Getting Ready!

[Catahoula]

I'm still 6 months out from my next trip to South Africa, but am getting anxious. I've been filling the time shooting, planning and gear checking. I had a productive day today at the loading bench. I finished off 120 rounds for the 8mm magnum, that I had previously primed and sized. 100 are loaded with 220 grain Swift A Frames. This is the load I will be using as it worked well on all sizes of game last trip. The other 20 are loaded with 220 Sierras. These shoot to the same point of impact and make less expensive practice ammo. I also sized, cleaned and primed 100 new nickel cases for the new to me 25-06 that will be making the trip as well. I plan on using A Frames in this rifle as well if they shoot well. I loaded up 5 rounds with 120 grain Swifts and 5 with 117 grain Hornady RN to try after the rifle is initially sighted in. I'll start working on real load development next weekend. Wheels up can't get here soon enough!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Swift A-Frames are great bullets! Where in South Africa are you headed?

 

[Catahoula]

Swift A-Frames are great bullets! Where in South Africa are you headed?

I'll be hunting with Pawprint Safaris. The A frames worked great on everything from blesbok to Zebra.

 

[billc]

Nice start to getting ready for the trip. This will be your 3rd trip if I remember right.

 

[Catahoula]

Nice start to getting ready for the trip. This will be your 3rd trip if I remember right.

Yes, Bill. This is my third trip over to hunt with Pieter. I'm really looking forward to getting back!

 

[billc]

Me to . The waiting is the worse part.

 

[CAustin]

I'm still 6 months out from my next trip to South Africa, but am getting anxious. I've been filling the time shooting, planning and gear checking. I had a productive day today at the loading bench. I finished off 120 rounds for the 8mm magnum, that I had previously primed and sized. 100 are loaded with 220 grain Swift A Frames. This is the load I will be using as it worked well on all sizes of game last trip. The other 20 are loaded with 220 Sierras. These shoot to the same point of impact and make less expensive practice ammo. I also sized, cleaned and primed 100 new nickel cases for the new to me 25-06 that will be making the trip as well. I plan on using A Frames in this rifle as well if they shoot well. I loaded up 5 rounds with 120 grain Swifts and 5 with 117 grain Hornady RN to try after the rifle is initially sighted in. I'll start working on real load development next weekend. Wheels up can't get here soon enough!

View attachment 221318

Keep busy and practice a lot! Time will fly.

 

[CAustin]

Yes, Bill. This is my third trip over to hunt with Pieter. I'm really looking forward to getting back!

Third trip with Pieter I would say you have enjoyed yourself. What’s on the list this year?

 

[Catahoula]

Third trip with Pieter I would say you have enjoyed yourself. What’s on the list this year?

I'm doing a cull hunt this trip. Blesbok, black wildebeest and zebra. I also want the warthog that has eluded me the last two trips. Who knows.....I still don't have a giraffe. I will just see what Africa provides!

 

[CAustin]

I'm doing a cull hunt this trip. Blesbok, black wildebeest and zebra. I also want the warthog that has eluded me the last two trips. Who knows.....I still don't have a giraffe. I will just see what Africa provides!

Good luck. Looking forward to the hunting report!

 

[cpr0312]

Best of luck we look forward to the report!

 

[IvW]

I'm doing a cull hunt this trip. Blesbok, black wildebeest and zebra. I also want the warthog that has eluded me the last two trips. Who knows.....I still don't have a giraffe. I will just see what Africa provides!

I can see that it is not your first trip and with that mindset you will most definitely enjoy your trip and be successful. All the best and have fun!

 

[Philip Glass]

I'm still 6 months out from my next trip to South Africa, but am getting anxious. I've been filling the time shooting, planning and gear checking. I had a productive day today at the loading bench. I finished off 120 rounds for the 8mm magnum, that I had previously primed and sized. 100 are loaded with 220 grain Swift A Frames. This is the load I will be using as it worked well on all sizes of game last trip. The other 20 are loaded with 220 Sierras. These shoot to the same point of impact and make less expensive practice ammo. I also sized, cleaned and primed 100 new nickel cases for the new to me 25-06 that will be making the trip as well. I plan on using A Frames in this rifle as well if they shoot well. I loaded up 5 rounds with 120 grain Swifts and 5 with 117 grain Hornady RN to try after the rifle is initially sighted in. I'll start working on real load development next weekend. Wheels up can't get here soon enough!

View attachment 221318

That 8mm sounds like good PG medicine!

 

[petrusg]

good luck on your trip!

 

[Catahoula]

Mounted the scope on the new 25-06 today. I'm ready for some load development!

 

[Divernhunter]

I have a Ruger M77 in 25-06 and the swift A-Frames are excellent. We used the 120gr A-Frames for my daughters 257R and everything she shot was 1 shot no tracking kills. From warthogs to Kudu, to Red Hartebeest, to Impala, to Zebra and such.
My last trip I used them in a 257W with excellent results.
I also took(both times) my 338win mag using 225gr A-Frames.
I have a bunch of data over my chrono and for accuracy if you are interested for the 25-06. PM me with a email address if interested.

 

[Areaonereal]

IMR 4350 and any 115 or 120 gr. I have a 1974 era Ruger 77 in 25 06 and it is very accurate with that powder combo.

 

[Catahoula]

Finally made it out to the range. I didn't have much time. Used some factory hornady 117 spire points to get the scope dialed in. Once I was satisfied, I moved on to hand loads. I only had a few loaded but was pretty pleased with the results. The hornady factory ammo and hand loads with 120 Grain a frames and 117 Hornady round nose all shot to the same point of impact. I'm going to bump the charge up a half Grain and play with OAL a bit to see if I can improve accuracy but overall am pretty pleased with the results off an iPod with no rear support. Here are a couple of the targets after sighting in. 4 rounds with a frames and then he last is two with the remaining two rounds of hornady RN loads.

 

[Catahoula]

Bipod. Grrr. Autocorrect.