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

[Datchew]

looks like a helluva good time. Great report!

 

[norfolk shooter]

Great report! Very nice buffalo as well! Need to get @norfolk shooter a nice little 375, so he won’t have to scare his bulls to death with that big cannon of his! LOL!

I have a stunning vintage 375. Just thought Id get a slap down rifle for fun

 

[spike.t]

Dave got us safely back to JNB and I met up with Mr. X who assisted me getting my rifles checked in. I bid farewell to Mani and Sergio as they made their way home on an earlier flight. I picked up more stuffed animals for my granddaughters at Out of Africa Kids. Since I started this, I find a carved wooden animal for any new member of the staff I work with. The Law Clerk changes every year. I found a Cape Buffalo for him as his spirit animal. Mostly this is based on his football highlight video and his tendency to ram his head into stuff. I followed my ritual of getting South African wine at the Duty free shop and then went to the Pizza place in the international terminal.
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My flight home was uneventful and I landed to the high heat of Vegas. Doc from previous hunt reports was there to pick me up. While he was waiting for me, he ran into my mother's cousin who was returning from Europe. He gave both of us a ride home.

And that concludes this hunt report. I hope Mani adds a few pictures that I know he has. It was fantastic to hunt with my friend for the third time and to meet his nephew Sergio and to start him on the path of a hunter.

What kind of world would it be without adventurers like Spike T? I am thankful to call him my friend.

It was great to be around Keenan as an apprentice PH. He has chosen the best to learn from and he will be amazing in the future.

Dave's staff take care of everything. His chef Hendrik stands out as one of the best.

@DAVE FREEBURN SAFARIS is absolutely fantastic. Dave's diligence and hard work made a tough hunt successful and left us with great memories. Mani and I are already talking about hunting with him again. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to hunt Cape Buffalo in South Africa. He put up with a lot. I can promise you that you will have a great hunt with Dave. I just can't promise you'll have @spike.t .

Hey am always available with the right incentives.....

 

[sureshot375]

Sounds like a good time was had by all!!

I would like to know the total number of G&Ts consumed during this adventure.

Maybe I missed it, but did you all figure out the problem with the scope being off?? What was the scope and mount setup? Are those detachable mounts?? Maybe errant mustache wax prevented the rings from gripping properly???

 

[norfolk shooter]

Sounds like a good time was had by all!!

I would like to know the total number of G&Ts consumed during this adventure.

Maybe I missed it, but did you all figure out the problem with the scope being off?? What was the scope and mount setup? Are those detachable mounts?? Maybe errant mustache wax prevented the rings from gripping properly???

Scope is a Trijicon accupoint 1.4x24. Sits in a set of EWA swing off mounts that have always been repeatable. What caused the scope to be off after zeroing is tbh unknown. I kept beating myself up thinking it was my crap shooting but it turned out 2100fps in the 505 doesn't suit it too well. I have since tweeked my load and am looking forward to round 2 with it.

I just hope Barnes bring some 505 tsx to DSC, Saying that I have enough

 

[ActionBob]

Scope is a Trijicon accupoint 1.4x24. Sits in a set of EWA swing off mounts that have always been repeatable. What caused the scope to be off after zeroing is tbh unknown. I kept beating myself up thinking it was my crap shooting but it turned out 2100fps in the 505 doesn't suit it too well. I have since tweeked my load and am looking forward to round 2 with it.

I just hope Barnes bring some 505 tsx to DSC, Saying that I have enough

My pet load with 525 grain TSX in the CZ 505 Gibbs is clocking at about 2350 if memory serves. @matt85 developed that for me before I had reloading equipment. I believe it is 145 grains of RL-25 and 147 grains for a 525 grain banded solid. I haven't shot it in a couple of years but I remember it being a spike driver..... It could probably drive tacks as well

 

[norfolk shooter]

My pet load with 525 grain TSX in the CZ 505 Gibbs is clocking at about 2350 if memory serves. @matt85 developed that for me before I had reloading equipment. I believe it is 145 grains of RL-25 and 147 grains for a 525 grain banded solid. I haven't shot it in a couple of years but I remember it being a spike driver..... It could probably drive tacks as well

For me getting powder in the UK is hard. I have to work with what I can get. I've not gone over the max load with N150 but at the max it's shooting well.

