My buddy, from the Texas hog hunt, and I have been kicking around a plains game hunt in Africa for the summer of 2005-06. Originally, I was gonna take a NEF handi, in .30-06. After my Texas hunt, I got to thinking[dangerous!], it sure would be fun to use my .45-70 guide gun! If a guy shot enough, limited his shots to 200 yds. or so, I think he could get anything he wanted. I'm looking into Namibia and RSA. My wish list is as follows.

1. Zebra
2. warthog
3. gemsbok
4. impala
5. kudu
6. bushbuck[RSA only]
7. bushpig[RSA only-if I'm lucky]

Any of you boys doing any thinking or planning? I know it sounds like a lot of money[gonna budget $8500 for everything except taxidermy], but when I see what NA guided trips are going for, Africa don't sound too bad afterall! Guess I'll call it my "Cowboy Safari".

Mad Dog

Last couple of "Successfu Hunter" magazines have had articles by Brian Pierce on his safari to Africa and all the game he took with a Marlin .45-70, including cape buffalo!

Check those out.... good reading.

I googled Successful Hunter/ Brian Pierce and got nothing.A little more help please? Thanks
cw

Go to www.Garrettcartridges.com and follow the world record link.

Uh oh...

some more hicks takin a levergun to Africa.

Ought to burst a few more "Double Bubbles" and cause fits with the folks at AR. May have to change that forum to "ER" if anymore DG critters fall to the lowlyleverlovers.

Many African plains animals appear sized about like medium whitetails. CABELA's has a large taxidermy display in Owatona, MN.

I don't know the species as well as I should. Gazells, impalas, antelope are just some of the animals I'm talking about. But seems to me that a hunter who can stalk to within reasonable distance will do fine with his favorite Marlin.
TR

You see, I have this recurring dream of wading into a herd of angry cape buffalo with my 45-70 leveraction and just shooting, and shooting.................oh! I hate it when I wake up at the best parts.

Then I realize I have three daughters with braces, college looms in the future and there is always the Grandaughter to think about. Guess it is time to go load some bullets.

Keep us dreamers posted.
Don

Call me a hard-core, but if I can't take my levers to Africa, I don't want to go.

Seaweaver, try Rifle magazine, sister publication of Successfull Hunter. I believe the articles MikeG talks about are in there.

Sunday creek, I don't blame you. Weapon of choice should be entirely up to the hunter, provided He's up for the task physically, mentally, and skill level up to snuff. Some hunt with rifles, some with pistols, and others choose a bow(compound or traditional). It's up to the individual hunter to decide what weapon is right to take his trophy. A decent sized game animal taken with a lesser weapon can easily become the trophy of a lifetime. Jeff

Hey Guys,

I'd love to hunt Africa.......Greater Kudu, Cape Buffalo, Elephant!!!

I've been dreaming about it for about thirty years now..... probably not on a teacher's salary.

Lobo in West Virginia

I'd like to give it a shot, but I may not be of the same social standing as you guys with the Marlins. {This is said with tongue firmly stuck in my cheek.}
I have a Winchester 1886 in 45-70 that's just busting to go shoot something big and foriegn.
Can I wear my cowboy hat?
Jim

Gonna give you boys something to think about.....I'll be 53 yrs. old in March. Been thinkin about africa for oh.... 25-30 yrs. I've had 2 real close friends die in the last 2 yrs. Remember, you are here for only a short visit..... I was always to PRACTICAL to spend money on such a FRIVILOUS pursuit. Yet, I've put money away for retirement, got re-married, bought her an explorer, bought me a jeep, gave the kids money, remodeled.... I guess what I'm sayin is you only go around once, and ya can't take it with you... if you REALLY want to go- plan now- borrow the money- pay it back-memories are worth a LIFETIME!

Mad Dog

I googled Successful Hunter/ Brian Pierce and got nothing.A little more help please? Thanks
cw

Seaweaver,

Look for 45-70 in Africa, Marlin 1895 in Zimbabwe. By Brian Pearce. In Rifle (Sporting Firearms Journal).

Part I: January-February issue
Part II: March-April issue.

The March-April issue is on the stands now.

flatdog.

I want to try it! Only problem is, i dont have a marlin 1895, or any big bore rifle!

