drt hs5 yse rg by Derek Kolush

FATHER AND SON HUNTING

EVER HEARD OF A TWIST BARREL?

UNRECORDED BIG TUSKS

YEARS O SUCCES F S

MAN

FOR HUNTERS & SHOOTERS

Hunting

•

Blesbuck: All you need to know • Elephant hunting tips • First Eland Hunt

Tikka T3x TACT A1 Long Range Tack Driver in 6.5mm Creedmoor

May 2021 R70,00 incl VAT Namibia N$70,00 05502

TESTS Tork Craft Rangeﬁnder • S&B JHP Ammo Early WESTLEY RICHARDS Rifles in Southern Africa

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FATHER AND SON HUNTING

EVER HEARD OF A TWIST BARREL?

UNRECORDED BIG TUSKS

YEARS OF SUCCES S

FOR HUNTERS & SHOOTERS

VOLUME 46

NUMBER 3 May 2021 Hunting

•

Tikka T3x TACT A1

ON THE COVER

The Beretta M9A3 is the Italian company’s latest battle pistol, featuring some worthy upgrades from the old M9. Read more on p12. - Photo by Phillip Hayes

Long Range Tack Driver in 6.5mm Creedmoor

attl

May 2021 R70,00 incl VAT Namibia N$70,00 05502

TESTS Tork Craft Rangeﬁnder • S&B JHP Ammo Early WESTLEY RICHARDS Riﬂes in Southern Africa

Features 12 18 22 26 30 34 36 40 44 48 52 56

Blesbuck: All you need to know • Elephant hunting tips • First Eland Hunt

BERETTA M9A3 Beretta’s best even better

HUNTING FOR THE HEART Hands-on experience is a good way to learn TWIST BARREL POCKET PISTOL Need more shots? Add a barrel ELEPHANT HUNTING KNOW-HOW – PART 2 Getting up close and personal… WESTLEY RICHARDS From flintlocks to monkey tails and Majuba Martinis

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Phillip Hayes ean Cook obin Barkes John Coleman Ron Bester

TALE OF A DOG The noble Canis Africanis

Bob Trevethan

TIKKA T3X TACT A1 Tikka tactical tack driver

Phillip Hayes

TANGANYIKA TUSKERS Land of the leather-sided giants

regor Woods

HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES 2021 A repeat for those who missed it last month RESCUING AN OLD BARREL Not all that is worn is worthless... BLESBUCK: POPULAR PLAINS DWELLER Distinctive looking head nodders THE NOT SO OLD MAN AND THE BOYKIE Father-and-son eland adventure

Roger Ingle Koos Barnard Michiel Thoolen

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EDITORIAL OFFICE

Tel: 012-485-9382 mail@manmagnum.co.za Xcel Park Building c/o Rodericks and Lynnwood Roads, Lynnwood, Pretoria Editor Phillip Hayes phillip.hayes@manmagnum.co.za Contributing Editor Gregor Woods Contributing Editor Malcolm Cobb Contributing Editor Francois van Emmenes Senior Subeditor Gail Osborne gosborne@manmagnum.co.za Design and Production Clemens Smith clemens.smith@manmagnum.co.za

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ONLINE READERS MARKET

Departments partm s TRAIL TALK – 6 45 Years On READERS LETTERS – 8 Sense of Magnum Hunting Opportunities My Knife Pocket Pistol CAMPFIRE TALES... – 10 TEST REPORTS Tork Craft PF220 Rangefinder – 21 Sellier & Bellot JHP Ammo – 29 SUBSCRIPTIONS – 47 GOOD FOOD – 51 Guineafowl with coriander in a phyllo pastry pocket DEFENCE HANDGUN – 60 Fashionable Self-Defence for Women BOOK SHELF – 63 Tall Tales

Gail Osborne classifieds@manmagnum.co.za

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Head Dirk Lamprecht 012-485-9356 dirk.lamprecht@media24.com Account Manager Jacques Boshoff 079-528-8793 jacques.boshoff@media24.com Western Cape Alan Walker 021-797-6449 or 072-148-5316 walker.alanl375@gmail.com MEDIA 24 (Weekly Magazines) Man/Magnum is published and distributed by Media 24, a division of Naspers Publisher Theuns Venter Category Manager Armand Kasselman Debtors’ Accounts Soraya Essop 021-408-3521 Proprietor SA Hunt Publishing (Pty) Ltd Printed by Novus Print Distribution In the event of retail supply problems contact Armand Kasselman, 021-503-7164

SAHGCA Subscribers Michel Schoeman michel@sahunt.co.za Tel: 012-808-9300

TECH TALK – 64 Dangerous Damascus Revisited LOOKING BACK – 66 May 1976: 45 Years of Magnum GALLERY – 68 New on the market from Vortex L-X Firearm Lubricant Web of Intrigue Pangolin Vehicle Handgun Safes Update Prize Winners

Opinions expressed in advertisements or articles are not necessarily those of the Editors or Publishers. Readers should take every care with firearms and ammunition. Magnum has no control over readers’ components or techniques and cannot entertain claims of any nature whatsoever. The Editors reserve the right to change and/or shorten articles and letters. The Publisher accepts no responsibility for the content of advertisements.

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Trail Talk

by PHILLIP HAYES

45 Years On

HIS month we celebrate our 45th anniversary. Yes, the first edition of SA MAN was published way back in May 1976, and since then the hunting and shooting world has changed beyond recognition. Shooting animals at extreme distances and plinking gongs at more than 1km is now old news. Mass-produced budget factory rifles used with factory hunting ammo can shoot sub-MOA groups and almost any pistol you buy is ultra-reliable. Given the new technology, even the 9mmP cartridge, considered borderline some years ago, is now the go-to round for defence purposes. With the advances made in science and manufacturing procedures, we’ve never had it so good and the multitude of choices is staggering. In hunting, ethics remains (as ever) the hot topic, but, notwithstanding the practice of sniping at game animals at extended ranges, this age-old sporting pursuit has tremendous rewards, none of which can be experienced without some hard work. When SA MAN first appeared fortyfive years ago, we had no internet or social media. To ‘google’ something, you had to visit a library and find a book (or two) on the subject you wished to research. The satisfaction of ‘working’ to get the information made the experience all the more pleasurable. At that time, I was too young to be interested in hunting and firearms, spending most of my time reading adventure novels. Books on hunting and shooting were not available at the local town library, and when the first edition of SA MAN appeared in 1976 I was simply too young to take note. Until his death (when I was 13), my father allowed me a book and magazines of my choice every month. Living about 65km from the nearest town, and making the trip only once a month, he later deemed it best that I become a member

