Has anyone read Gregor Woods book on safari rifles? I think it is titled Africa Rifles or Rifles for Africa.

Yes. It is alright, but not as interesting as John Taylor's book on African rifles and cartridges.

George

I prefered Boddington's book on rifles to those. I read Taylor's and cannot get past a lot of what seems to me to self agrandizing. I am not a fan of Taylor's - too much "me" in the books.

If you have Boddingtons "Safari Rifles" and Taylors "African Rifles and Cartridges", and you should, you don't need Woods book.

If you don't have those books, get them.

Woods is probably a great guy, a great hunter and writes some fine articles. He just doesn't have enough experience with enough different guns to write a book.

JMHO

I disagree with McCray. It's a fine read. Woods may not have the experience with a many different rifles, but he has extensive field experience. His chapter on bullet and bullet performance alone is worth the price of the book. Buy it and enjoy.

I liked Woods book as well. A little different take than some of the others, but variety is the spice... Taylor has been in my library for years and I am constantly re-reading it, but it is dated. I enjoy Boddington also.

quote:

Originally posted by McCray:
He just doesn't have enough experience with enough different guns to write a book.

Yup! But I liked his section on the old time rifles.

I finally got a copy of Gregor Woods' book and read it over the last few days. Since Boddington's book is now out of print and out of stock with most vendors, it may the best book available at this time. I got mine from Safari Press. One thing I appreciated about the book is it speaks mostly about how rifles are selected in Africa by PH's, resident hunters, et al. Because it is recently written, he doesn't try to duplicate Boddington's book, nor does he need to. One can see similar conclusions about calibers, muzzle velocity and other issues in "The Perfect Shot". I liked the book and recommend it.

I have Taylor's and Boddington's books. I like Boddington's but can't handle Taylor's style and comments. I would recommend Boddington's for sure. I would pass on Taylor's.

Woods' book is next on my list.

I have all three, and each has redeeming qualities.

My problem with Taylor, Bell, et al of their era, is that they wrote about a different time, when an ivory hunter was on his own and had to shoot his way out of any problems with no help from others.

The conditions of the hunt as well as the firarms and ammo available are different today.

Incidentally, I've met Gregor Woods a couple of times in Durban RSA and read most of his stuff in Magnum Magazine. He seems to be a knowledgeable and nice guy.

Bill Quimby

I agree have all of them and like the different opions. I also would include Finn AAgards books as well, really like his thoughts on rifles and cartidges.Very pragmatic and he had a style I really liked.From a historical perspective SR Truesdell"s book the Rifle is also very interesting as well.