well lookup this web site and post your question here!

most of these people live in africa
and hunt there all the time-
also run the web search sites for african hunts

also might need to change your rifle
this is a good forum to browse!

http://www.accuratereloading.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1

Derek

I would advise you to come to Africa on a plains game hunt first to get to know the conditions. I use a 30-06 on all plains game hunts. However a 30-06 will kill a leopard but I would not advise it.The smallest cal. recomended for big five hunting is a .375 HH. Please feel free to contact me if you need any information.

I;ll be leaving for my first African hunt June 16, I'm carrying a 30-06 for plains game.The only question i have is which is the preferable choice for a trophy : kudu or Gemsbock? I can take either.

I have hunted both,

The Kudu is the harder trophy to find in the bush. They are not called "the grey ghost" for nothing.

Personally I find the Kudu to be a bigger challange to hunt because of their exceptional hearing. Those ears are like radar dishes. So the reward is bigger when you finally bag a nice bull

Gemsbok makes the BEST jerky, so you will probably be able to sell the meat to a butcher for a little extra cash.

Derek,

I used to guide in South Africa and am currently a hunt broker for the same company, Adansonia Safaris.  I suggest that you begin on plains game but I have seen many clients start off with the big boys.  One thing you should consider is that Leopard is a very difficult hunt (not physically) and often takes 10+ days to bag a nice Tom.  We hunt leopards by bait at night, like most outfitters, which leaves time during the day to target other desired species.  However, you do not want to be off your game during a cape buffalo hunt so you will need to book a safari that will give you enough time to take both trophies.  I strongly recommend South Africa, if you plan on getting your trophies back, as Zimbabwe and other countries can experience shipping "difficulties" at times.  As far as your rifle, a 30-06 is perfectly fine for a leopard but definitely not for a Buff!  I would recommend a .375 H&H with a CZ action or even a .416 Rigby (for loading purposes).  The most important thing to take into consideration is the bullet you select.  You want a bullet that will stay together through thick hides such as a Accubond or Barnes Triple Shock.  

If you are interested in some of our packages I will gladly send them to you!  Currently we have a great 7 day plainsgame package and an awesome Buffalo (<$14,000) package.  Let me know if you have any further questions and I will offer my advice based on past experiences!

Sincerely,

Marcus

Hi Derek

i am an outfitter in South Africa, think you should go for the plains game hunt. that 30-06 would be perfect for this. my thoughts though.

go check our website

www.bosendal.com

regards 

Gerrit

Hi Derek

To take a Buff and Leopard on 1 trip might be a bit to much.For a leopard hunt you are looking at 14 days.Maybe a Buff and some plains game in a 10 day hunt can be what gets you hooked on Africa.By Law all of the big 5 must be taken by no less than a 375 but the cats can go down with a well placed 30-06.

I still think any hunt in Africa memorable.If i can help with anything please feel free and happy hunting.

i hope you get your trip to africa planned and executed as it is so fun to hunt there. i used a .300 mag on the leopard and it was certainly more than enough ( i only took the .300 as i used it on giraffe, waterbuck, and zebra during the same hunt.) with good shot placement, a .30-06 should do it. you do have to have a .375 or greater for cape buffalo. i used federal 300 grain nosler partitions and sledgehammer solids with excellent results. i like namibia for hunting and will be returning for the 3rd time this summer. when deciding which gun to get, if you are seeking a .375 or larger, consider several issues: ammo cost .375 h&h is much cheaper (but still not CHEAP) than .416, .404,.458 so you can practice more and shoot for less recoil as the number goes up, so does the recoil. for me, the .375 is not much worse than the .300 mag, compared to being run over by a truck for the .458 lott, which i no longer own availability of ammountion sometimes your gun gets to you but the ammo does not. most places will have greater access to .375 h&h, than other calibers. i do not know the availabiltiy of .375 ruger in africa if you were considering that rifle. my .458 was a CZ 550 and i would not buy that one again due to quality issues. availability of rifles you can get a .375 in many brands, compared to higher calibers which are more limited in selection best of luck to you.