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of a book club, and henceforth I received a book and a magazine in the post once a month. I finished both in short order and then the long wait began for the next delivery. Noting my hunger to read, he bought an encyclopaedia, and for a while my life was perfect. However, being out in the veld on most days I soon desired to read more on hunting and firearms, but it was only after my father died and we had moved to town that I spotted a Magnum on the magazine shelf of the local café. As I was unable to afford the magazine, the shopowner, Gregory, kindly allowed me to read a copy on the premises. This specific copy was reserved for a farmer and I got first dibs before the farmer came to town (mostly on the first Saturday after delivery) to collect his magazine. The fact that I was reading Magnum while my friends were playing arcade games (PacMan and Donkey Kong) meant I was at times mocked for my choice but I simply did not care, I was happy. After finishing my education, I spent most of my life on the road, so subscribing to Magnum was not an option. I frequently stopped in small towns where I worked to find the latest edition, often without success. I can recall several occasions when I drove to towns at night, after feeding and putting hunting clients to bed, to try and find a Magnum at a petrol station or any shop that was still open. Each time I read a copy of Magnum – then the only hunting and shooting magazine available in the areas I frequented – I felt satisfied and my hunger to be informed and entertained was stilled for a while. Of course, I also read many other books and magazines, but Magnum fed my soul as no other publication could, probably because it was produced locally and I could relate to all its contents. I also learned a lot from the magazine. The key, I think, was the edi-

tor’s formula of using a variety of authors, providing a wide knowledge base from reputable ‘old timers’ with ample experience. My thanks go to these contributors who provided us with quality articles through the years. The first few editions evolved from general male interest (vehicles, motorbikes, knives, handguns, fishing and hunting) to a more mature and hardcore magazine focussed on hunting and shooting. I am thankful for the work done by those early pioneers, Theo Martins, Tudor Howard-Davies and Ron Anger and their respective teams whose hard work provided us with hours of reading pleasure through these many years. For me the privilege is great to have met Ron and to have worked with him for a few months before his death. It is also a privilege to be able to work with Gregor Woods, whose articles I religiously read for decades before I met him. Today, 45 years later, we are spoiled for choice with several local hunting magazines, and of course the internet is awash with good (but mostly not so good) information on every conceivable hunting and shooting topic. Yes, I read a lot on the internet, but I still prefer to hold a book or magazine in my hands. Just the smell of paper beats holding my cold soulless iPad when reading. The previous editors did a great job of establishing Magnum as a viable business and the brand as a household name, making my job so much easier. Under my tenure the magazine has also changed (hopefully for the better) to adapt to a fast-paced and rapidly changing world where social media is the buzz-word and increasing numbers of the younger generation prefer not to read. The hard lockdown in 2020 made life extremely difficult for an already struggling print industry, but thanks to our readers, Magnum not only survived, but re-affirmed its place in the market. This is all thanks to you, readers and advertisers. You have supported us for 45 years and we are endeavouring to return the favour with each future edition.

Letters

Sense of Magnum A while back my father gave me his ManMagnum collection dating from 1977 to 2010. When I started sorting the magazines, I became mindful of how privileged I was to inherit such a tremendous amount of knowledge just waiting to be re-consumed. Feelings were soon surpassed by emotions and thoughts as I wondered what would have happened had my father been an online reader. I could now touch the magazines and enjoy the sensation of holding something my father had held, and feel how paper, paper types and quality have changed.

I could see how printers, ink, writing styles and adverts had changed over time. From a time when knowledgeable text was preferred over graphics with imaginations untamed. I could hear the crackling sound of magazine pages that had been tainted by rising humidity in the bathroom caused by showering during the winter months. I could smell the distinct smell that accompanies old literature – a musky scent with just a hint of mothballs. But, I could also distaste the possibility of another advance in technology that will relinquish our ability to take part in activities involving as many of the big five senses as possible, plus the sixth, not familiar to all, sense of space (proprioception). This is why we truly love hunting, shooting, fishing, spending time in nature and reading Magnum in its natural form. Unequivocal respect and gratitude to all the ou toppies who we learned from and are still learning from. Please keep ManMagnum in print. – D Lourens, Gauteng

My Knife I enjoyed Koos Barnard’s “Hunting Knives” article in the March/April 2021 edition. I own several custom fixed blade and folding knives, but my favourite, which is always in my pocket when I go out into the bush, is an old Elbeco Stock Knife with three blades. It is very similar in design to Koos’s Mauser and Buck folders. The Elbeco belonged to the late father of a friend. My friend gave it to me as a gift years ago, a gesture that left me speechless as I knew what the knife meant to him. Therein lies the beauty of a lifeless object such as a knife. It is not just a utensil but, as Koos pointed out, can be a treasure, and in my case testament to loyalty and friendship. – JD Basson, Gauteng

GALLO/GETTYIMAGES

Pocket Pistol Grant Spolander (Practise with that Pistol, March/April 2021) gives sound advice on mastering a sub-compact pistol. I suffered from the same problem (not getting my grip right) when changing from a fullsize handgun to a sub-compact. My biggest challenge was gripping

my grip each time and, after hundreds of repetitions, I started adding speed to the draw. This improved my grip, but it takes time and effort, and a lot of work must follow. Lastly, to comfortably carry a pistol all day a good holster and belt is paramount. Try an adjustable belt fitted with Velcro or a D-shackle. This allows you to change the tension perfectly around your middle. A normal belt with holes in the leather can be too loose or too tight at times, making for uncomfortable carry. – Bert Malan, Gauteng

Hunting Opportunities

the pistol in the same way with h ach draw. Doing some layman’s research, I read that a human being needs to repeat a complex action which must be performed under stress, between 3 000 and 5 000 times for it to be ingrained and done correctly each time. I started by drawing my pistol slowly, making sure of

I appreciate that you still publish Hunting Opportunities, especially as it is a free service. Ever since I bought my first Magnum (I think it was during the early ’90s), I have more often than not, booked my hunts based on the ads in this feature. So far, I have always returned happy with what I paid for. However, I’d like to see the adverts earlier in the year, maybe in the Jan/Feb edition, as this would allow me to plan and book my hunts earlier. Like they say, “the early bird catches the worm”! Thanks for a great mag. – John Botha, Free State

Share your thoughts and opinions with other Magnum readers. Letters may be edited for publication and pen names may be used. Unless marked NOT FOR PUBLICATION all letters are considered.

Campfire Tales...

ONVERSATION around the campfire had turned to fluke shots. I had little to offer personally; the only fluke shot I ever pulled off was as a schoolboy visiting a non-hunting friend. Their sole farm gun was a single-shot 12-bore for snakes; I suggested we take it wingshooting. We flushed two doves from a ploughed field; I focussed on one, and was as surprised as my friend to see two doves fall from the sky. “Hell, you’re a crack shot!” he exclaimed, “Both birds flying with one shot!” But the goingaway flight paths of two doves often cross. Having chosen my target, I never even saw the other bird – their convergence as I fired was sheer coincidence. Naturally, I didn’t tell my friend that. “However,” I added, “my friend Brian Marsh had a fluke shot that bears telling. He was guiding a client who’d never hunted elephant, but after reading Karamojo Bell, insisted on brain shots. Brian agreed on condition he himself fired an immediate backup shot for the heart in case the client missed the brain. Together they aimed at a big bull in patchy bush and Brian fired the moment he heard the client’s shot – needlessly, for the client’s perfect brain-shot dropped the bull where it stood. It rolled onto its near side, covering the entrywound.” “So, what was the fluke?” asked Corrie Nel. “Well,” I continued, “during the congratulations, their tracker announced that a second bull lay dead just further on. Dismayed, Brian approached the carcass to find it freshly shot through the shoulder. Initially he assumed his shot on the first bull had over-penetrated. Then, to his bewilderment, he realised there was no exit wound on the first bull. It had dropped so instantaneously to the client’s brain-shot that Brian’s reaction time resulted in his own shot going over it, killing an unseen bull behind.” “That’s amazing,” said Corrie Nel thoughtfully. Then he grinned, “You know, I once had a fluke shot that was equally amazing – but a lot cheaper!” “Tell us,” I urged. “A friend offered my family a weekend on his game-ranch near Alldays. He couldn’t join us, and hadn’t mentioned

