The Return to ....

[toxic111]

I saw the same at the Cabela's near Seattle.. 9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP & .223 was non-existant, and .22lr was limted to 100rnds per person per day.

 

[BRICKBURN]

.........my partner ....had a good friend "reload" 80 rounds that he did not try through his rifle before we got into the Kalahari Desert, 50 miles from no where. The reloading dies were set wrong ............. He won't make that mistake again!

Hard to believe one would take ammo to Africa that he didnt at least look at and chamber. I carefully load my own and run each round thru the gun before I go anywhere.

Chalk up another one for AH.

I have never had this issue before with any of my reloads but I thought I had better check just in case.

After the noted cautionary notes in another thread I just finished running every reload through the rifles.

Everything fit down the pipe(s) fine.

On about 8% it was a little more difficult to close/throw the bolt closed.

I would never tolerate this on a DG hunt at all. Certainly not any place where there might be sand or dust.

I resized every one of the 8% all over again and then reloaded each one.

I ended up with 7 rounds out of 200 and change that still had issues with the bolt closing.
(just had to use slightly more pressure)

I had to figure this out.
Took out the micrometer and measured. No issues with width. A few seemed slightly longer.
Then I looked at all the cartridge bases and found that there were shiny spots on the bottom of the problem cases.
Each had a very small malformation like the rims appeared to be bent.

Not something you would want for fast easy follow up shots.

Thanks Cliffy and Scott you made me think.
You probably just saved me some trouble. Much appreciated.

One more step has now been added to all future reloading batches.

 

[spike.t]

Tis the season.
Everyone will start jumping on the big birds and escaping to the hunting grounds soon enough.

Get a tan for me Mike.

hi brick just back today and managed the classic brown arms, legs and face, with white body tan!! it was nice and hot with the nights starting to cool in the last 2 or 3 evenings, so it must be getting very cool at night further south, and i know that will make you happy for when you get there :biggrin2::beer:

 

[BRICKBURN]

Sounds good to me. Glad you survived your trip.
So, did you just tan or go hunting?


Fall is coming down south as surely as spring snow is flying here.
From 18c to -9C in one day.
Drove home through a blizzard in the high mountain passes.

So, cooler nights in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are not going to be a big concern. You're right.

More good news just came in.
One of my hunting buddies managed to successfully run the Frankfurt Firearms maze.
Their permit arrived today.

One more to go and we only have to avoid airline strikes.

68 Days.

 

[spike.t]

Sounds good to me. Glad you survived your trip.
So, did you just tan or go hunting?

no hunting just messing around and relaxing. the grass is so thick and high you cant see any animals, they could be 4feet away and you wouldnt have a clue . kate and finn had never seen the reserve just after the rains when its all green, so was a change for them. will put some photos on my photo page. we also christened the new bar in the lodge on the first night very well !!!

 

[BRICKBURN]

no hunting just messing around and relaxing. the grass is so thick and high you cant see any animals, they could be 4feet away and you wouldnt have a clue . kate and finn had never seen the reserve just after the rains when its all green, so was a change for them. will put some photos on my photo page. we also christened the new bar in the lodge on the first night very well !!!

Look forward to that.


Another 10-25cm of spring snow blew in today.

I am going to adapt and pretend it is fall and pretend its hunting season and go out tomorrow.

Namibia could use this water. I'd love to shift it to fall over there.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Boarding the HMS Dauntless we headed out into yet another storm on Sunday hoping to encounter the Black Backed Jackals cousins on some private property.
In search of the same quad of pilfering canines that reduced a trophy deer to bones and antlers last fall.

We did see a few but they did not provide opportunity to the shooter. Being the herder I had opportunities but I left my rifle cartridges at home and had taken the shot gun along. Too far for any type of clean shots.
Next time I'll smarten up. Good reminder for Africa.

It warmed up enough to present us with alternate possibilities for training on the sticks.
With the pure white snow, spotting was not an issue.
Pest ground squirrels had decided to come out on top of the snow.
We decided to take Barts advice and go heavy on this outing. 55 grain .223. Excellent results.

Great practice and excuses were provided. When the misses happened at 150 yards: "They'd all be dead deer!"
OK! Granted they were near misses.


I got to learn another lesson this week.

Got a brand new card for the upcoming trip, updated expiration date.
It was compromised within 30 days of issue leaving me traveling on an alternate card.
It took ten days to get the new one.
I made a clarification phone call today asking about the potential re-occurance during my international travels. No, reassurance really.
Suggested I bring a second card.
I got a number for them to send a two day emergency replacement. I'll believe it when I see it.

