doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Africa Safari

Gent's,
I returned last night from a Safari in South Africa and wanted to say a few things about my latest hunting experience in the Dark Continent.

First of all if you have or have not taken the trip to hunt let me make this recommendation. Tshipise Safari's at Poppalin Ranch is without a doubt the neatest place and people you can imagine. I would recommend Peet (owner and PH) without question and I have hunted the world over. The accomodations, service, food, PH's, vehicles, trackers, and customer service are the finest I've experienced.
The animals were plenty and the trophy quality amazing. Trophy fees were the most reasonable I've seen and I almost (almost!) feel guilty for the money paid.
My friend took a bull Hippo, a 10 foot Croc, and one of the scariest and largest Leapord's I've seen.
I took my archery equipment and bagged a trophy Impala as well as several other animals. Though I did switch to rifle for some of the bigger game.
NOW! Next year I will be packing a double shotgun because my greatest regret is not spending an evening at the watering hole to shoot the countless doves, guinnea fowl, sand grouse and francolin. I sat with my bow and took several guinnea within 20 yards and what a rush. But for a wingshooter as I am above all other hunting I will no doubt be back to wreak havock on the birds next summer.
Again, and I do not give kuddo's easily, check out Tshipise's web site and enjoy.

Back from Hluhlwe (Natal, RSA) and Namibia (just south of Etosha Pan) earlier this month. Used rifle on reedbuck, duiker, oryx and kudu. Hard, good hunting for trophy and for meat.

Used my 10 gauge Darne with gaugemate gold inserts to shoot 12 gauge ammo. Problem is all the 12 gauge ammo was Rio 34 grams (1-1/4 oz) and the chamber inserts prefer lighter loads than that. Managed to extract both the shells and the inserts on a few more than several occasions, twice dumping the inserts in the sand, thus ending the hunting afternoon as it was last light with sandgrouse coming in. Still, pigeon, guinea fowl and sandgrouse make a delicious pie and the wingshooting is challenging.

PS A propos of an earlier post, my .375 with cracked stock is in deepest North Carolina at Ken Hurst's recommendation and I have every confidence in a good repair. (NOTE: duiker taken with a .375 borrowed double using solids!)

Regards

Some photos to illustrate Southern Africa




Nephew Norman with pigeons and sandgrouse
Master Hunting Guide Mo Kashonga with duiker
At the range practicing with the double rifle against balloons

Regards

Tim what double rifle are you using?? And how on earth do you adjust (Kentucky windage) for some of those shots in Africa with only iron sights???
All the best

Bwana Carney looks good just like Robert Redford in "Out of Africa". That rifle comes from Central Europe, that's for sure.

Gents,

The rifle is by Joseph Just in Ferlach. It's a .375 H&H rimless magnum and did good service in the field. I myself would insist on a rimmed (flanged) .375 and had trouble with the ejectors on this one a few years ago. Some routine maintenance put them right.

Longest shot was a gemsbok taken with the iron sights at 135 long paces. Quartering on, the beast dropped to a shot just inside the right shoulder. Key is a consistent placing of the bead in the back vee and recognition that, at a 100 the center of the composite group was about four inches to the right of where I aimed.


.375H&H rimmed 238gr head @100yards iron sights 2right and 2 left (take the scale from the size of the bullet holes 3/8 inch!

Regards, Tim

Great! I would love to see more pics.

Alex

Hey Pro that means you too, posts some pics!!! Great shooting Tim with that double rifle with iron sights....only way to go!!! Could you give us some history on that maker Joseph Just???
All the best

Tim
FWIW the problem with the gauge mates was not the high power ammo it was the steel bases. On ammo with steel bases the steel expands and stays getting stuck in the gauge mates. Having shot them for years, as long as the ammo has real brass there is no problem.

Isn't a 375 a bit of overkill for a Duiker? None the less it looks and sounds like a fantastic experience. Congradulations on a successful hunt. I take it you'll be bringing along a 12ga the next time. However; I guess you won't be flying on American Airlines!
Jim