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  1. DLSJR

    20 vs 28 gauge

    You’d be stunned at how effective a 410 loaded with TSS is on any bird, including Honkers. I’ve got a friend from the south who comes to hunt waterfowl with me in Idaho. He brings Foxtrot Ammo TSS shells loaded with a mixture of 9’s&10’s. He’s got right at 300 pellets in a 3” 410 load. I’ve...
  2. DLSJR

    Cape Buffalo in SA or Tanzania? The better hunt

    The Bubye Valley Conservancy is very expensive, especially when compared to other options in Zimbabwe. Also, their lion population is so large that it’s impacting the plains game and buffalo hunting. Not that long ago, a very wealthy fellow purchased the entire BVC and the stories I’ve...
  3. DLSJR

    20 vs 28 gauge

    No, I don’t shoot steel in my 28’s. Hevi-X, Boss are what I mostly shoot. 4s or 6s for ducks, 4s for geese. Most of the honkers I’ve shot with a 28 gauge have been with 4’s, you focus on the head and neck. But when shooting TSS on Honkers, it’s usually 9’s and they go right through the birds.
  4. DLSJR

    20 vs 28 gauge

    They believe by hunting each blind only once or twice a week and with 28’s & 410’s, they hold more ducks. They’re not as loud, so they don’t chase birds out as much. When the birds are down from Alberta/Saskatchewan, it’s about as good as duck hunting can be. Many days that 3 of us have...
  5. DLSJR

    20 vs 28 gauge

    You’ll be fine with a good 28 gauge. I did nearly all my duck hunting for the first 50 years with 12 gauges. Then, 7 years ago I sold my property and joined a duck club in Idaho that only allowed sub-gauge guns, 20, 28, 410’s. So I bought guns in all those gauges. 28’s do just fine on...
  6. DLSJR

    Quality check on handloaded .470 NEs

    Brandon Gleason nailed it. Spread the powder on your lawn or garden. It makes good fertilizer.
  7. DLSJR

    Chasing the North American 41 waterfowl species...

    Green Chile, you’re doing pretty good on number of species, a lot more than I’ve taken. Or will take. I’ve been hunting waterfowl steadily for 57 seasons, most years hunting 20-30 days a season, though the last 4-5 years have been less. I’ve shot thousands of ducks and geese but only 28...
  8. DLSJR

    First buffalo hunt question

    Johnny is excellent! One of the better PH’s around, no matter which country. He’s been providing very good safaris for a long time.
  9. DLSJR

    NAMIBIA: First African Hunt — “Once In A Lifetime Waterbuck?”

    You were fortunate to shoot an exceptional Common Waterbuck! Many years ago, I shot a bull in Zimbabwe that was a bit over 31” and I was told I’d never see a better one and was very fortunate to take such a fine specimen. You were indeed fortunate and won’t likely ever see another as large.
  10. DLSJR

    .375 what should I look for?

    @Schmidty Have you realized yet that a Model 70 is the obvious choice? Great rifle and good value too.
  11. DLSJR

    Most Dangerous Hunt(s)

    I’ve had a couple with elephants that could have gone very badly. The first was in Zimbabwe on my very first African hunt, 1983 on Deka. I was 24 years old and enjoying what had already been a great safari. We found a herd of several dozen elephants in the western end of Deka and there was a...
  12. DLSJR

    Wive’s bday safari… hoping to hunt!

    @RLXFXR if you can make enough time, give serious thought to visiting Victoria Falls. It’s a bit out of the way compared to Limpopo, but well worth it if you can swing the time. On a recent buffalo hunt on Zimbabwe’s Savé Valley Conservancy, we spent our first five days in country at Vic...
  13. DLSJR

    Wive’s bday safari… hoping to hunt!

