I have used a rented rifle once - in Spain - went fine and was necessary due to post hunt travels. Will do so again next year. But I don't like it. Have used rented shotguns (frankly a harder transition) twice in Argentina. Primarily, didn't want to put one of my doubles through that sort of abuse (rounds fired - not baggage handlers). Hopefully, those will be the extent of hired weapons.
A big part of hunting Africa for me is going afield with one of my rifles purchased, glassed, and tuned for that purpose. And I am sorry, I own Leupolds - good scopes - but they aren't a Leica or a Swarovski. Doesn't mean they don't work, but they aren't the same thing and aren't what I am taking on a DG game hunt. I was really glad of the brightness of my Leica equipped .375 twice on my most recent trip to Mozambique. I also think a suppressor on a rifle is an abomination. Turns what should be a balanced extension of eye and brain into something resembling a surf rod. I don't have issues with recoil in .375 and below, and just I don't get the noise reduction excitement when using supersonic rounds. Part of why the US military doesn't mess with them on most of our sniper rifles.
I am also a bit OC with respect to accuracy. I have had to thread bullets into a lot of tight places while hunting Africa. I have also wanted to make absolutely certain on the first shots of the four DG animals I have taken. My experience has been that most outfitters are comfortable with a rifle that delivers minute of buffalo or minute of Oryx on PG. I want sub-MOA. Ammunition tends to be a collection of rounds left by previous hunters rather than the particular weight, make and lot that I know my rifle loves. That is not a situation to encourage confident shooting.
As long as it is allowed, I'll bring my rifles to Africa, Canada, and around the US. It is too important to me not to.
A big part of hunting Africa for me is going afield with one of my rifles purchased, glassed, and tuned for that purpose. And I am sorry, I own Leupolds - good scopes - but they aren't a Leica or a Swarovski. Doesn't mean they don't work, but they aren't the same thing and aren't what I am taking on a DG game hunt. I was really glad of the brightness of my Leica equipped .375 twice on my most recent trip to Mozambique. I also think a suppressor on a rifle is an abomination. Turns what should be a balanced extension of eye and brain into something resembling a surf rod. I don't have issues with recoil in .375 and below, and just I don't get the noise reduction excitement when using supersonic rounds. Part of why the US military doesn't mess with them on most of our sniper rifles.
I am also a bit OC with respect to accuracy. I have had to thread bullets into a lot of tight places while hunting Africa. I have also wanted to make absolutely certain on the first shots of the four DG animals I have taken. My experience has been that most outfitters are comfortable with a rifle that delivers minute of buffalo or minute of Oryx on PG. I want sub-MOA. Ammunition tends to be a collection of rounds left by previous hunters rather than the particular weight, make and lot that I know my rifle loves. That is not a situation to encourage confident shooting.
As long as it is allowed, I'll bring my rifles to Africa, Canada, and around the US. It is too important to me not to.
Last edited: