Post by: Rob on February 15, 2016, 07:11:46 PM
He is 80 and does not feel he can physically do the hunt (we have done two trips so he knows what the hunts are like). So he wants me to be the hunter and he will be the observer.
He and I already got Buffalo last time we were in Zim, so I am thinking I will trade in the trophy fee for a Croc/Hippo combo. Will be a house boat hunt near Vic falls.
Last two times I had nearly 2 years to plan. We want to go in July/August of this year so that gives me about 5-6 months! Should be just about the right amount of time.
I will keep this thread updated as the trip progresses for those who are interested in following along!
Pretty excited!
Here is some eye candy from our 2012 trip. I call this shot "The Mentor" and it is my favorite photo ever of dad and I.
Post by: 3dvapor on February 15, 2016, 07:38:42 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on February 15, 2016, 07:43:30 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 15, 2016, 07:47:40 PM
I just picked up one of my dream guns in 458 lott and been looking at Africa myself. Look forward to some pic's.
Post by: coachcw on February 15, 2016, 07:52:26 PM
Post by: shootem on February 15, 2016, 09:25:18 PM
Post by: hunting4sanity on February 15, 2016, 10:07:56 PM
Post by: Rob on February 16, 2016, 05:12:48 AM
This thread will be less about how to plan a trip well, and more about how to plan one fast!
Short list:
- where to go, zim or SA camps?
- what animals to target
- shot updates
- set dates
- any side trips?
- book flights
- rifle decisions
- rifle permits for SA
- form 4457 for us re entry
- packing lists
- taxidermy fees
- any items i need to buy?
- trigger time
- need to get a load worked up for my 7mm using swift a frames
I'm sure there is more...
Post by: Ridgerunner on February 18, 2016, 03:09:42 PM
Post by: Kit Carson on February 24, 2016, 11:51:16 AM
Post by: Rob on February 24, 2016, 09:35:57 PM
Looking like Late July for the trip.
We will want a day in Victoria Falls to visit the falls. I would love to go try out the Devils Pool on the edge of the falls, but it looks like that is a mid-august to December time frame and we may be a few weeks early. It also looks like one needs to go into Zambia to see them and I am not sure I want to mess with a border crossing.
http://www.zambiatourism.com/destinations/waterfalls/victoria-falls/victoria-falls-devils-pool
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 24, 2016, 10:04:05 PM
Post by: Rob on February 25, 2016, 08:08:06 AM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 25, 2016, 08:18:26 AM
Post by: Rob on April 11, 2016, 09:59:06 PM
Plan is as follows:
*Fly from Seattle and Austin and meet in Atlanta on 7/15
*Depart Atlanta on the evening of the 15th for JoBerg Arrive on the 16th
*Our PH is going to make us hotel reservations and book us flights from JoBerg to Victoria Falls on the 17th
*Down day on the 18th in Vic Falls. do some touring. allow bags to catch up to us if they get lost (had a nightmare last hunt with Bags!). Board the boat on the 18th
*Travel along the rivers and lake Kariba to arrive in a hunting area on the 19th
*Hunt the Lake and rivers of Kariba from the 20th to the 24th
*Take boat back to Vic falls on the 25th
*26th and 27th can be spent hunting from local land based camps, or sight seeing.
*Depart Vic Falls on the 28th
*Arrive home on the 29th.
Only 13 Saturdays till we are in Africa!! Crap! Too much to do!
Post by: Rob on April 11, 2016, 10:23:00 PM
I am the primary hunter, although they have said dad can hunt too if he so desires. He is still thinking on his rifles.
I am targeting Hippo and Croc. For hippo, a good accurate moderate to heavy caliber gun is best. They are big, and thick, but not exactly tough. For Croc, all that matters is accuracy... I don't really have budget for other trophies, but I would like to possibly take a duiker, and perhaps some varmints (Baboon, Civit cat, Genet, Servel, porcupine, etc).
There will be some bird hunting opportunities, and they have shotgun and ammo for that.
So I plan on bringing three rifles:
*CZ 550 Safari Magnum (AKA Monique).
-This was the gun I ended up taking my Cape Buff with last trip.
-I have also taken a pronghorn, mule deer, Vervet Monkey, Warthog and Baboon.
-All shots were one shot kills (using camp ammo - again, they lost my luggage on the last trip... Grrr.)
except the Baboon where everything went to hell with my shooting and it took me four shots to do the job for some reason.
-The plan will be to use the 375 for the hippo.
-I will shoot cutting Edge Bullets. I have a 275 grain non-con and 300 grain solid combo using 69 and 68 grains of RL15 respectively that have the same point of impact to 300 yards that should do the trick.
*Remington Alaskan TI in 7mm Rem Mag with Benchmark Barrel (AKA Melissa)
-This is my goto hunting rifle for the states. Have taken a couple elk, several mule deer and Pronghorn.
-Not sure what bullets I will use. I currently have a killer load dialed in with 168 grain Bergers being sent by 57 grains of I4831. I want to use Swift A-frames. if I can dial in a load and get some trigger time, I will go that route.
-This will be my Croc gun.
*CZ 527 American in .223 Remington (need to name this gal!)
-Nice accurate varmint gun
-I have a good load dialed in for a 40 grain Vmax using 21.5 grains of I-4198.
-Will work on a load that shoots a solid with same point of impact. should be a quick and easy load to work up.
So that rounds up the Rifle situation!
Post by: Rob on April 11, 2016, 10:30:49 PM
There are two sets of permits we need. First are the permits to go into South Africa (note, we are flying direct from the US to South Africa so we do not need to deal with Sau Palo, Germany, London or any other countries that may or may not need permits.) We are going with Air2000 for our rifle permit support company. They will meet us at the airport, assist us with collection and permit processing of the South African permits, and help us get to our hotel in the JoBerg Airport. We could probably do this on our own at this point, but having used similar services the last two trips we found them very helpful! We would not have made a Capetown connection last time if it had not been for them! We will need to get our pre-permit info sent in. now that we have completed our airline reservations, we can start this process. Here is their website: http://www.hunterssupport.com/hunters/index.php
Second set of permits are the Form 4457's on the US side. This "proves" that you had items with serial #'s (firearms, laptops, cameras, etc) in your possession prior to leaving on your trip. These are required to bring your rifles back.
Post by: Rob on April 11, 2016, 10:36:57 PM
*Shot updates. need to make an appt. to go see what shots I need to get updated.
*Need to work on my packing lists
*Decide if I want trip insurance... Never need it till you do... hmm.
*need to buy a few things, but not much.
-Permethian for Mosquito repellant
-I need one more pair of hunting pants
-Do I want to get a CDS scope for my 375 H&H??
Honestly, I think that is about it. I am sure there is more to worry about... The list seems too short!
Post by: Rob on April 11, 2016, 10:49:00 PM
Hippo:
*Not planning to do normal mount
*Will do Europeans
*I may take a few bones from the hippo (vertebra, femurs)
*will tan the skin for leather. maybe make a jacket or recover a chair.
*would like to use the feet for couch legs.
Croc:
*As much as I would like a full body croc in the house... my understanding wife has her limits.
*European for sure
*Tan the skin for sure
*toying with a quarter-mount shoulder coming out of the wall (one leg showing)
Varmints
*Cool varmints may get a full body mount
*Baboon will be Europeans
Small game/other trophies
*if I get a duiker, I will do full body to match my Klipspringer and Steinbok.
*anything else will be a decide after I shoot.
My taxidermist is Jerry Huffaker in Abilene Texas. He does amazing work. He and my dad have become friends and done some hunting together as well. Great guy. My dad's kudu, gemsbok and eland are on his Africa gallery, and my zebra pedestal is as well. http://www.huffakertaxidermy.com/galleryafrica.html
Post by: Rob on April 11, 2016, 10:52:58 PM
We are doing the hippo/croc hunt on the Abangane live-aboard. Not as luxurious as the land camps. But I can't wait for the more "wild" experience of being in the middle of nowhere!
And there is all the fishing you can do as well! here is a photo of the boat and some of the fish fro the brochure. Toothy critters!
Post by: carpsniperg2 on April 12, 2016, 12:35:14 AM
Post by: bugs n bones on April 12, 2016, 05:21:55 AM
Post by: BNAElkhntr on April 12, 2016, 07:11:23 AM
Post by: Rob on May 10, 2016, 12:11:47 PM
I finally managed to get the rifle permits out the door. What a process. Here are details for those who are interested.
