T/C Encore in Africa

[teamnelson]

Well, I lived in the Horn for a bit, and may not be able to get Africa out of my blood! (No, really, at least that's what the lab says

Anyway, I might be considering a move to SE Africa (Malawi, SA ??). I also enjoy shooting my Encore, so I was wondering:

Which barrel(s) should I take?

Please keep in mind that I would not so much be going for the Safari, although if I'm there, I may want to check into a hunt or three. So if you were a resident, what would you want to have on hand?

[JJHACK]

If  your not a South African Resident now then I doubt you will move there. Getting citizenship or even residency is nearly impossible unless you have some special skill they cannot live without.  Getting a Work permit is about zero or less likely because they have already got about 30% unemployment from the people already there. Their country is locked up solid for immagration and employment.  

If you're being transferred there by an employer you may have a slight chance to get the permits. The employer will be pressured into hiring locals and training them first and may need to prove in court that nobody local can be trained to do the job.

If that is the way you get in that does not mean you can bring a gun. As a visiting hunter you can bring a gun and get a "temporary" permit. As a temporary resident that is going to be another whole can of worms to open up. The gun laws in South Africa are such that you must now have
"proof of need"  to own a gun.  As a recreational hunter that is becoming difficult!

Here is a recent post from another forum from one South African in RSA to another South African now living in  Canada. Believe this!

This morning I recieved a E-mail from a very dear and long standing friend in the RSA with strange request.

Would I be willing to recieve his entire collection of very fine rifles and guns to keep and to have as my own. And he was/ is dead serious to the point where thing are already in motion to export the arms to me.

The reason?

The new SA gunlaws.

A while back he applied for a licence for a new gun ( a original Westley Richards in 318) and though he is classified and certified as both a collector and bona fide hunter (as per the gun law) he was turned down. He appealed the police action through SAGA sanctioned lawyers and things are not looking good.

75% of all new applications now get turned down.

This is bad cause the gun business will go down if they cannot sell guns cause nobody gets licences.

Also he was warned by the SAGA lawyers:

The crap is going to hit the fan when all have to reapply for new licences which apparently has to happen in the near future.

The proccess calls for a "proof of need" to have guns owned by the owner.

If the state feels that the "proof" is not valid they turn down the application. What then? you can appeal but you lose the gun to the cops who keep it in lock-up until the appeal has been heard, if that fails you lose your gun/ guns to the cops who have destroy them by law.

The new act does not recocnize property rights when it comes to guns and no compensation will be paid out.

The implication of this is simply to huge to comprehend. I have friends who own and shoot Brit shotguns and old rifles that are worth huge sums of money. With the stroke of a pen these all are rendered worthless by an ill concieved act.

What is also incomprehensible is that should you wish to export those guns the same police have to issue the export permit ( they can refuse) and here lies the twist.

An official of the UN sanctions the movement of that arm or gun from one country to another.

So my friend recons that in stead of losing his guns to the ANC government he is giving them all to me.

This means I'm looking at owning some fine Mausers and Farquharsons in very cool calibers, 404, 350 rigby 300 H&H, 6.5 x55 etc etc.

It brings about some problems for me personally as I have a large numbers of rifles still in the RSA that need to be brought over, the problem is finding someone (courrier company) that will ship guns to Canada?

[teamnelson]

Well, that's not good news about South Africa and guns. Just a thought, but your friend has any contacts in the UN community, he may be able to find a way to get it to Canada.

My work situation is already figured out, although with what you've said, I'm thinking Malawi would be the better option for me. You wouldn't happen to know the gun issues there would you?

Still looking for the answer to my first question: which caliber?

Looking at some of the historical posts - 30-06 is a local favorite. Obviously 375HH would be a nice one to bring as well. How about 45/70? How about .308? The former because its a good all arounder in the states in brush country; the latter because military surplus ammo out of SA is available.

[vhunter]

Just my opinion but I would use the 375 H&H. I just bought one in an encore and luv it! Great caliber for anything close and far away! If not a 375, I would opt for a 45/70 with a 405 cast bullet.