.22-250 in Africa

[Rigbymauser]

I borrowed last time I was in Africa a .22-250 Mauser 98 type for accational small game hunting.

Here is results from unformel "safaris" at my friends house in Vryystat.

The .22-250 offers fine oppochunities as an allround gun/caliber for steinbok,springhare, duiker, and blesbok + jackel. All this game living on the unfenced(freerange) grassveld for almost a price of next to nothing, and yet it gives the guest/hunter a full time pleasure like anyother hunting.
All game here are shot between 20m to +300meters with a sierra varmintbullet of 50grain.

I found a few warthog dens(burrows) aswell, but they were abandon. Had I seen one, I would feel confident to shoot it.

 

[DrMike]

Never gave much thought to using a 22 calibre in Africa. I can see where that would bring a new level of fun to the hunt.

 

[alaska100]

My son and I had the same experience as you did Rigbymauser. We used a borrowed 22-250 and the cost of shooting some of these animals are very inexpensive and fun. Bird hunting is another one a lot of people dont think about when thinking about Africa, but they have great bird hunting also

 

[JD338]

I never that, thanks for posting.
The new 64 gr BSB would work really well.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Ruark used the .220 Swift in Africa, in the 1950's and was thoroughly unimpressed with it, however I think he was trying it on creatures too large for the fragile varmint bullets available.

I could certainly see a .223, .22-250 or similar cartridge being useful!

Guy

 

[Africa Huntress]

Guy you are correct, he was always pushing the envelope.

As rigbymauser and Sean have mentioned there are many animals that can be hunted with a small caliber. Steinbok, Springbok, but only the "common" is inexpensive, Jackal, Duiker, Klipspringer, Blesbok, even the Caracal ( but the Caracal is not a cheap one ), also the wart hog, baboon and bush pig are inexpensive to hunt and a smaller caliber can be used.

Sean mentioned wing shooting. South Africa rivals Argentina with pigeon and dove hunting--and like Argentina there are no bag limits. 12 different waterfowl species can be hunted plus high altitude grey wing partridge. Waterfowl and Partridge do have daily bag limits

You can rent shotguns and small caliber rifles when you get there

 

[Hegland]

the wart hog, baboon and bush pig are inexpensive to hunt and a smaller caliber can be used.

Call me crazy, but if I ever get to Africa, a baboon is a must. The ugly beasts have it coming.

Very intriguing thread!

 

[DrMike]

the wart hog, baboon and bush pig are inexpensive to hunt and a smaller caliber can be used.

Call me crazy, but if I ever get to Africa, a baboon is a must. The ugly beasts have it coming.

Very intriguing thread!

Man, killed because you're ugly! Glad it doesn't apply to humans--does it? :shock:

 

[Hegland]

Man, killed because you're ugly!

Looks aren't the main motivation, but at least in pictures they do happen to be quite ugly. Just sort of a deep mistrust type of thing. I may have a change of heart if I ever actually laid eyes on one, but I'm pretty sure my first impulse would be to get it out of here. I have the same reaction to possums. There's no such thing as a good one, but being dead is as close as they get to it.

 

[usmc 89]

the wart hog, baboon and bush pig are inexpensive to hunt and a smaller caliber can be used.

Call me crazy, but if I ever get to Africa, a baboon is a must. The ugly beasts have it coming.

Very intriguing thread!

Actually Hegland, I would go to africa just to shoot baboon. From what the PH I was talking to said it sounds like huge fun.

Ruark did mention his brevial experience with the .220 swift in use enough gun.