In February of 2019 I got a call. Would I like to shoot the custom rifle a gunsmith friend of mine had been building on a Mauser 98 action for a client? The gun was chambered in the now rare Winchester 50-110 and would be on its way to South Africa later in the year. My answer was “Absolutely!” but because of the snowstorm outside I asked when he thought we might have the opportunity. “It’s now or never.” was his answer. I was going to think twice about the invitation but too late. I was already putting my coat on.
The client was there to pick up the rifle and had some hand loads for the gun. They were 625 grain solids. Because of a past neck injury I have to be careful about recoil or the fingers on my trigger hand will go numb so I’d brought my “Past” pad with me which we backed up with some leather scraps from the shop. Settling the gun onto a firm rest I lined up on a steel coyote 70 yards out. The recoil was not bad (I’ve experienced worse) and actually just a short solid push. I just re-watched the video a couple of times and I can hear the ring of the steel even over the wind.
The gun was intended for use in hippo culls but I have no doubt it would do just fine against any of the Big 5.
Last edited by FallCreekFan; 08/15/23 10:07 AM.