Zimbabwe permits are obtained on entry and it is a simple one page form to fill out. Even though we are hunting in Zimbabwe, we need rifle permits for South Africa since we are passing through Johannesburg on our way to Zimbabwe. The process is pretty straightforward, but requires a bunch of pre-work to be done so that things are expedited upon arrival.
We are going with Air2000 for permit expediting. For $180, they offer meet and greet in Jo-Berg, assistance in getting the pre-issuance of rifle permits, and help moving around the rather large Jo-Berg airport. Some go without this services and navigate it all on their own, but I have used this kind of service on my prior trips and find it well worth the money.
The following documents needed to be sent in to them so that they arrived 30 days prior to our arrival in JoBerg
SAPS520 form with Sections E1-E25.4, G and I completed including signatures in section I and J.
o This is the South African rifle permit form. it must be filled out in black ink... They literally won't take it if it is in any other color including blue...)
Authorization form requesting Air2000 Hunters Support to obtain a permit on my behalf
Credit Card Authorization form that permits the Air20o0 charges of $180.00 to cover the meet and greet support services
Original Notarized copy of my current passport and assurance that there are more than 2 free pages left for country entry stamps and the expiration date 4 months past my expected return date
o The expiration date is critical - some airlines won't let you board the plane if your expiration date is not at least 4 months beyond the termination of your trip.
Original Notarized copies of the three form 4457 documents for the three rifles I will be brining, as well as the original forms
o These are the "Certificate of registration for personal effects taken abroad" and are issued by the Customs and Border protection office (and only there...). They are not a registration, but a verification that you had the item in your possession prior to departure of your trip. It is used to verify that you did not pick up a firearm while out of country and attempt to bring it back into the US. S.A. uses it to verify the same - that you had it prior to your arrival in the country. No copies of this form are left with US officials.
A letter from my outfitter confirming my dates of visit, species hunted, where we are hunting, and his outfitters accreditation number.
All this was mailed out in a package via USPS Global Priority Mail that guarantees delivery in 5-10 days... My dad mailed his 3 weeks ago and it is still in transit. Gotta love Africa...
Costs for rifles:
-180 for meet and greet/permit expedite service
-63 for mail
-88 for notary services (I did double notarizations so I have copies of all the documents on my person as well as mailed in advance) - so this could be cut in half, or eliminated if you have access to free notary services through your bank)
Total: $339
As a reminder, I am bringing the following with me:
Bolt action CZ 550 Safari Magnum chambered in 375 H&H with 46 rounds of ammunition
Bolt Action Remington model 700 TI chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum with 50 rounds of ammunition
Bolt action CZ 527 American chambered in 223 Remington with 70 rounds of ammunition
I had to determine the quantity of ammo at this time as it is required on the SAPS form. There is an 11 pound limit for ammo (including cases) so these quantiles will put me in under the limits by about 1/10 of a pound.
That is WAY more ammo than I will need to sight in and hunt.
Post by: Rob on May 10, 2016, 12:33:52 PM
Priority is to do euros. Probably tan the hides into leather for projects down the road. But I am toying with doing the Hippo feet into something like the photos below. I am also thinking a head mount on the hippo that sits on the floor like the photos below - mostly submerged like lawn art...
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 10, 2016, 01:05:21 PM
Still trying to decide what to do for taxidermy for hippo and croc.
Priority is to do euros. Probably tan the hides into leather for projects down the road. But I am toying with doing the Hippo feet into something like the photos below. I am also thinking a head mount on the hippo that sits on the floor like the photos below - mostly submerged like lawn art...
You'll have to take a wildebeest, too, and have the croc grabbing him by the hindquarter!