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by GREGOR WOODS

hunting, so I took only my .22 for plinking and a lever-action .357 Magnum I’d recently bought to introduce my eightyear-old son, Tiaan, to centre-fire rifle shooting. That evening, my friend phoned to check if we’d arrived safely, adding that, if I saw an impala or a kudu, I could take it on the house. I explained that, not expecting to hunt, I’d brought only a .357 rifle, but if I saw an impala close enough for a safe shot, I would gratefully accept his offer. “Next morning, I set out with Tiaan and the .357 to enjoy the bush. Not wanting to overtire the lad, I asked Frans, a farm-hand, to drive the bakkie to a corner of the farm and wait for us, so we could ride back to camp. As we ambled along, I shared many observations with Tiaan, including the fact that, coincidentally, we were more-or-less following the spoor of two kudu heading in the same direction. This was merely an observation to interest and instruct him. “As we were nearing our planned rendezvous where the farm’s two boundary fences met, Frans, who had heard us coming, called out from beyond some dense bush to say there were two kudu between us and the road where he was waiting. I had no serious intension of shooting but still prepared myself to go through the motions for an exciting experience. Next moment, I heard branches breaking and saw a young kudu bull dashing in full flight across our front only fifteen metres away. Instinctively I cocked and raised the rifle and followed the bull through the bush in the open sights, purely for practice and for the thrill of it. Besides, the kudu never offered me a clear, certain shot. “Having enjoyed the experience, I lowered the rifle. That was when the loud bang of the .357 shocked me to my boots

and a cloud of dust rose so close in front of me I thought I may have shot my foot. Ensuring that my son was unhurt, I checked that my foot had escaped injury. I realised I’d inadvertently fired the rifle as I lowered it. I was still shocked and trying to figure out what I’d done wrong, when I heard Frans calling to me, ‘Jy het hom, jy het hom!’ Disregarding his calls, I concentrated on ensuring Tiaan was calm. I was busy explaining my indiscretion when Frans repeated his call, ‘Jy het hom!’ “We found Frans standing over a dead kudu bull that lay beside the fence. I was astounded. I could not believe I’d shot it, yet there it was. On examination, the still-warm carcass revealed no wound, no blood, only a large lump on one side of its neck. The spoor told the story: startled by the shot, the young bull had run headlong into the fence, breaking his neck. One shot, instantaneous death with no meat damage – beat that!” Readers are invited to share true humorous or intriguing short stories via Campfire Tales. Email mail@ manmagnum.co.za for guidelines on how this works – Editor

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Battle-Proven Upgrade

N 2017, Beretta lost against Sig Sauer when the US military chose the Sig P320 as their new standard issue sidearm. Beretta’s entry was the M9A3, an upgrade of the M9 which has been the standard issue sidearm of the US forces for 30 years. After losing out, Beretta Defence Technologies claimed its M9 pistol is about 10 times more reliable than the US Army’s new Modular Handgun System. Beretta maintains that the new M9 pistols tested at the company’s manufacturing facility in Gallatin, Tennessee, have continued to prove their worldrecord reliability. Beretta USA completed fourteen consecutive M9 Lot Acceptance

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Tests (LAT) with an average of only one malfunction in every 19 090 rounds. During this test, 42 M9 pistols fired 210 000 rounds, with resultant reliability “almost 10 times better than the rate of reliability required by the US Army in its current Modular Handgun System program”. Beretta said half of the LAT reliability tests resulted in ‘perfect’ reliability scores with zero malfunctions in 15 000 rounds. The M9A3 is a modernized version of the battle-proven Beretta M9 and because it was not accepted by the US Army for their contract, the upgraded pistol was made available to the general public.

by PHILLIP HAYES

Our test pistol came in a cardboard box that contained a classy rectangular plastic box with a carry handle. This box, in the shape of an ammo crate, houses the pistol, three magazines, an extra set of grips, a cable and lock, and manuals. Most notable on the test pistol (in two-tone Flat Dark Earth cerakote) is the threaded barrel with thread protector which is firmly held in place with a red rubber O-ring at the base of the thread. Three additional O-rings are supplied in the box. The O-ring keeps the attachments firmly in place during shooting. Another obvious change is the addition of a rail with three slots in front of the trigger-guard, permitting the attachment of lights and laser sights. Closer inspection revealed that the new standard grip is thinner (two side plates) than that of the original M9, facilitating a firmer grip by smaller hands.

The grip panels are chequered and stippled and the front and back of the grip frame have machined cut-outs for better purchase. An additional textured rubber Hogue wrap-around grip (same size as on the original M9) is also supplied for those with bigger hands. I found the thinner grip a perfect fit for my hands and the improved texturing on the backstrap ensured that follow-up shots could be made faster than with my own CZ75 pistol.

The Beretta M9A3 comes in a plastic box, similar to an ammo crate. The box contains the pistol, three mags, an extra set of Hogue grips, a cable and lock, and the manuals.

he magazine well’s mouth has been generously bevelled to ensure fast reloads and definitely ensured faster mag changes on the range. The fit between the magazine and mag-well provides a good grip should the need arise to tug a mag free. A sturdy lanyard ring is positioned at the bottom of the back-strap. The magazine release is slightly extended and has a rough texture. It works well and, with the thinner grip, was within thumb-reach for shooters with small hands. The M9A3 can be ordered with a safety and hammer-drop combination, but the test pistol (type G) has an ambidextrous hammer-drop (de-cocker) lever only, which is mounted on the slide. I’ve heard complaints that slide-mounted safety catches can be inad-

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Beretta Slide cut-outs are only found at the rear of the slide.

Steel trigger bar.

The doubleaction trigger is extremely smooth.

A Hogue grip (above) is included. It’s the same size as that found on the original M9. The A3 comes fitted with slimmer grip panels.

The test pistol came in two-tone Flat Dark Earth Cerakote.

Chamber indicator

The barrel is threaded. Note the thread protector and red rubber O-ring.

The familiar cut-away slide ensures reliable ejection.

14 4 ManMAGNUM an AGN M

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The takedown lever is easy to work and disassembly can be done in seconds.

The mag-well is generously bevelled and makes for fast reloads.

A fairly large rail is incorporated into the dust cover, a welcome change from the older M9.

Tritium night sights.

The mag release has a chequered finish and protrudes enough to be manipulated when wearing heavy gloves.

vertently engaged when racking the slide. With the de-cocker lever only, this is not a problem and operating the lever is easily achieved with the thumb of the shooting hand. On a double-action/single-action (DA/ SA) pistol I prefer a de-cocker to a safety. Disengaging a safety takes time and, more seriously, under stress you can forget to operate the safety. The M9A3 permits easy conversion of the lever to a de-cocker only, or vice versa. These aftermarket parts can be ordered from the local importer. The typical Model 92 slide release lever falls directly under the thumb without need to change grip. The trigger face is polished smooth and the double-action pull is one of the best I’ve encountered for some time. Unfortunately, my trigger-pull scale only measures up to 8lbs, but I would guess the DA pull to be about 10lbs, though it feels lighter. In single-action mode the trigger broke cleanly at 4½lbs. On the range I found the transition from a first double-action shot

The M9A3 disassembled. Takedown is simple and done in seconds.

to single-action natural. I have been working tirelessly to get my first doubleaction shot from my CZ75 placed more accurately on target. The M9A3 makes this an easy task, with the transition from DA to SA much less noticeable. Yes, initially it took a while longer to get that first shot off when compared to a striker-fired pistol, but some range time fixed that. In the end, the deciding factor for the speed at which I could get lead on target was reduced to sight acquisition. Here the M9A3 excelled, with its three-dot tritium night sights, which come standard. The front sight blade is 3.2mm wide and the rear sight’s square notch 3.82mm, allowing enough space on either side of the front sight for my aging eyes to quickly align the sights. The 160mm sight radius helped with long-range shots. It also appears that Beretta increased the sight height slightly, possibly to clear a suppressor.

ping locking block, so the barrel stays in the same position during firing.

