Getting things tuned up

[Shootist43]

My oldest son (Art Lambart II) his son Trip (13) and I are headed to the East Cape for the first 10 days of July. Trip and I will be hunting Planes Game, Art II is going after his first Dangerous Game animal, i.e. a Cape Buffalo. The East Cape's shooting distances has me worried / concerned to say the least. I've been hunting Whitetails in the Michigan woods for 66 years, where a long shot is a hundred yards. Most times, it isn't even that. I had to "root" through the safes to find something that had a little "legs" on it. I settled on a 308 Norma Magnum that I purchased a few years back for just such an occasion. For my second rifle, I chose the oldest 6.5 X 55 Swedish Mauser that I own. It is from the first "tranche" of Swedes that were actually built at the Mauser factory in Obendorf, Germany in 1896. I went to the range yesterday for what I thought was going to be the last time prior to getting my CBP 4457 Form signed. Do any of you of you remember Murphy's Law? "If something can go wrong it will." My first 2 shots with the 308 Norma Mag. were on call, after that, I was lucky if they were on paper. So, I grabbed my Swede to make sure it was still up for the hunt. See the results below. When I got home, I pulled the Leupold off the Norma Mag and tried to install a new Nikon 3-9 ProStaff that I had sitting on the shelf. Wouldn't you know it, two of the eight "ring" screws were jacked up, so I had to replace the rings as well. So earlier today it was back to the range. Results were much better.
Six shots from my 128 year old Swede:

Four shots from my 308 Norma Magnum:

 

[JimP]

Good old Murphey, what would we do without him.

On the shot distance, just talk to your PH about what you are comfortable with.

Most of my shots a couple years ago were under 150 yards, and the ones that were stretching out there didn't have to of been taken. But I hunt here in the west where a 400 yard shot is quite common and I'm comfortable taking them.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My oldest son (Art Lambart II) his son Trip (13) and I are headed to the East Cape for the first 10 days of July. Trip and I will be hunting Planes Game, Art II is going after his first Dangerous Game animal, i.e. a Cape Buffalo. The East Cape's shooting distances has me worried / concerned to say the least. I've been hunting Whitetails in the Michigan woods for 66 years, where a long shot is a hundred yards. Most times, it isn't even that. I had to "root" through the safes to find something that had a little "legs" on it. I settled on a 308 Norma Magnum that I purchased a few years back for just such an occasion. For my second rifle, I chose the oldest 6.5 X 55 Swedish Mauser that I own. It is from the first "tranche" of Swedes that were actually built at the Mauser factory in Obendorf, Germany in 1896. I went to the range yesterday for what I thought was going to be the last time prior to getting my CBP 4457 Form signed. Do any of you of you remember Murphy's Law? "If something can go wrong it will." My first 2 shots with the 308 Norma Mag. were on call, after that, I was lucky if they were on paper. So, I grabbed my Swede to make sure it was still up for the hunt. See the results below. When I got home, I pulled the Leupold off the Norma Mag and tried to install a new Nikon 3-9 ProStaff that I had sitting on the shelf. Wouldn't you know it, two of the eight "ring" screws were jacked up, so I had to replace the rings as well. So earlier today it was back to the range. Results were much better.
Six shots from my 128 year old Swede:
View attachment 605053

Four shots from my 308 Norma Magnum:

View attachment 605054

@Shootist43
Art
And what's wrong with your Whelen mate. It worked last time at any distance so it will work again. Why play around with the others when you have a perfectly good Whelen.
Just get around to loading up some 250s for yourself with the load data I gave you .
Load some of those nice hydro's I sent you for the young fella and his buffalo and go have fun.
Easy as, stick with what you know.
Bob

 

[Hunter-Habib]

@Shootist43

All the best to you & the boys. I know that you'll be extremely successful. I myself will be headed to Zambia in 2025 for lion & plains game with my granddaughter. As you probably remember, last year I'd taken my grandson to Tanzania on Safari (where we secured hippopotamus & plains game).

What cartridges will you be running out of the .308 Norma Magnum and the 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser ?

What plains game's on your menu this time ?

 

[Shootist43]

Bob, there isn't anything wrong with my Whelen and I gave some very serious thought to taking it. The deciding factor was the possible distances involved. Four hundred yards is mentioned quite often and five hundred yards on occasion. I thought I'd be better off with a 30 caliber magnum of some sort. Besides that, I don't want to be accused of hoarding too many "safe queens." LOL

 

[Shootist43]

Hunter Habib, my oldest son is after a Cape Buffalo, I'm looking for a Bushbuck, a Red Lechwe and a Tsessebe, my grandson has a ten day - ten animal package booked. I'll be using 180 Gr. Norma Oryx in the 308 Norma Mag and 156 Gr. Norma Oryx in the 6.5 X 55. As you probably suspected, being able to say that I hunted Africa with my youngest grandson is the primary reason for going.

 

[Rare Breed]

Good old Murphey, what would we do without him.

On the shot distance, just talk to your PH about what you are comfortable with.

Most of my shots a couple years ago were under 150 yards, and the ones that were stretching out there didn't have to of been taken. But I hunt here in the west where a 400 yard shot is quite common and I'm comfortable taking them.

I hunted the East Cape with Game 4 Africa. I did the following with their 7MM. Kudu 300 yards up hill. Zebra 75 yards. Impala 125 yards. Black Wildebeest 75 yards Springbok 280 yards. hope this helps

 

[McKenzie Sims]

Good luck on the trip, the Eastern Cape is a great place to spend a Safari. Cant wait to read a report.
Best now to get Murphy out of the way than on the trip.
safe travels.

 

[FlyGuy]

Art... Zero the .308 Norma at 200, the 6.5x55 at 100 and sally forth.
Both are outstanding cartridges for plains game.
99% of your shots for Cape Bushbuck will be under 100 and the 156gr Norma is the perfect medicine.

 

[BeeMaa]

Nice shooting @Shootist43.

BTW - Is this the kind of thing you and Trip will be looking to hunt?

Trip and I will be hunting Planes Game...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Looking forward hearing how your Swede performed ... Please indicate what bullets you will be using in your 6.5x55 Swede?

 

[Firebird]

I’ve only been to the east cape twice. Where myself and Rare Breed hunted, 300 yards would be long and most Likely on springbok or similar. Two hundred is common especially on more shy animals such as kudu. If a shot is too long, don’t take it, wait for a better opportunity. Your ph wants a swift, seamless kill as bad as you do, so they will get you a good shot at good range.
My biggest advice is to get good off sticks and be up front with your ph about your own comfort zone.

 

[Firebird]

There are outfits that flaunt long range shooting. They are everywhere on YouTube. I won’t consider hunting with them and I normally really like to stretch my shots. A big part of the fun of hunting in Africa isn’t turret dialing and controlled breathing, especially with someone else’s loads and rifle!
It is the tracks and the horn tips in the brush and the smudge of very fresh excrement on your boots-or finger, and the excited smile on your ph’s face and your own uncontrolled heartbeat. (Unless you take a beta blocker)
“On the shoulder”
Enjoy getting “as close as you can” and seeing animals in your scope up close and personal that you might never get to sight on again!

 

[meigsbucks]

Glad you got your ring issue rectified before the hunt. That old Swede sounds like a wonderful choice. I think you’ll use it more than you think.
enjoy your hunt.

 

[Shootist43]

Gert, that group was shot with 156 Gr. Norma Oryx bullets. However, it does equally well with 140 Gr. Nosler Partition(s).

 

[AimSmall]

Sounds like a grand time!

What rifle for the buffalo?