Rifle Lessons Learned from the Zimbabwe Professional Hunter Proficiency Exam

[CTDolan]

Something not mentioned with regard to the Mauser 98, with regard to the extractor, is that the original design intent called for there not being a relief cut which would allow the extractor to slip over the rim of an already chambered case. The purpose of this was to assure absolutely reliable extraction, that the only way the bolt was going to open and retract was if it were bringing the case along for the ride. Most modern Mauser-style actions have abandoned this feature (actually, as best I know, all have).


As for the Mauser and its magazine, Don is entirely correct. Most Mauser derivatives do not take this into account, using the same box for any number of cartridges (the length of the box being the only consideration, and at that the only consideration being that it is long enough…too long not thought a problem, case in the point the number of 458 Win Mag rifles on full-length actions, standard box).


The Ruger ejector issue has been spoken of in a number of places. It is a somewhat well-known strike against the Mark II. As for the Hawkeye, every single one I have observed seems to have shown further attention, in this regard, the ejector spring stout and the slot generous.


The Remington extractor is another popularly touted as a potential source of frustration. In reality, failures are rare, in my experience. I’ve seen more issues with the plunger ejector than the extractor. But, while the Remington extractor is a clever design, in this I must agree with Don in that it has no place on a DG rifle, at least not one carried by a PH (concerns regarding push feed aside...and while on that one, the real threat with a push-feed action is short-stroking, not a failure to feed...in fact, push-feed actions are the easiest to get to feed well precisely because they are push feed...no conflicting points of contact with the cartridge case).


The entire premise of the article is predicated upon absolute reliability in the hands of a PH. As for the client, yeah, carry what you shoot often and shoot well. Spend the money on ammunition and range time, not the rifle. If you can afford both a top rifle and lots of range time, then great, you are truly blessed! But if not, get a decent, serviceable rifle and shoot it, a lot (and, should any problems arise in the meantime, well you can get it sorted while at home and know, full well, that they’ll not surface in the field as you’ve already put your chosen rig through its paces and sorted its own, peculiar shortcomings).

 

[BRICKBURN]

Some more feedback from an another opinionated Zimbabwean ! I went to the last Zimbabwe PH and Guides shooting test. My brother was being examined, he and a couple of others passed out of maybe 20-30 people. I watched for about 2 hours and did not see the whole practice session and I did not keep records of the failures but I can tell you that I was shocked by the number of problems. Of the approximately 30 attempts I watched, about 90 % were halted by malfunctions. Most were the same 15 people, repeating the practice. Some of the stoppages could have been short stroking but I saw a number of people cycling their actions to determine the problem, several continued jamming indicating a rifle problem. Many rifles would feed slowly but not if the bolt was cycled fast. As the events are timed, fast working of the action is a requirement. There were a broad range of rifles from many different brands and most were fairly new, clean on the outside. Many were guides and obviously not familiar with their rifles. So in my opinion, the main problems were unfamiliarity with their rifles (Guide applicants especially) mechanical faults with rifles and possibly dirty actions. The three successful shooters that I saw,2 had CZ550's and I didn't see the third guys rifle.

Thanks for sharing your observations. If you attend another session please take some pictures.

 

[colorado]

Thank you so much for your report. It was a report by Ganyana on the same PH test that convinced me to buy a CZ 550. As the owner of a CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery, I can tell you it took some work to get it feed and function flawlessly. I've run hundreds of live rounds through it and cycled probably a thousand rounds of dummy loads through it. It took three trips to three different gunsmiths to get it right, but a 500 Jeffery that is accurate and feeds and ejects flawlessly is a thing of beauty

 

[Nhoro]

Thanks for sharing your observations. If you attend another session please take some pictures.

I will see what I can do.The shooting test is run by Chris Packenham at Cleveland gun range. I will see if he would be willing to do a report,maybe he has some stats.

 

[BRICKBURN]

The guys never got back to me after I sent my requests. Obviously not at the top of their to do list. Appreciate your help.

 

[Nhoro]

The guys never got back to me after I sent my requests. Obviously not at the top of their to do list. Appreciate your help.