Post by: Rob on May 11, 2016, 02:05:43 PM
Post by: h20hunter on May 11, 2016, 02:28:02 PM
Post by: bugs n bones on May 11, 2016, 03:44:58 PM
My loving wife of 24 years - the vegetarian who is not a fan of my hobby of hunting or trophy mounts - has been very patient of the 23 mounts in the house thus far... That might put her over the edge!a hippo and croc euro look pretty sharp if they done properly :tup:
Post by: Rob on May 11, 2016, 04:38:06 PM
H2O, I will shoot you a PM
Post by: Rob on May 12, 2016, 08:25:30 AM
Good times! Heaven help me I love Africa! It is a never ending lesson in problem solving, pop quizzes, and drama! If one needs a lesson in patience and learning to "roll with it", go to Africa!
hakuna matata
Post by: MLBowhunting on May 12, 2016, 01:32:14 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 12, 2016, 03:20:54 PM
Post by: Rob on May 25, 2016, 09:46:25 AM
Well, the day I mailed out my gun permit application via USPS Global priority, is the day the Jo-Berg post office goes on strike... So my package has been sitting in Jo-Berg along with my dad's paperwork since the 17th of May. Dad resent his paperwork via FedEx. I held off hoping mine would get delivered, but I gave up this week and went ahead and resent a second set of paperwork on Monday via FedEx. Should be delivered on Friday of this week. We shall see!
I went to a Travel Nurse in Kirkland last week and updated my shots.
My Hep A/B is valid (Twinrix)
My TDAP is still valid (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough))
My Typhoid is still valid
No need for Yellow Fever
I picked up my Malaria medication
I picked up my Cipro medication (for emergency use)
I picked up a prescription of Ambian for sleeping on the long flight to Jo-Berg.
So all in all, pretty easy. no shots this time!
Post by: Rob on May 25, 2016, 09:56:47 AM
Also, I got the following info from my taxidermist (My dad popped by and chatted with him last week)
My dad will pick up and transport the laminated trophy tags
He has been to this part of the country and said we should have a great hunt:
o Along the river there should be many types of Plains Game & Elephants in addition to the Crocs & Hippos.
o Fishing for Tiger fish will be fun. Tiger Fish are like Strippers with lots of sharp teeth. 10 to 15 # not unusualget up to 30#.
For my Hippo
o If I want him to he will cast the tusks so I can have a Hippo Skull with Tusks & a separate Tusk Display.
o He thought your waste basket idea would be good. Remember legs are short (2 ½ ) & not large in diameter (12).
o Hippo leather makes wonderful accessories (Boots, jackets, gun cases, etc)
o He said if you want some leather just mark the area you select, have them cut it out and have them tan the leather there in Zimbabwe.. If you just Dip & Salt shipping cost is prohibitive because of weight. Salted skins can weigh in at several hundred pounds. I may do the same thing with the Croc.
Dad wants a Sable if we see a good one. Our Taxidermist said we might see some along the river but the Matetsi area, where we will hunt after the boat trip, has the reputation as one of the best Sable areas in Zimbabwe.
Post by: farmin4u_98948 on May 25, 2016, 07:05:10 PM
Post by: UrbanTrapper on May 25, 2016, 07:53:42 PM
Post by: Rob on May 26, 2016, 08:00:59 AM
So I think that concludes all the long lead time items I need to do. My list at this point would be:
-Create packing lists
-Purchase parts for my traveling medicine cabinet (over the counter stuff you can't get in Africa but would be nice to have if you start to feel ill)
-re-load ammo
-Practice shooting off sticks
-Pack!
I honestly think that is about it. Only 7 more Saturdays will pass before I am on my way! This has been a pretty easy trip to plan this time.
WRT malaria medication. The travel nurse recommended against the stuff you linked as he said it can cause vivid nightmares. To quote him "Like someone just stabbed you in the chest and you can feel the blood flowing down your body nightmares". He said it happens to about 10% of users.
I used Doxycycline last time and it was fine. This time I am using Malarone. Pretty simple. start it 1 day before you arrive, take it daily, and stop taking it 7 days after your return.
The Dr. recommended Deet in the 17-35% range as higher can cause burns and melt plastics. I also plan on treating everything with permethian. I may bring some for the netting too.
Have not heard of DOOM. I will look into that.
Post by: Rob on June 05, 2016, 03:15:01 PM
Today paid off.
I had tried some 160 grain swifts in my rifle a while back, but the groups were so bad that I decided against them. I have been thinking at since I have a 1:9 twist on my rifle, that moving to a longer bullet might give me better stabilization. So I picked up a box of 175 grain A-Frames which have been sitting on the shelf for a couple months as I have not had time to experiment.
