SOUTH AFRICA: Deflowering The .505 With DAVE FREEBURN SAFARIS (Special Guest Spike T)

[Vanguard2279]

And so it begins,....

After struggling to figure out how to upload photos from my phone to either of my desktops after one of the awesome updates, I figured a couple things out.

The Hunters: Vanguard 2279 and Norfolk Shooter (Mani)
The Outfitter: Dave Freeburn of @DAVE FREEBURN SAFARIS and Keenan (Apprentice PH)
My Rifles: Ruger M77 Guide Gun .416 (Ruger) loaded with 400-grain Swift A-frames and backed up by 400-grain Barnes Banded Solids. I really wanted the North Fork Cup Point Solids, but they would not feed reliably. Leupold 1-6x30 scope.
Christensen Ridgeline .300 PRC with factory Hornaday 190-grain CX. Swarovsky Z3 4-12x50 scope.
NF's Rifles: CZ 550 .505 Gibbs and his favored 7x64.

Observer/Accomplice: Mani's nephew, Sergio. That's not his real name. Some of you are aware that NF became a target of the Anti's and their horrendous behavior. We accept the fight, but Sergio doesn't need to get caught in the crossfire.

THE STORY
After painful deliberation, Mani purchased a CZ 550 in .505 Gibbs which fits his need for a classic safari rifle. Then came the obsession with hunting with it. We talked to a number of outfitters concerning a Cape Buffalo hunt for the two of us. We received a great offer from Dave Freeburn of @DAVE FREEBURN SAFARIS for a 2x1 hunt on his farm in the Limpopo outside Thabazimbi. The hunt would run 06/20/2024 to 06/27/2024 with a day of arrival and departure on each side. For me, this would be my third cape Buffalo hunt and my tenth safari. I also hoped to hunt Limpopo Bushbuck which is now my mountain to climb.

We had hope that @spike.t would be able to join us on the hunt, but he professed to be busy with farm maintenance and wouldn't make it. We knew we would have a great time with Dave, but Spike T makes everything a party. Spike (Mike) was sending us videos via our WhatsApp group of him risking his life daily burning brush on Takeri. For those of you who haven't hunted Takeri in northern Zambia, it truthfully is one of the most amazing places I have ever been.

As always, I utilized Jenn (Lady warrior Extraordinaire) at @TRAVEL EXPRESS for my flights. I opted for Comfort+ for the Delta LAS-ATL-JNB route. Checking in my Pelican case went smoothly and I really appreciate Delta sending notifications as my bags are loaded. This is comforting after the 04/2022 debacle with United Airlines where my rifles arrived in JNB with me but my suitcase with my clothes and ammo took it's one vacation to Amsterdam. I also utilized Afton for firearms clearances. Mr. X and I are FB friends and chat occasionally on WhatsApp.

Arriving in the evening, I had booked City Lodge at OR Tambo for the night's stay. Mani and Sergio were to arrive the next morning after a leisurely 12 hour two time zone flight from Heathrow. Mike had texted me to let me know that he had contacted the manager at City Lodge and prepaid for four Gin & Tonics for me in the bar. That's a lot of alcohol for me, but I was going to do my best. I got to my room and decided I would definitely stay at City Lodge again. I freshened up a bit and headed downstairs to have a late dinner and a couple G&T's. I asked my waitress about the G&T's but she advised me that she was unaware. I messaged Mike and he told me to go to the bar and talk directly to the bartender. As I approached the bar, someone grabbed my shoulder and said "Give me all your money!" Well, crap. It IS Johannesburg after all. The closest I've ever come to being kidnapped and robbed has been outside ticketing in 2022. I turn to deal with this situation.

Spike mother#@$%&#* T! I so knew he was lying about not being able to make it. He knows how much fun I am and had never actually met Mani face to face despite chatting online for years.

What is known about Spike T, international man of mystery? Obviously the wayward son of landed English gentry. We've all heard the stories of how his screen name came about. Roadie for the Sex Pistols in the 70's. Ill-fated and short-lived career as a porno movie stuntman in the 80's. Race car driver on the F3 & F1 circuit. Some say he is who Daniel Craig based his version of James Bond on. Regardless, Mike is a really colorful guy and I was thrilled to see him show up. And yes, we drank G&T's.

After a good night's sleep, I had breakfast and then cleared my room. The walk over to the airport was quick and I met with Dave Freeburn in the arrival area. Mani and Sergio were arriving some time around 1030. Their day of arrival coincided with President Ramaphosa's inauguration and we wanted to get on the road before the roads became hopelessly blocked. They arrived, collected mani's rifles and we were off.

Dave's lodge consists of several duplex-style guest rooms within a walled compound. The range is just behind this. Mani and I went and zeroed our rifles. I replaced the muzzle brake on the Ruger with the extended muzzle device which matches the brake in weight. Point of aim/impact was not affected.

