I wired the balance of my daily rate a couple of days ago, and today I sent in a completed SAPS form for a firearm pre-approval.

I'm within 6 weeks of Africa and I am starting to get pumped. I've been watching safari hunting videos and it seems watching the vids have sharpened my eye when it comes to spotting game!

I have two more range sessions to go, but my .416 Rem Mag seems to be spot on at 100 yards.

It has been 13 years since my last safari (elephant and buff - with a liver transplant in between), and I am really looking forward to this trip.

Anticipation seems to be a most enjoyable part of a hunting safari, at least for me.

BH63

when are you flying? I depart from Dulles on 6 September on SAA.

I will be departing DEN on 8 Sep and will be flying Delta. So I guess I will be a couple of days behind you.

Where are you hunting?

BH63

I will be hunting the Save Conservancy with Mike Payne - Matendere and Gunundwe ranches. This is a target rich environment for sure.
How about you?

I will be hunting with Lin Stanton on the Nuanetsi Ranch. I hope to get a really large buff to be the centerpiece of my existing two buffalo mounts.

I hope I have the patience and grit to pass up the lessor beasts.

BH63

Heard back from Afton House, my SAPS firearms import is approved. Going to the range tomorrow and shoot a few more rounds with my .416.

Now its just time to sit back, finish up reading a book on Africa ("Last of the Few" by Tony Sanchez-Arino) while sipping a little bourbon and pepsi, and try to be patient.

BH63

Good Luck.
Look forward to your report.
Cheers
Steve

Stopped by the doc's office today for a flue shot and a prescription for Malarone. Bags are packed. One more trip to the range this weekend and then I will be PUMPED. I will try my best to get a buff 40" or more.

BH63

Hope you have a wonderful trip with many great memories!

quote:

Originally posted by BuffHunter63:
Stopped by the doc's office today for a flue shot and a prescription for Malarone. Bags are packed. One more trip to the range this weekend and then I will be PUMPED. I will try my best to get a buff 40" or more.

BH63

I think I have been packed for 3 weeks now - actually packed, changed my mind on what to take, re-packed, weighed bags, took stuff out, reweighed - you know the drill. I fly a week from today and can't wait. I got a call from my PH a few days ago telling me there has been a 70 pounder seen a few times on the ranch. This was supposed to be a buffalo hunt, but I am a firm believer in taking what Africa offers!

the last three days will seem longer than the last three days before Christmas when you were a kid...

quote:

Originally posted by BuffHunter63:
Heard back from Afton House, my SAPS firearms import is approved. Going to the range tomorrow and shoot a few more rounds with my .416.

Now its just time to sit back, finish up reading a book on Africa ("Last of the Few" by Tony Sanchez-Arino) while sipping a little bourbon and pepsi, and try to be patient.

BH63

May I suggest you do some off hand practice shooting with a smaller gun?

I never practice with my 375/404 safari rifle.

I try to shoot a few targets off hand at 100 yards.

The target has consecutive bulls measuring about 6.5 inches.

I try to shoot as soon as I acquire the target.

I use a 308 Winchester rifle for this - a Remington 700 custom I built myself.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
the last three days will seem longer than the last three days before Christmas when you were a kid...

More true words have never been spoken!

Great advice from Saeed!

Thanks for all the well wishes and great advice. I think I will take my .243 and burn up some rounds shooting off hand at 50 and 100 yds (especially since I didn't get drawn for a deer tag this year).

BH63

And yes, I will probably pack and repack my bags a couple of times.

And for those who like to do shooting sticks practice, and good way to do it is to use a camera mono pod.

It is more difficult, but certainly much easier than shooting off hand.

I have a mono pod that has a large sort of nut on the side - just teh right hight for me.

I put some padded tape on it, and use it this too.

It wobbles all over the place, which makes shooting of the stick so much easier

I understand the US Army sniper school now includes shooting from a camera tripod as part of its training. When hunting deer and elk, I always carry a monopod, for use when the bipods aren't quite high enough.

BH63

I had a very quick shot at a trophy Bushbuck in the thick riverine bush in the Bubye Conservancy a few years back, and the only thing available was the videographer's camera pod. Suffice it to say, it worked!

Went to the range Saturday for my last shooting before heading to Zim.

I couldn't have been more pleased with the results. With my 1.5x-5x Leo set to 5, my first shot off the bench was a perfect bullseye (100yds). This was using a Remington 400 gr Swift A-frame (.416 Rem Mag). I then switched to a Barnes solid (also 400 gr) and this bullet hit about 1 inch to the left.

I then switched the scope to 1.5x and took a quick shot at a 50 yd target, using only minimal support on the fore end of the stock. This bullet hit about 1 inch low, but was perfect for windage.

Since I had other commitments, I didn't have time to shoot my .243 offhand, which I originally planned, but I was still pretty happy with the way the Win Mod 70 Safari Express shot. I figure MOA with a .416 at 100 yds was good enough shooting.

Now I just hope my gun and ammo make it safely to Zimbabwe.

Again, thanks for all the advice. Two and a wake up.


BH63

Best wishes for a great hunt!

Have a great trip!

Good luck and good hunting!

I made it to Afton Guest House with rifle and ammo intact. After a steak dinner, a quick shower and bed. Woke up two hours later, and am posting this. Still nice to be in Africa. Met some good people here including staff and a bunch of other hunters. One couple has hunted just about everywhere in Africa except Namibia. Now for a sleeping pill and back to bed. BTW The room is very nice, clean, and modern with free WIFI and flatscreen cable TV. Much nicer than a chain hotel IMO.
BH63

Just got back home (Denver) yesterday. Tired but happy. Getting the gun and ammo through Jo'burg was a breeze thanks to Mr. X from Afton House. Getting them through Bulawayo was also a breeze, but they did count ammo both ways (which flew in a locked, plastic container inside my checked baggage for both Delta and South African Airlink, without problem).

Returning through Atlanta was fast EXCEPT for getting the gun checked. The plane landed at 5:15 am and by 5:35 am I was waiting in line to have my gun checked (the guns are brought to the check area direct from the airplane). After checking the serial number and relocking the case, I had to take my baggage to the exit area. There another person ran a swab around all the edges of the case and did a chemical analysis (or something). Then the gun was finally put back into the luggage que for transfer to the plane. Although it took slightly over two hours from the time I deplaned to the time I was at my departure gate. Make sure to allow adequate connection time when returning to the states.

Another thing (new to me) was that after checking in at the Delta counter at DIA, the gun was taken by an airport employee to another place to be x-rayed. I had to accompany the rifle. It was then moved to the planed via the porter. It had a big tag, "not to be placed on carousel".

Still had a great trip and I was so glad I stayed at The Afton Guest House. I got to meet a lot of other hunters and it was a lot like being at a hunting camp (although the accomodations were first rate and spotlessly clean). I will definitely stay there on my next trip.

BH63