The table below shows results for three different bullets: The Berger VLD Hunting, the Swift A-frame in 160 grains, and the Swift A-frame in 175 grains
Dark green are close to 1/5 inch MOA
Light green are between ½ and less than One MOA
Yellow are between 1 and 2 MOA
Red is over 2 MOA.
The Berger VLDs are the ones I have been using so far I have taken a Pronghorn, Couple of deer and an elk with that load.
My preferred load is 57 grains of I-4831 with an OAL (to the ojive) of 2.588 (Note that I have 16 shot groups in that load with an average group size of 0.718)
You can see most of the groups with the 160 grain A-frames were between 1.5 and 2 MOAs. Pretty bad almost double what I was getting with the Bergers.
Moving to the 175 grain bullets showed a major improvement dropping the MOA to an average of 1.15 with the H4350, and .709 on the H4831SC. This is close enough to the Berger results that I am satisfied.
I am going to load up with the 175 grainers, using 61 grains of the H4831SC. I would like to use the higher load, but I worry about the pressures due to the start of primer craters I saw on the 61.5 Grain loads.
I have 3 more boxes of Swifts on the way from Midway. I need to make one more trip out to the range to get some Muzzle Velocity data. Would like to sight it in for 50 yards, and then see what the differences are at 100, 200 and 300 yards. If there is time I will get a Leupold turret dial made. Probably not time for that though. After all, only 5 more Saturdays left!
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 06, 2016, 09:57:24 PM
Post by: Rob on June 06, 2016, 11:31:59 PM
I always find it amazing how 15 grains in a bullet can cut a group size in half.
Post by: Rob on July 05, 2016, 12:10:57 AM
Going to be a real scramble to get ready - work has been nuts, and I have had several personal events scheduled that have taken time away from planning.
In the next 10 days, I have a climb of Mount Shuksan planed as part of my Intermediate Glacier Climbing class (7/9 and 10) and a business trip to San Diego on the 13th. Toss in a few other obligations and I only have 5 evenings left to get stuff done!
The good news (or bad news...) is the weather looks awful for next weekend so if that holds, then my Shuksan climb will be scrubbed giving me two extra days!
In other news, I picked up an InReach PLB that will allow my wife to watch where we are while we are gone, and allow some text messaging while in the field. That will be fun.
Anyway, the short list of tasks left before lift off are:
-Treat clothing with Mosquito repellant (Permethrin)
-Pack
-Verify some pricing on taxidermy options with my taxidermist
-Call Leupold and see if I can get an expedite on some custom turrets I ordered
-Build my rifle dope cards for the 7MM
-Create the final version of my travel notebook (Notebook of critical docs, contacts, etc)
So really just the little stuff left. Going to be on a plane before I know it! I really need a break from work so the timing could not be better...
Here is a photo of some of the little soldiers that are smiling and ready to hit the road!
Post by: lhrbull on July 05, 2016, 10:08:47 PM
Post by: Rob on July 29, 2016, 05:46:13 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 29, 2016, 05:49:13 PM
Post by: BNAElkhntr on July 29, 2016, 05:56:36 PM
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 06:43:53 AM
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 06:44:23 AM
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 06:47:29 AM
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 06:48:56 AM
I suggested that he mount it with the protective bottles... he said he would think about it.
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 06:49:47 AM
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 06:57:45 AM
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 07:01:33 AM
This place was thick with hippo and croc! note the Pink hippo!
They spout like whales and wiggle there ears just like the ride at Disneyland use to point out! (but I am sorry to report that ear wiggling does not mean they are ready to charge!)
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 07:09:46 AM
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 07:16:27 AM
here are some trophy shots of the hippo.
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 07:24:21 AM
It took 6 of us to get the cape and head on the front of the boat - it was 500 to 800 pounds. The rest of the skin was taken off in a single panel and was about 7 feet wide, and I am guessing 12 feet long. This was rolled up like a carpet and another 6 to 8 people were needed to get that on the boat.
I plan on making a floor mount of the head (top portion only, coming out of the floor like it is underwater). I want to make two of the feet into ice buckets, and two into table legs or something. I am going to have the tail mounted as well. The skin panel will be made into leather. I may have a jacket made, and some rifle cases. Heck, I could do a couch!
