Tonight I watched a few safari videos and noticed that most of the shots looked, atleast to me, fairly long.

I do not think I have shot an animal over 100 yards but one time when I was still a teenager. For me the greatest part of the hunt is stalking up as close as I can get.

So I was wondering if the reason the shots are long is because the game is spooky due to hunting pressure or if with the new optics and super magnums people have just given up on stalking game animals.

Thanks, John

I suspect it's a product of the fact that video seems to extend the perceived distance so that shots look far longer than they actually are.

First I would wonder where the video was shot?Then what animals under what conditions?The longest shot I ever took on safari was 250 yrds. on a jackal.I've seen some long shots on springbok.I would say that most of my trophies have been from 35 to 175 yrds.It all depends on what gun is in my hands as well.

This is a matter of prior experience; your perspective based on same; and it also depends on where your're hunting in Africa.

The vast majority of shots I've had in Africa have been at about 100 yds. or less. I have also been in on stalks that resulted in 200-300 yard shots (sometimes even futher), and it was either shoot at that distance or forgo the opportunity. I think you should be ready for the long-shot opportunity for any safari, and practice at 200-300 yards before you go. I always do.

I don't care for long shots, but I am not unaccustom to them, and I always try to be ready for them. I grew up hunting in the high-desert of eastern Oregon, and I've spent much time hunting open, arid country in various states and countries.

Jack O'Connor always used to advise that a hunter should never take a long shot if he could possibly stalk closer, and that was and is great advice. Just be ready to shoot long if necessary or else pass the shot.

AD

I have made a lot of long, long shots in Africa, mostly in the Eastern Cape, a high veld mountainous area...but I made them out of choice not desperation...

Most of the shots you take in Africa are less that 100 yards and in the low veld most are less than that...

Its like hunting everywhere, you get a long shot now and then anywhere you hunt...

Thank You for clearing that up ;o)

Bush calibers for short range hunting is a receipt for disaster on a Safari...

Take a gun that will knock'em down close or far, then your hunt will be a success...I never understood that brush gun thinking, I figured that out at a very early age.

Well the problem with medium to long range guns is they are usally scoped and aren't worth a dam at close range on moving game. The bolt brush guns will hit accuratley at 100+ yds if you pratice enough with them and they have the inherent accuarcy needed. I guess its up to each indivual hunting preferences and style. There probably isn't any right or wrong choice, and i agree with Allen regarding areas that you are in will determine the rifle type you choose. Charlie

I'd advise anyone that goes to Africa hunting to be well practiced shooting over sticks and to 250 yards. That is a doable shot and sometimes it's the only shot you're going to get.....so be able to take it with comfort. In all likelyhood you'll shoot several animals at 75 yards and some even closer.

As to the greater ranges afforded by the latest round of firearms introductions..... ...it's mostly media BS...most folks can't judge or shoot that far with anything let alone the new "whatever they callems"

Chas.
I just cannot buy that old rederick...I have carried my old Win M-70 with a 2x7 Leupold on many a bush hunt and rolled many animals with it while they ran, same with my .338 with 1.5 x 5...Set the scope on 2X or take it off and use the irons..As for that 26" tube it is a boone to fast off hand shooting, our forefathers and their muzzle loaders knew a thing or two...I have some "carbines" but have never considered them an advantage except around the house! they bounce around terribly on a quick shot.

BTW that old M-70 Win is a pre 64, 300 H&H, custom stocked and doesn't have any blue left and the custom stock is akin to driftwood, but it shoots and its been my lucky rile...

The distance of shots definitely depend on the terrain. My first safari most shots were well over 100 yds, with the longest around 250. The second trip, I had 4 shots at 40 yds. or less in Zambia and the rest all over 200 yds. in Free State.

Chas: I agree with Ray. Most of my rifles have either 2x7 or 2.5x8 scopes and are always set on the low setting in brush.

Scope can be and are entirely effective at close range. Just choose a scope with wide field-of-view at the low end of the magnification range and generous eye-relief. I've shot buffalo as close as twenty feet away with a 1.5-5X Leupold at 1.5X, and bushbuck at about 17 feet with a 2.5-8X at 2.5X.

A good-fitting stock helps as well.......

AD

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Chas.
I just cannot buy that old rederick:

"rhetoric"

quote:

Originally posted by almostacowboy:

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Chas.
I just cannot buy that old rederick:

"rhetoric"

Thank you for the translation. I kept trying to think of what company made a rifle called 'rederick' and the closest I could come was the Red Ryder by Daisy.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Chas.
I just cannot buy that old rederick...I have carried my old Win M-70 with a 2x7 Leupold on many a bush hunt and rolled many animals with it while they ran, same with my .338 with 1.5 x 5...Set the scope on 2X or take it off and use the irons..As for that 26" tube it is a boone to fast off hand shooting, our forefathers and their muzzle loaders knew a thing or two...I have some "carbines" but have never considered them an advantage except around the house! they bounce around terribly on a quick shot.

Ray,i guess your replying to my "rhetoric" as i am the only Charles,Charlie and uh! Chas. here??? I am sure you are a fine shot, and have had many good hunts. Where the 26" tube came from is beyond me , please help me out on that one. I personaly do not like scoped rifles when things get tight , others do, its everyones choice on which rifle they are confident with. I dont carry a bolt rifle in these circumstances, by my own choice, from many years of hunting in mopane brush. I certinaly was not atacking you or your statement, just putting my two cents in as everyone has a right to on this forum. My comments and statements come from what i have seen and experienced. Charlie

quote:

our forefathers and their muzzle loaders knew a thing or two

Indeed they did. One of the biggest things that they knew was that, then as now, the differences in the various technologies available didn't make up for lack of skill. Instead of worrying about whether this caliber or that bullet would be better, they just learned how to use what they had, and learned to do it damn well. Perhaps it is a lesson we should relearn.