This was my 13th year hunting with Andrew, and many more safari's, as some years I would come to Africa several times. I have hunted with several great outfits here in Africa, and while I have been fortunate to have only a few hiccups along the way, I have never had any issues at all with any hunts or safari's with Andrew. Andrew has not only become a great friend, but as far as we all are concerned a member of our family. My two sons got their first safari a few years ago, and of course that was with Andrew, my wife did her first shooting ever with Andrew, and I am quite sure that when my youngest, Mercedes, is ready, she too will hunt with Andrew.

Gunscore did a fantastic hunt report just a few weeks ago from his safari with Andrew in Gache Gache. This hunt report came at a perfect time for me, as I was only a week or so from traveling, and I hate to travel. After reading Gunscore's report it revived me tremendously, and made the travel so much easier for me, as it reminded me of where I was headed, and the adventures I would undertake as well. I won't do the detail that Mike did, but please visit his report for great photos and comments about his adventure with Andrew in Gache Gache, here on hunting reports. Here in Mike's report you will
see some great photos of camp, Andrew, Corris and more.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7471003091


Rifles Used; Winchester M70 458 B&M & M71 50 B&M Alaskan.... Both 18 inch barrels

Bullets; Cutting Edge Bullets .458 250 gr BBW#13 Raptor, 250 gr Socom, both 250s at 2900 fps. 325 and 450 Safari Solids or BBW#13 Solids. .500 caliber 365 gr BBW#13 Lever Raptor and matching 405 BBW#13 Lever Solid, 365 at 2175 fps and the 405 at 2120 fps.

I had 5 days of bullet testing booked with Andrew in South Africa before going to Zimbabwe and Gache Gache. In South Africa our goals were to test the two .458 caliber 250 gr CEBs on zebra, wildebeast, and anything else that stood still long enough to get a shot in. The area was very brushy, and the animals were wild as hell, which made the task even more difficult. If you like hunting, this was damn tough Plains Game hunting. We worked our tails off I tell you!

First day, Monday I believe, there was not a shot fired. From Tuesday through Thursday we hammered down, shot 2 zebra, 3 wildebeast, oryx, some impala and two warthogs, and right now I forget what else to be honest. I believe a total of 12-13 animals. Did not do much on Friday, but accomplished my goals and found both 250 gr .458 caliber bullets superb for plains game. Many, most in fact, dropping to the shot. I won't bore you with too many plains game photos, just a few....














After the plains game shoot we were on our way to Zimbabwe, where Andrew has had a long time relationship with his friend Corris Fierra at Gache Gache. We hunted there with Andrew and Corris in 2011 and had an incredible time, and now once again in 2013 we more than accomplished our goals there. Gache Gache has become my most favorite hunting grounds in Africa. Corris is very much a pleasure to hunt with, and spend time with, and no where I know of one can hunt hippo on land with such success rates, big crocodile are plentiful, buffalo, hippo, leopard (I don't hunt leopard), and on occasion some lion roam through the area, along with many other species............

One of my goals this trip was to put the 50 B&M Alaskan to work, and to test as well. The Ulitmate.... Buffalo! However, as things worked out, my first animal was a hippo a few short feet out of the water. This one was taking a nap just out of the water, we were able to approach to 15 yds before part of the pod woke up, and all hell broke loose then. First shot, 405 Lever Solid through the shoulders, and then laced him with 3 more quickly. Even then, he made it to the water in which we recovered less than 15 yds. Good Fun......



The very next day we came across a small herd of buffalo, with a good bull bringing up the rear. This was the bull for the 50 B&M AK............ On the run, and in the open, I took the shot.... 365 gr Lever Raptor at 2175 fps hit him just behind the shoulder, a quick follow up shot, 405 Lever Solid at 2120 fps hit a tree (I did not See), tree was 5-6 inches in diameter, passed through the tree completely, hit the buffalo 30 yards exactly behind the tree, passed through mid section of the buffalo, and EXITED!!!!!!!!!! The bull pulled up short about 15 yards past that point behind thick brush. We had a smoke, and found him yet another 20-25 yds laying down in thick brush, on approach he had leaked down, but still had enough in him to get on his feet to face us! At that point, I poured the 405 Solids to him, and rocked him back until he went down for the count. Even then, within touching distance, on his last breath he had enough to roll completely over to get to me..... A brave warrior to the last breath.............






