Boy, did we have a blast in Rocky Mountain House! A dozen or so big bore affecionados showed up at the range; 15 guns in total, with calibers ranging from .375 up to .500 class.

There was good food, good shooting, good company, and at the end of the day a good fire; those that couldn't make it were sorely missed, and will be sorry they couldn't.

After a year of waiting I was reunited with my .416 Rigby, but that was just a warm-up. Bigger guns awaited. I can honestly say I found my limit. Many guns were surprisingly "mild" to shoot, but one rocked me. I think I need to shoot it again!

Many thanks to those that brought food, their guns, plenty of ammo, and interesting targets.

Let's do it again some time!

Frans

Sounds awesome! Please, have date set, I gotta make it!
Any pics?

It was a great time. I am still grinning from ear to ear from getting to pull the trigger(s!) on a 470 NE double for the first time in my life. (THANKS Canuck32!! )

And it was really great finally getting to meet everyone.

I am just back on a computer this AM...will post up a brief report and a few pics and maybe a vid clip or two this evening when I get home from work. Hopefully others will join in with their pics etc too....I know at least Frans and 470 Mbogo got some better pics than I.

We will definitely have to do this again. We were talking about BC next...maybe Williams Lake or Kamloops, or ??.

Cheers,
Canuck

What can I say that I haven't already? I had a "rocking" good time!!! My neck was a little sore yesterday, advise to others never get run over by a motorcycle and expect a painfree life. What really struck me was the humility of everyone present-"down to earth" as my dad used to say.

On the way out I stopped to pop off a few with my new revolver. I had to chase a doe off the range first and get this after about 20 shots another came and stood in the middle of the range right where I was shooting. Lucky for her there wasn't a tag in my pocket!

I'd definately drive out to bc for the next one, and make a little holiday out of it.

Thanks to everyone for the generous donation of ammo even though I didn't have any to share in return. I may have caught the bug though and next year I might have something intersting to bring.


the chef

I'll try to post a picture or two later, the videos, well, I'll need help. First from my daughter to edit them, then from the manual to figure out how to reduce them in size, and then from as yet not identified third parties to figure out how to get them on the web.

I watched the video I took, and noticed that I was the one that flexed the most by far under the various degrees of pounding. That resulted in some impressive muzzle flips! Others, with obviously a very different physique than yours truly hardly flipped the muzzle at all. What surprised me most were the two fellows that probably don't weigh very much more than I do (I'm around 135 lbs these days when I don't towel off after a shower), but that controlled the gun much better. Weight alone can't be the cause... so what is it? Technique, experience, strength? I'm probably low on all of these...

Frans

Hey my headache is gone

But now I have a serious problem. I thought I had reached my recoil limit with my 416 rem. But now I found out that my limit is much higher, so I believe the only thing to do is to buy another 416 and then get it worked to a 470 Mbogo

That is the only thing that I have been able to think about since Saturday. Where did I see a 416 rigby for sale? and Who should I get to do the work? And of course the other main question, where can I get a left handed 416 rigby? Because we have to have a match set.

Thanks alot guys.

There is now doubt that I will be making the next shoot.

Frans, I thought I was the lightest guy there, but I guess I have you beat buy just a couple pounds. Does that make me a heavy weight?

At the next shoot we could try and get a few pointers from the more experienced shoots. Different techniques to try to improve our shooting and to control our muzzle flip.

We will have to set up some kind of shooting course for rapid fire and reloading.

And lets not forget the all important DISTANCE portion of the shoot. Poor Turkey never stood a chance.

I will work on a couple pictures later on.

Graylake

Sound s good-how about early August in Willaims Lake and I can take it in before I am off to Tanzania for Buff.

Well Chris and I made the 1:30 Ferry back to the coast today so we had a lot of time to reflect on the good time we had. It was awesome to meet you guys and special thanks to Canuck 32 for all the time and energy he put into making targets and preparing food. I hope that we have the chance to do as much for you guys next shoot. Canuck it's always good to get together with you and pull triggfers on big stuff. Let me know when the next one is and I'll help you set it up.
I hope everyone got a chance to try out everything they wanted to. It was good to see that everyone shot so well. I think that Greylake would be tough to beat in a rapid fire shoot off. I'm sure I have some good video of that. I'll send some pictures to Canuck. I should get the big cannon out to the range more often. Thanks for the opportunity to shoot the double and a few cartridges that I haven't had the chance to shoot. The best of luck to all of you that have your future African Safaris booked. It was nice to share a campfire with you and hear of your plans. Frans your 416 worked beautifully and you shot it well so you must be a happy camper and thanks for the dinner you prepared. Where did the rest of that cake go? Thanks Calgary chef.
Take good care,
Dave

Sounds like you guys had fun!! Sorry I missed it..IF it was in Kamloops or WL I'd be sure to make time for the big shoot off!

