Sjakon
AH veteran
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2018
- Messages
- 177
- Reaction score
- 493
- Location
- Indonesia and Australia
- Media
- 52
- Articles
- 1
- Member of
- Life Member Sporting Shooters Association of Australia and Life Member NRA
- Hunted
- Indonesia, Australia, Africa
SAAM Safari Course: 15-18 February 2025
After freshening up I went back to the lodge where I was met by David who was going to be our chief instructor for the Safari course. I did not take my own rifle because it would be a hassle from Australia. David found me a 7mm PRC and a .375. The 7mm would be used for the first two days of precision shooting training and the .375 for the second two days for Safari Training shooting at moving targets of dangerous game. I was handed more ammunition than I have ever used before. The cost of large caliber ammunition in Australia is extremely expensive and difficult to get, so we do not use much other than for sighting in.
SAAM gives you to keep recoil shoulder pads, electronic hearing protectors, and shooting gloves.
The lodge is something special with scores of maybe over a hundred trophies including several elephant trophies on the walls and floor.
We had dinner at 7 PM then there was an introduction to SAAM by David and what to expect. EVERYWHERE there are signs to be humble and don’t be arrogant as well as gun safety and emphasizing that FTW was free of social correctness. Quite a breath of fresh air
What surprised me was that ALL the alcoholic beverages were FREE! But there are strict rules regarding times the bar is open and closed. I did not drink anything on because of my jet lag.
So after this I headed back to my cabin which was surprisingly comfortable with a great heater and hot water shower. I slept well.
After the lecture we went to the gun cleaning room. All rifles had their bolts removed and placed in holders to keep them horizontal. Short rods specifically for cleaning the bore of the rifle and then long rods for cleaning the barrel. The assortment of cleaning material they have in the United States is amazing. Remington even makes these wipes with gun oil in them. Like for cleaning a baby’s bum . I think it would be difficult to find some of this in Australia.
After cleaning we went to the short shooting range next to the lodge where we lay down prone to check the zero of the guns. On our cards we had 100 yard zero, and a 250 yard hunters zero. Lying down prone was not that comfortable but we got used to it. We were shown how to set the cheek piece on the stock and position our bodies to get the best view through the scope.
After lunch we went to one of the numerous long distance ranges and learned how to adjust for height and windage as well as hold using the reticle lines in our scopes. I did not come here to learn long distance shooting since I wanted to use my Mauser 86 in .416 for dangerous game, however, I do have a Sauer .300 WM in Australia which I use for Sambar deer in Gippsland. I have never dared take a 300 meter shot at an animal. After training here 500 yards was quite easy when there was no wind but the 700 yard was still pretty difficult for me although I did hit it once. I had a lot of difficulty in estimating the wind at different locations between the shooter and the target. We were offered to try a 1000 yard target but I declined.
After class we went to another long distance range and had a spotter watch us shooting at various ranges. FTW has hundreds of metal targets hanging at various distances. When we got better we were timed to shoot 200 yard, 300 yard and 400 yard. No time to adjust the scope, you had to use your hold over lines on the scope reticle.
Later after lunch we went back and then finished by driving to a spot where there were 3 rocks and we had to shoot these elk targets at 350 and 400 yards in a short interval. We learned to use our backpacks and bipods to steady our body and our rifle. This natural aiming point they teach is really useful. You position yourself so you naturally see the reticle on the target without any straining or use of muscle. It was getting dark by this time so we headed back to the lodge, for the bar and dinner.
Today was the start of the real fun using large caliber rifles and simulated dangerous game hunting using ammo from our belts.
We started with 25 yard targets of a buffalo facing us and we had to hit the vital parts which were outlined on the target. The skills we learned was using the bolt to reload whilst still looking at the target through our scopes. Completely new muscle memory for myself and I kept having to stop myself lowering the rifle. Another important factor was that although the rifles were sighted in at 50 yards, at 25 yards we had to aim 2 inches above the target due to distance between scope and bore of the rifle. We were also trained to refill the magazine from our belts whilst continuously watching the target. Absolutely invaluable skills for Africa this coming June.