It was now time to retire the Lever Gun, and pick up the Winchester M70 458 B&M.... Now we were hunting either buffalo, hippo, or even possible elephant. Just so happened we came across a great set of elephant tracks and decided to check them out. I loaded up with 450 gr BBW#13 Solids at 2200 fps from the 18 inch gun, and off we went. After a bit of tracking we caught up with 4 elephants, with them a good bull. Andrew and I were able to get to within 12 yards, but the brush was thick and both of us were on our hands and knees, looking up at the elephant facing us. I still did not have a frontal brain because of the brush, so we moved slightly to our left and I found a gap. However, as we moved he became alerted, as I began to line up for a frontal brain, he turned and ran to our right. Brush was thick, but I had a gap I could drop to his shoulder for a heart shot, I took it. He then hit the brush and Andrew threw a 500 gr #13 Solid into his mid section, and we took off after him. It was a short chase, 40-50 yards we caught up to him just as he went down. My 450 gr #13 Solid had hit him square in the heart, passed through both shoulders, and exited far side... End of story.




I wanted to see how the .458 250 gr Socom from CEB would do on buffalo, so I decided to try it on a cow buffalo Corris had available. We caught this one out broadside at 40-50 yards, I purposely went behind the shoulder for a lung shot and took it. Cow took off, and within a few yards it was very obviously hit hard, blood was flowing heavy. We caught up after 25-30 yds and as she turned to meet us I hit her in the shoulders with a 450 Solid and she was down. The 250 Socom hit hard, destroyed both lungs, and was found on the far side under the skin. It had not exited. Not something I would recommend on a regular basis, but if one had the perfect shot, as I did, then it did the job well. However, like I said, while I see this as a superb plains game bullet, I don't see it as the next new buffalo wonder bullet. You don't always have the perfect shot, and I think a tad more bullet is needed for those less than perfect shots. The 420 gr #13 Safari Raptor is the perfect buffalo bullet in .458 caliber.




Now we are hunting primary crocodile, and possible hippo we might run across..... With this in mind I am loaded with another 250 Socom for breaking croc necks. As we are sneaking up on a possible area for croc, on our right side we come across a big bull hippo, on a few yards away taking a nap. As we approach closer, he wakes, stands up, facing us at 17 yds. I have a perfect brain shot so take it. At the shot he drops, front end followed by rear. Quickly I put a 450 Solid through point of the shoulder, but it was not needed. On inspection the 250 Socom had hit the brain so hard that it squirted brains out both ears for 6 feet each side, and brain matter was coming out the nose as well. It blew a hole in the skull big as your fist, and nearly broke the entire back of the skull out. Found the bullet in the skull other side of the brain cavity. A tremendous amount of pressure, much like a small grenade, exploded inside the brain cavity.






We had two days left, and still looking for a croc. We had some bait close by camp, and sure enough a big croc had crawled up nearby getting some morning sun. We crept to within 27 yards, and once again the 250 Socom and 458 B&M anchored him to this spot for good.......... Broke the neck completely and passed through......





We had a great time with Andrew and Corris, as always. Next year we return again to Gache Gache, but this time, it will be my son Mark David that is out for his first "Buffalo"................ Naturally I may find time to shoot a few things myself again......................


Michael

Very cool photos, only problem is that I want to go back now, but my bank account won't let me. Happy to hear your ammo testing and trip went so well. I am amazed at the huge croc quality Gache Gache consistently produces. The teeth on that second hippo looked huge. Congrats and see you in Dallas.

Michael..great hunt with some classic animals taken. Would you say Gache Gache has good numbers of both elephant and buff?

Great trophies....and I love that lever gun!!

That second hippo is HUGE! Looks like a great trip.

Hmmm...I don't remember that goatee being quite that white before :-)

Nice report and pics!

Great photos! Sounds like a great time and a wonderful hunt.

Nice report and some impressive trophies! That last hippo was a stud! Heck of a set of teeth. Elephant too. Well done!

What a hunt!!!
Yes, that last hippo is a STUD
Nicely done!

Roland

Impressive and indeed the second hippo is massive in tooth. Well done.

GunsCore

Thanks buddy! You can believe it, you were there. Shot my croc on day 7 of 8. After taking the photos of my croc and doing all that goes along with that process, not 200 yards down was two more BIG CROCS... as large as the one I had shot just before, if not larger. We got into position, I had the shot lined up perfect, it was 57 yards, but I never flipped the safety off! I turned to Andrew and told him that we had accomplished all our goals there and exceeded them by far. The croc I had shot was perfect in every way, I felt great about rifle/cartridge/bullet performance, and it was time to end this safari on that note, and to leave these big crocs for the next fellow. I am a firm believer that all safaris should end well, and that there is a time to end, and always end on a good note. So that is what we did.

For sure, I look very much forward to seeing you in Dallas!



Safari2

I would say that there are good numbers of both buffalo and elephant there. We saw a lot of buffalo every morning and evening. This trip I did not see as many elephants as I did the one before this. But elephants go long ways and travel through all the time I think. Hippo and Croc... LOTS and LOTS... and not a chore at all to catch hippo on the ground.

quote:

Hmmm...I don't remember that goatee being quite that white before :-)

Yeah Biebs, that's because you are old and your memory is going fast........