I might even make something for you guys to eat!!

Canuck, get off your lazy butt and post some pics!!

Awesome time you guys and gal! Canuck32, thanks for all your time and effort. Good people we met, looking forward to next time.
Chris

OK, OK Gatehouse!! These things don't edit and upload themselves you know.

Here are some pics and a couple vid clips...I'll fill in the details after...

Pre-shoot lunch...supplied and cooked by Canuck32. Shaved buffalo, deep brown beans, buns, horseradish, potato salad...mmmmmmm

Thats Canuck32 along with Graylake and his lovely wife, Erika (sp?). Graylake brought some deelish "deer-stick" too, and Calgarychef brought a VERY popular chocolate cake for desert...(I think 470 Mbogo wants the recipe...he had about 6 pieces! )

Trump, 470 Mbogo and Grizzly Adams fillin' up!


The cartridge line-up

l to r: 375 H&H, 375 RUM, 416 Taylor, 416 Rem Mag, 416 Rigby, 458 Win Mag, 450 Ackley, 470 Mbogo, 470 NE, 505 Gibbs, 500 A-square.

The rifle lineup


Canuck32 and his 470 NE double

This was a real treat. Canuck32 provided me with my very first opportunity to fondle and shoot a double...and a 470 no-less. It was a complete thrill. THANKS!

Some of the targets

Canuck32 did yeomans work building the buffalo head shaped gongs and the target stands, and had a bunch of animal pictures printed off. Thanks again! I brought the life-sized buff pic on the far right.

One of the buff head gongs after meeting with a 500grain Swift Aframe from Dave E's 470 Mbogo


Closeup of same...

Can you say "hot knife through butter"? Canuck32, correct me if I am wrong but that looked like at least 3/8" plate!?!?

Frans shooting his 416 Rigby off the sticks



Trump shooting the 470 NE..in full recoil


Graylake showing some great form with the 500 A-Square...click pic for video clip

Looks good on him, don't it?

Canuck32 making 3 rapid shots from a 470 Mbogo look like childs play...(click on pic for video)

It looks like a 270 when he shoots it!!!!

The "after" target!


The shooters

l to r: Graylake, Canuck32, Canuck, 470 Mbogo, Calgarychef, Trump, Frans Diepstraten. (missing: Grizzly Adams had left before doing the group shot)

War wounds!

Oui, c'est moi! While shooting my 416T at the 500 yard sheep silhouette, I crept on the scope a bit and was a little too complacent! Got my very first badge of honor. Just a little nick. You will see by the band-aid on the finger that I also got "barked" by my 470 Mbogo...which was also a first. Not a good run of luck!

The LOP on my 416T is also a little short for me (which didn't help above). Here's Canuck32 demonstrating...it looks like a Chipmunk in his hands!!



After the shoot we retired to the camping area and had a fantastic moose stew for supper that was cooked by Frans Diepstraten, accompanied by macaroni salad supplied by Cyril. (no pics)

Re-hydrating with wobbly pops and tellin' stories after a fun day of blowin big holes in things...

l to r: Canuck32, Frans Diepstraten, Graylake and his wife Erika (another hardcore rifle and hunting nut!), 470 Mbogo, Trump (getting firewood).


l to r: Cyril, Canuck, Trump, Canuck32, Calgarychef (walking with pepperoni), Graylake and Erika.

I believe it is safe to say that a great time was had by all!

Please add some more pics fellas....I thought I did well but now realize that I didn't take nearly enough pics. The ones I have of people shooting are too back-lit and are essentially just silhouettes!

UPDATE: PICS FROM 470 Mbogo ADDED! Thanks Dave!

Cheers,
Canuck

It must have been a good time. Trump actually posted. That's number 2
Take care Chris
Dave

Thanks guys, it was a blast, literally. My jaw almost dropped when chef managed to dust that 400 yd turkey with his first shot. And here I had him figured for one of those 30 yd. bow and arrow guys
By the way, that guy[not sure who it was] is not shooting at a flock of geese. sorry I had to leav, but lunch was first class and I'm sure we all appreciated the heated club house. Nobody mentioned that on the next shot, that little flapper in the buffalo's head, just vanished. Nice facility too.
Grizz

Grizz

Glad to see the first Canadian big bore shoot was a hit. Looks like a good time was had by all. To bad that there are so many miles between your group and ours. An AR international big bore shoot would be a blast. Dave and Chris were in Texas a year and a half ago, hunting with us at Camp Cooley. Got to shoot and hunt with them then and will be glad to do so again.