The guys are men of action and generally not to be found behind computers and I doubt that the forum can be accessed on a Nokia !

 

[BRICKBURN]

Good one. I did get initial email replies . They are tough enough to run a computer. lol

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

True to my nature I have been researching the background behind the proficiency testing in Zimbabwe.

I have several answers to my queries answered but there are a few outstanding. When I get them all I will share them with you.

At last it should provide some basis for the "speedy" reloading aspect of the testing.

Info on zim PH proficiency test designed by by Chris Pakenham.
Accuracy 2 shots @ 75 meters.
16 shots that consist of running, shooting at multiple targets and reloading. Two rounds at charging lion. Minimum cal.
375 H&H 300 grain factory ammo. .400 and larger receive extra credit.
Scoring is a combination of speed and accuracy. Doubles are allowed but are seldom or ever used. Next test will be 30 July, 2017.

Not sure I'm understanding your statement correctly.. but.. if I am reading it right, youre saying that snipers train with their rifles and practice under harsh conditions in a manner similar to what is described with the PH's? (putting the rifles through the paces, shooting fast, making sure they cycle smoothly, are reliable, testing how their rifle works with other equipment, testing themselves to make sure they can operate their rifle and other equipment under stressful conditions, etc..etc..)

I would agree.. that is absolutely the case.. units go through pre-deployment training prior to heading overseas.. and typically will spend a lot of time on the range doing all of the above..

While I have no scientific study to back it up.. I would guess that most US hunters that embark on a DG hunt also spend a lot of time at the range, testing their weapon, testing different loads, testing themselves, etc.. and likely know their rifles very well before they get on a plane.. and submit themselves to similar practices..

Are there exceptions? I am sure.. I'd be willing to bet some of the PH's here could tell some horror stories about "bubba" showing up in Limpopo with a brand new $15K double in .470 NE that they have never fired a round through prior to showing up.. along with their $20K in cool guy safari accessories that they didn't unbox until an hour before they headed to the airport...

But.. I'd also be willing to bet that those guys are the exception.. not the norm.. and are an absolute rarity here on AH... (by virtue of the fact someone has registered here, they are showing that they have an extended interest in Africa hunting, and are intentionally exposing themselves to information and guidance of others.. and are not likely the type of person that pays a ton of money for "stuff" and then expects it to work all the kinks out on its own..)...

Most lifelong hunters I know take their sport very seriously.. they respect the game, themselves, and other hunters too much not to prepare themselves prior to a major hunt..

I've certainly seen my fair share of "1 season" hunters who run to Cabelas in early September, buy a $350 savage package and a box of ammo and $20 in "orange" and then hit the woods a couple of weeks later having no idea what they are doing... only to sell their rifle off in Feb... (I LOVE the bargain cave in February! )... and decide they have now "hunted" and are ready to move on to their next adventure..

But.. I seriously doubt those guys are found with any regularity among this group...

Obviously you must of not read this fine gentlemans article in full. The over-veiw was IN A TIGHT 99% of American store bought rifles wouldn't function as needed as intended if your life was dependent on them. Oh sure if shot placement and bullet performance works as intended your golden. It's the margin of error that these two that can get a new hunter unaware of the dangers into if bullet performance and shot placement go awry. Your argument is moot here budro, you know as well as I these things has happened going to continue to happen all on account of lack of experience in the dangerous game arena. This is why Don mentioned that the push feeds ought to stay to the lighter plains game or the bench where all the naysayers rub shoulders lol. And he is right you know he's right I know he's right bout the sales of junk the American public buys and this is the sad part, they think they got the best rifle available by reading what some gun writer's, have which been paid to talk up said fire arm, have made his particular fire arm look like the dragon slayer from hell lol. My question to you is why do you slam this guys article when you know everything he said is a 100% true. You obviously know what your doing from your experience's if you've done what you've boasted here and that's neither here nor there to me. What this guys saying is if firearms manufacturer's are going to label a weapon as a dangerous game weapon, it might ought to operate IN A TIGHT like one if needed in said situation. He pointed tbe flaws out good and bad, throwed in some comical bullshit while at it and in general told it like it was. I'm from alaska usa and arm wrestle 12ft brownie's with a 460 A-Square Short in a Winchester M70 Classic Safari at distance, a 450 Alaskan in a Winchester 1886 lever-action where when we're whispering in each others ear on who's fixing to do who. I've got a free bear hunt to the first som-bitch that can tell me they hunt with a knife huntin brown bear. I'm much obliged by being in such company of all of us here on the comment page but I'm simply purity hard to impress just as this fine gentlemans article here by the man himself ... Don Heath

