African Safari 2012 - The update thread

[fvh40]

As a South African Outfitter I find this very interesting,all the research that is going into a trip to Africa is amazing. All the info on rifles and bullet types help me, I ve bought a 375 H&H and really learnt a  lot just by reading all your posts.

Kind regards

Ferdi Venter

[Rob]

Sorry for the slow replies, I have been busy entertaining my 11 year old niece over the past few days.  Let’s just say I now know more about smurphs than I ever cared to know…  I also found out that I am no longer 16, and falling when roller skating can cause severe damage to the wrists…  I don’t think anything is broken and hopefully I can still shoot this coming weekend at the big bore event in Libby.  I’m going regardless of my ability to shoot!

Again, glad folks like this thread.  I overthink everything so I am probably putting more into this trip than needs to be done.  But:
1.    I find it helpful to post my thoughts-it helps me clarify them
2.   The wealth of info and ideas I get from everyone is great!
3.   If this data helps someone else down the road, then so much the better.

Willi;  just cause you find something you love to do, and you do it multiple times does not mean you are in a rut!  I decided to do DG because the hunt sounded interesting, but I’d do a PG hunt anytime!  I just love the Hartman’s zebra.  Such pretty animals.  Couple questions if you don’t mind:
1.    How did the 338 work on the giraffe?  How many shots?  Did it go right down?  I really wanted one on my Namibia hunt but passed.  I was debating between my 338 WM and my dad’s 375 HH.  I plan to shoot one on this trip if the opportunity feels right (i.e. it is a hunt, not a shoot)
2.   What did you do with the Giraffe? (Mount?  Rug?)
3.   What outfitters did you use on your hunts?
4.   Love to see photos-especially of the giraffe!

I have to agree, best meat-wild or domestic- I have ever eaten was Eland.  Such great meat.

Ferdi,I love this site, but if you have not already checked out http://forums.accuratereloading.com, do so.  Very heavy African slant to the forums.  I especially like the big bore forum on that board.  Great info.

[bisonhunter1]

Rob,
 I shot my giraffe as I said in Namibia (Africa Plains Safaris was the safrai company) I shot my own handloads in the .338 WM, using Barnes 250 gr. TSX bullets. Spent several hours discussing shot placement with PH and looking at pictures in his "Shot Placement Book" he had and then evertime we saw a giraffe I "practiced" and asked PH questions about shot on the given animal we were seeing. Remember due to its shape, heart/lungs higher in chest and really more at abse of neck than most other animals. Was 4th day of trip before I actualy shot my giraffe on a differnt farm that had "better" big bulls available. 1st shot was about 100yards standing (me), giraffe was also standing broadside and facing to my left, using my bog-pod shooting sticks. Giraffe ran or loped off at shot, I missed with second shot, and was about to fire a third when PH said to wait he was going down. Giraffe ran about 150 yards before falling over.  The bull was down but still alive when we got closer and I fired a third shot into its chest from about 10 feet to put it down for good (So 2 shots into giraffe from 3 total shots fired). We were able to trecover bullet from first shot during skinning etc, bullet did good expansion, 4 petals peeled back and weight was at 249.9 grs, so essentially no loss there.

[bisonhunter1]

Can't figure this out why this won't let me make long posts>

Anyway, back to giraffe, don't care for neckmounts and to much $$ for them. Had mine skinned into 2 pieces, 1st was a neck skin which is being done as a rug for wall hanging. @nd piece of remaining skin for other projects like sofa pillows or maybe furniture coverings, no decision on that yet. Meanwhile rest of skin is lying on my living room floor. Also saved the skull, man is that huge. Also kept the 2 front LOWER leg bones and had them scrimshaw carved with african animals wildlife scenes, everyone whose has seen them like what was done with them, Scrimshaw work done by an outfit in SOuth Africa I found out about. Also saved the skin and hooves from the two front lower legs, future table lamp projects is what I'm thniking here.

Heres the folks Ive hunted with in Africa, always used someone different to expereince other parts of each country, hunting, scenery, etc
2003  - Namibia - Otijuruse Hunitng Farm
2003  - South Africa - Keven Thomas Safaris (Eastern Cape area)
2008  - Namibia - Otijunke Hunting Ranch
2010  -  South Africa - Infinito Safaris
2010  - Namibia  -  African Plains Safaris

All PG hunts and shot everthing from Kudu, gemsbok, Blue and Black Wildebeest, Hartmans and Burchells Zebras(2) Eland, Bushbuck, Nyala, Red HArtebeest, Blesbok, Black and Common Springbuck and of course hte Giraffe (33 animals total over all the trips.

Pictures, eh, well I'll try, but I don't have much luck posting them on the computers but I can try, maybe over the weekend as time permits. Might be easier in a Pm, but Ill try here first.

Willi

[Rob]

Africa is what sold me on 250 grain TSX bullets in the 338 WM.  Just a great bullet.  the only thing I'd replace them with would be the TTSX!  I am glad to hear the 338 WM did so good with the giraffe.  I was planning to use my dad's 375 HH when I went in 2007.

I plan to save the skull and leg bones as you did.  I hear the leg bones are as dense as ivory, and that in addition to the scrimshaw work that you had done, it also makes great knife handles. 

I plan to save the neck bones.  There are only 7 of them.  I would really like to make a floor lamp out of the neck bones.  I'm just afraid the divorce would cost too much.

I am thinking rug is the way I'll go (If I pull the trigger on one.)

[Rob]

Well, I got a new toy.  I am not planning to bring this toy to Africa, but it is related so I am posting it here.  If I ever get back and go for Elephant, this will be the gal who joins me. 

I got a more than fair price on a CZ550 Safari in 505 Gibbs.  It came with dies, 125 unloaded bullets, and 20 pieces of unfired brass.  I just could not pass it up so on my way to the Big Bore shoot in Libby MT I stopped off and met up with the same guy who sold me Bethany (450 Dakota) late last year, made a final payment (this is not in budget so I have been scrimping for the past few months and paying it off bit by bit) and now she is mine! 

I got all ready to load a few rounds this evening, only to find out that the dies are 1 inch dies.  My press can take 1.25 and 7/8 inch dies, but not 1 inch.  For that I need an adapter.  Which is of course on backorder from Midway!  Such is the saga of loading for big bores.  One step shy of loading forwild cats.  Grr…

 
I am her third owner.  The first one never shot her, second owner shot it less than 100 times.  It has never been on a hunt, but the wood does have some safe dings that will need to be sanded out eventually.  CZ sends the rifles chambered in 505 gibbs home with mercury recoil reducers in the stock which is an added bonus.  The wood is very pretty.

It has not been Africanized yet, so I’ll need to do some work on it including:
-trigger smoothing
-bolt smoothing
-bedding
-cross bolts
Probably pretty dumb to buy, but I am getting such a kick (no pun intended) with the big bores.  But it will be a fun project.  Can’t wait to get it out to shoot it.  The devil who sold this to me is trying to tlak me into his 470 NE double gun, but there is just no way!

Below are some photos of the gun, and comparison cartridges/bullets
Cartridges from left to right:
505 Gibbs
450 Dakota
45/70 Government
375 HH Mag
338 WM
300 WM
30.06 Springfield
300 WSM
22.250 Remington

Bullets from left to right
Loaded 357 Rem Mag cartridge
.505 Woodleigh PP SP (600 Grain)
.458 Swift A-Frame (500 Grain)
.458 Hydrostatically stabilized Woodleigh (500 grain)
.458 Barnes Banded Solid (500 Grain)
.308 Barnes TSX BT (150 grain)
.224 hornady V-max (55 grain)

[Rob]

Libby Montana Shoot:
Last weekend was the Big Bore shoot in Libby Montana.  I must say, this was a world of fun.  The shoot was on Sunday from 8 to noon, I left Seattle after work on Friday and headed east to pick up the above mentioned 505 Gibbs early Saturday.  This allowed me to spenda leisurly Saturday driving through Eastern Washtingotn, make a stop at the Post Falls Cabelas.  I managed to escape with minimal financial damage.  I drove up through Sandpoint, through Bonners Ferry, and then dropped down into Libby Montana.  I had decided to stay the night camping in the cabinet Mountains just outside of town.  I found a nice little pull out up along a forest service road and put up the tent.  I lit up the pipe and enjoyed a nice scotch and read a book until it was too dark to read.  I was extra careful with all my food as I passed the “grizzly bear warning signs” on my way up to the campsite. 

I awoke early and headed to the rifle range.  Having never been to Libby before I found myself very jealous of the folks who live there.  The city is clean, well kept, and looks like a great place to settle in and just enjoy life.  When I arrived at the range, I was met with wonderful hospitality. After a safety briefing and run down of the days events, we got started.

The best way I can think of to describe this event would be to say, it’s like 5 stand, only with rifles. 

Jay (the organizer) and his crew clearly put a lot of time into this event All the shots were done offhand, with two exceptions.  The crocodile was a 75 yard shot off of sticks, and the Charging lion was done on one knee.

Here, once more, are the events:
Total of 25 to 26 shots
1 “Sight in at camp”, Standing on your hind legs, fire 2 shots on paper target at 40 yards, reload, fire 1 more shot. (3 shots)
2 “Camp meat” Standing , shoot 2 one gallon water jug “guineas” on ground at 25 and 30 yards for dinner. (2 shots)
3 “Crossing Buffalo” Standing, fire 2 shots at 25 yard moving buff, move forward 5 yards, reload 1 round then fire a “finisher” into the water jug “ buffalo heart” on ground at 20 yards. (3 shots)
4. “Poachers” Fire two shots at poachers (balloon heads on 5’ pvc pipe stands) at 20 and 30 yards, move forward 5 yards to the land rover (quad), reload, kneel to take cover and fire 1 round at third poacher at 50 yards, can use table as rest. (3 shots)
5 “Charging Lion” From 25yds, on the whistle, Lion starts and shooter takes a knee, 2 rounds to chest and head of target. (2 shots)
6 “Sleeping Crocodile” 1 or 2 shots at a ten foot “croc” with water jug brain, 100yards, we provide shooting sticks. (1 to 2 shots)
7 “Charging Buffalo” On the whistle, 25 yard buffalo starts toward shooter, 2 rounds to chest target. (2 shots)
8 “Baboons in Camp, shoot quick” Two “babloons” on short pvc pipe at 20yds, 2 more at 25yds, fire 2rds, reload, fire 2 rds. (4 shots)
9 “Save the PH” With empty rifle ,walk/jog/run forward 20 yards, load 2 rounds and fire at the 5 yard buffalo stomping the PH.  (2 shots)
10 “Pandemonium” 1rd at 25 yard crossing buff, 1rd at charging buff(started from 30yds on your 1st shot), reload, fire 1 more round at still charging buff.  (3 shots)

Highlights:
1.   H2O Hunter:  Per your recommendation, in scenario 9, “save the PH” I took your advice, and when the buzzer went off, before I ran, I yelled at the top of my lungs “Schalk, NO!!!!” I found it hysterical, but I only got a few chuckles, including one wise guy who said “I told Schalk the same thing last night”.    The Save the PH event was pretty fun, they brought out a full sized dummy with a broken leg and a pith helmet to make it realistic.
2.   I was killed by the charging Buffalo in Scenario #10.  After shooting the crossing buffalo, I attempted to load shell #2 in my gun.  I was using reloads that someone else did that I had not checked in advance and there was a deformity in the lip of the brass that hung up on feeding into the chamber.  I could neither open or close the bolt.  Buff gored me.  Oh well, I recovered and gave it another try.
3.   Having reloading in the scenarios was a great exercise.  Really makes it clear just how slow slapping rounds into a gun can be.
4.   I was shooting solids, and they can really pop a one gallon water jug – but for real adventure shoot an expanding bullet at it!  The solids cause a nice explosion, the the expanding bullets create a mist cloud a good 15 feet high, and flings the plastic 25 yards off to the side.  Very cool.
5.   I was glad to shoot most shots off hand.  That is something I do not practice nearly enough
6.   I know many more people now that I would not want to be on the business end of their rifle.  Some of the guys are retiree’s, and man they can shoot.  I could watch them shoot all day long.

Again, the folks out in Libby have about the best hospitality I have experienced.  They welcomed me in from the time I arrived, until I got in my truck and drove off.  Totally worth the drive over.  I’ll be back for the next one!

Enjoy the photos:

[Rob]

couple more photos

[actionshooter]

That looks like fun!! 

[fvh40]

Looks like a lot of fun. How does your shoulder feel after all the shots fired?

Ferdi

[Rob]

It was a lot of fun, Like I said ealier, it's like sporting clays, only with Rifles!

I was shocked how well the sissy pad helped my shoulder.  I could have shot all day with that thing.  My head was getting a little rummy with all the recoil though.  The last set I shot
I could tell I was getting tired and sloppy. 

Ferdi, this is what us Yanks need to do to simulate your amazing game!

[h20hunter]

Rob...I'm touched that you took my idea and made it into a scenario......sounds like a great time and some good practice when it comes to preparing for the real thing. The loading is kind of like practicing for that second shot follow up. If you dont' practice it can become impossible to remember how to cycle a bolt. I bet that Gibbs is gonna rock you back a bit when you touch it off. Next up...Elephant hunt, 2014.

[Rob]

Next up...Elephant hunt, 2014.

For the record, my wife hates you! 

Personally, I like the idea!  If I make that happen, It will probably be more like 2017.  I'd be torn between Elephant and Leopard.  Who knows, Buff might be so great I go back and do that again!

Lots of time to think that one through.

[fvh40]

Hello Rob
It is now 18-50 Thu evening.
I just returnd from our Buffalo camp and was standin about 50 yards from them. Very nice to be out there between the animals.

Ferdi

[h20hunter]

Ferdi....no pics? How do we know Rob is not full of ...... ? Kidding of course. I've met Rob through diving and know when he does something he is full bore.