F Our old Chrony was pressed into service to test muzzle velocity.

he front and rear sights are dovetailed and removable. The rear sight is a square block which can be used very effectively for racking the slide on a belt, and even on my upper leg. At night the three dots displayed very brightly and are slightly smaller than the set I use on my own carry gun, a factor that afforded more precise lowlight shooting. Magazine capacity has been increased to 17 rounds (previously 15). The mags also have a PVD (phys sical vapor deposition) coating designed to o be more dust- and sand-resistant. App parently, US troops complained of hav ving trouble inserting magazines af ter extended use in the harsh, dusty Mid ddle Eastern environment. Witness holes are a positioned at rounds 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 17 and are large enough for quick reference. Disassembly of the A3 is exactly the same as for the M9: unload the pisto ol, push the slide to the rear, turn the takedown lever and move the slide forwarrd off the frame. Then take the barrel an nd spring out. Barrel lock-up is via a drop p-

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The M M9A3 mag holds 17 rou unds. Note the large w witness holes. BELOW W: Factory ammo used fo or chronograph testing g.

ired over a chronograph, the 5-inch barrel delivered an average muzzle-velocity of 1 044fps (10 shots) with STV 124gr FMJ ammo. Extreme spread was 27fps. MAXXTech 124gr FMJs averaged 1 113fps with an ES of 33fps. For comparison, a Beretta PX4 compact (3.2-inch barrel) used with MAXXTech ammo averaged 1 030fps and an ES of only 13fps. On the range, the pistol was impressive. At 7m, off-hand shooting as rapidly as I could work the trigger landed five shots in 35.6mm. At 5m my time was slightly better, and the group stayed at 35mm centre-to-centre. I then shot a falling plate drill at 10m and managed a full score, but in quicker time than with my own familiar side-arm. The same proved true for the rest of the drills. Of course, the longer sight radius plays a role, but overall, the excellent trigger and light recoil (the pistol weighs 944g without a magazine inserted), good grip and ergonomics all worked together to make hitting the targets easier. I also tried seven different types of ammunition, including three handloads, and experienced no malfunctions. The M9A3 is a full-sized combat pistol, with an enviable reputation for reliability. At 38mm wide, 220mm long and 137mm high it is, in today’s terms, a large handgun, but the way it shoots more than makes up for this. The quality of workmanship is above reproach, racking the slide was silky smooth and every lever is in exactly the right position (at least for me). It’s without doubt one of the better off-theshelf DA/SA pistols I’ve tried. The enhancements featured in the M9A3 are the result of experience gained on the battlefield and this is clear in this extremely well-made, reliable and easy to shoot defence arm. At the time of writing Dave Sheer had M9A3s for sale at R15 999. Our thanks to Ewan Ashby for trusting us with his pistol.

Hunting for the Heart

by DEAN COOK

Time off for a PH

S A PH I’m often asked what I do during the off-season when I’m not hunting. The truth is, a lot of my spare time is spent hunting or fishing and honestly, I don’t get tired of it. When you do something you have a passion for, it doesn’t seem like work. It’s different being in the bush by yourself or with a friend – and it’s good for your soul. A while ago, whenever I had some free time, I would head off to a farm outside Francistown in Botswana where I live. The farmer always needed game animals culled to control their numbers and the meat from these was sold to fund the day-to-day running of the farm. Although close to town, the farm was still very much in the wild, with elephant in or around it and the occasional lion and hippo passing through. I have fond memories of times spent

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there, occasionally for as long as two weeks, when the owners were away and needed someone to keep an eye on things. I learnt a lot while hunting on my own and got to improve my tracking and general hunting skills. Last year this farm became part of a large conservancy, which is a great conservation initiative. I have since hunted on the farm with a few clients and being there always brings back good memories. There are a number of different plains game on the property but I only harvested impala, wildebeest, kudu, warthog and the occasional zebra. For the pure enjoyment I did this by walkand-stalk which had the benefit of keeping me fit for the upcoming hunting season. With so much time spent on the farm I have certainly had a lot of interesting experiences there. Out hunting one afternoon, I planned to walk to a big vlei by the Tati River where animals were often found late in the day. The afternoon was uneventful

but, as I approached the vlei, I could hear wildebeest and impala snorting and a kudu barking. I stalked into the thick bush surrounding the vlei. From there I could see a number of animals staring in one direction; they were clearly not very happy. Looking through my binoculars,

Two Pula and the author with a zebra.

Trail cam picture of a nice male leopard.

PHOTO GETTYIMAGES/GALLOIMAGES

I picked up some movement on the opposite side of the vlei. To my amazement I saw that it was leopards mating. I watched the scene for a while but the light was fading and I had a job to do. I selected a wildebeest bull and fired a bullet that passed through both shoulders. He ran a few metres and went down. I was then very surprised when the rest of the herd ran towards me. I acted quickly and dropped a big cow with a shot to the chest whereafter the herd scattered into the surrounding bush. Taking a look around, I saw the leopards had not moved and were now looking around themselves. A kudu bull stood staring at them. It was a long shot and I was shaking with excitement but I managed to place a bullet behind the bull’s shoulders. He ran a short distance and expired. I brought my attention back to the leopards – they were still there, staring in my direction. I knew it was going to get dark soon and couldn’t waste time enjoying the scene so I

checked all the animals and marked their positions with toilet paper. Only when I approached the kudu did the leopards slink off into the bush. It was a long walk back to the car and pitch dark by the time I got to it. I drove to the compound to get some staff to help me load the animals. Now, this was January, and it was still quite wet. On my return, when I turned into the vlei at the point which I thought was the closest to the nearest wildebeest, the vehicle immediately sunk up to its axles.

This was going to be a long night... After a lot of effort we extracted the vehicle and made it back to the road where we eventually found a dry route into the vlei. With the two wildebeest loaded, I turned the car in the direction of the kudu. Ahead of me I picked up some eye shine and there was the male leopard, happily eating the back haunch of my kudu. Having been disturbed, he soon moved off but the staff certainly weren’t very happy about getting out of the vehicle to load the kudu. With a lot of

For plains game hunting I use a 7mm Mag rifle loaded with 175gr Peregrine bullets.