Canuck32, you need to get a 470Mbogo, it suites you.

Keep doing the big bore shoots whenever you can.

Keith

PS: The "Band of Bubbas" had a shoot here in SE Texas, on the 28th.
Bubba Shoot

quote:

Keep doing the big bore shoots whenever you can.

Thanks Keith. You can bet we will try and keep it going. The travel makes it a little tough, as we big bore enthusiasts are few and scattered across a large landscape.

Here is the travel distances for the 9 of us that made the shoot (from Google Maps):

470 Mbogo and Trump: 1108 kms
Cyril: 773 kms
Canuck: 525 kms
Graylake: 239 kms
Calgarychef: 231 kms
Frans: 162 kms
Canuck32 and Grizzly Adams: locals (under 100 kms)

Speaking of 470 Mbogo and Trump, you know guys really like shootin' big bores when they'll drive two days each way for a one day shoot!!!

Cheers,
Canuck

Well guys and gals,
It was an absolutly great time and it was a pleasure to meet you all. I definatly will be at the next one.

Canuck, Thanks for taking some great photos and vids. I cannot wait to see Frans vids also. The plate used for the targets was 1/2" mild steel.

Hog Killer, I had the same idea when shooting it. The 470 Mbogo is an absolute pleasure to shoot. Believe me, I took full advantage of 470 Mbogo's and Trump's insights on that very subject.

Yeah Canuck, that is having to do some traveling.

I have about to go all of 15 yards from the den to the shooting area.(my back yard)

Keith

Looks like a great time! Thanks for sharing!

What make is the .470 NE? Looks like a nice rifle.

And good time was had by all!

Man o Man, I need to check this forum out more often. I live about an hr & 1/2 from RMH. Didnt even know this was going on!

Well boys (work permitting) you can count me in next year. I have 2 .416 Rem, and should have the .375 Ruger by then.

Sounds like you guys had a hoot.....would have loved to have been there.

And no kidding about canuck32, definately looks like a .270 in his hands, may even give off the wrong impression that it has almost no recoil

NEW VIDEO CLIP...


One of the hi-lights of the event for me was watching Graylake, a quiet, unassuming guy from farm country Alberta, practically put on a rapid-fire clinic with his 416 Rem Mag. His shooting form was a joy to watch...check it out for yourself...(video supplied by 470 Mbogo)...



He did fantastic, IMHO, especially for a guy that weighs about a buck forty. A wirey, hard as nails Alberta farmboy should never be underestimated!

Cheers,
Canuck

quote:

Man o Man, I need to check this forum out more often. I live about an hr & 1/2 from RMH. Didnt even know this was going on!

I'll say! Its only been tacked to the top of the forum since the beginning of December '06!

Keep an eye out for future events...it'd be great to have ya there!

Cheers,
Canuck

quote:

He did fantastic, IMHO, especially for a guy that weighs about a buck forty. A wirey, hard as nails Alberta farmboy should never be underestimated!

Buck forty, I will have you know that I weigh at least a buck and a half. With all my cloths, boots and and buckle on

Good times, and yes I know the 470 looks good on me. But then again what rifle doesn't look good in my hands

Sorry boys, unless I find some time tonight, the pics and videos will have to wait till after the weekend, I'm travelling up to Grande Prairie and Dawson Creek tomorrow. Videos may appear only if I figure out how to bring the size down considerably. Uncharted territory for me. My daughter has got the cool editing software though, so I may be able to figure it out.

Frans

quote:

Originally posted by Canuck:
He did fantastic, IMHO, especially for a guy that weighs about a buck forty. A wirey, hard as nails Alberta farmboy should never be underestimated!

4 shots in about 6 seconds! Not bad, eh?

Graylake was one of the guys that I refered to in my first post. Not a lot more mass, but MUCH better gun control.

Thinking about this I came up with the following. Shooting accurately is all about relaxing; maybe I'm a bit too relaxed when shooting the big guns. The only muscles that I really tightened are those that control the left hand grip (to make sure I didn't drop somebody's baby!), the right hand already a lot less, but for the rest I made no deliberate changes to posture or preparation; just as if I were shooting a .22.

Maybe next time I'll make a deliberate effort to tighten up on the core, in an attempt to control the muzzle flip. Any pointers? Maybe this topic should be in the big bores section....

Frans

Looks Wonderful, Good looking guns and I wish we
needed coats in April instead of AC.

OK, a few quick pictures:

Canuck fighting the wind with the lifesize buff target:



This one didn't quite make it through the 1/2" steel, a lowly .375 load I believe it was:



Concentration was required to kill the 300 yard turkey; the zoom on the video cameras worked wonders in absence of the spotting scope:



Frans

Erika, graylake, and all others very fine time....Sure wish I was there...
Never shot a 470mbogo nor a 505 Gibbs...I am game for them all...