Smartass....... HEH HEH.......

A few things we saw as well.. Some of them I left for you guys..... Although these buffalo were really giving me a problem with not shooting............




















Michael

Very nice hunt report and great photos. Congratulations...

My favorite part...
Awesome report!

quote:

On inspection the 250 Socom had hit the brain so hard that it squirted brains out both ears for 6 feet each side, and brain matter was coming out the nose as well. It blew a hole in the skull big as your fist, and nearly broke the entire back of the skull out. Found the bullet in the skull other side of the brain cavity. A tremendous amount of pressure, much like a small grenade, exploded inside the brain cavity.

Great hunt DocM

Congratulations on the elephant in the thick stuff.

A good hunter makes his own luck.

Rhodes

Great hunt report Michael!

That 458 sounds like a real thumper!
thanks for a well written report nice pics
Congrats, Can you tell us more about the Lever gun
Where did you get the custom work done?
Maybe a close up photo Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Rug:
That 458 sounds like a real thumper!
thanks for a well written report nice pics
Congrats, Can you tell us more about the Lever gun
Where did you get the custom work done?
Maybe a close up photo Thanks

Hi Rug

Thank you.....

You can learn more about the 50 B&M AK lever gun here on the B&M site......

http://www.b-mriflesandcartrid.../50-B-M-Alaskan.html

SSK Industries does all the B&M work, builds all the rifles.......

Thanks Again...
Michael

Thanks Jorge, Cappy, Boomy, Rhodes and all you guys....

M

Great bag. Love those warthogs.
lb

Hey Pal,

I believe you have confirmed what Beau and I found about the 458B&M shooting the 250gr CEBs; simply an outstanding PG bullet that can make the 458B&M a one gun safari rifle suitable for both PG and DG. Great report and pics

You told me how the Hippo lost his head (brains) over you but you failed to mention what huge tusks he has! Standard rule on Hippo is 1/3 out and 2/3 in, so that makes his teeth world class, IMO. Please let us know what they measure out of the skull.

Great report! Thanks for posting it.

Great report and pics! Thanks for posting. I really like the idea of having lever guns that are suitable for hunting in Africa. A Marlin "Guide Gun" conversion sounds like a great way to go with a red dot or 1-4x optic.

I'm not sure if I'd want to convert my Winchester Model 71 from it's original .348 caliber. What do you think of this caliber or a .375 Winchester "Big Bore 94" for use on plains game only? Are there any bullet choices for these that you'd recommend?

Great hunt report Michael. Fantastic photos as well. So after all the hubbub with the light bullets, what general opinion of "light for caliber" did you come away with?

quote:

Great report and pics! Thanks for posting. I really like the idea of having lever guns that are suitable for hunting in Africa. A Marlin "Guide Gun" conversion sounds like a great way to go with a red dot or 1-4x optic.

Pulicords

Thanks, because of the limited sight systems on the M71 being top eject, forward mount ER Scope, or red dot, today I would choose the Marlin platform simply because of being able to put a proper scope right on top of the receiver. ER Scope, at 15 yds or less has terrible field of view, and any of the red dots give me issues when in brush, and there is always brush.

quote:

I'm not sure if I'd want to convert my Winchester Model 71 from it's original .348 caliber. What do you think of this caliber or a .375 Winchester "Big Bore 94" for use on plains game only? Are there any bullet choices for these that you'd recommend?

Right now, I would have to review the 375 Win velocity and bullet weight, but the 348 with a proper designed bullet would be superb on plains game, keeping the ranges within reason. Again, you are saddled with the sight system issue, but in case of plains game nothing at all wrong with a ER Scope, I use the 2X Leupold for those. If I were going out with the 348 I would get with CEB and design a specific bullet for that purpose, to enhance its capabilities, not really a big chore and can be done very easily.


Hi Rick...... Thanks buddy!

Specifically concerning the 250s in .458 caliber, Extremely Light for caliber.... Perfect plains game bullet, even on the largest of plains game, and I will include thin skinned dangerous game in there as well, lion, bears, leopard. I had complete penetration through zebra and wildebeast with the the Socom, and recovered some of the #13 250s on the far side hides of same critters, so more than enough penetration for that.

However, when we get to buffalo, IF you have perfect broadside behind the shoulder shot, yes. But one does not always have the perfect shot eh..... So, I do not recommend for buffalo. I purposely took a behind the shoulder shot on that cow buffalo, it was perfect, it did a great job, bullet recovered under the skin far side, but what if it had been a big bull, and at an angle? These are my thoughts on the bullet for buffalo. There is a 370 gr lever raptor, seat deep, use Talon Tip, I think that would be a better choice for buffalo in .458, and would penetrate those less than perfect shots. Then of course there is the 420 Safari Raptor... #13 NonCon, that will do anything you want on buffalo, I have used it and got well over 4 feet of penetration with it on a frontal, no broadside shot will stay in.