Zebra in the mopane.

persuasion we got done and headed back to the farmhouse, eventually arriving at midnight. I got to bed at 2am after sorting out the carcasses but was up early and happy to start hunting again.

n another occasion I was walking along the edge of a dry riverbed where normally I would find a lot of impala and kudu. It was quite late in the morning when I noticed some movement in the grass and bush on the side. Whatever it was, it was heading towards a big bare patch of earth as is often found in mopane woodland. Thinking it might be a warthog, I got into position against a tree and prepared for a shot should it move out into the open. When the animal emerged from the grass I couldn’t believe it – it was a female leopard about 40 metres away, with no idea I was there. She lay down by a tree on the edge of the opening, possibly hunting the same way I was for impala that often frequented these clearings. I watched her for a while and tried to lower my rifle to get out my phone to take a picture but she noticed the movement and disappeared in an instant. I carried on hunting and at the next clearing spied a lone impala ram. As I crept up behind a tree, the ram noticed me and turned, quartering onto me. I aimed

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for the chest, squeezed the trigger and the ram dropped on the spot. While I reflected how lucky I had been during the morning, the ram was up and gone in a flash, leaving me cursing for not reloading and getting ready for a second shot. I picked up the spoor but there was very little blood and it soon petered out. For about an hour I tried in vain to find the impala, doing loops and following different tracks until I decided to head back to the house to fetch Two Pula, the farm tracker, to help me. We returned to the

View from the farmhouse.

spot where I had found the last blood and he managed to follow the spoor. After a few minutes on the trail I heard a rustle in some thick bush about 10 metres from us. Approaching, rifle at the ready, I saw the white of the impala’s belly under a bush and saw straight away that it was dead. We pulled the impala out to examine it and saw that my shot had missed the chest, but entered behind the last rib and broken the back leg, although that’s not what killed it. There were distinct puncture marks around its neck and the area between the back legs had been eaten. I assume it must have been the same leopard I had seen that morning. What are the odds? A large number of leopard lived on this farm and in the surrounding area – we often saw their tracks when we were out hunting. The farmer had also done a lot of leopard research by laying bait and getting trail cam pictures. He trapped a few and put tracking collars on them which resulted in some interesting data. One of the big males who was collared for about 6 years ended up being poisoned on communal land across the river. Sadly this often happens to big cats in farming areas. With the ban on hunting in Botswana from the end of 2012, I would hate to guess at the number of leopard that have since been killed as vermin. Hopefully with the re-opening of hunting here, people will see the value of protecting these animals because of the financial incentives they bring.

Tork Craft PF220 Rangefinder

ORK CRAFT claims that their new PF220 rangefinder can measure objects out to 600m. It has three function settings; Slope Mode (which displays the actual distance, horizontal distance and angle to the target), Flag Scanning Mode (used when measuring distances to the flagpole when playing golf), and Speed Measuring Mode (which calculates the speed of a moving object between 18 and 300km/h). Cycling through the modes is done with a button marked M, while a second button is used for ranging. Continuous measuring is also possible by holding the measuring button down. The M (function) button can be held in for a few seconds to change measurements between metres and yards. For our practical test I concentrated on Slope Mode as this is what will be used the most when hunting or shooting steel gongs. The rangefinder weighs 170g and is 108mm long, 72mm high and 40mm wide. Magnification is 6x and field of view 6 degrees, while the objective lens diameter is 22mm, eyepiece lens diameter 16mm and exit pupil diameter is 3.7mm. The integrated lithium battery is rated at 1 000mAh and charging is done via a USB port. A charging cable is not included, but most cellphones use the same cable. I used the rangefinder for a full day, taking more than a hundred measurements over about 7 hours, and the battery did not need recharging. To save the battery, the screen switches off automatically eight seconds after a measurement is taken. The display is in black and a fine scope-type crosshair is used for targeting. The intensity of the display cannot be changed, but I could pick up the crosshair on most targets. The carry case (see photo) can be attached to a belt through a loop or by means of a carabiner. Possible drawbacks are the absence of an attachment for a lanyard and that the hard carrying case is somewhat wide. I normally carry a rangefinder in my shirt pocket, so for me this was no problem. The accuracy and maximum range of a rangefinder will be affected by the composition of the target, inclined angle of

the target surface, and visibility of the weather. In general, if the target surface is smooth and bright the beam is perpendicular to the target surface and, if the weather is cloudy without fog, you’ll manage to range targets further out. In the field (on a warm sunny day) I consistently ranged steel targets (22inches x 22inches) out to 400m but had only a 70% hit rate with a gong 300mm in diameter at 400m. However, this could have been due to me not being able to keep the rangefinder still enough. Springbuck size cardboard cut-outs provided no problems out to 400m on the range but remember, given the grass and bushes in the field, you would not have such a large target for the laser. Stabiliz-

Test Report

by PHILLIP HAYES

ing the rangefinder on a wooden pole, shooting stick, etc, helps. The PF220 has no thread for attaching to a bi- or tripod. I managed to measure a heavy branch of a eucalyptus tree just after sunrise (with the sun on the target) with an average reading of 532m (extreme spread of 1m), and again an hour before sunset with the average result 533.2m, and again an ES of 1m. In the field I was able to range cattle standing in tall grass (1.2m) out to 400m and sheep at 325m. Overall, this budget buy rangefinder performed surprisingly well and can be considered for general hunting purposes out to 300m and for shorter range gong shooting. The recommended retail price is R2 849.

For more information contact Vermont Sales on 011-314-7711 or visit www.vermontsales.co.za to find stockists.

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by ROBIN BARKES

A four-barrelled turnover pistol made in Belgium.

The right side of the Wender pistol showing the ‘safety’ catch.

The left side. Note the protective shroud covering the nipple when in the lower position.

he first thing I noticed was that the pistol was extremely well made by a London gunmaker named D Gass. I have never heard of this fellow and could not find his name in any of my reference books. The pistol has turnover or twist barrels – meaning that it has over and under tubes that can be swivelled around. Once the top barrel has been fired, the bottom barrel is quickly turned up into place under the hammer, ready for a second shot. Both barrels have their own nipple.

This configuration makes the pistol flat, comfortable to carry and smoother to draw out of a pocket. Overall length is 8¾ inches and the 4-inch smoothbore barrels are both .54 8 calibre. The hammer has a sliding safety catch so the pistol could be carried fully cocked and ready to fire – although it’s not rea ally a good idea to walk around like that. Guns with fixed over and under barrels have been around G for a long time. There is a German-made wheel-lock with such barrels in the Windsor Castle collection dated 1588. I have ba actually fired a caplock pistol and rifle with fixed over and under barrels – both guns used separate hammers for each barrel – but this was the first time I had ever seen an over and under turnover barrelled gun. o one knows who originally devised the clever turnover system. According to Flayderman’s book on antique American guns, the twist barrel system was introduced in the very early 1800s and the book features a twist barrel Kentucky flintlock rifle as well as one converted to percussion lock. However, when doing my research for this article, I came across an illustration in the Encyclopedia of Rifles and Handguns by Sean Connolly that shows a four-barrelled turnover pistol made in Belgium in about 1750. The unusual gun was originally a flintlock but later

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A good habit that applies to all muzzle-loading double-barrelled guns is that when firing a loose-fitting ball from the first barrel, the ball in the second barrel should always be checked to ensure it is still firmly seated against the powder charge. I learnt this lesson many years ago when I began bird shooting with a doublebarrelled muzzle-loading shotgun. I always fired the right barrel first, then reloaded it and fired again with the right barrel. A while later I became aware that I could hear the shot in the left barrel rolling back and forth. When I ran my ramrod down the tube, I discovered the recoil had loosened the charge. The same thing could happen when firing a big-bore double-barrelled rifle taking a hefty charge of powder behind a heavy conical bullet of the minié type. On firing, the recoil could dislodge the charge in the second barrel causing airspace between powder and missile. Firing a loose load like that could have unpleasant consequences.

