I got back last Friday (Sept 2) from my hunt in South Africa. I thought I would share a few pics.

My friend Todd Johnson and I hunted with Game Trackers Africa (http://www.gametrackersafrica.com/) at the Mabelingwane Game Ranch (http://www.mabelingwane.com/) in the northen part of the Limpopo Province. The terrain is mainly thick bushveld with a few open areas. We hunted from August 23 to August 30. Our PHs were Pieter Diedericks (owner of Game Trackers Africa) and Ivor van Wyk.

My friend Todd used a CZ 550 American in 9.3x62. I also used a CZ 550 American in 9.3x62. Plus, I took along my Remington Model 700 Classic in 8x57JS. We used handloads in both of the 9.3x62 rifles and my 8x57. The 9.3x62 load consisted of the 286 gr Woodleigh RN at approximately 2390 fps. My 8x57 load used the 220 gr Woodleigh RN at approximately 2400 fps. (Loads were chronographed.) Both loads performed flawlessly.

As both the 9.3x62 and the 8x57JS came out in 1905, we thought it would be fun to take them to South Africa in 2005. Sort of a Sentimental Centennial Safari! [Note: Most books state that the 9.3x62 and the 8x57JS came out in 1905. As is the case when dealing with older cartridges and their history, the 1905 date may not be exactly correct. But, it was close enough to their centennial birthday for us.]

Neither Todd or myself are big on playing the trophy score game for inches. We were just after nice, representative animals. Even so, we did end up taking some nice ones.

My Impala (not measured) (used 8x57):


My first Kudu (not measured) (used 9.3x62):


A little Bushpig that I took for the table. Great eating!! (used 9.3x62):


My Warthog (not measured) (used 9.3x62):


My Gemsbok (field measurement 36") (used 9.3x62):


My second Kudu (field measurement of 54.5" right horn, 56" left horn) (used 9.3x62):


My friend Todd's Gemsbok (field measurement 36.5") (used 9.3x62):


My friend Todd's Kudu (field measurement 53") (used 9.3x62):


Magda (pronounced Mach-duh), our camp cook. She never let us go hungry and the food was always delicious!!:


A typical brunch in camp:



I'm already suffering from Post Safari Depression! We all know the only cure!!.....

-Bob F.

BF

Very nice. Looking forward to your hunt report.

nice impala and the kudu's arent bad either !!

Very nice, Bob and it took you this long to post because........? Just kidding, great looking animals and camp cook!

Welcome back and thanks for the pictures.

Hey Bob, Did Ivor break Bruno of his filthy habits?

Bob,

Lovely trophies ... will be great memories!

I took a 9,3x62 CZ 550 American to RSA last year and had the same performance. It worked just beautifully.

Congrats on the great hunt. My condolences on the coming case of post safari depression.

quote:

Originally posted by baboon:
Hey Bob, Did Ivor break Bruno of his filthy habits?

baboon,

NO!!!! Bruno actually did it to one of the Warthogs (a broken tusk cull) I shot as we were dragging it back to the truck. I didn't have the chance to get a photo of Bruno in action but it was hilarious!!!

-Bob F.

Nice trophies,
thanks for sharing the pictures.

Thank you for sharing, I love looking at pictures of African hunting.

Those are great trophies and pictures! Can't wait to talk to Todd, I'm sure it was the trip of a lifetime for him.

To all,

Thanks for your kind words and compliments. Anyone know of any medicine to combat Post Safari Depression?

-Bob F.

That warthog sure is an old warrior, very nice.

wait till I show the boys tommorrow morning on our ride Bruno's idea of RIDING A HOG!

Very nice animals. That impala is superb....

Bob...Nice photos and looks like a great run in RSA.
How did the 9.3 x 62 do as far as you both were concerned?
Mine worked great in 2002.

great photos...it's always a pleasure to see other's good times...I feel good about it.

