Africa Dreamin'

[Guy Miner]

Spent some time today at the range, dreaming of hunting Africa! Not bad prep for our bear hunt in a month either... Had the .375 H&H Number One at the range, and my leather cartridge carrier. Did my shooting standing and sitting, no rests. Did use the sling for support, which works well despite the sling swivel being attached to a barrel band. That's one stout barrel though... Ammo was 260 gr Nosler Accubonds over Reloader 15, for a modest but accurate and effective 2620 fps.







All I did was quick shooting drills. Taking the rifle from a ready position to the shoulder and snapping off a shot at a 6" target, then reloading and shooting a second shot as quickly as possible. I did pretty good. Missed a few shots, but got most of them.

Dang that was fun! I do think though, that Africa will be even better... :grin:

Guy

 

[joelkdouglas]

I have tried talking my wife into a joint venture to Africa, but she isn't buying it. She said she was fine with Alaska and Canada, however.

Are you after kudu? They sound awesome to hunt, and look cool mounted also.

 

[Guy Miner]

The two biggest animals I'm interested in for this trip are kudu & gemsbok, particularly the gemsbok.

Don't need the .375 for that, but what the heck. Why not?

I do have to wonder, if I saw a nice eland... Sigh... My mastercard might get quite the workout.

My wife isn't interested in the Africa trip either. I think I can get her up to Alaska someday for a fishing/camping trip.

Guy

 

[muleman]

Keep the dream'n going! It'll happen. I think the 375 would be a good choice. Most shooting will be under 300yds. I had shots out to 450yds but I was hunting on the plains of Namibia. Practice your shooting from a tripod; the grass is often too high to go prone or sitting. You can borrow mine to practice with if you want.
Scott

 

[Guy Miner]

Tripod eh? What kind do you have?

Kind offer, but maybe it's something I should buy for myself... Might be handy here too!

Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

Guy, my 9.3x74R is set the same way with the sling swivel, but the barrel is short (22 inches) and heavy, it looks like a water pipe!

 

[muleman]

My sticks are hickory and have copper sockets so they can be taken down or shortened to shoot from the sitting position - kinda classic looking. The outfitter in Africa I was hunting with used a tripod that is made by Primos. If you want t make some on the cheap just obtain 3 hardwood dowels{3/4"- 1"} about 6' feet in length and wrap some sliced innertube around them about 6" from the top. When you open the tripod up the innertube will tighten up and hold quite securely. If you want to be nice to your guns - wrap the tips of the tripod in innertube as well - that way the recoil won't hurt the finish. Talk to your outfitter - I bet he'll say "practice from sticks".

Scott

 

[Guy Miner]

Thanks Scott. I think it's time I build a set of "sticks" or two....

Guy

 

[russ808]

Guy,
I have to agree with Scott. Sticks. Shoot from sticks.
Russ

 

[Hegland]

Looks like a load of fun, Guy. Glad you settled on the trip, and equally glad to see you savoring the time leading up to it!

 

[Divernhunter]

I took a tripod from Primos and a Cabelas Bi-pod to Africa with me. Never used the Primos unit but used the Cabelas bi-pod on most every shot. It is a copy of the Bog-Pod bipod.
When I got home I bought another Cabelas bi-pod and Tri-pod. I left the Cabelas Bi-pod with the PH in Africa.
Something that really helped me was to use the bi-pod with the legs pushed out front some, lean into it and steady my elbow(right one and I shoot right handed) on the PH or another bi-pod used as a bi-pod or mono-pod. Made a huge difference especially when shooting the 338win mag at 325-480 yards. All one shot kills.

I compared the Cabelas and the Bog-Pod brands and could see no difference except the Bog-Pod had a red upper foam grip vrs the blach foam for Cabelas. Oh The price of the bog-pog was 2-3 times higher also.

 

[bullet]

Guy, I really like that, what an all business set up indeed. Really cool :grin:

 

[SJB358]

Very cool pictures Guy. Sounds like you are getting prepped up pretty well for the hunt of a lifetime.

 

[JD338]

Nice picture Guy!
That 375 H&H is a pretty awesome round.

JD338

 

[sask boy]

That rifle looks to be all business Guy. looking forward to more photos and the story of your up coming bear hunt.

Blessings,
Dan