n the range, the owner of the twist barrel pistol had the first two shots. Next our lady guest, Sure Shot Kirsty, smoked things up and finally it was my turn. Although we all enjoyed firing the neat little pistol, the results were disappointing. Firstly, we were shooting at about ten paces from the target which was too far for a short-barrelled pocket pistol. And secondly, the folly of shooting a .45 ball out of a .54 calibre barrel soon became apparent – the hopelessly undersized missiles flew all over the place. Determined to test-fire the gun properly, we searched through our supply of lead balls and happily discovered a few missiles that were the exact bore size or just a smidgen under bore size. The balls fitted so closely that even a thin patch could not be used. No matter though; because the barrels were smooth-bored we could use a running ball – meaning the powder charge would be followed by a tight fitting felt wad on top of which would go the bare ball followed by another wad to keep the load altogether. This load filled the 4" barrel to the halfway mark. Because pocket pistols were intended as close-quarter self-defence weapons, we were not expecting pin-point accuracy. We now set the pistol up on an adjustable loading stand and the barrels were turned to a sideways position which made loading much easier. Thirty grains of powder went down each

We only scored hits when we were close to the target.

barrel followed by a felt wad. While this was being done I rolled the balls between my lightly-lubed fingers in an effort to ease their passage down the barrels. Because the tight-fitting balls had to be hammered down using a brass rod and mallet, there was no need to use an over-shot wad. The nipples were then capped and my friend took up a defensive stance in front of the target some eight paces away. He raised the pistol, aimed, fired – and missed. Then, with his left hand, he swiftly twisted the bottom barrel up into place and let go the second ball – and missed. Growling with frustration he said, “We’ll have to stand much closer.” The pistol was reloaded and, closing the gap, we took turns firing at about two arms lengths from the target. Well that sure did the trick and, when we saw the big holes in the paper, we felt satisfied that the pistol could do its deadly work provided the man pulling the trigger knew its limitations.

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Elephant Hunting Know-How

PART 2

How to locate and approach big tuskers

N eastern Botswana, where I usually hunted elephant, the Khoi San are from the Masarwa and Masile tribes. They are slightly taller than the desert Khoi San, but still have their typical build and features. A good Khoi San tracker is generally far better than any other southern African tribesman, although a few Shangaans and Vendas are pretty good. It is absolutely phenomenal to watch a San tracker follow and stay on the track of a particular elephant or other big game animal, even among a herd of the same species. These trackers have acute eyesight and can spot and identify animals at long distances. Good San trackers also seem to have a sixth sense which warns them when they are near dangerous game and

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they seem instinctively to know where animals are likely to walk. Elephant tracks are fairly easy to pick up and follow in sandy areas, but when the animals cross hard vleis, you appreciate a good tracker. When hunting elephant, this expertise is indispensable and I would go so far as to say that, if you can, you should use a San tracker in those areas. Big old elephant bulls are habitual loners but may be accompanied by a couple of younger bulls (askaris). The old bulls are much more alert than elephant in a large herd; the big ones are usually extremely shy and invariably try to evade hunters. The askaris are more aggressive and a hunter may have to shoot one to ward off an attack. Try to avoid being seen

by JOHN COLEMAN

or scented by the askari because the big bull will invariably get away in any resulting incident, even if you out-bluff the attacker and do not need to shoot.

lephant in particular, but also other dangerous species intuitively sense fear and are more likely to be aggressive towards someone who is afraid. Hunters who fear the animals they approach are more likely to be charged. Anyone wishing to hunt dangerous game, especially elephant, should learn to control their fear and try to overcome it. Occasionally, however, good tuskers accompany herds. Big herds are normally easier to follow and approach because of the noise they make and their perceived security in numbers. But with numerous animals so spread out, it is very difficult to locate and approach any big bull without being seen or scented. In lightly wooded country, the best way to locate the bull is to observe from an elevated position, down-wind from the herd; perhaps use a small koppie, big termite mound or high tree. On spotting a suitable bull, wait until it comes to the edge of the herd and then quickly approach and shoot it. If the confused herd then runs towards you, fire a shot into the ground in front of them and, if that does not work, hide behind the dead animal or a big tree. The herd will normally keep going right past you but occasionally a couple of cows may stop by the dead animal and wait for it to get up. Then things can get hairy! I would advise relatively inexperienced hunters not to attempt shooting a big bull accompanying a herd of cows and calves.

In thicker bush it is much more difficult and dangerous to hunt elephant because the hunter has to get very close and lurk around until a shot presents itself. Consequently, he might run into another animal or the herd could get his scent. Cows with calves are usually very aggressive and will often charge when they sense humans. An experienced hunter can make an educated guess as to what a dangerous animal will do, but no-one can be absolutely certain. If the wind direction is constant during your approach, you can take your time and locate a good shooting position. If there is no wind or if the wind is fluctuating, you must approach quickly before the elephants scent you. Take the shot as soon as you get within satisfactory range. Provided you don’t make a noise or let them get your scent, elephants won’t notice you unless you are very close. Even in open country, just walk upright, straight towards them, quietly, without swinging your arms or moving from side to side. You need to get within thirty paces – bearing in mind the required positions for taking a brain or heart shot – and in very thick bush you must get even closer. Do not shoot from further than forty paces unless the animal is wounded and getting away. Try to get into a position that will enable you to get off a second shot if the animal doesn’t go down. Wearing camouflaged clothing is not really necessary, just be sure to wear dull-coloured fabrics. Elephant eyesight is not very sharp but, within about fifty paces, they notice unusual or reflective surfaces and lateral movement. They also seem to see better in dull, cloudy conditions.

We are aware it’s no longer considered proper to show hunters sitting on animals, but this was not the case decades ago when this photo was taken. We sometimes publish stories dating back to those times and print photos to capture the essential atmosphere of the occasion. ED

If attacked, stand your ground, and if the elephant comes closer than ten paces, shoot for the brain. Running away is likely to get you killed. A human cannot outrun an elephant or other dangerous animal. If you don’t have a suitable rifle, or lack the necessary nerve, don’t go getting into a situation where you are likely to be attacked. Elephant are great bluffers and will normally stop charging about ten paces from a person standing his ground. However, sometimes they are not bluffing. Two of my friends were killed by failing to shoot once the elephant reached the ten yard limit. If you have no choice but to run, be aware of the wind direction and do not run directly away, but rather at right-angles to the line of charge, downwind and using bushes to conceal you if possible. You may be lucky.