Mike

Hi Keith,
I wish I was lucky enough to step out the backdoor and start shooting. I still dream about those hog hams you cooked up in Texas. I hope I can make it to the next hunt.
I wonder if Erika was shooting, would Sid have been the second fastest?
Take good care,
Dave

Dave, you proved your dedication to shooting, with you 1450 mile round trip to the shoot. That would be about equal to me driving to El Paso, Texas and back.

Canuck32, I am guessing that you used mild steel plate for your buff head target and the flapper. Speed is the killer of mild steel plate.

So, I take it y'all did not let the girl play with the big bores. Afraid she might out shoot somebody?

Keith

I was sorry to have missed the event due to a prior commitment, but now that I've seen the photos and vid, I'm REALLY sorry.

Count me in next year for sure!

Hog killer, if she wasn't pregnant she would have been in there like a dirty shirt!!

I fully expect her to be there next time, rapid firing her new .470 Mbogo!

I wouldn't mind actually trying the PH test next time (though I don't want to be compared to Graylake for speed!), and absolutely we need some buckets filled with water to add to the "awe" factor. Nothing like some reactive targets to add to the fun.

Frans

Frans, your are right about the water filled jugs. They are a must for big bore shooting. At the last "Band of Bubbas" shoot(same day as your shoot), we barely got all of the dead ones into a giant 55 gal. drum liner bag. I had to compress them three times to make them fit. If it is cold enough at the next shoot up there, you may have found a new way to make SNOW. They really turn into a fine mist when hit by the big ones.

Go to the thread posted by Rusty, in the Big Bore Forum on our last shoot. In the background of the pictures you should be able to make out the jug stands that I made from scrap 2x lumber. They hold up pretty well and cost very little to make.

Keith

I wonder what the big guns will be shooting in '08?
As copied from Norma's site.

quote:

2004-12-22
The Lead Ban of January 1, 2008

From January 1, 2008, it will not be possible to sell hunting and sporting ammunition, containing lead, meaning with bullets containing lead cores.

We could load bullets of any kind of material, but we feel that there is no good substitute for lead as of today, and that metallic lead does not cause any environmental problems. The latter opinion is also shared by Björn Gillberg and Ulf Qvarfort, among others.

The present, existing â€alternatives†are nearly all based on copper. The copper is toxic and being as hard as it is, the copper bullet only expands acceptably at a very high velocity. You could load these bullets in a 7 mm Rem Mag or a 300 Win Mag, but hardly in any of the slower European calibers. If the velocity at impact is not high enough, the bullet does not expand, but goes right through, like a full metal jacket. The consequences are long escapes, tracking and unnecessary suffering for the wounded animal.

Therefore, we fully comply with the official letters of the SVA* and the Swedish Hunting Association to the Swedish Government, in which both organizations express their opinion of postponing the lead ban to a time when reasonable alternatives exist.

To be able to continue hunting at all, it must be guaranteed that the killing of the animal is done in an ethical way. Therefore we need to keep the lead – at least for the time being!

PS At hunts for roe deer, moose and wild boar , 6 tons of lead is used every year - at practise and sporting, another 50 tons.

PPS Attemps that the American Army have made, using bullet cores of nickel and tungsten, have been terminated, since this material turned out to be carcinogen.

Bruce, I think that is just a EU eco BS deal. So buy someone elses ammo/bullets.

Keith

quote:

Originally posted by Hog Killer:
Bruce, I think that is just a EU eco BS deal. So buy someone elses ammo/bullets.

Keith

Phew! I was worried. In the reloading forum it was mentioned about possible lead banning in California, etc. I needed to know.
Thanks Keith

Erika does not have to be faster than me.

Remember the story about who gets to shoot what in Tanz. By the time I will have picked myself up off the ground, she will have had all the time in the world to shoot.

I am only hoping that she will allow me to shoot at a animal when we take our trip.

We brought her 375 to the range but were not sure about her shooting it. She is 6 months along and we were not sure what the effects would have been to the little one. We figured it should be alright but then decided at the last minute to not risk it.

I have been thinking about making some gongs for around my place. I have a bit of plate just kicking around and was thinking about making some different sized gongs for different ranges. Possibly 8" to 14" for ranges from 25 to 75 yards.

I will try that this summer and go from there. If that works then we will be able to use them for the next shoot.

Here is the only picture that we have that is not posted yet.

The group just getting ready to start shooting. Canuck32 is just about to take the first shot of the day.

Looks like a good time was had by all. I wanted to make this, but work interfered. Hopefully next year. - dan