The Fire Pit were much alcohol was consumed.
Our hunt started early the next morning. I was struck by how cold it was. This wasn't helped by me leaving Vegas where the temps were at and above 110 f. Now, I became more sure that April and May are my favorite months to hunt in South Africa. Bundled up, we hit the trails looking for fresh tracks. As the day wore on, it became warmer and much more pleasant.

Left to right: Mike's CZ550 .500J, Mani's CZ550 .505G, my Ruger M77 .416R and Dave's Heym .500NE double. Not pictured: Keenan's Remington 700 .458WM.

We were a fairly large group on this hunt. Dave, me, Mani, Mike, Sergio, Keenan and Older John (tracker). Approaches on game consisted of Dave and the hunter.
Dave's farm is hard hunting. Very thick brush broken up by open areas. Want to know where the Buffalo were? Not in the open areas any time we were near them.

 

[Mekaniks]

Excellent !!! I am following along with anticipation

 

[Vanguard2279]

Day two began the same as the first. We would come across fresh tracks, dismount and follow. We would get close, but the bulls would wind us and take off. I had not expected this to be easy. Of the entire group, I was the one to be caught by thorns the most. At times, I didn't even know why I was bleeding. My favorite moment came when I was snagged in the right cheek by a "wait a minute" branch and literally couldn't do anything about. Mani came over to me and asked if I wanted him to hold my rifle. I opted for asking him to get the thorns out of my face. His response: "Right, mate."

It was in the alter afternoon that we came across a small herd of Zebra. Dave and I dismounted with my .300 PRC. We encountered a Zebra stallion who had paused for a moment too long. I believe the range to have been 250 yards. I mounted my 4Stable Sticks and gained a sight picture. Boom! The Zebra went left at a high rate of speed. Great. Now, we get to look for a wounded Zebra late in the afternoon. My fears were allayed after finding the Zebra about 25 yards from where he had been hit in a pool of blood. We cleaned up the are and the Zebra and took photos.

One thing that I should mention. I have a tendency to obsess over certain firearms. Mani is the same way and that's part of the reasons he's one of my best friends. I bought a Christensen Ridgeline in 6.5 PRC and used it with glowing results in October 2022 with Dave Freeburn. I just had to have the .300 PRC version. After purchasing it, I was underwhelmed. I think part of the reason was that I have struggled to find a handload that I'm happy with. The factory Hornady 190-grain CX shoot into well under and inch when I do my part. I gave it a chance and took it the Eastern Cape in May 2023 with Western Safaris. Wow! This thing is like the hammer of Thor. It effectively became my favorite plains game rifle where distances could be long. My NULA M24 9.3x62 is my overall favorite. I haven't written that hunt report yet. I had an amazing time. I just procrastinated too much. I'll get around to it, hopefully shortly after I finish this one.

Keenan, Dave, Mike, Mani, Sergio and Older John.

Me.

 

[Vanguard2279]

Later afternoon on Day Two.
We approached a waterhole and observed an old bull. Dave and Mani made their way through the brush towards him. He is old and grand. Mani gets on the sticks. The bull offers a full frontal shot. Mani, a fantastic shot on game the world over, sends a 525-grain TSX into the bull's chest. The bull rears up and takes off into the brush. Mani gets a second shot and throws a Cutting Edge Solid at him. We give it a few minutes and follow up. No death bellow has been heard. It doesn't take long for us to lose the light and we accept that following any further is going to get ugly. We decide to come back in the morning.
Prior to going out, Mani checks zero again and finds his point of impact six inches lower than when we had checked zero upon arrival at the lodge. Oh, boy. This is going to be rough.

Little did we know that this would become an odyssey nor how it would end. It would test Tracker John's skills to their limit and earn him a place in the Tracker Hall of Fame (at least in Mani's eyes. Mine too, actually)

 

[Vanguard2279]

I stand corrected. Dave has a Verney Carron .500NE double. I apologize for any trauma this mistake may have caused.

 

[Sideshow]

Everyone gets caught by how cold it can be in Africa! I’ve had ice on the tents in the middle of the Namibia desert. Hope your getting a hot water bottle for the scratches
Loving the report so far. Keep it coming..

 

[norfolk shooter]

@Vanguard2279 the thorn incident involved a few choice words from my recollection. Also Sergio got got snagged up a good few times too on the hydration pack of his

 

[JerBear8]

Nice report! Looking forward to more details of the wounded buff and the tracker’s skills. I’ve always stood in awe of the trackers I’ve used. Thanks for sharing!

 

[AZDAVE]

Sounds like an interesting start to a safari, (Getting mugged by a good friend). Looking forward to the rest of the report. It is always special when you get to hunt with friends.

 

[Randy F]

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

As always, your humor is appreciated @Vanguard2279, keep it coming! And we're happy to be a part of your journey, thanks for continuing to trust in us.

 

[dailordasailor]

The mustache just pops up on reports left and right it seems.

Great story! Looking forward to the rest.

 

[BC Tal]

Awesome story, keep it coming! @Just a dude in BC and I will be hunting with Dave exactly 3 weeks today. Can’t wait!