PHOTO BY KEYUR NANDANIYA ON UNSPLASH

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he tusks of elephant in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa seldom grow as long or as heavy as those of their kin in Zambia, Mozambique and countries further north. (That said, there are bulls in the Kruger National Park and KwaZulu-Natal’s Tembe Elephant Part which have exceptionally large tusks.) The ivory of the southern animals is denser, which is probably the reason the tusks are normally thicker and shorter by comparison. Hunters from East and Central Africa are inclined to under-estimate the weight of our elephant tusks. However, our local elephant are generally larger bodied and heavier (the Addo elephants being an exception). The largest elephant I have ever seen was a completely tuskless bull which I shot near Victoria Falls during the 1960s. He stood about thirteen to fourteen feet at the shoulder and probably weighed in excess of seven tons. The best tusker I shot had tusks weighing just over eighty pounds each. At that time the price of ivory was only fourteen shillings a pound, so I got the princely sum of a hundred-and-twelve pounds sterling when I sold them. That was three times my monthly salary at the time. The biggest tusker I came across was on Letaba Ranch, adjoining the Kruger National Park. When he stood, his tusks touched the ground and I estimated them to weigh about 140lbs each. I had a hunting client with me and, although the elephant was in the hunting area with no collar, hence was fair game, I couldn’t bring myself to allow it to be shot. I just chased the bull back into the Park. Unfortunately, traditional elephant hunting is almost a thing of the past. These days, most people are strongly opposed to elephant hunting. Various anti-hunting bodies have invented enough propaganda to convince the public that elephants are endangered, and it is considered almost shameful to hunt them. Elephant are not endangered in southern Africa, nor have they ever been. It is only in some countries further north, where they have been heavily poached or over-hunted, that they can be considered locally threatened. When I hunted elephant, it was a respected pursuit and hunting elephant in the wild sand country was real hunting at its best!

Test Report

JHP Ammo

by PHILLIP HAYES

&B’s JHP ammo must be some of the most affordable on offer and the question is: how will it perform as a defence load? Fired over my chronograph, the average velocity for 5 rounds out of my CZ75 Compact was 1 103fps for 310ft.lbs. Extreme spread was 24fps. If you have a full-size pistol, this velocity and energy should be slightly higher. I also used a Mossberg MC1sc (subcompact) pistol and average velocity from the shorter barrel was 1 074fps for 294ft.lbs energy. Extreme spread was 35fps. Recoil was on par with that of 115gr PMP JHP ammo. Shooting a group with each pistol at 7m resulted in a centre-to-centre (c-c) spread of 1.8 inches from the CZ and 1.7 inches with the Mossberg. I also fired 40 rounds with each pistol while performing various drills against time and all rounds fed reliably from both pistols. Next, I fired rounds into blocks of ballistic gel. Given the slightly lower velocity of the Mossberg, penetration was about an inch less. For purposes of the test I will concentrate on the lower velocity as any pistol with a longer barrel should perform slightly better. I only had enough gel to fire 4 rounds per pistol, two S&B JHPs and two 115gr PMP JHPs as a control. To simulate shooting through clothing, I covered the gel blocks with four layers of denim. The S&B 115gr JHPs penetrated 10½ and 11¾ inches respectively and both expanded to just over 16mm. Weight retention was 111.9gr, which is excellent. Comparatively, the PMP bullets penetrated on average 2 inches deeper, the cores and jackets stayed together, and expansion was just under 13mm for both bullets. The S&B hollow points cut ‘wound channels’ of about 2.5 inches through the first 8 inches of gel, while those produced by the PMP JHPs were marginally smaller and about an inch shorter. Although the test was done under field conditions on a range, which is not ideal for keeping the gel at a constant

temperature, I concluded that the S&B bullet cores are somewhat softer and more pliable than that of the PMP bullets, which is a better option when picking a defence round. This would work in your favour when shooting at flesh and bone, with less chance of the bullet exiting and causing secondary damage. The softer core should also ensure better expansion and thus a larger wound channel, exactly what I want in ammo for daily carry. Overall, the S&B JHPs performed well, velocities were con-

sistent, accuracy was on par with much more expensive brands and, in our gel test, expansion was reliable and penetration was enough to reach the vitals. Moreover, it fed reliably in four different pistols. It is not advisable to buy carry ammo that is so expensive that you cannot use it for regular practising. At only R360 to R395 per 50 rounds (advertised online), the S&B JHP ammo is very affordable, which should ensure that you get plenty of practise with your carry loads.

For stockists contact HJ Drinn on 031-301-1325.

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Westley Richards Rifles of the 19th Century in Southern Africa

RGUABLY, no private firearm manufacturer supplied more firearms to Southern Africa than the firm of Westley Richards (WR), established in 1812 by the Birmingham gun-maker William Westley Richards (1790-1865). From the early 19th century to the present day, the company gained a reputation for well-made, reliable firearms at affordable prices. This article will trace the more prominent Westley Richards firearms supplied during the 1800s, with a later follow-up by Andrew Tonkin dealing with 20th century firearms. When venturing into the interior, early 19th century explorers, naturalists and hunters took firearms as vital necessities – many manufactured by WR. Most were big-bore flintlock and later cap-lock muskets adequate for dealing with the thickskinned dangerous game they would encounter. Likewise, dealers in the Cape Colony sold WR firearms ranging from the early Bobbejaanboud flintlock muskets

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favoured by the Voortrekkers, to caplocks and other types such as Cape Guns. In 1858, WR patented their first successful breech loader, namely their capping breech loader, better known as the ‘Monkey Tail’ due to the shape of its operating lever. Its combustible paper cartridge is ignited by means of a percussion cap fitted to the exterior nipple situated above the chamber. An added advantage was that it could also be used as a muzzle-loader – a feature which appealed to the Boers living in desolate places. Some Monkey Tails were adopted by the British and Portuguese military, but they are rare. However, it has been estimated that more than 20 000 of these rifles reached our shores. The Boers’ love-affair with the Monkey Tail probably started in 1860 when Queen Victoria’s second son Prince Albert was visiting South Africa. A hunt was organised for him on the farm Bainsvlei near Bloemfontein. Some 1 000 Barolongs from

Thaba Nchu, mostly on horseback, herded about 30 000 head of game towards the hunters. That day an estimated 5 000 animals were slaughtered. The Boers present were greatly impressed with the Monkey Tail used by the prince, initiating an affinity for this system which lasted many years.

onkey Tails came in a variety of configurations from the most common plain carbine to beautifully executed sporting models. Those with the Orange Free State (O.F.S.) coat-of-arms engraved on the patch box are most desirable. Interestingly, only the O.F.S. ordered Monkey Tails officially – just 500 in 1883. However, despite many reports to the contrary, the Monkey Tail was the predominant firearm in the hands of the Boers during the Transvaal War of Independence (1880-1881). It was the firearm responsible for the defeat of the

by RON BESTER

The action of the Westley Richards Improved Martini.

