Handloads or factory on SA hunt?

I,am headed to south africa in end of april for a plains game hunt the largest animals sought being Kudu and gemsbok. This being my first hunt in africa. Just wondering about how you more worldly and experienced hunters feel about Using handloads on safari? I havent shot a factory load in years other than 22. I almost enjoy crafting handloads and testing as much as hunting. Cost isnt really a factor I just get alot of satisfaction from making my own. I plan on using 160 gr Nosler accubonds in my 7mm mag which has worked very well for me. I also have a 300 ultra mag which works well for me but I always find myself going back to the 7mm. Back to my original question Can any of you see any issues in using my own Reloads? Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

No, I have been to Africa 4 times and have only used my own reloads. Also have used a 7mm mag. but used 175gr. Swift A-frames. But here in the U.S. my go to load is also the 160gr. Accubonds. Like with every thing, shot placement is the key.

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"

Are you any good at handloading? Are your loads consistent performers, and never misfire? Is a 160 gr AccuBond a good choice for whatever you plan to shoot? If the answers are good, then use what you want. Its your trip!

If you're gonna hunt eland, tho, then I would go to a heavier and stouter bullet. That said, I love 260 gr AB for everything in my 375 H&H.

I'm gonna shoot a lot of stuff two months later with my 7 Mag but my go to load is 160 TSX.

on my Zambia safari I took a 270 win. I killed my eland, sable, waterbuck, zebra, and impala all with the 270 shooting 130 gr soft points. I think a 270 gr accubond would be a bit over kill on eland. However if you suck at shooting then the 460 wby mag shooting tsx bullets would be my next choice as you need as much damage as possible on eland and oryx.

However Im with you on reloads. My favorite safari saw me shoot all the plains game with my 338-378 shooting 200 gr nosler ballistic tips at 3750 fps. It blew holes the size of a freight train in every thing it hit. NOTHING survived. it was total destruction. The next safari I loaded 225 gr barnes mrx bullets. They weren't as destructive so there were several tracking jobs.

On my next safari in September im going after elephants in Botswana. I've already started reloading 500 gr monolithic solids for my 460 wby magnum. My last load saw 1 moa groups and the bullets passed through a 36" diameter cedar tree. I recovered the bullet from a sand bank behind it and the bullet wasn't even deformed. That's power right there buddy. I think I will shoot an elk standing behind a cedar tree this year with it just for fun lol.

No problem using reloads on an African safari. I've never fired a factory round on 8 safaris. I've taken everything from stienbuck to elephant with my own reloads, and it IS part of the experience. You sound like a confident and proficient reloader, so go ahead.

I would never advocate having Bubba down the street whip up a fresh batch of reloads for your trip if you don't know about his abilities, etc., but doing your own reloading with all the appropriate care should be no problem.

Bill

Thanks for the input From what Get from you replies is that you have no problems with the reload issue. AS far as my competency in reloading I don't consider myself a pro by any means. But I get lucky and come up with a good bullet powder primer mix every once and awhile. The nosler accubond has worked very well for me on a moose and bear. As far as not having a misfire cant remember the last one but I have had them with factory loads so thats not a gurantee either. Just get satisfaction from putting my own together and taking an animal cleanly. From what I have been reading the 7mm is plenty adequate for the plains game I anticapate taking. Not going after eland. Stinky obviously you like the big bore guns That 460 Weatherby sounds like it might be just as dangerous on both ends! Let me know how the cedar tree elk adventure go,s for you. Getting excited about my first trip to the dark continent. Hope its everything I have been told. I think the wife is just as excited as I,am to go. I have been a daily reader on MM for quite some time but never posting. I have observed somebody make a comment slightly off center of the popular beliefs and watched the dog pack attack. I have been hesitant to join the pack mentality. As hunters I think we just need to agree to disagree rather than go the attack mode. I believe we are just helping the Anti,s out when we divide ourselves. Enough rambling I appreciate the opinions voiced here. Lots of good experience to draw from. Thanx

Stinky your post got me to wondering what reload combo you are using to get 3750 fps out of a 338/378 with a 200gr bullet. I realize the 338/378 is a real hot rocket but that number seems unreal with that combo. Please enlighten me. I bet that definately would be a load to cut down on the edible portions of meat! I think the best way I heard it put is there is only one degree of dead.

Boy Im trying to remember what powder I was using. Im thinking it was imr7828???? Im also thinking it was around 112 grains. As for the nosler book it was waaaaaayyyyyyy over max. I reload a little different. I load till the primer blackens and the bolt sticks. I mark that as max and then back off 1.5 grains. The book was showing something like 3400 fps on the original nosler ballistic 200 gr bullet but I got that puppy whistling at nearly 3800 fps. I never said I was smart but I do like the thrill of pulling the trigger and something bad happening. I know its not smart but its my fun after a stresfull week. Don't judge me.

Heck I even got my 460 wby mag to push that 500 grain bullet at 2750 fps but the dern thing kicks like an elephant, if an elephant could kick. Even more scary is that all those 460 loads are compressed so moisture can lead to future problems if the bullets stay loaded for too long.

Don't worry about that pack mentality. I hate it to. Why do you think I always say stupid things. I like to keep a list of all the a-holes so I know who not to help when they come asking for free help in NM.

Shot those 2 animals you speak of with 200 grain Accubonds from my own loads from a 300 win mag. They did all right on everything from springbok (over kill when you it major bones) up to kudu. I felt maybe the were a little soft on African game where a shot or 2 I thought should of completely penetrated the kudu and a blesbok at around 250 yards but I'm the end they were both dead, so it did not matter.

Pole....your load will do well. Have a great hunt. Let it come to you, go with flow, you will never be the same.


Stinky...you need to write a Reloading book that dicusses techniques lists your favorite loads. Should be a best seliing classic....LOL.

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"

StinkBug,REDDOG & Others here won't admit it!

But they Tamp the Powder so they can get the Slug in!




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