South African Safari, what guns to take/buy?

1

I have purchased a hunting trip to SA and we’re going in 2025. I’m taking my son and two son in laws. I am buying new guns for all for the trip.
So far,
Bergara B14 Wilderness with Carbon barrel .300 win mag Leopoldo 3x9 Freedom
Weatherby 307 Alpine CT .300 win mag Burris veracity PH 4-20 x 50.
Fierce Carbon Edge 7mm mag. Zeiss V4 6-24 x 50

I plan to buy two more .300 win mags so we all have common ammo.
What guns to buy? I’m thinking a Fierce or Tikka. My son and I are left eye dominant. Both son in laws are righty’s.

2

I would message your outfitter and ask them. I was told that I didn’t need a 300 Win Mag for any plains game except for Eland. I shot a Gemsbok, a Blesbok, an Impala, and a warthog with a 30-06 and they all went down with one shot. I love the 300 Win Mag, so I’m not trying to talk you out of anything, but my sons and I are doing the same thing in 2025 in the Freestate region. Hunting Kudu, Gemsbok, Springbok, and maybe an Eland. I am taking a 7mm Rem Mag and a 257 Weatherby Mag. They told me to leave the 7mm except for the Eland.
I hope that you have as great a time as we did in 2022!

3

Wow, what a trip! That’ll be a lifetime memory.

Could a Sako S20 be on the menu? It’s a stout platform that would be a perfect match for a 300 Win Mag.

4

Jim,
I can’t find a retailer that has one in stock. I’ll keep looking. I’m looking for lefty’s now.

5

Are the outfitters saying you cannot use a 300wm?
As a 300wm fanboy I like your thinking. Not needed means go ahead and do what you want and then if you go for eland you are ready. And when you come home to hunt you all have something useful here. I am not sure of all the constant hesitation against 300wm. Who would use an 06 to save a few lbs of recoil. And if recoil is the issue get a Cm or 7mm-08. I understand if you weigh >160 lbs or something but a 6ft 200 lb person should not have an issue. From the bench use a lead sled. Get threaded muzzles and add brakes or cans. I do not ever remember noticing recoil in the moment when shooting at an animal. I have shot 3 thing guns that I decided that hurt - 458 wmag, 460 weatherby and my mossberg 12ga pump with 3.5 turkey loads - ooh boy.

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I think that it is perfectly fine to use a 300 Win Mag, the outfitter that I used was just trying to say that it was not needed. That was why I suggested talking to the outfitter.

It will definitely be a lifetime experience!!! but be prepared to “catch the bug!” We were on the flight home and my wife was already making plans to go back :sunglasses:

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