You are correct Interior Alaska.
As for my plans, I'm really not certain. I was planning on this one custom rifle, but after chatting with members here, I have decided to build two guns (both on the CZ 550 action). The 505 Gibbs and a second rifle with a barrel swap option. First barrel would be 458 Lott and the second would utilize the same boltface but be more for plains game caliber (I'm thinking 7mm mag, 300 win mag, or 338 win mag). I need to talk to my gunsmith more to settle out the caliber. I already have numerous 458 caliber rifles in the safe, but who can't use just one more.
Where I might use these rifles and what might I attempt to harvest is also in the developmental stag. I definitely am taking the 505 Gibbs to Kodiak, but I may have decided to try to harvest an elephant. Cape buffalo is for sure on the list as is lion. After that, I like kudu, wildebeest, zeba, orix, and several other plains game animals. I have had two safaris given to me in the past, but have never wanted to take the time off from hunting in Alaska to go do them. As retirement approaches, I feel I will have the time to do both, so I started planning a safari couple of months ago.
Anyway, your introduction was interesting. Khomas Highland Hunting & Fishing Safaris of Namibia, and you live in Anchorage. I would be interested in hear more about that connection. Are you going to be at any of the outdoor shows up here?
Thanks for the warm greeting.
Ray H
Hi again Ray,
Your plans all sound real good.
This, from myself who does not have any experience whatsoever around repeaters with interchangeable barrels.
On that note, since you are very carefully planning out your first hunting trip to Africa, no doubt you will do well with whatever equipment you decide to bring.
Those who fail to thoroughly plan their activities are begging for glitches.
Regarding calibers, my favorite hunting cartridge, for Africa and Alaska as well, is the .375 H&H.
Admittedly, if I was able to hunt buffalo as much as I wanted, I’d want something in the .40 or larger calibers.
When I hunted the buffalo in my avatar, I used that same rifle (Army & Navy .450 No2 NE), for also shooting the other diversified, smaller than Buffalo species, that I also bagged on that trip.
And if Eland was not a favorite critter of mine to hunt (and to eat), I would prefer less gun.
I am fond of the .300 H&H and have hunted Namibia (as well as Alaska and Nevada) with one.
The boring old .30-06 is another just dandy Africa worthy cartridge, as is the 8x57 Mauser and others.
You mentioned the .338 Winchester.
That one with 250 gr bullets would be a fine Eland getter, and just fine for lesser animals as well.
It is a shame that the .35 Whelen ever really caught on, as it might be the most perfectly balanced cartridge for Africa’s so called “Plains Game”.
Be all of that as it may, now I prefer to travel as light as possible.
So, I no longer even bring a firearm when traveling outside the USA.
Back when indeed I was bringing guns to Africa, never did I bother with more than just one rifle.
Now days when hunting in Namibia, I just use one of Khomas Safari’s Mausers.
And for goose hunting there, I use one of their over / under shotguns.
Regarding my residence in Alaska but my name is attached to Khomas Safaris advertisements here, I do a lot of behind the scenes things for them, mostly answer the multitude of questions from prospective clients so that the owner (Philip Hennings) doesn’t get too tied up on that part.
I also receive client’s deposit money and then wire it into the Khomas Safaris bank in Windhoek, again saving Philip’s valuable time for doing the more important parts of running a successful safari company.
Anyway, whatever African country you end up hunting in, I look forward to your hunt report and photos.
Likewise, hunt reports from anywhere, especially Alaska, are popular with a large percentage of the members here (including myself).
Good luck on your .505 Gibbs project.
That is a very fine hippo on land cartridge, as well for buffalo and elephant.
I have fired one that I think weighed about 11 pounds and recoil was serious but definitely not painful.
Meanwhile, attached below is a picture of the .500 Jeffery I described earlier.
I tried to attach this pic then but it wouldn’t load for whatever reason.
Now, it appears to have worked.
Cheers,
Paul.
"
