Slug hunting Plains Game and Dangerous Game?

[Red Leg]

I read an article about them and it alleged a clandestine recall if I remember correctly. They pulled them back from distribution, angled to sell the remaining stock to collectors that wouldn’t be likely to encounter the defect. Stopped production.

When I searched today trying to find the details to link here, all I could find is complaints about some guns having a “sticky finish defect” which is definitely not what I remember reading.

With nothing to rely upon or source in an article, the “Vibe” I foggily remember was there was something wrong that could make the guns blow up in incompetent hands. E.g. 3” charge in 2.75” chamber. Whatever it was, my recollection is it was a ”lawyers liability concern” rather than a practical matter. I also believe that this topic came up regarding the Browning when I was chatting about custom “bore rifle” cartridges with the fellow that owns Tarhunt. We were talking about higher pressure shells in brass cases for improved accuracy and 90 mins into the conversation he made a passing comment about the a-bolt that went in one ear and out the other as I have built all my custom slug rifles on Savage 220f actions.

I’ll keep searching for something to reference. Whatever it was, use the weapon as intended and nothing is going to go wrong.

Don't have much use for it here in Texas, though should I be hijacked to Maryland, it is going with me.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I have a local African friend who used to prefer a 12 gauge Miroku O/U shotgun ( loaded with an Industrial SA brand slug in the upper barrel and and an Industrial SA brand LG shell in the lower barrel ) for hunting bush pigs over dogs in dense cover. But beyond that, I doubt a 12 gauge slug has a lot of uses in Africa for conventional plains game or dangerous game hunting.

In Africa, shotguns are mostly used for:
a) Wing shooting
b) Hunting the tiny ten at close ranges with AAA or number 4 buckshot
c) Following up wounded leopards with LG / OOO buckshot ( preferably copper plated ) or slugs

Now, Paradox guns are a completely different story. But even in the old days, they were mainly brought on Safaris as secondary firearms to the hunter’s rifle(s).

 

[Paparock94]

I would leave Dangerous Game to the safe use of a "dangerous game rifle". However, Brenneke 3" Magnum Crush rounds do deliver a .73 caliber 666 grain hardended slug at 1600 FPS and 3804 ft lbs of energy at the muzzle as I understand if you only had a 12 gauge shotgun in a pinch. To do so deliberatly is foolhardy in my humble opinion.

Back a few years ago a certain company that no longer makes 12 gauge slugs made a hardened slug that rivaled the evergy output of a .458 Win. Mag. if not .458 Lott it in their 3 1/2" loading. But alas they are no more. Few could handle the recoil dare I say in a 12 gauge shotgun.

Those who could where better men than I, I am humble enough to admit!

 

[Kavik]

I often see posts that tell folks how they need certain minimums for dangerous game. These are laws but it does not mean
lesser calibers and velocities are not capable. I bet the people that jump all over that one were the same kids that were faggot tattle tales. Get real-lol. Let’s put it another way. If an African PH doesn’t let me shoot what I want, he won’t be getting a tip. I could care less what those stupid laws are. And I’m not afraid to give a buffalo less of a handicap. Too many pussies in this world today that fall right in line with what they are told by others. If I’m going to be a sheep than I rather it be by a buffalo that does the slaughtering to me. I’m going to try hog hunting with a knife too. Spears were used in the past, and dangerous game was killed. I mean really. Modern day hunters have a distinct advantage,and most of the time are not going to die on a hunt.

WOW! I believe the most successful (statistics wise attempts vs. success) hunters are African wild dogs. A group activity. Dragonflies are most efficient.

Buffalo Bill's defunct who used to ride
a water-smooth silver stallion and break
one-two-three-four-five pigeons
justlikethat,
Jesus,he was a handsome man and
how do you like your blue-eyed boy,
Mr. death?

 

[Kavik]

I think it would be very cool to take a slug gun to Africa. The modern day accuracy and performance of slug guns and sabot ammunition put them on another level of effectiveness. I wouldn't even feel undergunned on leopard or lion, if it were legal of course.

I read somewhere that a guy from Illinois killed an elephant with a broadside shot and a specially loaded by Hornady copper slug. I'll have to see if I can find the article.

I have a Browning Gold and a slug barrel that I would have loved to take but it isn't legal anywhere I don't believe. Then again I think I've seen people take semi-auto's to SA.

The "cool" thing about hunting is the hunt.
Proper form, you know. Respect for the animal and gaining understanding of the environment in which they survive. All this shooting technology--I mean examples of irresponsible hunting may be found as the technology advanced beyond the ethic.
I await for each of us to confess.

 

[Kavik]

For any of the readers that are interested, many of the constructive comments in this thread come from a body of assumptions that have been confirmed by experiences and then later by scientific research.

If you‘d like a great primer on “what works”, the vintage book ”African Rifles & Cartridges” by John “Pondoro” Taylor is a classic. Leatherbound editions were made several times over the past hundred years that are really, really nice. You can pick one up second hand on www.Abebooks.com for around $25-$40 in a fancy binding if you do a search.

Pondoro explained from a vast trove of experiences observed and collected, what works and what does not work for African safaris. He doesn’t get enough credit where credit was due. His basic gist was anything over 40 cal that leaves a muzzle at 2100fps and hits an animal at 1900fps is going to work fabulously.

Where Taylor went wrong was he was relying on experience (correlation) rather than science (causation). His TKE formula is not perfect science. His understanding of penetration was excellent but his understanding of hydrostatic shock was not a known science back then.

It’s a great read every gentleman should have in his library and it would shed understanding on many of the 100-year plus proven cartridges that work so well on Safari.

I think shotguns, in N. America are generally looked at as weapons of farmers. Certainly for cost of a H&R "Topper" was cheaper tha a rife, save perhaps, a Stevens "favorite" .22 rimfire. Now, in USA, there are many who harken back to those older days with a very active muzzle-loading communuty. When hunting gets mixed with warfare the is a change of attitude. When armed drones become the new method--what then?