NH_Hunter

That should be one of the more simple problems to solve, NH_Hunter! :D

The Winchester 1886s Extra Lights are in the same price range as the Marlins and shoot the same bullet.
You have plenty of time to correct this oversite and start load testing.
Jim

I can vouch for Mad Dog's outlook. I'm in the same area age-wise, and see lots of my friends talking about what they're gonna do, and they never get it done because of one thing or another, then they're gone. That's why we take one overseas vacation a year (and they can be comparatively cheap if you shop the 'net. China last year was $799 for 12 days in-country, all inclusive, meals, air transportation from SF, ground transportation, etc. Australia the year before was $1495, including air fare from LA, hotels, & a few packages for two weeks in-country. Peru the year before was...well, you get the idea), the main thing is decide to do it, then figure a way. I don't hunt there, but the same principle applies.........if ya want to hunt like that, put it together. You're not going to get any younger.

I have hunted Namibia twice and have taken gemsbok, kudu, springbuck, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, and eland. I didn't bring my 1895SS Marlin in .45/70, I used a .300 Weatherby instead. But, just about all my shots were under 200 yards. The only long shot I made was a second shot on the zebra. He was hard hit on the first shot, but had run off to about 350-400 yards and he stopped, the PH said "they are tough, shoot again."So go with your lever rifles I feel the .45/70 will do well on all species I shot.

One of the issues with using a .45/70 is that some African countries have laws regarding calibers and minimum ballistics. In Zimbabwe the minimum caliber for dangerous game is 9.2mm. The .45 caliber easily meets that requirement. The other requirement, however is the minimum muzzle energy, and that is just under 4000 ft-#'s. I'm not sure who enforces the ballistics laws there,but I think Mr. Pearce was in violation, but his PH allowed him to hunt with the .45/70.

Some of you said money was an issue or that you dreamt about hunting in Africa. I had those same aspirations and when I turned 60 I said to my wife lets go. I took the money from my TSA and decided I would work til I'm 65. I don't regret it one bit and we are going back for a third time. Heck I may have to work forever, but African hunting is like hunting in Heaven.

Hatch........if you make it to 50 in this life and haven't done what your longer to do, well you best stop bi***ing about it and buy yourself that ticket to where ever it is your wanting to take a look see. Life is a Heck of a lot shorter when you reach that 50 mark.

Pick out a good outfitter and put it all down in writing......no hand shakes or promises over the phone. Now comes the best part, leave that Lever Action at home, if your planning on hunting dangerous game in Africa.
This kind of a hunt is what a model 70 Winchester was made to do and how it got it's name "The Rifleman's Rifle".

Call me a hard-core, but if I can't take my levers to Africa, I don't want to go.
God bless you Sunday! :D

Many of the large african species have been imported here to Texas, and have done quite well on the larger, well managed game ranches. With the exception of the big cats, these animals are free range and are just as elusive and/or dangerous as if you were in Africa proper. You might look into contacting some of these ranches and seeing if you can get a package deal, and then you would have a little less expensive way to get some of the meat into your freezer(s). Then you'd have to go to Africa to make up for the game that isn't managible in the States, and complete your collection properly. That's a good way to rationalize your trip into a longer, but more financially managible quest! :D

I also would like to add that I think it was Garrett ammo that proved that the heavy 45-70 at less than magnum speeds out penetrated most all the traditional double rifle bullets. Correct me if I'm wrong and I'll hunt down the right article showing the results.

And heck yes! I want to go to Africa with my lever gun and hunt the big-un's!

If any body want to know the truth about hunting Africa, Its Vince Lupo he is the man, He has proved he can take all of the 5 great big game animals in Africa using a 45/70...and many other big game animals. He is the Elmer Kieth of todays times, A nice guy to boot, I have spoke to him on Marlin forums when they were up, Vince pop in and out of the forums to answering questions and give his professional opinions. Really a down to earth guy and great Big game hunter. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/images/26.jpg

Now that's gonna be a big gut pile!!!!!

You got that right Mike. Man if I could get a gut pile out in the woods up here I could Yote hunt all year over that pile LOL. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

My dad talked to a doctor once who had shot an elephant on safari. Report was that the 'locals' had it butchered and carted off in 5 hours. Now that's some real work.

How big are elephant tenderloins? Anybody ever eaten any elephant meat????