Next we trained using targets at 50 yards and shooting of sticks. We were allowed 10 seconds to run up to the sticks and shoot the chest then the head. Frontal shots had to take in account if the buffalo was at an angle so the bullet went through vital tissue rather than just muscle. Xavier who is a PH was a great help here.
After lunch we went to the moving targets which consisted of targets moving left and right from us at 25 yards. No lead necessary. I was not too good at this but got better after a few tries.
The most exciting was having cut outs of charging elephants and buffalo on rails. We had to fire from different angles.
After lunch we went on a “jungle walk” where cut outs of different animals popped up and we had to shoot. It was very helpful in that I was always being thrown back by the recoil and learned to change my position to lean forward with one foot in front. It was really a fun day for me.
We finished the afternoon doing long distance shooting again including at the very end a competition shooting at various distances.
We went back to the lodge after this and settled our bills. My gosh you guys in the United States are so lucky to have such an assortment of large caliber ammunition at such reasonable prices.
Before dinner we had a group photo with all the participants. We had got to know each other well by this time and traded emails addresses.
Next morning was one of the coldest in the area and I left the ranch at 7.30 AM to join my family in Houston.
Conclusion I think it was a most worthwhile exercise and will most certainly make be better prepared for my Safari in June. Was it worth the money? Absolutely!
Thank you to all the SAAM instructors at FTW Ranch!
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Buffalo 25 yards two rapid shots without lowering rifle
Arriving
I flew into Houston 2 days earlier from Singapore, so the jet lag was still bad. There was no way I was going to drive 6 hours by myself to FTW where the SAAM course is done since I am used to driving on the left side of the road; not to mention being 72 years old so I was driven by a great driver called Djoudi in a SUV. The trip was uneventful until we turned off from the bitumen onto a gravel road. I think Djoudi was pretty surprised, however, we drove slowly and got to the main gate where you pushed a button and the gate opened. I was greeted by two very friendly members of the FTW team, Xavier and Stephen who helped me with my luggage and got me checked in.After freshening up I went back to the lodge where I was met by David who was going to be our chief instructor for the Safari course. I did not take my own rifle because it would be a hassle from Australia. David found me a 7mm PRC and a .375. The 7mm would be used for the first two days of precision shooting training and the .375 for the second two days for Safari Training shooting at moving targets of dangerous game. I was handed more ammunition than I have ever used before. The cost of large caliber ammunition in Australia is extremely expensive and difficult to get, so we do not use much other than for sighting in.
SAAM gives you to keep recoil shoulder pads, electronic hearing protectors, and shooting gloves.
The lodge is something special with scores of maybe over a hundred trophies including several elephant trophies on the walls and floor.
We had dinner at 7 PM then there was an introduction to SAAM by David and what to expect. EVERYWHERE there are signs to be humble and don’t be arrogant as well as gun safety and emphasizing that FTW was free of social correctness. Quite a breath of fresh air
What surprised me was that ALL the alcoholic beverages were FREE! But there are strict rules regarding times the bar is open and closed. I did not drink anything on because of my jet lag.
So after this I headed back to my cabin which was surprisingly comfortable with a great heater and hot water shower. I slept well.
Day 1
We started of with a good hot breakfast followed by 2 hours of lectures on long distance shooting, including breathing and trigger control. The IT lady at FTW had printed out ballistic cards for every rifle and cartridge being used in the course including both of my loaner rifles.After the lecture we went to the gun cleaning room. All rifles had their bolts removed and placed in holders to keep them horizontal. Short rods specifically for cleaning the bore of the rifle and then long rods for cleaning the barrel. The assortment of cleaning material they have in the United States is amazing. Remington even makes these wipes with gun oil in them. Like for cleaning a baby’s bum . I think it would be difficult to find some of this in Australia.
After cleaning we went to the short shooting range next to the lodge where we lay down prone to check the zero of the guns. On our cards we had 100 yard zero, and a 250 yard hunters zero. Lying down prone was not that comfortable but we got used to it. We were shown how to set the cheek piece on the stock and position our bodies to get the best view through the scope.