    I did a similar game viewing and hunting safari some years ago and it was expertly arranged by Marita Dyason of Spear Safaris. Ernest Dyason is an excellent PH and his wife Marita does a fantastic job arranging the non-hunting aspects. Highly recommend @Spear Safaris
  14. DLSJR

    Leopard Back From Zambia

    I prefer either a closed mouth or slack jawed. I’m not a real big fan of snarling myself, but that’s just me. I should have a leopard back soon from Tanzania and will most likely mount it slack jawed.
  15. DLSJR

    SOUTH AFRICA: Very Big Free Range Buffalo In South Africa

    Ernest is very good, both as a hunter and great all around guy with whom to spend time.
  16. DLSJR

    Most rounds shot on safari

    Interesting question and for me it has varied widely. A lot more on early safaris than on recent ones. On my first safari I probably shot around 30-35 rounds between my 270, 300 Winchester and 458 Winchester. I shot 16 or 17 animals, so between sighting in, multiple shots on animals, etc...
  17. DLSJR

    Bullet suggestion for heart / lung shot on Elephant ?

    I can’t imagine why you’d shoot a round nose solid over a flat nose. The wide meplat flat nosed solids have been proven to out penetrate round nose solids, as well as track straighter. They’re a superior bullet. You’ve got plenty of time to test several different bullets to find a better one.
  18. DLSJR

    Bullet suggestion for heart / lung shot on Elephant ?

    Riflecrank, If you met them when Roy was hunting as Alan’s client, it was likely for their annual October hunt with Saeed. Those three enjoy a fantastic time together every year. They’ve all had a great 43 year run together, but it’s getting closer to the end as Roy is now 78 and seriously...
  19. DLSJR

    Bullet suggestion for heart / lung shot on Elephant ?

    Fordy, the point I was making is simply that a fully mature elephant bull is one hell of a lot bigger, stronger and more formidable than a juvenile bull or cow. As in roughly twice as big. His skull is proportionally bigger as well, so the bone is much thicker, denser and more difficult to...
  20. DLSJR

    Which of these two rifles would you recommend for leopard?

    Either would be great, but I’d suggest the 338 and Nosler Partition. Besides, that scope is a bit better choice as 18x is way too much top end. I’ve shot 3 leopards: One with 300 Winchester and a 180 grain Nosler Partition. The cat was dead before he fell off the limb. Two were shot with 338...
  21. DLSJR

    Bullet suggestion for heart / lung shot on Elephant ?

    Interesting that you mention this, as I’ve heard it before. Alan Vincent, Roy’s son, is a PH of 34 years experience and whom I do most of my hunting with. He loves Trophy Bonded Sledgehammers for elephant hunting. Like the rest of us, he considers the Monometal, flat nose solids to be...
  22. DLSJR

    Leopard Hunts.... How much bait did you shoot?

    On the right edge of this photo you can see both a Zebra leg and Buffalo leg. We hung the Zebra and that Tom ate nearly the entire leg in first night, so we hung the buffalo leg to go with it. He liked both baits.
  23. DLSJR

    Leopard Hunts.... How much bait did you shoot?

    In Zimbabwe we used impala & warthogs for leopard bait. It was many years ago but I was allocated something like 6-8 animals between pigs and impalas for bait. Put up 4 baits, shot a 165 lb Tom during daylight on very first sit. In Tanzania we’ve used Zebra, buffalo and hartebeest. We had a...
  24. DLSJR

    Finally getting a shot at an elephant with a bow!!

    Your comments about shooting in the lungs is exactly what I’ve been told, that a lung shot crocs will come onto land to avoid drowning.
  25. DLSJR

    Affordable Hippo Hunt in South Africa?

    Gentlemen, this is an interesting thread but there are some misconceptions about a genuine Dry Land Hippo hunt. There are places where one can shoot a hippo out of the water, but he will likely be close to the water and maybe you catch him out of the water, maybe not. There are also places...
  26. DLSJR

    Bullet suggestion for heart / lung shot on Elephant ?