At one time on the Marlin forums,someone that did not know Lupo, stated it was a waist to kill a huge animal for no reason and all that waisted meat, Vince replied bye stating all the meat is taken bye the villages near bye,this helps them greatly due to there poverty, in tern they help vince and his crew with the hunts, and believe me those hunts are not cheap. Vince is a well off business man and can afford these costly hunts. Mike I have not tried elephant meat yet;) but I have eaten many other exotics in my time. I would try it, nothing ventured nothing gained. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

Mad Dog, I agree with your logic competely; it's exactly why I went to South Africa last July, with my Marlin Guide Gun. Same thing--dreamed about it for years, I'm 52 myself and ain't getting any younger. Figured like the Nike commercial says-- "just do it". Took Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Black Wildebeest, and Warthog with my .45-70. Took Kudu, Zebra, Bushbuck, and Gemsbok with my 6.5 Swede. Our PH, Danie Van Graan of Engonyameni Safaris is apparently the only PH in RSA who uses the .45-70. He was happy to see two of us show up with them. I once read of a philosohy of life called the "gutter" philosphy that makes sense. You're laying in the gutter after having just been hit by that bus, dying, and you don't want to lay there and think "****, I should have gone on that safari" (or whatever your dream is/was....).

Just go for it....

Any of you gents going to Africa after plains game and want to try some ammo free send me a PM and I'll discuss the details. In the next month or so I'll have a brand new 380 grain bullet (controlled expansion jacketed) loaded in my ammo. It takes a while to get all the testing done so I probably won't be able to send any out until June or July. It will be suitable for anything up to eland (1500lbs.) . All of this ammo is completely water proof,temperature in-sensitve and pressure tested by Hodgdon. regards,reflex264

Mad Dog
I what you to just think about this ...
What does a shipping contaner cost ? =$ 600.00
How much can it hold ? 20- 40 tons
How much does it cost to ship it ? if you own it ?
1000.00 one way Its 40 feet long ..how longs your truck ? would it hold two chest frezzers .. can you just by a used frezzer unit and leave it run on the return trip ..yes. do i have to pay exter on duty fees ? No.Will a 20 man tent fit inside the contaner with my truck and frezzers ..YES.
Can i find some one that will let me set up my own tent on his land there..and do i get a discount if i use ever thing of my own ..sometimes....look for priv. owners call write find out ever thing you can,..
if you spend the time and do the home work you can have the greatest safari ever for over a month.with atleast 4 guys and there wifes for about $25.000. It can be done.. bring your own.
Pottsy

All you guys that have thought about and rejected a hunt to Africa because of the cost, think again. It is cheaper than a guided hunt to Alaska for bear. I am going with Mafigeni Safaris (www.mafigeni.co.za) in late April. I booked this hunt almost 15 months ago and they had quite a deal. For one hunter, one each Blue Wildebeast, Impala, Blesbuck and Warthog, roundtrip airfare from Melbourne, Florida to Johanneburg, RSA, all accomodations, food, laundry, trophy fees and PH daily rate was $4000.00. Gratuities for the PH and camp staff are extra, probably another $300-400 and shipping of trophies was extra. I'm taking my wife as a non-hunter and the total cost (without all the money she'll spend on souveniers) will be $7500.00. I can get a Kudu for another $1000 and I'm going to do it. I too am in my early sixties, still working for a living and going in hock for this thing. I figure by the time I've saved the cash, I may be too old or too out of shape to do it. I'm taking a .280 Remington as my primary rifle but my Marlin 1895CB for anything the PH says we'll see within 150 yards. I'll let everyone know how it turned out when I get back in early May. This is only a 7 day hunt with 2 travel days.

AMEN! And the biggest levergun I own presently is in 44 mag. Not really interested in the BIG 5 with probley the exception of cape buff. Here's a crazy idea i've been brain storming- getting a $175.00 NEF Handi-rifle in 45/70, and reaming out the chamber to 45/110. Probley drill a few holes in butt stock, and pore lead inside for added weight, and add a heavy duty recoil pad. Depending on sources this action is level 2 to level 3 in strength. I'd work up some hot level 2 (500 grain at 1900 fpe) 45/110 loads for my cape buff gun (of course with PH behind me with his 470 NE for back up), and still be able to shoot 45/70 loads in a pinch. Probley dislocate my shoulder, and get a nose-bleed but oh such fun! Yes I am crazy. Boy would that get some of the AR DB guy's panties in a bunch. I think a BLR in 450 Marlin would be fun too. But if I had to go tommorow, i'd feel comfortable with my Marlin 94 44 mag, since my main objective would be the Porcine Big Three: Wart Hog, Bush Pig, and Forest Pig, with maybe a few plains antelope thrown in for fun.

