There used to be a company name Professional Hunter Supplies. A gentlemen named McBride owned and operated it. He loaded some ammunition for me once a long time ago. Can you still get his supplies. He lived in Africa for years with his wife, and then moved back to his homeland here in Northern California

His name is Bill McBride and he lives in Ferndale. He isn't loading on a commercial basis any longer but a mutual friend of ours talked with him a few days ago and I am going over to see him next week. I have been trying to get over there for quite a while to talk with him about some rifles he may want to part with.
He and his wife started an import retail location as she is a native of Africa. He has been somewhat removed from Africa due to the unrest and political turmoil.
I know there are others on this board who know Him much better than I do. I photographed for his niece a while back but I actually was more an acquaintance of his Mother who with a few others is credited with putting Ferndale back on the road to growth and development.
I think his bullets were called Bear River Bullets or something like that and he loaded mostly for Big Bore stuff. Some very stout stuff. I have some test and loading information and it is out there. Another acquantance of mine tested loads and used to shoot a 505 regularly as part of that testing.
If you would like I will gladly give him a call after Christmas and ask if he has or would like to talk with you about purchases.
What part of Northern California are you in.? Send me your contact information.
Frank

Give Bill my regards and ask to shoot his 4 bore. It has cast off for a right handed shooter and the last time I saw him I had just broken my rt shoulder for the second time and tried to shoot it left handed. A significant emotional event.

Also please let him know that Jillie died quite suddenly if he hasn't heard.

I was at thier store the "Afican Connection" when it was open about 10 years ago. I was looking for African novels from explorer and professional hunters to add to my collection. He was a gentlemen to say the least. I was pretty new to the big bores and African lore.

At the time i had one book of interest "Rifle and Hound of Ceylon" by Sir Samuel White Baker circa 1852 I believe.

I have, and read often, the book they published on Ballistics in Perspective...great read, lots of information...Arthur Olds

It has been a while now and I have seen Bill a couple of times since this thread. In fact I am purchasing one of his African rifles from him and looking at a few more.
He is still very active in shooting and he shared his recent "fun-shooter" with me today. It is a Shiloh 45-90 with a shorter than normal barrel and was a handful just throwing it up and aiming. He is also working with several other single shot Rugers and has been thinking of creating a 500 Jeff. from one of those. I can't even imagine.
We had a few minutes for him to share some of his African stories with me including his time culling cape-buff and elephant.
For anyone with the idea that it ever gets old Bill made it clear that with Buff even after several hundred everyone on the team
"really pays attention once you are in them". The only other animal that got his attention like that was lion in the bush.

Ganyana. Bill says to send his regards and condolences about Jillie. I didn't remember if I had sent you a pm about that yet or not. He shared a few stories about you as well and if you don't mind I would like to send you a pm or two about your adventures there as well.

333. He is still testing and shooting and making ammunition but not on a heavy commercial level. He agreed to help me work up some loads for my 450/400 3.25 and I hope to go out and visit him at home and maybe even shoot some of his "iron" as he put it.
Frank

MP welcome

He also has some very entertaining footage of a couple of the local lads trying to out do Saeed's Hero's shooting that 4 Bore!

He actually offered to let me shoot the 4 bore but says he doubts he will ever do so again as it is not conducive to continued shooting of other rifles without flinching.
I think I may take him up on it just to see for myself what it is like.
Frank

Pulling the trigger on that thing comes under the heading of "significant emotional event". Like stopping first charge etc. Bill was trying to film us shooting the thing and we kept getting kicked out of the picture! He moved further pack and tried again- Generally video clip looked like person standing with rifle- cloud of smoke - empty screen with whisps of smoke disapearing in the wind. Didn't help that the rifle has heavy cast off for right handed shooters and all of us were shooting left handed that day!

I haven't had another opportunity to speak with Bill regarding the movies or the 4 bore but I did buy a nice little 303 which I am told may have come from your collection. It is a wonderful little Army Navy that needs some attention but on face and shoots well also. Are you able to tell me a little about this rifle? I would like to know all about it if possible.
Frank

Our new controller of firearms considers that history starts in 1980 and made that clear that there was no local interest in historical firearms....most of my collection and family heirlooms are in the USA.

Have a couple with American historical connections looking for a good home ( ex 1890 pioneer corps) - one of Selous rifles, an early winchester 92 used in the 1896 rebellion ...

My .450 NE is in New Zeland- they m,ust have some serious deer on South island!