I might go a little over to see what happens but I'm happy with 2285fps. Saying that if adding another few grains can push that into 2300s I might just do it and trade a little accuracy for sledgehammer performance

 

[ActionBob]

For me getting powder in the UK is hard. I have to work with what I can get. I've not gone over the max load with N150 but at the max it's shooting well.

I might go a little over to see what happens but I'm happy with 2285fps. Saying that if adding another few grains can push that into 2300s I might just do it and trade a little accuracy for sledgehammer performance

Well the cool thing with a 505 Gibbs is it is the Hammer Of Thor without needing to be loaded to the max I mean it sounds like your first shot on that buffalo penetrated adequately I was only questioning the 2100 fps with a 525 grain TSX as to it's accuracy in a CZ 550.

According to @matt85 that 2350 speed range was the sweet spot for my rifle as far as grouping well. And 2 grains more to get those solids to regulate. I have not checked the speed or loaded any cartridges for the 505 myself.

If you are happy with the accuracy of your rifle at 2285 there is certainly no reason to load it hotter. I'm no expert but I suppose accuracy is different with different powders?

 

[Nyati]

Two buffs and lots of fun with good friends, what more can you ask

 

[norfolk shooter]

Well the cool thing with a 505 Gibbs is it is the Hammer Of Thor without needing to be loaded to the max I mean it sounds like your first shot on that buffalo penetrated adequately I was only questioning the 2100 fps with a 525 grain TSX as to it's accuracy in a CZ 550.

According to @matt85 that 2350 speed range was the sweet spot for my rifle as far as grouping well. And 2 grains more to get those solids to regulate. I have not checked the speed or loaded any cartridges for the 505 myself.

If you are happy with the accuracy of your rifle at 2285 there is certainly no reason to load it hotter. I'm no expert but I suppose accuracy is different with different powders?

Accuracy I think differs at velocity. I can always try at a higher load as long as I don't get pressure indication. Also crimping will increase pressure and may up the speed. I'll find out soon

 

[Brian]

Wonderful, buffalo . The story is much fun to read. Exciting, informative and humorous, relatable and obviously factual! Thanks for the fun. Brian

 

[matt85]

Getting ActionBob's rifle to shoot accurately with the 525gr bullet was actually kind of tricky. I had better luck with 570gr and 600gr bullets in the 505 Gibbs.

I personally used a 570gr A-frame and a 600gr VGR2.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Getting ActionBob's rifle to shoot accurately with the 525gr bullet was actually kind of tricky. I had better luck with 570gr and 600gr bullets in the 505 Gibbs.

I personally used a 570gr A-frame and a 600gr VGR2.

Exactly,
My 505 Gibbs “Dragon Slayer” is using 570 grain Swift A-Frames coming in at 2200 fps. Nothing walks away from that…

HH

 

[Sideshow]

For me getting powder in the UK is hard. I have to work with what I can get. I've not gone over the max load with N150 but at the max it's shooting well.

I might go a little over to see what happens but I'm happy with 2285fps. Saying that if adding another few grains can push that into 2300s I might just do it and trade a little accuracy for sledgehammer performance

I’ll keep an eye out down my way for some N150 for you @norfolk shooter

 

[norfolk shooter]

I’ll keep an eye out down my way for some N150 for you @norfolk shooter

Don't worry mate. Last time I found some I bought 4kg of it

 

[Datchew]

i had a ton of fun reading this report. You guys sound like a blast to hunt with.
Congrats and thanks for sharing.

 

[enysse]

Congratulations guys! Nice to see a bunch of AH members hunting and having good time!