    This has been a great discussion. Lots of good information here, as well as a bit that should be reconsidered. First, there is only ONE bullet type that is suitable for elephants in this day and age and that’s a flat point solid. Period. While cup point solids and even TSX’s may be...
  27. DLSJR

    So dumb questions about the 375 H&H

    Get a model 70 and you’ll never need another rifle.
  28. DLSJR

    Buffalo rifle show and tell

    My 375 is built around a pre-64 express action, Brown Precision fiberglass stock, 24” Shilen select match grade stainless barrel, Timney trigger set to 2 3/4 lbs and topped with a Leupold VX5HD scope in 2-10x with CDS turret and Firedot Reticle, set in Talley mounts. It’s the one rifle my PH...
  29. DLSJR

    What gifts do you bring back from your safari?

    Instead of bringing gifts back for my kids and wife, I’ve taken them with me to enjoy Africa together. My wife has been to Zambia & Zimbabwe with me, my daughter has been to South Africa and then to Kenya & Tanzania along with her boyfriend and came back engaged after he proposed at the summit...
  30. DLSJR

    Many cheap hunts vs only one very expensive premium hunt in a lifetime

    If they build a new airport in Serengeti NP, it won’t affect hunting much, if at all. The Maswa blocks all border the park on the far west and I believe the airport will be located toward the southern portion of the park, but I could be mistaken. As for the Selous, the hunting portion of the...
  31. DLSJR

    Many cheap hunts vs only one very expensive premium hunt in a lifetime

    I can 100% relate to what you say! My first African hunt was a 24-day affair and we took a large bag that included leopard, 2 buffalo and an elephant bull as well as some excellent plains game. That was in 1983, on Zimbabwe’s Deka Safari Area. That still ranks as the most enjoyable month of...
  32. DLSJR

    Many cheap hunts vs only one very expensive premium hunt in a lifetime

    I believe there is a place for everyone to find an African hunt to suit their wants. They’re all GOOD! For me, it’s mostly the big wild areas and usually including dangerous game. I’ve been fortunate to make 10 hunts and a photo trip to seven different countries. The photo trip was to Kenya...
  33. DLSJR

    How to deter hunters from asking me to hunt on my land

    Yeah, locking that kid in the camper of my pickup was a one time thing. The warden gave me a lecture about not doing that again. I’ve caught a number of other poachers on various ranches over the years, but after that I just took their ID details and turned them in the law enforcement.
  34. DLSJR

    First Gun Purchase for new Hunter

    I voted for 270, as among the choices you gave, it’s as good a choice as any and better than nearly all others. If you’d have listed 30-06, that’s what I’d have selected for an only rifle, especially with the other information you’ve provided. With today’s fantastic selection of bullets, a...
  35. DLSJR

    How to deter hunters from asking me to hunt on my land

    This is SPOT ON! Many Years ago, on a hunting lease I’ve had since the early 1980’s, I caught a teenager trespassing on one of the ranches. I told him to lay his gun down, which he did (he was scared as I’m really aggressive when dealing with trespassers) and I marched him to my truck, loaded...
  36. DLSJR

    Swift Break away solid ammunation

    That’s what I’m expecting. I’ve got some loaded and they seem to cycle well, but in the heat of the moment when cycling the bolt harder and faster I’m curious if they’ll cycle the same in that scenario.
  37. DLSJR

    Swift Break away solid ammunation

    For anyone who has used them in a bolt action rifle, how do they feed compared to a regular flat pointed solid? I love the Cutting Edge Safari Solid in my 416 Hoffman, but have had some feeding problems when cycling the bolt rapidly. I really like the Cutting Edge solid but a concerned about...
  38. DLSJR

    I KNOW IT IS OVERKILL BUT WHAT BULLET AND WEIGHT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IN .458 WIN MAG FOR LEOPARD?

    Mark, I have a pretty good idea that your friends did not benefit from having some of the preparations to their blind that we’ve routinely done when I am leopard hunting. First and most important, in my opinion, when we are building the blind we build in a very stout rest that includes a rail...
  39. DLSJR

    I KNOW IT IS OVERKILL BUT WHAT BULLET AND WEIGHT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IN .458 WIN MAG FOR LEOPARD?

