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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,287 Likes: 15
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,287 Likes: 15 |
JG,
I know you're a Loony and study stuff thoroughly.
Give us your thinking on your choice of caliber and NAB's.
DF Well, in case you haven't noticed, I'm a very simple minded guy! I've had that Tikka 695 for 14 years and have handled/shot/hunted it quite a lot. I am very familiar with it. I had shot enough aoudad (a pretty tough animal) with it to know that the caliber choice should be fine. I've also shot enough aoudad with partitions and accubonds to know that they're pretty tough and reliable. The accubonds are slightly more accurate in this rifle than the partitions so I decided to just run with those. Now here's the controversial part for many, I'm sure......I had been told by some anonymous sources with mucho experience in Africa that African plains game are given this "extremely tough and hard to kill" stereotype, but in fact it is probably a slight exaggeration. My one and only trip to Africa last year, armed with the PH's 30-06 and 180 partitions confirmed that when put in the correct spot, African plains game will go down without much fuss. When hit incorrectly, they will not go down and are likely to carry the mail for a long time. I made one terrible shot on an oryx, pulling the shot into the neck and no bone was hit. The animal was bleeding some (the African trackers are absolutely unbelievable) and I was able to put a finisher in him 1.5 miles later thanks to the trackers. Anyway, I felt confident enough in my rifle, which is proven to be very accurate with the 160AB/Retumbo load, that I had no doubt at all if I could put one on the money there would be no problems. I was fortunate enough to do that on the other 11 animals and the farthest one ran was about 70 yards before falling over. I was very impressed with the .284 AB's to say the least. I think they behave basically like a "tipped partition" for the most part, which is high praise because I consider the partition to be the finest, most dependable hunting bullet ever invented to this day. Was that long winded enough for you?????
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,224 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,224 Likes: 9 |
That was perfect, exactly the reasoning I was looking for.
Thanks and congratulation on a super hunt. You did a great job with your photos snd narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed every word and picture.
DF
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,798 Likes: 14
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,798 Likes: 14 |
Nice. Did you find the hunting a challenge?
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,224 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,224 Likes: 9 |
And to add to EdM's question, what about physical conditioning? Did you work on that or are you enough of a "Hoss" for that to not have been an issue...
DF
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,287 Likes: 15
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,287 Likes: 15 |
I found the hunt to be very challenging in several ways. I only had one instance on one of the wildebeests, in which the stalk was under 1/2-1mile. That one only required a roughly 1/4 mile stalk because we happened to find a lone, old, bull that had apparently been kicked out of the herd. Obviously sneaking up on a lone set of eyes is easier than the alternative, which leads into one of the more challenging aspects of, at least, my limited experiences in Africa. There always seems to be 10-40 pairs of eyes watching. An 800 yards stalk can easily turn into an hour or more. Several of my stalks took 1-2 hours due to the number of eyes and the fact that the animals always seemed to be moving around, doing whatever the do. The mtn zebra stalk lasted a total of app. 7 hours and many miles. We were in range 3 times during that time frame but had no shot due to brush being in the way. A combination of arthritic knees and the up and down the sandy and rocky terrain made it most difficult for me. The grass was also knee high and it helped hide the rocks, so footing was very, very tricky as well. As far as actual physical conditioning, I'd say it helped that I have now weighed 225lbs instead of the previous 250lbs for about a year. Navigating the flat, somewhat sandy ground, accompanied by the fact that it was a slow process, really never bothered me much. You do have to be on your feet for sometimes several hours though.
To sum it up: Mtn Zebra was very tough for me, kudu moderately so, rest of plains game taken was not easy, not exceptionally tough physically, but very time consuming and mentally I had to stay in the game at all times. You never knew, during the stalk, what you'd stumble into, besides the fact that every bush out there would rip your skin to shreds, so you had to pay attention to that as well.
The whole package was a truly unforgettable combination.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,701 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,701 Likes: 3 |
JG,
Thanks for taking the time to write the story of your adventure, and especially for posting the pics.
Also enjoyed that you took the time to mention that you were satisfied with your gear.
"The number one problem with America is, a whole lot of people need shot, and nobody is shooting them." -Master Chief Hershel Davis
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,740
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,740 |
Thank you JG! I don't come to this forum much at all but your title sucked me in...
Last week I was flying to Anchorage and there was a fellow that had just returned from a 40 day hunt in Namibia!!!! 40 days! Last year he went for 30ish....
What a fortunate guy!
Dave
But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13
I DON'T NEED A WSM AS I HAVE A WEATHERBY!
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
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You do suck, but I really enjoyed your report and pictures.
DSC Life Member NRA Life Member
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,128
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
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Congrats JG, a fine trip and I enjoyed the story.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2004
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JG, Congrats on a looks to be great hunt. Who did you end up hunting with? As to our previous conversations, we hunted with Kowas. Our PH was named Mathews. I only have seen one picture of your PH this far, but I think it is him. They also used the same Mahindra trucks that you are hunting out of?
Toby Joe
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2008
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YOU SUCK ZEBRA BALL'S! Didn't even know you were going.
Great thread.
someday..........
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17,185 |
Yes Sir, A hunting trip done right.
Congratulation, I'm happy to see you had a great trip.
Looks like loads of fun.
Randy NRA Patriot Life Benefactor
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,837 Likes: 1 |
Not just a chit eating grin but a world class chit eating grin. Congrats on a great hunt and write up.
Best
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,737 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,737 Likes: 1 |
Man that was amazing. I really appreciate your story, pictures and thoughts. Looks to have been an amazing trip for you. Congratulations.
NRA LIFE MEMBER GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS! "Suppose you were an idiot And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,224 Likes: 9 |
Not just a chit eating grin but a world class chit eating grin.
+1 DF
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