Six cows with .577 NE Peregrine bullets at Africa Maximum Safari , North West Province

[Rafiki]

The Amsterdam airport took your scope away from you but let the gun go through? Was the scope in a carry on? Are there plans for them to return the scope to you in the future?

Yes, I was wondering about that also. When I went through Amsterdam had all the paperwork for transit done in triplicate with one copy affixed to the outside of the case. I checked through from Minneapolis to Dar es Salaam and there was no indication that anyone actually inspected anything. I'm really curious about what this scope SNAFU was, and if you got the scope back.

 

[Brian]

The Amsterdam airport took your scope away from you but let the gun go through? Was the scope in a carry on? Are there plans for them to return the scope to you in the future?

Congratulations on an amazing hunt!

Thanks for the post.

No, The scope was in the gun case in a foam "pocket" not mounted on the Rifle. it is not the Weaver Grand Slam scope shown in the photo, it is discontinued Nikon Inline, 3x9 scope. I never talked to any inspector at AMS. I just received the gun in the case at Tambo with no locks on the case, bugger latches and the scope missing. I have received no explanation, I assume that they want me to contact them so that they can charge me some money for their service and shipping.

 

[cajunchefray]

View attachment 682179
This was my best hunt ever, top notch outfitter and superb PH, Gene Hill.
After a long dry spell the area recently received buckets of rain. The grass was tall and the bush was thick. It was awesome hunting, thrilling and very different for me. The hunting areas were huge and there were hundreds of buffalo.
The buffalo herds did not have to leave the thick lush bush for water as usual, and in that thick stuff they could be aggressive. The 10 day hunt included a couple of charges on the PH and Tracker, thankfully the PH had me tucked out of harms way when things looked tricky and nobody got hurt. Thrilling!
Gene is a young PH with tons of DG experience. He always had a smart strategy, that encompassed my old age, for every situation. I was very fortunate to hunt with him, Africa Maximus Safaris is a great place to hunt. Brian

Well Hell,
Brian great report, inspiring that at 80 years old you hunted the buffalo in the bush. And with a single shot .577! Now I'm thinking I really need to build that Ruger #1 .500 Nitro I keep thinking about.

 

[Brian]

I'm curious about what you were charged for a trophy fee per cow. I assume you got some sort of a deal.

I pay $2,000 to $3,000 USD per buffalo cow for 4-6 buffalo cows. That is with everything included. Outfitters with lots of buffalo will work with me on the price. Also in the dry years buffalo are expensive to feed when they run out of grass.

 

[Brian]

Well Hell,
Brian great report, inspiring that at 80 years old you hunted the buffalo in the bush. And with a single shot .577! Now I'm thinking I really need to build that Ruger #1 .500 Nitro I keep thinking about.

A 500 NE in a Ruger #1 would be awesome. I have a 50-110 Win. in a TC Encore loaded close to the 500NE. With CEB Raptor bullets it really puts cape buffalo down.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

View attachment 682179
This was my best hunt ever, top notch outfitter and superb PH, Gene Hill.
After a long dry spell the area recently received buckets of rain. The grass was tall and the bush was thick. It was awesome hunting, thrilling and very different for me. The hunting areas were huge and there were hundreds of buffalo.
The buffalo herds did not have to leave the thick lush bush for water as usual, and in that thick stuff they could be aggressive. The 10 day hunt included a couple of charges on the PH and Tracker, thankfully the PH had me tucked out of harms way when things looked tricky and nobody got hurt. Thrilling!
Gene is a young PH with tons of DG experience. He always had a smart strategy, that encompassed my old age, for every situation. I was very fortunate to hunt with him, Africa Maximus Safaris is a great place to hunt. Brian

Congrats on an amazing trip and admit always exciting to hear glowing reports such a short time before heading that way. Taking my 13yo daughter, with grandad also in tow, on her first safari with Africa Maximum Safari this month. We depart for JNB on the 13th.

Thank you for sharing.
Will

 

[Brian]

Congrats on an amazing trip and admit always exciting to hear glowing reports such a short time before heading that way. Taking my 13yo daughter, with grandad also in tow, on her first safari with Africa Maximum Safari this month. We depart for JNB on the 13th.