Harry,

The 9.3x62 worked great for both of us. We were both very impressed with its performance. All of my shots had complete penetration (which I prefer). I had a tough angle, quartering away shot on my 56" Kudu at about 130-140 yards (PH's estimate on range). I counted on the ol' 9.3 to be able to handle the shot and pulled the trigger. The 9.3 (and the 286 gr Woodleigh RN bullet) didn't let me down. All of my animals were taken with one shot. Of course, shot placement is the real key (as I'm sure you know) but it doesn't hurt to have a cartridge that will penetrate well to do the job. I just wish I had discovered the 9.3x62 cartridge sooner. It's a shame that it never really caught on in the States back in the past. Of course, our European and African friends have known for a long time that it's a great hunting cartridge.

-Bob F.

Looks like a womderful hunt. I like that wharthog as well.
gene

Bob,

Nice trophies. Did you have any trouble with firearms import?

Doug

Nice going, Bob! That's a great warthog, an excellent impala, and nice kudu and gemsbok, too.

I must say, though, that I could have done without the trans-species, necrophiliac dog photo that baboon added. That is not a pretty image. I think I might have had to shoot the dog!

quote:

Originally posted by douglast:
Bob,

Nice trophies. Did you have any trouble with firearms import?

Doug

Doug,

No real trouble at all. It does seem to take longer than the times I went back in 2000 and 2002. This time I did use the services of Optima (meet and greet service) at the airport. The representative they sent was very helpful in getting us to the right spots quickly. The procedures have changed since back in 2000/2002. Passengers/hunters used to have to go pick up their gun cases and then bring them to the SAPS office. Now, you are not allowed to touch your gun case. Porters bring them to the SAPS office after they are unloaded from the plane. Our Optima rep knew about this of course and got us to the SAPS office ASAP after we got our luggage. A lot of other hunters were just standing around the baggage claim area wondering what to do. My friend and I were the third ones in line at the SAPS office.

It is very important that you have all of your paperwork completed and ready. The Optima rep took our paperwork from us and went to make copies for SAPS. She then took it inside the SAPS office and gave it to an officer. When my turn came up, SAPS already had all of my paperwork. They did want to check my guns' serial numbers and count/inspect the ammo. After that I exited the office and waited for my license. I waited about 20 minutes and my name was called again (just at the SAPS office door; not over the PA system). I went inside the SAPS office again, signed my license and I was on my way. When I exited the SAPS office there was a long line of hunters waiting in line. I guess "the lost and the bewildered" from the baggage area had finally figured out where to go. In total, the process took about 45 minutes from the time we stepped off the plane until we were on our way.

Hope this helps.....

-Bob F.

Great loo'n trophies, Bob! Thanks for sharing!

quote:

I must say, though, that I could have done without the trans-species, necrophiliac dog photo that baboon added. That is not a pretty image. I think I might have had to shoot the dog!

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
Nice going, Bob! That's a great warthog, an excellent impala, and nice kudu and gemsbok, too.

I must say, though, that I could have done without the trans-species, necrophiliac dog photo that baboon added. That is not a pretty image. I think I might have had to shoot the dog!

Mabee you have too of had been there,or you do not have much of a sense of humor.Personally I dont care!If Bob got a laugh out of it first hand as I did,then its funny.The dog is just claiming the kill.Bruno's father never got that nasty,but claims the kill as well.Snory(Bruno's father)licks the wound,the eyeballs and always checks the teets on a cow. And I really doubt anyone would get home after shooting Bruno!

A pic of Snory ready to go hunting!!!



-Bob F.

Bob,

Looks like you had a fantastic trip, way to go!

Hi Bob..

I'm glad you and Todd had a great time. I head out in 2 weeks for a 5 week trip to Pieter, seems like I'll need to teach Snore his manners again..LOL..On my list is Zebra, Eland ( Im looking from big blue, did you see him?) Blue wildebeest, warthog and Impala... I just hope I have as much sucess as you.

Cheers..