Mike

On those hippo teeth...... I did not measure, I think we will have to wait now until they come in from Zim. Yes, I think they are going to be very substantial.

Michael

Great stuff Michael. Thanks for sharing.

Micheal, well done on your Safari and the bullet results, certainly beats punching holes in blocks of ballistic gelatin.
Have a good friend (who I load for) who is off to Zim next year for Buff and Sable and thinking of a one gun Safari using his 458 Lott. What was the POA POI like between the 450 and the 250?

Thanks Naki....

Zephyr

Thanks.... and for sure....

Your friend and You of course, should be able to sort POI out for a one gun 458 Lott safari fairly easy I believe.

In my 458 B&M I ran the 250s at 2900 fps in its 18 inch barrel, I had them shooting 1 inch hi at 50 yards. Running a 450 #13 Solid at 2200 fps was dead spot on at 50, so it was 1 inch lower than the 250s. I had the matching 420 Noncon at 2300 fps it was only slightly right of the 250s, and I even threw in a 325 #13 Solid at 2500 fps and it was in the same hole as the 450 #13 Solids..... All tight POI at 50 yards, and easy to work with. I don't think you will have any issues at all.

If anything, depending on velocity, the 250s will shoot hi at 50 yds. You can adjust the elevation by taking velocity down if needed. I would suggest the 450/420 combination for buffalo, and of course the 250s would smash Sable. I have not done any data with the 250s in 458 Lott... Something I have been meaning to get to, but have not had the chance, I imagine 3100-3200 pretty easy..... I have data with the heavier bullets in the Lott....

Michael

I keep going through photos while here in Pretoria and finding new things....... Personally I like the off the chart photos, the ones that are taken before "Official" or after Official photos.... My wife is great at this and these are a few from her photo folder........

Here Andrew, Corris, and myself are discussing the debrief on the elephant.............




Here Andrew and I are giving some study to the exit of the 450 #13 Solid through both shoulders......



The traditional taking of the elephant tail.....



Discussing the first hippo.........



Me dead in the middle of a "Bullet Discussion"..........



Michael

great report and very nice photographs to go with it, well done !

quote:

Originally posted by michael458:
I keep going through photos while here in Pretoria and finding new things....... Personally I like the off the chart photos, the ones that are taken before "Official" or after Official photos.... My wife is great at this and these are a few from her photo folder........

Here Andrew, Corris, and myself are discussing the debrief on the elephant.............




Here Andrew and I are giving some study to the exit of the 450 #13 Solid through both shoulders......



The traditional taking of the elephant tail.....



Discussing the first hippo.........



Me dead in the middle of a "Bullet Discussion"..........



Michael

Thanks for the great hunt report!

Giving me another choice for my Zim trip!

Ali Hakam.......

Man, talk about a nice report, and incredible photos... Your report is truly a great one, and those photos... WOW...... I swear, I am going to steal that photo of yours of the buffalo standing looking at you... INCREDIBLE...... Congrats on all your success as well.....

Thanks Sactoller.... Yes man, a visit with Andrew and Corris is a lot of fun, in a truly amazing area full of beautiful scenery, lots of animals, and a great adventure around every turn.... I really love that area Gache Gache..... Of course, lots of it has to do with the company one keeps too..... A really good group, I did not mention it, but the food while there is fantastic, and if not careful you will put on weight no doubt..... Good Food, Cold Beer, drinks and such... Absolutely required, and there is no shortage at Gache Gache......

Before flying back out the last day, Corris and Andrew arranged to have some of the trophies brought to camp for a little photo shoot, you know the traditional end of safari show off... HEH HEH...... Here are some of those as well......









And of course just before getting on the plane... From the left.....
Corris, Andrew, BJ-Camera Man.. Corris's lovely Wife Hillary, Jaun-My lovely Bride, and of course me......



Next year I am taking my middle son, Mark David, back to Gache Gache for his first Cape Buffalo, right now, we are taking bets on what rifle he will choose........
Thanks again....
Michael

SMILE Michael!

quote:

Originally posted by srose:
SMILE Michael!

Sun's in my Eyes........ And anyway, here is my smile.......

Hey Michael, Just kidding with you. Those are a bunch of really nice trophies. Great report and great testing of new bullets!

Really great report with lots of good information and wonderful trophies. Thank you for sharing.

Good show Michael, look forward to seeing you and the family at Dallas! Mark said he would like to hunt Elephant again with Corris and Andrew. He talked a lot about all the Hippo's and Croc's in the lake, but I drilled him if the waterfowl were still there in great numbers. He replied in the affirmative