Guns and Loads for a Gemsbok Hunt

by
posted on February 13, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gggemsbok_lead.jpg

Editor's Note: Field Editor Jeff Johnston recently had the chance to put the following gear to use on a gemsbok hunt in Namibia. You can catch up on that story here.

Kimber Hunter
Hunters on safari often opt for classic walnut but I prefer a synthetic stock, because the daily grind of climbing in and out of a rollbar-encased hunting vehicle many times daily can turn a wood stock into something that looks like a buck rub. The Kimber Hunter is easy to carry, accurate and virtually indestructible thanks to its vaunted 84M action, 22-inch stainless barrel, adjustable trigger and synthetic stock. It’s a chance to own a genuine Kimber for about $700.

Kimber accomplished this by substituting its usual hand-laid carbon-fiber stock for a cheaper injection-molded plastic one. It features two metal pillars that bed the action as well as provide the studs for its action screws. Kimber also reduced cost by eliminating bottom metal (the trigger guard is plastic). The only thing I didn’t love about the rifle was its plastic box magazine that occasionally jammed if rounds were bumped forward during the hunt. Kimber says subsequent units have been remedied.

I tested several types of ammo and found Federal’s Trophy Copper load produced admirable groups of 1.1 inches. Is the 5.5-pound rifle “whippy?” It’s not your old 9-pound weight-forward Mauser, that’s for sure, but it’s delightful to carry all day while scraping through the camel thorns. kimberamerica.com.

Federal Premium Trophy Copper
Some people opine that a .308 Winchester is not enough gun for tough African plains game. I disagree. A .308, with a tough bullet like the all-copper. Federal Premium Trophy Copper, will work beautifully. In general, the heart and lungs of African animals are located farther forward than in American game, and clients are urged to shoot straight through both shoulders if the animal is broadside. I experienced seven one-shot kills with my .308 Win. Federal Trophy Copper load. federalpremium.com.

Latest

Ledetomm Knapp Memorial Scholarship 2025
Ledetomm Knapp Memorial Scholarship 2025

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors: Lucy Evans from Georgia and John Bruner from Pennsylvania.

Head to Head: 7x57mm Mauser vs. .30-06 Springfield

I’ve had more than a few requests for this Head to Head, so I figured it was high time to pit two of the early 20th century’s most popular military cartridges against one another. Let's dive into the 7x57mm Mauser vs. the .30-06 Springfield.

NRA Hunter Education FREE Online Course Now Available in Louisiana

The National Rifle Association of America’s award-winning free Hunter Education online course is now available in the State of Louisiana, the latest addition as NRA works to make the course available to hunters in all 50 states.

Moultrie Updates Line of Game Feeders

Moultrie has expanded the capacity of its line of feeders, and bettered the cameras' integration with the company's connected technology to streamline the feeding process.

Building the Ultimate Elk Bow

Elk are remarkable creatures that dwell in some of the most hellish landscapes on earth. An elk bow needs to be tough, light, and ultra-accurate. Here's how to build the right one for you.

First Look: Spandau S2 20-Gauge

Spandau Arms, a brand of SDS Arms, has announced that the  Spandau S2 Shotgun is now available in a 20-gauge model in both a Mossy Oak Bottomland and a traditional wood finish.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.