Phil,
I'm new to big calibers for dangerous game. I'll be short. I purchased a CZ 550 Safari Magnum in this caliber. I have reloaded for it now for about 5 years and recorded my data on a chronograph. I shot a load from it yesterday that went 2275 fps w/5600 ftlbs.energy with a 500 grain bullet. I think the problems encountered were just due to bad ammo just as you said. I think to you could add politics as well as bull_ _ _t just to push other calibers. As for me I'm sticking with the .458 Win Mag. It's tried and true. Too bad more more rifle makers don't offer it.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thanks for the schedule and the basics.

If you can, please do provide some pictures of the layout and if someone happens to have a video of a run through, I am sure everyone would enjoy seeing just what is entailed in this qualification.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Additional info. Chris who designed the test. Told me that he designed the test around a elephant cull he once did. One should keep in mind that these are learner PHs. with very little money so high quality rifles are rare. Ammo costs about $275.00 and up! Reloads not allowed! The biggest mechanical problem that I have witnessed is rounds ejecting themselves from the magazine during rapid cycling.

The targets themselves are "bianchi" targets without visibile scoring rings. To have a passing score unless you are a very fast runner requires almost all bullseyes.

 

[Nhoro]

Thanks for the schedule and the basics.

If you can, please do provide some pictures of the layout and if someone happens to have a video of a run through, I am sure everyone would enjoy seeing just what is entailed in this qualification.

Sorry, I am off to Hwange this weekend and so wont be able to gather info.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Sorry, I am off to Hwange this weekend and so wont be able to gather info.

We will be attending the proficiency exam this coming sunday (if it takes place as scheduled) if I can find my video camera and have someone show me how to download will try.
LonD

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thanks for the consideration and effort.

 

[Countrylife]

Jim Rea asked

Wonder what he might have thought of the Kimber Talkeetna?

and I'd like to know also. I want to get a 375 H&H for dangerous game, but want to be sure I get the right one.

 

[colorado]

This thread is awesome. I searched for it, but couldn't find the answer. I'm assuming everyone was shooting open sights?

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

We will be attending the proficiency exam this coming sunday (if it takes place as scheduled) if I can find my video camera and have someone show me how to download will try.
LonD

I was in attendance yesterday at the 30-07-17 Zimbabwe Hunters exam. There was close to 20 learners, qualifications were for one of three classes, Hunters, guides & canoe guide. There were 3 guide passing grades, 2 hunters passing grades, not sure about canoe guide, but I do not think there was a pass in this category. I was ill while the test was taking place and took limited video which I will try to post (sorry about the quality). Since I did not watch each appy I am not sure how many equipment or operator malfunctions took place, but the previous day in practice by those who wanted to practice I witnessed the following "situations". People that had very limited shooting experience. Improperly loaded ammo. (only factory loaded ammo for the actual test) one round had a .416 head loaded in a .375 case (don't ask me how that one happened), several rifles that would not reliably cycle ammo under rapid fire. Rifle used were mostly of Mauser 98 actions, cheaply built a long time ago. Some CZ 602s. One pre 64 M-70 (nice), one post 64/Pre 64 M-70. Sighting all rifle except two were shot with iron sights except two. One was with a aimpoint H-2 the other was a trijicon RMR. I believe the only calibre's that were present were .375 H&H & .458 Mag. Anything under .40 cal. receives a penalty (not sure but I believe it is a 10 point penalty. Scopes are allowed, but are rarely used. No doubles were present. The exam now takes place 4 times a year (maybe). As I said I did not watch much of the actual test, but I believe most of the "errors" were due to short stroking the bolt. The longer the cartridge the more likely this is to happen

