curious as to the regulations in most African countries, if any, on caliber. Not that I'll be hunting Africa this next year as I'll be far to busy making the rent but, maybe the year after.

 

[jjhack]

This is always a topic with the answeres posted using very generic terms. What I mean is the typical answer given is that the 375HH is the minimum for the big five.
Those animals being Lion Leopard, buffalo, rhino, elephant. Giraffe and Hippo should be included as well in some countries.

The real problem to answer this in a blanket statement is that there ate 63 countries on the African continent. Not any of them follow the same rules. In Kenya there is no minimum because they allow no hunting! In Tanzania they have a FPE minimum but they don't allow wildcat rifles. The brass must match the stamping on the gun. In Botswana it's a similiar deal. In Zimbabwe it's a 375HH or equal diameter and FPE minimum for some but not all of the big five. Leopard can be shot with less, so can Giraffe. Hippo must be shot with 375HH or a rifle with equal diameter and FPE.

In South Africa the northern most provinces and KZN have a 375HH minimum on Public land or non-exempt land. On Exempt properties there is no minimum for any animal. Although it's illegal to hunt anything with a .22 rimfire unless proper exemptions are granted. In South Africa there is "law" and there is "Policy". The two are easily confused and create much of this problem. As an example the law clearly states you cannot use a gun that shoots a bullet with each pull of the trigger. That means a bolt action of some sort is legal and a semi auto is not. However it's legal to hunt with a handgun like a double action revolver. A revolver clearly shoots a bullet with each pull of the trigger. It is not legal in any way. Yet the policy is to allow revolvers. What is the most famous action style of all African big game guns? The double rifle, right? Well it discharges a bullet with each pull of the trigger too. It's also been deemed "OK" by policy even though by law it's absolutely illegal!

I once had a guy bring a Semiauto BAR rifle. In the SAPS office he was told it was not a legal firearm and he could not bring it in. I had a talk with the SAPS office and told them we would only ever put two shells at a time in the magazine while hunting making it exactly like a double rifle. We were granted a temporary exemption for that rifle to be used during the hunters stay.

I would not even bother trying to get that to happen again. Once being that lucky is about all I can hope for in a lifetime! So as you can see the laws regarding minimums are a bit more complicated them it would seem. The other issue is what did the hutner have in his hands at the time of the opportunity? Thats the biggest problem I face with hunters wishing to bring two different guns. You never have the right one when you need it. Just bring the best one you have and shoot everything with the same big gun. THe days of "gun bearers" have long since passed. When you leave the truck for the day, you will hunt with what you bring!

The final comment is that this rifle very likely had a muzzle brake and showed very little muzzle lift because of it. I do not know this but have seen and shot enough "Braked" rifles in my life to know they don't come up much. My partners 458 win mag has less muzzle rise then my 30/06 and about the same felt recoil.

 

[chukkars]

Thanks JJ. I guess Africa is no different than the U.S. when it comes to this question. A lot of gray area but, always interesting. I'm certain I would wan't "enough" gun if I were hunting thick-skinned or dangerous game but only up to what I could shoot accurately with confidence. Advice I've read my whole life from most gun-writers.

 

[arizona hunter]

JJHack, thanks for all the info...wow! When reading in magazines it always comes off as cut n dry .375 or something else....I appreciated you sharing your knowledge, concerns and even a touch od humor.

IF I ever get to hunt "plains" game in Africa I've been told that Namibia is good for a first safari, any comments? Oh, I am NOT a trophy hunter. I couldn't care less about heads and skins, but I love the experience of hunting the outdoors and a new place.

Thanks

 

[Hntrjohn]

I think Ted Nudgent took his lion in the 70's with a 7 mm Rem mag. What country, I do not know.