Take a second credit card along on your hunt for back up.

 

[toxic111]

I need to go & see if there are any gophers out here that I can try the sticks on... I wonder what the .300 will do to one.. lol..

 

[bluey]

I need to go & see if there are any gophers out here that I can try the sticks on... I wonder what the .300 will do to one.. lol..

pink mist would be my guess toxic

 

[toxic111]

pink mist would be my guess toxic

Ya.. between the .223 with 55's & the .300 with 180's should leave a stain on the snow.. lol

 

[bluey]

yeah so now i know not to eat either yellow or pink snow :shocked:

 

[BRICKBURN]

yeah so now i know not to eat either yellow or pink snow :shocked:

pic...

 

[BRICKBURN]

Today I acquired 4000 rounds of .22 ammo.
This should be enough.

I added 500 rounds of 9mm just to balance the shopping cart.

It is time to get practicing in earnest.


Anyone know of some reasonable cost Africa plains game targets?

I would like to get everyone trained to shoot through the shoulder, not behind it.
I have to overcome this trained behaviour.

 

[SNIPER59]

Today I acquired 4000 rounds of .22 ammo.
This should be enough.

I added 500 rounds of 9mm just to balance the shopping cart.

It is time to get practicing in earnest.


Anyone know of some reasonable cost Africa plains game targets?

I would like to get everyone trained to shoot through the shoulder, not behind it.
I have to overcome this trained behaviour.

It really is hard to believe how trained we are to shoot ''behind the shoulder''. It took me 12 animals to get it right in Africa, and put it ''through'' the shoulder....the next 12 were done correct and dropped correctly!!
It really does take practise to do it.

 

[spike.t]

I need to go & see if there are any gophers out here that I can try the sticks on... I wonder what the .300 will do to one.. lol..

i shot a francolin with my .300 years ago ,and all that was left was the head.......they made me have a photo but havent got a clue where it is as way before digital cameras.......

 

[BRICKBURN]

It really is hard to believe how trained we are to shoot ''behind the shoulder''. It took me 12 animals to get it right in Africa, and put it ''through'' the shoulder....the next 12 were done correct and dropped correctly!!
It really does take practise to do it.

If there is no rush to the shot I am fine. Any type of pressure and that vertical cross hair just will not pass that front leg line.
Inbred meat hunting.
You would never want to waste that precious shoulder steak.
When we started butchering all our game I learned just how little meat there was there. I'm over the meat wasting. Now, onto the retraining.

 

[toxic111]

I'm going to try & keep the through the shoulder part in mind. Behind the shoulder is how we are trained, not to do with meat, but I think where the lungs are in NA animals.

Now for practice, if it would stop blowing or snowing I would get some more time at the range. I also found out that the road to the range had washed out some, and was closed, so it is a walk in.

 

[BRICKBURN]

.......

Now for practice, if it would stop blowing or snowing I would get some more time at the range. ...........

Started some spring squalls again today. We just geared up and headed out.

Rookie with a new to them .260 Remington. Sighted it in at 25 yards and then out to 100. Three inch groups at 100 yards with shelf ammo and no real practice. Not bad.
It will get better.

With my latest reloads, Sub MOA with the 300 WinMag. with no real effort. I think it is ready for Africa. :whoo:

Tried to wear out three .22's. About 900 rounds sent off today at 25 yards. Mostly sitting and off hand from behind the truck as a wind/snow break.
Using 2 inch swinging gongs. A little more entertaining than a paper targets.

Now, the search for those paper targets to train the mind.

 

[toxic111]

wind wasn't bad.. just damn cold today.. well I guess if you call 30k not bad today..

Yesterday it was 40-60 gusting 80k.... that is just a little much to practice in..

The rest of the week should improve... I still have 14 days to get ready... ACK!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Another preparatory adventure with the airlines today.

Advised AC that I had firearms and ammunition coming along with me.
It only took 13 minutes on hold to get it done. We are now good to go, as far as they are concerned.

I was told I would be accompanied with my firearm upon arrival in Frankfurt. I can hardly wait to see what this looks like.
I guess I won't get lost in the airport.

They also suggested I contact SAA about the firearms as well. So, I did.
SAA did not require any prior notice and do not make advance notations on the file regarding firearms, as far as this CR knew.
"Just declare it at the airport."

Ok, one more administrative task done.