Bringing Wildcat Ammo to SA

[Idaho Joe]

I have an upcoming handgun hunt for plains game booked in SA and want to bring my TC Contender pistol chambered in .309 JDJ. Problem is, .309 headstamped brass is more rare than an honest politician. As I understand it the headstamp on the ammo is supposed to match the barrel markings on the firearm it is intended for.

Is there a special permit that can be acquired to bypass this for essentially wildcat rounds?
Thanks.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

check with Henry at Rifle Permits and see what he says, that said I have never had my ammo looked at in SA

 

[Rare Breed]

First no to your question about a special permit. Second, SA rarely checks ammo head-stamps. They only care about your gun serial numbers matching your license. Don’t even think about doing this in Zim or Moz. They will confiscate your ammo.

 

[Idaho Joe]

Thanks guys!

IF SA checks the ammo, what do they do? I've only heard one guy say his ammo headstamp was checked.

 

[JimP]

I've been over twice. The first time even with a flight inside of South Africa nothing was checked as far as ammo. On my second trip nothing was checked on my flight to Port Elizabeth but on my return to the US Qatar Airlines did weigh my ammo flying out of Joberg. But no one even looked inside of my ammo case.

I would just not worry about it. If they do check it and do confiscate it then just use a rifle from the outfitter. I know that you want to use your own but there really are not too many options. But as other have mentioned, check with Henry at Rifle Permits. com. If anyone actually knows what might happen he would be the one.

 

[matt85]

As far as i can remember, my ammunition was not checked in RSA or Namibia. I would be fine taking your setup to either of those countries.

With that said, we are talking about Africa here. Be prepared for something to go wrong.

 

[Idaho Joe]

...we are talking about Africa here. Be prepared for something to go wrong.

This is what keeps me awake at night Matt!

 

[matt85]

This is what keeps me awake at night Matt!

Bring two guns suitable for all the game you plan to hunt. Have one of them be in a widely available cartridge.

If i ever make it back, i will likely be in a similar possition. I want to take a hippo on land with my 8-bore. As a backup rifle i have a Win M70 in 416RM.

 

[Idaho Joe]

Thanks to everyone for your replies! I feel better about taking the ammo now.

Matt, that's the plan, a .44 mag and the .309.

Jim, thanks for the suggestion on Henry at Rifle Permits. He replied promptly with some good advice.

 

[Smokewagonokc]

When I went in June/July I took my .480 Ruger and .350 Legend. They never looked at my ammo.

 

[Rare Breed]

Henry at Rifle permits is the very best and I use him every time I go to Africa

 

[Idaho Joe]

Henry at Rifle permits is the very best and I use him every time I go to Africa

RB, This is a group hunt, so they already have a guy. But whenever I go in the future Rifle Permits are my guys!

 

[358 Norma]

Next June I will be going on my second Buffalo hunt, and I will be taking my custom Winchester mod 70 470 Capstick (If it's done in time) and a Winchester model 70 Stainless Classic 375 H&H. The plan is if my ammo were to get lost that I should be able to obtain suitable 375 H&H ammo in South Africa.

Now I have a question with the temporarily import license for my firearms can I legally purchase ammunition in South Africa or will it have to be a under the table deal with my PH!