Wanted to start this off this way...I won a buf hunt here on AR last June 16th 2005...Well I upgraded to 21 days and have 14 animals on license with buff, leopard, lion, ele, hippo, and croc... I will be carrying a Champlin Famars 450#2 as my heavy rifle...
Every morning and afternoon with my wife and 2 labs in tow we go for a condtioning walk..I am wearing my ammo belt full of the panatellas and am also carrying the 11lb. rifle..To get strength carrying the weight..We are walking 3 miles a day...
This morning my black lab took off after something and I thought is was a groundhog...But it turned out into being a cat, and a black one at that...
Well it thought the shortest way to escape that big black lab it headed straight for me...I stood my ground and my wife on my right shoulder as it charged at me from 30 yards.. Deliberately and courageously, I raised the double rifle and waited as the distance closed to 10 yds...Off went the safety and I touched off the left barrel and then the right barrel aiming for the center of the chest...
But alas it was a wild roaming cat in the confines of the boro where I was the mayor for the last 4 years...
My follow thru was perfect and my sighting picture perfect...As that cat ran past me at 6 inches I kicked it out of my path....
He is short 2 of his nine lives....

Mike

10 weeks 2 days till the Selous
Oh, did I say the rifle was empty...

Good thing you didn't post this on the small game forum...they would have ripped into you for not having ammo in the gun and for not taking the shot!

Too much fun!
Great story for the day.
Frank

YOU SHOULD POST ON SMALL GAME FORMUM
THOSE GUYS WOULD GET A KICK OUT OF THIS POST

Stood your ground!

You da Man, Mike!
I wish you and your wife the best of everything on your hunt!

Pennsylvania cats are horrific. You are lucky to have survived...even as brave and skilled as you are!

WAY TO GO MIKE!!!!

Congratulations Mike!!! That ranks right up there with, "I've Been to the Mountaintop"!!!

Dammit, you should have shot. I wanted to find out if it made a permanent wound channel only .45" across.

Congratulations Mike. On two counts. One for your quick thinking and bravery to turn a chance event into a very good safari-preparation exercise!

Bigger congratulations for actually taking trouble to prepare for your hunt. Other hunters with booked or planned hunts take note of how Mike goes about it!

Wish you and your wife the very best of luck for a safe, enjoyed and hugely successful safari.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren.

That might beat 500 Grains' cat story with the archery equipment and the stroller, if only you had been loaded.

Mike, I today sent the M77 back to Ruger, I hope the stand by it QUICK!

Is the fact that it was a black cat a sign or omen? You mentioned that it was "a black one at that".

I agree that you should post this on the Small Game forum -- it will truly be appreciated!

Best to step up to a 577 or 600 Mike, I think God gives us only one "MULLIGAN" on being UNDER GUNNED !

I knew you were a cold, steely-eyed hunter, but letting that cat get so close you could see the whites of his eyes puts you in the Karamojo Bell category. I think you should load up some number four shot rounds for the double as well.

I actually shot a right and left at marauding cats about four years ago. I took the first female crossing at around 20 yards. The large male then charged and I stopped him with the second shot at 10 yards. A real "Out of Africa" moment.

This wondrous piece of markmanship was performed with my Beretta 20 bore O/U in my dad's farmyard. The female was black and white, the male was a large feral ginger tom. They were flushed from cover in the hayshed by a Jack Russell terrier called "Patch", now sadly departed this mortal coil.

Well, the crats out of the bag so to speak...Good luck on the safari...especially if you're going to carry an unloaded rifle while facing a charge. It does bring up an interesting question however. Is 'enough gun' enough when it's empty? Would a loaded .45-70 be better than 'enough'? Well, that's probably 'nuff said on the subject...do share your exploits when you return from the Selous! Good tale...

Dan

Your very fortunate that you weren't mauled by that field lion. Bet your wife asked why didn't you shoot to protect me Remember this, always use enough gun (with ammo)

DIDN'T ACTUALLY SHOOT THE CRAT1111111111111111111
SHAME SHAME SHAME

Sure hope you don't have to kick a leopard out of your way--

retreever

I am glad that wild forest panther swerved at the last moment to miss you. A chest shot with a .450 will not stop it and you would have been 'cat chow'.

Only a brain shot will do in such dangerous circumstances if you value your hide.

Well done, but remember, An empty gun is merely a stick.

Two lives that we know of! Well done, be proud! It was the kick that made me realize that you are a man to be recokened with...

Be careful Mike...it's the smaller ones that'll get ya1

Hi Mike:

I always knew you were afarid of PUSSY.... LOL

Regards... Jim P

I will be carrying a Champlin Famars 450#2 as my heavy rifle...


That would get you into at least the top five in the "Biggest Cat Rifle" competition on the Small Game forum.