After lunch we went to one of the numerous long distance ranges and learned how to adjust for height and windage as well as hold using the reticle lines in our scopes. I did not come here to learn long distance shooting since I wanted to use my Mauser 86 in .416 for dangerous game, however, I do have a Sauer .300 WM in Australia which I use for Sambar deer in Gippsland. I have never dared take a 300 meter shot at an animal. After training here 500 yards was quite easy when there was no wind but the 700 yard was still pretty difficult for me although I did hit it once. I had a lot of difficulty in estimating the wind at different locations between the shooter and the target. We were offered to try a 1000 yard target but I declined.
Day 2
After breakfast we had more lectures on long distance shooting, using MOA an MIL reticle lines to estimate how much to hold over and then also to compensate for wind.After class we went to another long distance range and had a spotter watch us shooting at various ranges. FTW has hundreds of metal targets hanging at various distances. When we got better we were timed to shoot 200 yard, 300 yard and 400 yard. No time to adjust the scope, you had to use your hold over lines on the scope reticle.
Later after lunch we went back and then finished by driving to a spot where there were 3 rocks and we had to shoot these elk targets at 350 and 400 yards in a short interval. We learned to use our backpacks and bipods to steady our body and our rifle. This natural aiming point they teach is really useful. You position yourself so you naturally see the reticle on the target without any straining or use of muscle. It was getting dark by this time so we headed back to the lodge, for the bar and dinner.
Day 3
I still had jet lag so I was at the lodge at 6AM to get some coffee. Breakfast was served at 7 AM.Today was the start of the real fun using large caliber rifles and simulated dangerous game hunting using ammo from our belts.
We started with 25 yard targets of a buffalo facing us and we had to hit the vital parts which were outlined on the target. The skills we learned was using the bolt to reload whilst still looking at the target through our scopes. Completely new muscle memory for myself and I kept having to stop myself lowering the rifle. Another important factor was that although the rifles were sighted in at 50 yards, at 25 yards we had to aim 2 inches above the target due to distance between scope and bore of the rifle. We were also trained to refill the magazine from our belts whilst continuously watching the target. Absolutely invaluable skills for Africa this coming June.
Next we trained using targets at 50 yards and shooting of sticks. We were allowed 10 seconds to run up to the sticks and shoot the chest then the head. Frontal shots had to take in account if the buffalo was at an angle so the bullet went through vital tissue rather than just muscle. Xavier who is a PH was a great help here.
After lunch we went to the moving targets which consisted of targets moving left and right from us at 25 yards. No lead necessary. I was not too good at this but got better after a few tries.
The most exciting was having cut outs of charging elephants and buffalo on rails. We had to fire from different angles.
After lunch we went on a “jungle walk” where cut outs of different animals popped up and we had to shoot. It was very helpful in that I was always being thrown back by the recoil and learned to change my position to lean forward with one foot in front. It was really a fun day for me.
Day 4
After breakfast we had a short instruction course including watching videos on Safari Hunting and Hunter Etiquette. All useful information. Next we cleaned our guns and then went on another simulated dangerous game hunt including a bear and a tyrannosaurus rex. I really had no idea where the vital area of a dinosaur was, so I just shot him in the middle . It was all very useful preparation for the real thing. We later went on a road where we had elephant and buffalos pop up and we had to shoot them all in the vital area.We finished the afternoon doing long distance shooting again including at the very end a competition shooting at various distances.
We went back to the lodge after this and settled our bills. My gosh you guys in the United States are so lucky to have such an assortment of large caliber ammunition at such reasonable prices.
Before dinner we had a group photo with all the participants. We had got to know each other well by this time and traded emails addresses.
Next morning was one of the coldest in the area and I left the ranch at 7.30 AM to join my family in Houston.
Conclusion I think it was a most worthwhile exercise and will most certainly make be better prepared for my Safari in June. Was it worth the money? Absolutely!
Thank you to all the SAAM instructors at FTW Ranch!
Want to insert a picture from your files or add a shape or text box? You got it! On the Insert tab of the ribbon, just click the option you need.