When posting comments remember the majority of the applicants have very, very limited resources. Their beat up old Mauser conversion would be akin to you buying a good used automobile. 1 box of ammo might equal two months wages. The $20.00 entry may be 2 to 4 days wages if they have a job. Most have proved themselves as top quality trackers, have great personality, most have limited experience "target practice. I witnessed one young man who has killed many PAC elephant and is know to not miss. He wraps his left hand around the for end with his thumb blocking the sights his head is placed sideways over the comb since he can see nothing but his thumb with his right eye he looks over the sights (and thumb) with his left eye! I do not know if he passed or not?

Since the days that Don Heath attended the test, the quality of the applicants have changed dramatically!!!! This does not reflect on those that pass all of their final exams and become Zimbabwe Professional Hunters

 

[Fr8liner]

I was cycling my 1928 Mauser yesterday, thinking of those who were taking the test. I tried to go as fast as I could whilst maintaining the rifle in my shoulder and noticed that due to the old age wear on the bolt it is not as smooth as one needs. If not properly aligned, the 'wiggle' in the bolt can halt the movement and resulting in a stuttered reload.

Is there any remedy for this? As Lon mentions, the old Mauser is the most affordable for these young starters but I am sure they struggle with this same problem. Coupled with the cost of ammunition they simply do not get enough practice, I wonder if anyone has considered making up 'dummy' rounds for these learners to use and practice off duty. Surely it would help their magazine reload dexterity in addition to bolt cycling.

That said there are a lot of hunters on Youtube who seem to struggle with reloading too!!

 

[Pheroze]

A 75% failure rate does not necessarily mean the course is difficult in a positive sense. Anyone willing to sacrifice two plus months of wages for a course that fails such a large part of the class deserves better training and preparation a.k.a. teaching.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

I was cycling my 1928 Mauser yesterday, thinking of those who were taking the test. I tried to go as fast as I could whilst maintaining the rifle in my shoulder and noticed that due to the old age wear on the bolt it is not as smooth as one needs. If not properly aligned, the 'wiggle' in the bolt can halt the movement and resulting in a stuttered reload.

Is there any remedy for this? As Lon mentions, the old Mauser is the most affordable for these young starters but I am sure they struggle with this same problem. Coupled with the cost of ammunition they simply do not get enough practice, I wonder if anyone has considered making up 'dummy' rounds for these learners to use and practice off duty. Surely it would help their magazine reload dexterity in addition to bolt cycling.

That said there are a lot of hunters on Youtube who seem to struggle with reloading too!!

I was cycling my 1928 Mauser yesterday, thinking of those who were taking the test. I tried to go as fast as I could whilst maintaining the rifle in my shoulder and noticed that due to the old age wear on the bolt it is not as smooth as one needs. If not properly aligned, the 'wiggle' in the bolt can halt the movement and resulting in a stuttered reload.

Is there any remedy for this? As Lon mentions, the old Mauser is the most affordable for these young starters but I am sure they struggle with this same problem. Coupled with the cost of ammunition they simply do not get enough practice, I wonder if anyone has considered making up 'dummy' rounds for these learners to use and practice off duty. Surely it would help their magazine reload dexterity in addition to bolt cycling.

That said there are a lot of hunters on Youtube who seem to struggle with reloading too!!

Some have dummy rds. Again problems arise over the lack of proper training. A training camp is ran once a year at Reefa "cost" several months wages for most.
One problem that I notice on dummy rds. is after so many times using these same cartridges the heads become loose and are pushed back into the case. Since I no longer reload I ask one question would it not be a good idea to fill the case with a substance like sawdust and compress the load?

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

A 75% failure rate does not necessarily mean the course is difficult in a positive sense. Anyone willing to sacrifice two plus months of wages for a course that fails such a large part of the class deserves better training and preparation a.k.a. teaching.

Who is really going to educate most. Do not forget the "elephant in the room" that no one wants to talk about. Don't take me wrong I agree with you 100%. Nambia has made big gains in this area.