Hunting Safari Shooting Preperation

[Von S.]

Many comments from guys who can probably shoot.well.

(1) Awhile back a guy posted that when going fr dangerous game that one reason to tote a giant blaster out into the field, because when they can't hit their animal where they should they will possibly do enough damage to drop it anyway.

(2) Another said that no matter what, keep shooting until the rifle is empty into the animal because with a misshit even if it's down it will probably get up and head for Lybia where you ain't welcomed.

Some guys here recommend the 375 H&H for everything which leads me to believe that they must be good shots. Of course there are those who also have the same chant as well as some who spew it's attributes even though they don't own one,as well as some who couldn't pick one out of a line up.

The Cape Buffalo , or as many of the more dramatic call them, " black death" , " dugga boy" and a few other handles which make me laugh like hell are much sought after in Africa as the new pinnacle of dangerous game trophy as they are the cheapest and most abundant are relatively an easy kill for a true marksman .

Relatively easy to walk up on, anyone who can hit a 6" target offhand can easily drop one in it's tracks with the H,&H.

One thing seems to shock the hell out of me and that is that many people here appear to have different standards of accuracy for different sized animals and calibers.

A 500 anything is OK to shoot a 12" group, where a 223 I held to the offhand minimum of 1 1\2" Why is that?

 

[BigSteve57]

Hey I messed up. In my earlier post I mentioned a target we used for practice.

Set goals - on sticks 3 shots in 20 seconds inside the 9 or 10 ring at 200 yards on a SR1 target.

I meant to say 200 yards on a SR target. Using a SR1 target at 100 yards would be equivalent. These are the same targets I use for service rifle matches for offhand and seated rapid strings. 200 yards on a SR1 target is awfully small and not what we used.

I really ought to try it however, and see how I do.

 

[Michael Dean]

I'm using life sized targets to get a better feel for what I'm shooting at.

 

[Hallgeir Gravråk]

We also practice a lot:

 

[Hallgeir Gravråk]

 

[Ridgewalker]

Michael Dean, it sounds to me like you’re doing all the right things.
Out of your trophy list, IMO the eland will probably be the toughest animal just due to shear mass. The zebra and blue wildebeest next. Zebra just amaze me how tough they can be! Thickly muscled. Not sure I’ve ever seen a wildebeest stand still for more than 5 seconds unless it was drinking...then 6 seconds!
Oh you’re going to have a great time! Nice trophy list.

 

[Art Lambart II]

@Michael Dean Africa is truly a mystical place, for many first time African hunters it turns a good shooter into an average or bad shooter. Most people call it "African Bush Fever" or "Buck Fever" I recommend shooting one of the smaller animals on your list first to calm your nerves and reinforce the confidence built during your hours of practice. Eland, Zebra and Wildebeest are very tough animals and require very good shot placement to take cleanly with a single shot, IMO starting with a Blesbok, Impala or a Warthog is the way to go. I wouldn't spend to much time practicing fast follow up shots for a PG hunt, you will rarely get an opportunity for a fast follow up shot in the bush or on a heard animal on the savanna. What is important is how fast and accurate you are on your first shot, this starts by staying within 2 yards of your PH during your stalks, your 5 second shooting window starts when your PH sets up the sticks not when you set your gun on them. If your 5 yards behind your PH you'll use up half of your shooting time just reaching the sticks. Good luck on your hunt, I know you'll have a great time.

 

[Michael Dean]

My tripod just arrived in the mail! Now all I need is a couple warm days to try it out. I also got a box of brass for my 338 federal. I reloaded a 100 over the weekend, the new brass will be for hunting loads, I purchased some 213 grain Hammer bullets these will be used on the Eland and Zebra, possibly on the Wildebeest as well. We'll see how well I'm shooting it. I know I'm accurate with my 270WSM, just need time for more practice.

 

[BRICKBURN]

With todays weather I'll bet you are hiding inside and can do a lot more reloading.

For another twist, just in case you ever have "buck fever". Drink a pot of coffee and wait until you have some nice jitters and see if you can still hit the target.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Even in bad weather, set up your tripod and practice unshouldering your rifle, stepping up to the tripod, mounting, sighting, dry firing and finally loading a backup cartridge without taking the rifle down. You’re teaching your body all the moves it needs to know without thinking. Someone has already mentioned “muscle memory”.
You’ll be ready for the range!