Did a short PG hunt in Namibia a few weeks ago. I took my Chapuis Challenger in 9.3x62 and departed from Raleigh/Durham airport for a connection through Dulles. The rifle was 'inspected" by TSA at my departure airport. When I arrived for my Dulles to JNB flight, the TSA people told me they "forgot" to put my detachable scope back in my rifle case when they inspected it. The scope was still in Raleigh and they would not forward it.

I arrived in Namibia without a scope. Open sights on the 9.3, but the distances where I was hunting really cried out for a scope. The PH had a 7x57 on hand, but it was really rough. Sometimes the bolt just wouldn't open (dirty and rusty), and the stock was secured to the barrel by a plastic zip lock. But beggers can't be choosers and he was kind enough to lend it to me.

Ended up popping a kudu, 2 gemsbok and a springbok with it- all one shot kills, ran very little, if at all....light recoil, handy- I was very impressed. Also bagged a kudu with the 9.3. I carried it everywhere hoping to use it. The stalk was really cool. The PH took me to an area he knew kudu liked. We walked and eventually spotted a nice bull. Put a stalk on him. The we lost him. We continued on to where we thought he might be, walking uphill on a game trail. Just as the PH, who was in the lead, could see into the next little depression, he dropped down flat. Seems our kudu was bedded down about 20 yards away, unaware of us. We could just see his horns and they moved back and forth in the tall grass and scrub.

We waited about 20 minutes for him to pop up and resume feeding. Then the PH suggested I belly crawl about 30 yards parralel to the ridge, to a point where I could get a bit closer and above the kudu. The plan was for me to get to the top of the ridge, quickly stand up and pop him.

Belly crawled. Got to the spot. Calmed myself, thought through the shot a few times, released the safety and stood up.

No kudu. Couldn't see him.What I thought was the top of the ridge turned out to be a little rise. The top was a few feet further. Back to my belly and over some really rough ground to the actual top.

Repeated the maneuver. I jump up. Kudu is looking at me already. He jumps up. I am basically on top of him at about 15 yards. He stood and turned in one motion. My only shot was to sight along hs spine and put one where I thought I would hit the spine but at least carry through to his vitals.

bang, flop.

Then another bull jumps up, even bigger horns. "There's another one, I shout". One PH says "shoot him". I line up the shot and begin to squeeze...the other says "don't shoot him"..so of course I squeeze off a round..BOOM....and miss...then the first kudu comes back to life and jumps up and BOOM he is down again.

One PH got it all on video and is is actually quite hilarious. You see me in the weeds, I jump up and crank of a round, then lots of shouting and I aim in a different direction and crank off another round, then swing the gun back again and fire another round. The camera PH added his voice commentary to the video as it is happening---"does this American think he is duck hunting.....?" That's what it looks like on video.

Sounds like fun. Where did you hunt?

The 7x57 has been working fine in Africa since it was first brought there over 100 years ago.

George

I have heard a 7x57 is very effective on ducks.

Brain1: Yes, but insist on Nosler Partitions for this work.

Do you have any idea what weight and bullet brand you used in the 7 x 57?

My PH in Namibia had a 7x57. Had it with him all the time! The Boers brought them in I guess and they stayed!
Peter.

In respose to queries

I was at a place 45 minutes from Windhoek, but very wild and open. I used 150 grainers, it was the PMP or PMC South African ammo.....

What was the outcome with the scope?
I would be pissed!
ozhunter

I did get my scope back, a Schmidt & Bender

I was not pissed, just disappointed- call it my Africa tax- the scope, my video camera taken out of my bag, with my son's middle school graduation tape and daughter's dance solo taped and lost, my cell phone "lost" in Namibia with $1600 worth of calls before I could shut off the sim card, that Cingular initially said would not be charged because of fraud, only to have them deduct it from my bank account (I have auto withdrawl) saying it is in fact, not fraud.....Africa tax....still worth the cost...

Does that rifle stay in a red rifle bag? And was it completed with a Leupold scope?
the description of the CZ rifle with the plastic zip lock made me remember a rifle seen last year in Namibia, maybe we have hunted with the same PH.

A few pics of some of the animals 404 got...

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing!

By photos I've understood that the ph was not the same, but I've understoold also that the practice to secure the stock to the barrel by a plastic zip lock is common there. I trying to understand why. Loosen screws? or what?

Hey Stefano

The rifle I used belonged to the PH in the sprinbok photo. It ws his first rifle he bought for himself when he was 16 or so. Sort of his beater rifle. The plastic zip lock held the broken stock together and in turn held it to the rifle.

He told me the rifle will kill anything I aimed at, but I must first talk to it and get to know it. The scope was also foggy and the action, as said, was a bit rusted and had lots of crud built up inside. But it worked! And beggars can't be choosers! I was grateful to have the rifle...