Which Lever Action & Caliber for AFRICA?

[UMFAN1]

If you were going to take a lever action to Africa to hunt plainsgame and some larger antelopes, which gun and caliber would you take? I also posted this question in the Lever Action Forum.

[JJHACK]

I would first check with the laws regarding action types in the country you intend to hunt. I think Lever actions are allowed in most but I have never had a hunter bring one. Some countries will not allow Pump rifles or shotguns so  there may be issues with Lever actions as well?  I know several guys hunting in RSA that have used Lever Actions so I know they are allowed in our country for visiting hunters to use.

The lever action is not a good idea in Namiba or the RSA's eastern cape, or free state where 300 yards shots can be common. I don't know of anyone using the lever action design for those long range shots. In the Bush of the Nothern Province it is a fine rifle with shots being typically under 150 yards or so. If you have a bigger then 30 caliber cartridge in mind which will shoot well for you to 150 yards that would be fine. I get most of my clients shots at 100 yards or so on average. The key is getting on target quick and making a good quick first shot. The bush animals don't give you much time to aim and locate a nice solid rest to shoot from.

My preference is for scope sighted bolt action rifles. However I have had plenty of guys with Archery, Muzzle loaders, crossbows, and handguns. I don't personally care what weapon a fella wants to hunt with. Ideal is a bigger then 30 caliber bullet that shoots well for the hunter to 150 yards. That's my opinion on what works for plains game only. If you're interested in bigger stuff then we need to talk more about it.

[Lawdog]

UMFAN1,

JJ, of course, has given you good advice.  But if you want a lever action and IT IS LEGAL where you want to hunt then I would look into a BLR from the good folks at Browning.  Available in calibers from 22-250 Rem. to 30-06 Sprg. to 7mm Rem. Mag. and 300 Win. Mag..  The WSM line and of course the .450 Marlin.  The .450 Marlin is like a short .458 Win. Mag. in that you can use spitzer type bullets and get near .458 performance.  Check them out at http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/category.asp?value=003B and see for yourself.  Lawdog

[UMFAN1]

Lawdog, Thanks for the input. I wasn't sure about the legality of it, but think it sounds like an interesting idea. I read an article a few months back about a hunter who has taken his 45-70 Marlin GG to Africa and has successfully hunted some larger species over there.
I am looking at buying a BLr in .358win. right now though. Sounds like a great gun. I'm really looking forward to shooting it. The 450Marlin would be fun also.

[Lawdog]

UMFAN1,

My only bitch with the Browning BLR in .450 Marlin is that short 20" barrel.  I have a Win. M70 in .450 Marlin with a 24" barrel and wouldn't change a thing on it.  With it I made one shot kills on Caribou, Moose and a large Black Bear in Alaska last year.  Reloaded the .450 Marlin with round nose or spitzer type bullets is an accurate, hard hitting cartridge.  I have no intention of letting go of either of mine.  Lawdog

[Brian T]

go to the Garret Web ister and look at the photos of vince Lupo.  He killed all of the big ones with, a 45-70 and garret rounds.

[500grains]

go to the Garret Web ister and look at the photos of vince Lupo.  He killed all of the big ones with, a 45-70 and garret rounds.

..so he says...but there are some internal contradictions in his articles making the story smell fishy.

And he said 4 out of 6 dangerous game animals charged him after being hit with the garrett ammo.  Charges are relatively rate, and 4 out of 6 is unheard of.  So either Vince is not telling the truth, or he is telling the truth and the garrett ammo was a miserable failure.

So back to the original question: What lever for Africa?

I think any of them are good as long as you turn them into cash and go out and buy a good mauser or model 70 for the hunt.