Thank you for sharing.
Will

You will all have a great time. It is a large complete "camp" facility, even has a nice little pool. I have hung out with the three main PH's and like them. They are the real deal, not show boats, they are the type of PH's that are clear, relaxed and get things right. I know that they will encompass your daughter and grandad. The bush is lush and beautiful. Happy hunting! Brian

 

[Rafiki]

No, The scope was in the gun case in a foam "pocket" not mounted on the Rifle. I never talked to any inspector at AMS. I just received the gun in the case at Tambo with no locks on the case, bugger latches and the scope missing.

How can you be sure that whoever took off with your scope wasn't at Tambo?

 

[Rafiki]

A 500 NE in a Ruger #1 would be awesome. I have a 50-110 Win. in a TC Encore loaded close to the 500NE. With CEB Raptor bullets it really puts cape buffalo down.

I really don't want to deviate from Brian's post but I have to ask; what is the weight of the CEB Raptors that you've been using and at what velocity. Actually I'd like your load info if you wouldn't mind sharing that.

The the 50-110 case is a bit smaller that a 50-90 Sharps. I've had issues with reaching my desired velocity with the longer monolith bullets.

 

[Brian]

How can you be sure that whoever took off with your scope wasn't at Tambo?

Rafiki, I never even thought of that! Good observation. Being robbed by the South African Tambo staff is not so hard to understand. and not surprising. ( I just take that as part of the " African experience." I find it easier to live with than thinking that I was ripped off by the Amsterdam AMS staff.)
I have gone through the firearm process many times with The AfricaSky agent looking after it and it has always been seamless. This trip the process at Tambo, both arriving and leaving was very weird including having two firearms scumbags really giving me a going over to get a bribe when I was headed home.

Thanks again for your observation, Rafiki, it helps me settle my mind about the lost scope. It was still an amazing hunt! Brian

 

[Brian]

I really don't want to deviate from Brian's post but I have to ask; what is the weight of the CEB Raptors that you've been using and at what velocity. Actually I'd like your load info if you wouldn't mind sharing that.

The the 50-110 case is a bit smaller that a 50-90 Sharps. I've had issues with reaching my desired velocity with the longer monolith bullets.

Rafiki, I will find the load info.
I will mention now that my 50-110 is actually a slight custom chamber, it is just necked down from .510 cal. to a true .500 cal. I did this to use the 410 grain CEB Safari Raptor bullet. ( Michael458 design) I push this 410 grain bullet at 1,920fps. It can/should be pushed faster, maybe 2,100fps.
Some good loads to follow. Brian

 

[Brian]

I really don't want to deviate from Brian's post but I have to ask; what is the weight of the CEB Raptors that you've been using and at what velocity. Actually I'd like your load info if you wouldn't mind sharing that.

The the 50-110 case is a bit smaller that a 50-90 Sharps. I've had issues with reaching my desired velocity with the longer monolith bullets.

Rafiki, I used this load info as a starting point for loading a 410 grain CEB Raptor bullet in my own cartridge/rifle. This information is not a recommendation for any one.
These load tables are from a computer program know to be poor on finding loads for large straight wall cases. Obviously one must start at lower charges to be safe.
This info is intended for Rafiki only, the rest of you please just ignore these tables.

This loading information is not to be used by anyone. Brian

These loads have not been tested. Do not use as a loading guide.!

 

[Rafiki]

Rafiki, I used this load info as a starting point for loading a 410 grain CEB Raptor bullet in my own cartridge/rifle.

This loading information is not to be used by anyone.
These loads have not been tested. Do not use as a loading guide.

Yes, I understand Brian. I used both QL and Gordon's for developing the formula I took to TZ last October. CEB Raptors are lighter than what I've been using so not sure if this is going anywhere but I'll see what the models say.

Thanks

 

[Beck]

Thanks, Yes I am 80 yrs old and I sure felt like it too, staggering around in that deep wet grass knowing that there could be a rank old buffalo cow behind ever bush. I had no idea what I was getting into when I first booked the hunt. I am very thankful that young Gene Hill was the PH.
It was a thriller! I have a video of me killing a 22 year old cow that was charging the hunting truck. I hit her in the chest and she dropped right there and disappeared in the tall grass.

Please post the video!