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 07:31:16 AM
After we were done, we pulled away and all hell broke loose! The whole village charged the hippo carcass! Axes were flying and knives were flashing. They went crazy and pulled it apart and divided it up. Old women, little kids, everyone was involved. They ripped it up. I have no idea how they managed not to cut eachothers arms off in the process.
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 07:41:48 AM
1. Much needed meat. This literally fed a whole village for several days. They had some cattle, however I was told cattle ownership is like cash for them so they rarely eat them. The hippo may be the only red meat these fishermen and their families get all year long.
2. Crop damage. The hippos come out of the water nightly and eat. They will trample their crops and eat them in short order. You think Elk are bad? Picture a pod of 1 to 3 ton hippos in a corn field!
3. Life damage. Every year hippos attack and wound/kill these villagers as they fish. It is the big bulls, or cows with calves that are doing this damage. Keeping the population in check reduces stress on the hippos and reduces human/hippo conflict.
4. Perks. Hunters bring candy, clothing and toys with them. My dad and I handed out candy to the kids (or "sweets" as they call them). Many had never had candy before. They mobbed us! Dad handed out some t-shirts, and I brought a soccer ball with pump - that was a huge hit! I should have waited to hand that out because once I did, we lost about 40 kids to help pull the hippo on shore! They had some handmade balls they were using (looked like plastic sheeting rolled up and tied into a ball shape). They were amazingly good with the soccer ball!
5. Entertainment. We were their TV. They sat on the banks and watched us hunt. Then came out and watched/helped us butcher. Speaking of entertainment, they also had bongs that they built out of gourds! I guess that stuff is everywhere! you can see one in the photos below.
The set of tusks is below, as is the skinned skull. You can see where I hit the brain pan - it is the lightening bolt crack behind the eye.
Post by: BNAElkhntr on July 30, 2016, 07:48:02 AM
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 08:17:20 AM
I messed up a shot an a monster. It was hard to tell, the shot looked solid - perhaps an inch or so low but should have broken the spine. Estimate is that he was 16 plus feet long. Very disappointing. the only animal I have ever lost.
I elected to try again, and was successful. This time we took no chances and I told everyone to back me up! I took a neck shot and both PH's we had with us opened up as well. My first shot was good, and he started shaking like they do when the spine is severed. But he was shaking is way into the water! We shot a total of 10 shots. In looking at the footage over and over, here is what happened:
Shot 1. My shot, in the neck. he was quivering, but moving towards the water. This was a fatal shot. It was a quartering shot and went through the brain and lodged into the ear. I later removed the bullet with my leatherman.
Shot 2: PH Divan. Way way high in the water
Shot 3: PH Alex. Shot over him about 6 inches
Shot 4: My Shot. I hit low, in the dirt.
Shot 5: PH Divan. Good solid hit. behind the front leg, quartering away. he hunched when this one hit
Shot 6: Last shot with him on land. PH Divan shot and went high.
Shot 7: PH Alex in the water, no idea if it was a hit
Shot 8, 9 and 10. Me. I shot every time I saw a piece of croc rolling in the water.
One of the water shots that Alex and I made nicked the tail. So only 2 hits total. Both looked pretty good.
It is interesting that the bullet I was using did not go through and through on a 40 yard Croc shot. We think that this may be why I did not recover the first croc. that was an 80 yard shot and the bullet may not have broken the spine.
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 08:19:20 AM
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 08:26:06 AM
Just some final photos. The lake has a huge fishery. At night it looks like a city forms with all the Kapenta boats. They shine lights in the water and pull up nets full of little sardine sized fish called Kapentas.
The sunsets, sunrises and moonrises were among the most amazing I have seen!
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 30, 2016, 08:31:23 AM
What bullets did you end up using?
Post by: bugs n bones on July 30, 2016, 09:24:41 AM
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 10:03:13 AM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 30, 2016, 10:30:12 AM
Post by: Rob on July 30, 2016, 10:44:29 AM
I have used them on thin skinned animals and they are amazing. the entrance hole is usually 2 inches in diameter, while the exit hole is like a pencil.
They were designed for big-bore DG hunting. I am wondering if I needed a bigger caliber to make them effective on thick/armored skin. The bullet started as 275 grains, and the piece I recovered was 204 grains.