Don't wake me up!

Call me a hard-core, but if I can't take my levers to Africa, I don't want to go.

Funny thing happened this morning :)
I was looking on line for more RWS brass for my
9.3x64 bre/ and my Marlin GS was just sitting there in the corner of the room and i thought to myself Hmmm.
I wounder?? so i grabbed up one of my emptys (9.3x64's ) and stuck a 286 grainer in the empty case and it slide down the chamber and guess what
Its XXXX nere the same butt size ..then i got this wild idea Hmmmm i wounder? a 45x 9.3x64 you would have to shorten the case by a bit then blow the neck out ( fire form it ) .But a person light be able
To get a longer case ( as it is the 9.3x64 is no
slouch) i shot mine with the as you may have guessed 286 grainer at about 2450. the guns kinda old its a Sho/Lar .germ/made rifle ..
But i sitll think its a sound Idea ...anyway
Pottsy

Just look up and read reader the post yeekk
i ment to say Not butt size but outer case size as the 45/70 have a much larger butt size then the 9.3x64 bre/.
Also a factory loaded 45/70 with a 405 grain slug comes to the top of the neck of an empty 9.3x64 case.
This means any reformed case would have to be 1/2" shorter in over all .

I just don't get Africa.What's wrong with Elk and Moose?Man the cost per pound is high.What's better than a Horse hunt in the Wilderness of Idaho-Montana or Wyoming?If your not going to eat it,why kill it?

Just poor folk from Idaho.

As for me ? I plan on eatting what ever i kill err ok maybe not the lions.. that would be bad anyway ..Thats why taking it with you. rather than them providing it to you is still the best way to go.Pottsy

I just don't get Africa.What's wrong with Elk and Moose?Man the cost per pound is high.What's better than a Horse hunt in the Wilderness of Idaho-Montana or Wyoming?If your not going to eat it,why kill it?

Just poor folk from Idaho.
Actually you eat some of the meat taken. The remainder is sold to meat wholesalers or, in some countries, given to the locals. Nothing is wasted.This system where you pay a trophy fee and sell or distribute the meat that is left over gives the wildlife commercial value. In other words it makes it better than raising cattle or putting the land to other uses.

The romantic image of hunting in Africa is the lure, I suppose.

On the downslope side of the 60's, I've seen enough things fall down dead that the thought of more really doesn't hold much interest. Now, getting something for the larder at the same time does hold interest.

Of late, my hunting trips have resulted in returning with as many rounds as starting. Not to say the opportunity wasn't there to shoot something, just would rather pass unless it was good eating or an outstanding representative.

I have eaten a few kitties(Cougers) in my day.Not all that bad.They have a local( in Riggin's Idaho) game feed every year where you can taste just about anything that is edible.If your curious about the taste of certain game,that's the place to be.They also serve soda and bring meat from all over the world.

Just my opinion.Jayco.

Uckkkkkkkkkkkk Thats kinda like eatting your nabors cat no thanks

Pottsy

Curiosity killed the cat.If ya havn't tried it,It's edible if your hungry.

I use lot's of ketchup.Jayco.

Killed a large tom turned calf eater a few years back. While dressing and skinning my thoughts kept conjuring up images of neighborhood felines and I had real serious intent of tossing it out for the coyotes. Was nice clean looking meat, though.

Several of the mexican vaquero's drifted by the shed where I was working and really lit up when the carcass was offered to them. Understand they thought it was a real treat for their burritos. Several of the ranchers in the area told me everyone around ate the lions and considered them fine meat.

Think I'll still pass.

Well crud i think i told you guy's my trip's been called off till 2005 Feb.... No kitty killing for me.

Just thought i would also post that john's a poo head
I WANTED TO GO .. ahh now thats out of my system
..I lost my advance to :( dirty ro^^^ flas&& mast$$
It's ok i can alway bump him on the sholder next year as part of the pay back while we hunt ..
Pottsy