Recent content by Safari Dave

I love Capstick. (1980's) I would read all of his books, then read Boddington's books for an update on Africa. If you have time, read some of the "classics," just for amusement.

In Africa, I've taken 6 animals with a .300 Win Mag., 2 with a .375 H&H, and 5 with a .416 Rigby. If limited to 2, it would be the .375 and the .416. I wish I could have gotten close enough to use my .470, but it just didn't happen. I'm glad I had my scoped .416 Rigby for my last hunt. The...

I know I've said this before, but, on my first hunt to RSA there was a "cull hunt" going on while we were hunting. Someone killed a Blue Wildebeest with a rifle that had 7 broadheads in it! Great for the landowner! Too bad for the "archers." I guess they were rewarded with the trophy fees.

With the time restraints when one is on safari, and the "one drop of blood = kill" rules, I think it may be a little "foolhardy" to use lighter cartridges. I really like my 7x57, but would not take it to Africa. IMO, you are better served with more power and deeper penetration.

In the U.S., there has been a "push" to legalize cartridges that, ethically, make no sense to hunt big game. For example, in Georgia, it is perfectly legal to hunt a 800 pound bear with a .25 ACP derringer. (64 ft/lbs. of energy at the muzzle. But, it is illegal to hunt a 30 pound yearling...

I've never lost an animal when shooting Remington Core-Lokt's. (150, 165 (my favorite) or 180g) And, I've probably taken over 100 BG animals with them. At the distances I hunt (100-200 yards, mainly with a .30/06,) there is no reason to spend over $30/box for factory ammo. My problems come...

I hunt with several older rifles with low twists rates, and they don't do a good job of stabilizing monolithic copper bullets. I think Barnes makes great bullets, but, IME, they have difficulty stabilizing in older rifles. Just ME...

The most accurate bullets I've ever fired were Sierra Matchkings, from my most accurate rifle. However, I don't think they preform well as hunting bullets. Nosler Partitions have never failed me.

4 - .375's 1- .416 2- 458's 1 - .470 Too much info is never a good thing.

IMO - nothing replaces personal interaction..... Talk to him over the phone, if he is too far away to meet face to face. Ask questions, talk about experiences, etc. A phony will not, usually, be able to explain much about the JNB airport. A hunter will.

At this point, I have almost given up on the "fragmentary" bullet crowd. They work superbly on a broadside shot, but when you are limited to a 7-10 day safari, sometimes you are limited to just take take the shot that PH tells you to take. IME, sometimes the "perfect" shot just doesn't present...

My old opinions of any 7mm bullet have probably been made up for by modern 7mm bullet technology. Almost everything I have experienced with any projectile has been with old "cup & core" bullets. My son and I have friendly, yet constantly ongoing, arguments about rifles & cartridges. He...

IMO, Cape Buffalo hunting should not be about measurements. IMO, it is not about the horns. It is about the experience. IMO, I would rather have this in "wild Africa": As opposed to this, with luxurious accommodations: To each his own, but I want to be a "hunter" as opposed to a...

When you take a hard look at ballistics of the 7mm's, many are pretty anemic. I have one each of : 7x57 7-08 7 RM For me, they just lack something when it comes to taking big game, compared to a .30 caliber. I've taken a whitetail buck with the 7x57. The results were OK, but nothing...

No doubt, the 7x57 will be the classic favorite. But, IMO, 7mm Remington Magnum would be the most versatile and practical of the 7mm's.