    One other consideration to add to your analysis is that, despite being a really easy shot at close range, with a solid rest at a stationary animal, a lot of hunters screw up the shot on a leopard due to nerves. Is it easier to shoot a 300 or 458 when your pulse is racing, you’re breathing hard...
  40. DLSJR

    I KNOW IT IS OVERKILL BUT WHAT BULLET AND WEIGHT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IN .458 WIN MAG FOR LEOPARD?

    I would NEVER use a Berger on any dangerous game animal. Period. Stick with any of these bullets for leopard, all of which would be great for leopard and are well proven over thousands of thin skinned plains game animals… Nosler - Partition (excellent choice), Accubond or solid base Trophy...
  41. DLSJR

    First safari Cape buffalo

    Congratulations! That’s a nice bull and cool description of taking that bull. The Savé is a special place. A friend and I were there in May and enjoyed a great buffalo hunt like you did. Which Savé block did you hunt? We were on Hammond.
  42. DLSJR

    Interesting interview on game farming and Put and Take

    Based on what you’ve said, you should give serious consideration to booking a hunt on the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania. It’s as wild as you’ll ever see, great big game country! If you search, you can find my hunt report from September of 2023 about my Selous hunt. I’m planning another hunt...
  43. DLSJR

    I KNOW IT IS OVERKILL BUT WHAT BULLET AND WEIGHT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IN .458 WIN MAG FOR LEOPARD?

    The A Square Lion Load bullet proved to be a shit bullet. The larger caliber Nosler Partitions do have a thicker jacket but no more than a Swift A-Frame. Either would be fine but personally I’d still go with a Bearclaw.
  44. DLSJR

    I need a "Use Enough Gun" Gun. Suggestions?

    Thank you! For years I’ve been debating this with the crowd who swears that ‘shock’ is what kills animals. What actually kills animals is organ destruction, blood loss and pneumo-thorax, ideally bilateral pneumo-thorax. You get that by two holes in the chest cavity to collapse the lungs. An...
  45. DLSJR

    The spirits, the witches, African Tokoloshe, superstitions, experiences and the tales

    This has been a real good thread. I read every single post with keen interest.
  46. DLSJR

    I KNOW IT IS OVERKILL BUT WHAT BULLET AND WEIGHT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IN .458 WIN MAG FOR LEOPARD?

    I believe these scopes mentioned are overkill for a leopard and they most definitely are for buffalo. I’ve found a Leupold VX5 in 2-10x with the red Firedot reticle to be about as close to perfect as you can get. It’s a 30mm tube and 42mm objective. This is plenty of light gathering and...
  47. DLSJR

    I KNOW IT IS OVERKILL BUT WHAT BULLET AND WEIGHT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IN .458 WIN MAG FOR LEOPARD?

    Whoa, FULL STOP!! Please don’t screw around with multiple loads, bullets, scopes. Pick one good load using a Bearclaw or A-Frame, Northfork or Nosler Partition, 400 grains is not a bad idea at all, but a 300 grain bullet in 458 for a buffalo IS a bad idea. Sight your gun in for 100 yards but...
  48. DLSJR

    Taking a buffalo in a group, pass-through

    Marius, as Mtn_Infantry mentioned Federal does have 375 H&H factory ammo in stock with 300 grain Bearclaws. Unfortunately, they are not offering them as component bullets for reloading. I’ve got a good amount of this ammunition on hand, thanks to a fellow AH member who was selling 5 boxes...
  49. DLSJR

    Need help choosing between 2 calibers

    I’d take your 300 Winchester for all the reasons everyone else mentioned. And if you want to get a new rifle, buy a good 375 H&H and you’ll have 2 great African rifles.
  50. DLSJR

    REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Bongo In The Congo Second Try

    Bruce, congratulations on another excellent adventure in the jungle. You’ve had great luck with Christophe across your hunts! Thank you for the great report and how you took us along with you. Safe travels!
 
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