 

[norfolk shooter]

The mustache just pops up on reports left and right it seems.

Great story! Looking forward to the rest.

Bro that my tash it get places that others can only dream of

 

[norfolk shooter]

Awesome story, keep it coming! @Just a dude in BC and I will be hunting with Dave exactly 3 weeks today. Can’t wait!

Dave is a top chap knows his stuff and runs a tight ship. I'll be hunting with @DAVE FREEBURN SAFARIS again of that im sure

 

[spike.t]

@Vanguard2279 the thorn incident involved a few choice words from my recollection. Also Sergio got got snagged up a good few times too on the hydration pack of his

I never noticed..did Sergio have issues in his relationship with thorns...hat...hydration pack..?..I thought it was a loving symbiotic relationship.....

 

[kitsch]

Ooooh....this is already a good one!

 

[spike.t]

Been waiting to see what I had been up to in my previous life.....great it is only same as last report or 2........as @Vanguard2279 said i honestly thought I couldn't go on the hunt...it's middle of burning for me.....and with bugger all rains in reality this year it was even more shit doing it than normal....so after breathing in too much smoke ash and shit ....I tthought Fk this I need a break...so spoke to my travel lady and booked flights after checking with Dave on the guys flight arrivals....and as nate was arriving day before others and my flight times from Lusaka only worked by arriving same day as nate I went ahead....then couple weeks later brought it up with my lovely wife....who said of course you must go they your friends....another reason she is love of my life ....so dave knew i was coming but the others didn't, even though they were telling me to come as had great time with nate when he hunted here, and when I joined him on his rhino darting hunt with Dave couple years ago....mani I have chatted to on here and WhatsApp for quite a while as well....so wanted to meet up with the mmmm....strangely attired little person.........sooo....I arrived in joburg walked to the city lodge hotel....now I arrived a few hours before nate....so as I was bored went down to check out the bar/restaurant area....which I was adequately happy with....very happy with.......had a great waitress...so orderd some food ...water...and a beer....food was excellent...so settled into my high table in bar area....and plotted....this is when I checked when nates flight was landing....so sent him WhatsApp saying sorry can't be there but I know someone who knows the manager of the city lodge ,and have sorted some gin and tonics for you...when you go to restaurant ask the barman he has been informed...so just to remind you I was in the bar for 4 or so hours before nate arrived....beers got boring and was starting to feel bit tired....so liquor coffee time....mine are made with dark rum.....yum yum....so couple of those and was rejuvenated....... ow since nate had landed we were messaging....so I get...walking g to hotel....checking in...in room....then I presume pissing around in room....eventually I get yeah heading to restaurant....so I am sat at my table with back to entrance area.....and obviously looking to my left where bar is....waiting for the yank to follow simple instructions...as been told go to bar and ask barman for gin and tonic.....I wait and wait and wait....can't see him....so ask if he got his drinks....he says no have sat at a table in the restaurant and just asked the head person in restaurant for them but she don't know anything about them.....I am like fk me this is getting difficult because the bloody yank won't follow simple instructions....I was getting fkd off after all my planning......so said I told you the manager said only barman knows about it....so finally I see nate go to the bar...at last....sneak you behind him and said stick em up motherfucker....he jumped around and said I fkn knew you would make it....so yeah worked out great in the end....didn't need the stress though ....we had a few more slugs of liquid sustenance then called it a night.....Next morning tried to get hold of him to get breakfast.....he had checked the time but wasn't on SA time so was an hour or 2 ahead and was already waiting in the terminal for mani to arrive.......so had breakfast then walked over to meet him outside arrivals....Dave turned up ...then a flamboyant person arrived and I finally met mani....and Sergio.....and what followed was a great time....was great to see nate again...and finally meet mani at last...he is definitely interestingly nuts........and Sergio on his first time out here....and good to see Dave again who I have known for nearly 20 years.....again great time ..cheers guys ...ps if any spelling etc wrong...tough just back on Takeri and quaffing the gin and tonics...so don't care

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Great start! Waiting on more!

 

[Vanguard2279]

The first thing I want to apologize for are the number of typos in my report so far. I really can spell. I promise.
DAY THREE:
I really could say that Days Four and Five were exactly like this one.
Tracker John picked up the tracks in the morning and Dave and Mani started after his wounded bull. Keenan, Mike and I would do what we could to assist. Often that would be trying to move ahead of Dave & Mani and see if the bull had left the hunting block. Tracker John doggedly followed the tracks. There were times that I was on the sticks waiting to see if the bull crossed an open area. Mani wanted to finish his bull, but like the true hunter he was, he didn't want the bull to continue to suffer and wanted him down. To be frank, I never had the opportunity.

I think there are a lot of words on this site towards what is a true dangerous game experience or what is a challenging hunt. Dave's farm is hard hunting, enough that it made me miss places that were easier. Thick brush and buffalo that don't leave that thick brush except near or after sunset. One thing we noticed was that Mani's bull was not eating or drinking.