First photo is the bullet in the croc ear
Second one is the bullet after I removed it
Third is a picture I pulled from Michael on Accurate reloading that shows fired bullets with petals
Last one is also from Micheal at AR, and it shows the card placed inside a bed of newspaper from a non-con shot. you can see the two main holes from the "solid" with the petal holes in star shapes around the main hole. He got 28 and 30 inches of penetration with a 420 grain 458 caliber bullet in newspaper.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 30, 2016, 12:16:43 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 31, 2016, 01:35:38 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on July 31, 2016, 01:54:22 PM
Post by: Rob on August 01, 2016, 05:01:54 AM
Post by: Special T on August 01, 2016, 07:49:29 AM
I don't know if you have any insight to the economic situation in Zimbabwe. Are they still operating on the American dollar? About 15 years ago that country went through a bad bout of hyperinflation and abandoned thier national currency.
I'm very happy you had a trip like that to share with your father in his later years.
Post by: Rob on August 01, 2016, 09:52:44 AM
Had riots there a month back due to the police and other services not being paid. They require you to call out all the cash you bring into the country, and search your bags for cash when you exit to make sure you are not brining out more than you brought in.
Crazy place.
Mugabe tripped at the airport a week or so ago on camera. He fired several of his body guards as a result. He is over 90 now and just won't die. It is illegal to criticize him in Zim. Next time you think the US is screwed up, go look at Zim!
Post by: 206 on August 01, 2016, 10:17:32 AM
Post by: Special T on August 01, 2016, 10:20:08 AM
It is still bad over there. They are still on the US dollar, but making noise as though they will go to the Yen - the Chinese are investing heavily. They paid for the new airport in Vic Falls.Did your guide or PH talk much about it or were they mostly quiet?
Had riots there a month back due to the police and other services not being paid. They require you to call out all the cash you bring into the country, and search your bags for cash when you exit to make sure you are not brining out more than you brought in.
Crazy place.
Mugabe tripped at the airport a week or so ago on camera. He fired several of his body guards as a result. He is over 90 now and just won't die. It is illegal to criticize him in Zim. Next time you think the US is screwed up, go look at Zim!
How did they get into the hunting business over there?
Post by: Rob on August 01, 2016, 10:58:00 AM
Chattaronga is South African based. They have to partner 50/50 with a Zimbabwe national to do business there. They found a great guy to partner with (Vexford Safari's) and have been with them for several years now. Been a good deal for all parties.
Post by: Gringo31 on August 01, 2016, 12:00:54 PM
Thanks :tup:
Post by: Bob33 on August 01, 2016, 10:14:50 PM
Post by: bearpaw on August 01, 2016, 10:44:18 PM
Post by: SeaRun1 on August 01, 2016, 10:48:44 PM
SR1
Post by: Rob on August 02, 2016, 07:12:16 AM
Post by: Rob on August 02, 2016, 08:00:28 AM
Post by: Rob on August 02, 2016, 08:01:40 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on August 02, 2016, 08:05:35 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 02, 2016, 08:25:42 AM
Post by: quadrafire on August 02, 2016, 08:52:04 AM
I'm curious as to why the locals don't kill a hippo occasionally for meat. No firearms?
Post by: Rob on August 02, 2016, 09:19:14 AM
Post by: shootem on August 03, 2016, 03:21:24 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 03, 2016, 04:00:20 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 03, 2016, 04:11:47 PM
I don't know if you have any insight to the economic situation in Zimbabwe. Are they still operating on the American dollar? About 15 years ago that country went through a bad bout of hyperinflation and abandoned thier national currency.A few years ago I purchased three, Zimbabwean $100 Trillion Dollar bills, when my son was learning about money.
Post by: Rob on August 04, 2016, 08:26:36 AM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 04, 2016, 08:39:02 AM
Post by: Rob on August 04, 2016, 09:08:59 AM
Funny story, when we got there we saw a large 13 footer and were starting a stalk. One of the villagers said that the one we were going after was a baby and that we should go for the big one! We asked how big he was and he put his hand at his waist and said it was that big (meaning it was between 3 and 4 feet tall!).
We laughed but decided to go look for it. When we found it we say he was not kidding! Bummer to have lost it!
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 08, 2016, 02:53:07 PM
Post by: Rob on August 08, 2016, 05:42:06 PM
Post by: saylean on August 17, 2016, 08:56:30 PM