SOUTH AFRICA: Buffalo With Craig Boddington

[Green Chile]

@Green Chile , what does Craig have to say about the R8? Great report so far BTW!

That's a great question. First of all, he was really jazzed that I brought the Dakota 416. He shot it and enjoyed the rifle. When I pulled out the Blaser at the sight in bench, he said well ok! I said yea I've been reading your writings about it and do you still like the R8? He said I like it so much that it's the main rifle that I use and then I had to get one for Donna (wife). We talked about the R8 throughout the week and he feels it's just a really smart system. He has never had a QD scope mount lose zero. That's impressive. When I shot the waterbuck and reloaded so fast for the 2nd shot, he commented on that. He said you can't reload faster than what you just did! By the way, I'm taking your steel R8 416 to Africa this fall for buff and the lighter R8 for PG.

 

[kitsch]

Wonderful 'hunt report' and photos. This is really the new hunting sport journalism-'hunt report' doesnt quite do it justice-with excellent writing 'craft' techniques, notable companions to include both CB and the tracker who I interpretted said a small prayer or farewell over the one animal (his name we should know), and game and accomodations of which to dream. A real gentleman to take the time to give us his story and reflections and answer questions along the way. High standards at AH. I will be the one to say what every AH member who is following this is thinking--'green chile' needs to change his AH name to 'Broke Trailer.'

 

[TOBY458]

That's a great question. First of all, he was really jazzed that I brought the Dakota 416. He shot it and enjoyed the rifle. When I pulled out the Blaser at the sight in bench, he said well ok! I said yea I've been reading your writings about it and do you still like the R8? He said I like it so much that it's the main rifle that I use and then I had to get one for Donna (wife). We talked about the R8 throughout the week and he feels it's just a really smart system. He has never had a QD scope mount lose zero. That's impressive. When I shot the waterbuck and reloaded so fast for the 2nd shot, he commented on that. He said you can't reload faster than what you just did! By the way, I'm taking your steel R8 416 to Africa this fall for buff and the lighter R8 for PG.

I read in one of his books that he’s a big fan. But hearing that directly from him in person holds even more water.
That 416 R8 should be perfect. I’m about 90% sure that’s what I’m taking to Zim next year for Ele and Buffalo.

 

[Green Chile]

Wonderful 'hunt report' and photos. This is really the new hunting sport journalism-'hunt report' doesnt quite do it justice-with excellent writing 'craft' techniques, notable companions to include both CB and the tracker who I interpretted said a small prayer or farewell over the one animal (his name we should know), and game and accomodations of which to dream. A real gentleman to take the time to give us his story and reflections and answer questions along the way. High standards at AH. I will be the one to say what every AH member who is following this is thinking--'green chile' needs to change his AH name to 'Broke Trailer.'

Thanks for the compliments. I do try to write in an interesting, informative fashion. If you go back to my leopard hunt report, you will find a documentary style to help others understand baiting and the process of getting a cat to stand where you want it to, etc. Bear hunt in Canada...same thing. I hope the writing is interesting and helpful to others. I approach all of my 'hunt reports' with that in mind and sharing lessons learned...the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

[Green Chile]

I read in one of his books that he’s a big fan. But hearing that directly from him in person holds even more water.
That 416 R8 should be perfect. I’m about 90% sure that’s what I’m taking to Zim next year for Ele and Buffalo.

The one thing I keep considering is do I go bigger for ele on the R8...to 458 Lott. I know personally the 416 does just fine on ele but a bigger bullet doesn't hurt. I own several 458 Lotts but not in the R8 platform yet. I'm not a small bore guy for DG anyway. I do look forward to using the R8 416 for buff and lion in Nov. One thing about the R8 that I look forward to is having a smaller gun case. I'm tired of dragging the Tuffpak all over creation. I had to get it in a helicopter last year in Africa and it almost didn't fit!

 

[JerBear8]

If you go back to my leopard hunt report

Is that your report titled "ZIMBABWE: Elephant & Leopard In Zimbabwe - Cancellation Hunt Report"? Looking forward to reading through it!

 

[Green Chile]

That's it. https://www.africahunting.com/threa...d-in-zimbabwe-cancellation-hunt-report.77747/

 

[JerBear8]

Thanks! Looking forward to it!

 

[Altitude sickness]

be careful when reading Chile’s report from Oct last year. It will set unrealistic expectations for most of our hunts.

 

[BryceM]

Love the sable. The kudu bull is really nice. Not so deep on the curls, but height for days. I'd say high 50s, maybe 58".

Great writeup, and fantastic bushbuck.

 

[Green Chile]

That kudu is very tall but it's hard to gauge the curls. Craig and PH thought it was 57 or 58 at minimum. I'm not good at judging kudu but it was the biggest one I've seen alive.

 

[PARA45]

I don’t know Jack about judging Kudus, but according to my unprofessional opinion, I would say mid-50s, and he would look great on my wall.

 

[TOBY458]

The one thing I keep considering is do I go bigger for ele on the R8...to 458 Lott. I know personally the 416 does just fine on ele but a bigger bullet doesn't hurt. I own several 458 Lotts but not in the R8 platform yet. I'm not a small bore guy for DG anyway. I do look forward to using the R8 416 for buff and lion in Nov. One thing about the R8 that I look forward to is having a smaller gun case. I'm tired of dragging the Tuffpak all over creation. I had to get it in a helicopter last year in Africa and it almost didn't fit!

That’s definitely a plus for the R8. I, like you, am leaning towards less and less baggage to carry on my trips. The small case that the R8 fits into is one of the many reasons I like it. I think the 416 is probably all a client would ever need for DG. A bit more than a 375, but still has enough velocity to shoot fairly flat for any PG you may encounter at normal ranges.

 

[Green Chile]

You're right of course Toby. I don't need any bigger than a .416 to do anything on the planet. We needlessly complicate these subjects but that's part of the fun too. If I was really smart, I would reduce my gun distractions and load up heavy on components for those handful of guns...and spend the rest on hunting. I've considered it.

 

[ChasingHemingway]

Thank you! That had to be a highlight for the memory reel!!

 

[ChasingHemingway]

Thank you! That had to be a highlight for the memory reel!!

 

[TOBY458]

You're right of course Toby. I don't need any bigger than a .416 to do anything on the planet. We needlessly complicate these subjects but that's part of the fun too. If I was really smart, I would reduce my gun distractions and load up heavy on components for those handful of guns...and spend the rest on hunting. I've considered it.

I agree. But that seems like a mighty boring approach! lol!

 

[ChasingHemingway]

Here's something interesting to consider...we ran into a large kudu two different times. He was not available on this ranch...he was off limits per the rancher for whatever reason. I'm curious what you think the size is. We didn't take him and didn't measure him of course but the PH and Craig had very strong ideas about his size. What say you?

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56/57 inches. No deep first curl but has the third turn

 

[ChasingHemingway]

be careful when reading Chile’s report from Oct last year. It will set unrealistic expectations for most of our hunts.

#Truth

 

[Green Chile]

I had a couple of great Africa hunts last year. Hard work and some luck contributed to that. The PHs and their teams were excellent partners with me.

I also hunt until the final minutes no matter what. I have had many successes due to that never quit mentality. This hunt will demonstrate that also.