British forces at the Battles of Bronkhorstspruit, Ingogo, Laings’s Nek and especially Majuba on 28 February 1881 – leading to peace negotiations. So popular was the Monkey Tail that the Boer governments kept supplies of ammunition for it right up to the start of the Anglo-Boer War in October 1899. In 1868, WR patented the Westley Richards Improved Martini (WRIM) also known as the ‘Free State’ or ‘Majuba Martini’. These rifles are similar to the British Martini-Henry in that they also have a single-shot, under-lever, tilting-block action. All, however, are fitted with a safety lever on the right side of the action. The 1868 model went through several upgrades namely the 1869, 1870 and 1871 patents. The 1868 model, which is rare in Southern Africa, has a one-piece stock while the other patents have a two-piece stock. Most WRIMs seen in South Africa are the pattern 1869 and 1871 variants. They came in many styles: carbines, long rifles, plain and fancy, and in a variety of calibres. However, most long rifles were chambered for the immensely popular .500/.450 No 2 Musket cartridge and carbines for the scarcer .500/.450 No 1 Carbine round. The common names for these rifles are difficult to fathom. The O.F.S. officially bought only a small batch in 1872 – yet they are often referred to as ‘Free State Martinis’. The other common name, ‘Majuba Martini’ is somewhat eas-

ier to comprehend. After the Transvaal War of Independence and Majuba, many Boer officers had their photographs taken in Pretoria. The rifle most featured in these photographs was the WRIM Martini. At the time, each burgher had to buy his own firearm. Officers, usually being financially better off than most ordinary burghers, were more likely to buy the more expensive WRIM which cost about £9 in contrast to £5 for the ordinary Monkey Tail. The photographs of officers with WRIMs thus give the impression that many/most Boers were armed with these rifles at Majuba, hence the name ‘Majuba Martini’. There is no doubt though that the most prevalent firearm in Boer hands at Majuba was the Monkey Tail.

n 1873, WR’s John Deeley (commercial manager) and James Edge (company foreman) patented their single-shot under-lever Deeley Edge rifle. They abandoned most of the ideas used in the Improved Martini, the Deeley Edge design being a true falling block, strong, reliable, simple, and accurate. Although excellent, these rifles were also expensive, a plain example costing £10 at the time. They are not common in Southern Africa. In 1897, WR brought out the epitome of their single-shot rifles, the Model 1897, which was also an under-lever falling block rifle of the highest standard.

Top: A plain W.R.I.M. carbine. Below: A cased, sporting W.R.I.M. rifle with most of its original reloading equipment and matching bullet mould.

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TACTA1

The well-known Tikka T3 goes long-range

IKKA is well-known for manufacturing dependable, accurate and high-quality rifles. With sport shooting, and especially long-range shooting taking the world by storm, in 2020 Tikka launched the Tikka T3x TACT A1 to fill the void in their line-up. The barrelled action is housed in an aluminium chassis specifically designed for the Tikka action, of which the centre section is made of a solid aluminium block, housing the action, trigger and magazine. The side-folding stock and M-Lok fore-end are attached to the block with screws. The chassis obviates the use of a floorplate or bottom metal, resulting in a stronger design. The grip is typical AR-15 type and replacements are easily fitted. The test rifle was fitted with an aftermarket grip from a Victrix rifle, which is bigger than

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a standard AR-type grip and afforded my big hands better purchase. The adjustable Kydex cheek-piece has 34mm of travel, which should be enough for most scope heights or body shapes. The design, using two tightening screws, allows for the cheek-piece to be angled horizontally. This is useful when recoil is a problem; you can angle the front of the cheek-piece slightly lower than the rear, ensuring the cheek-piece moves away from your cheek during recoil. Spacers are included with each rifle to adjust for length of pull. The spacers are angled, affording pitch adjustment options. Two screws transfixing the buttpad hold the spacers in place. By removing the screws more spacers can be added. The butt-pad is made of soft rubber, 23mm thick and height-adjustable by

means of a single screw in the middle of the pad. The toe of the stock is fitted with a short Picatinny rail, mainly to fit a rear monopod. Two rings, left and right, can be used for rifle belts. The stock can be folded by depressing a button on the stock behind the bolt. The folded stock does not lock into place as on some other designs. Folding the stock permits removal of the bolt without the need to lower the cheek-piece, and affords easier transport and storage. The front-end employs the M-Lok attachment method and comes fitted with a full-length Picatinny rail (35cm long). Beneath the front-end a short rail facilitates attachment of a bipod. The action is fitted with a short Picatinny rail and the receiver has a widened angular ejection port. Feeding a cartridge through the ejection port on an

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I photographed this tusker in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater in 1992.

Tanganyika Tuskers Africa’s Eden of yesteryear

ANGANYIKA (now Tanzania) was always known for elephants bearing ivory of exceptional weight. Rowland Ward’s Records of Big Game, which goes back almost 130 years, reveals among its top ten savanna elephant trophies, three from Tanzania – more than any other country. History’s biggest recorded tusks came from an elephant shot with a muzzleloader in 1898, on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanganyika, by a slave of the ivory trader Tippu Tib, aka Shundi. Books usually describe Tippu Tib as an Arab, but ‘Karamojo’ Bell, who knew him person-

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ally, described him as African. Shundi told Bell that he’d begun life as a “naked pagan Kavirondo” who was sold as a slave but earned his freedom by embracing the Islamic religion. These world-record tusks, weighing 226 and 214lbs, are now in the British Museum. Incredibly, they are almost perfectly symmetrical and both of their tips are pencil-pointed, showing virtually no wear whatever. This must have been a giant of an elephant to keep such lengthy tusks from scraping the ground as it walked; doubtless it would also be recorded as the tallest, had it been measured. Rowland Ward’s new measuring system combines the weights of both tusks, creating a new No 2 in the book – also a Tanzania tusker – poached in Ruaha Park by a policeman in 1971. Their original

Selous Game Reserve ranger Jon Speed with the second-heaviest tusks recorded in Rowland Ward, poached in Ruaha Park in 1971. Photo courtesy Jon Speed

by GREGOR WOODS

wet weight was 198 and 188lbs, but when officially recorded for Rowland Ward (RW), they weighed 192 and 189lbs. Jon Speed (the Mauser man) who was a game ranger in Tanzania’s Game Department, is shown here squatting between these two tusks. The original weights, written on the tusks, remained in evidence.

It is simply not possible to accurately estimate tusk weight from photos. Apart from optical distortion due to camera angle and lens design, much depends on the length and thickness of the tusk nerve, which differs from bull to bull according to age, region and other factors. The longer the nerve, the longer will be the hollow section within the drawn tusk, hence the lighter the tusk.

ost tusks taper rapidly from the hollow rear section, where the nerve is, down to the much thinner solid section toward the end. These tusks, however, remain thick all the way to their ends, providing much more solid ivory, hence their immense weight. Dr Allen Rodgers, Tanzanian Game Dept Ecologist and Director of the Selous Ecology Research Facility, measured their circumference (at the point where the ivory shaft exited the bull’s lips) to be just over 24 inches (Jon Speed confirmed this when taking this photo). Rodgers gave their dried out weights as 192 and 186lbs. There was talk that these tusks had mysteriously disappeared from the warehouse, but Tony Sanchez-Ariño subsequently v i s i t e d t h e Ta n z a n i a G a m e Department and had a photograph taken of himself standing between them (see Tony’s book All-time world record tusks shot with a muzzle-loader Africa’s Greatest Tuskers). They by a slave of Tippu Tib in 1898. are indisputably the same tusks. The weight lies in the length and thickHowever, for Tony’s photo, the tusks ness of the solid ivory beyond the nerve. were swapped around, the bigger tusk is Tanganyika’s third-biggest tusks are on the left (i.e. on Tony’s right). Also, the registered in RW at 180 and 168lbs tusks were photographed at an angle, under the name ‘Signor Sibilia’ (Edmund and apparently with a slightly wide-angle Sunde) who shot the bull east of the Mallens which distorts perspective, making agarasi River in 1958. They ranked No 7, the nearer (smaller) tusk appear bigger but now that the Manners tusks, which and thicker relative to its mate. But the ranked No 4, have been expunged, the large black stain near the tip of the heavSibilia tusks will rank No 6. ier tusk (on Tony’s right/Jon’s left) is Tanganyika’s fourth-heaviest on identical in both photos, as is the small record, 165 and 165lbs, were shot by black horizontal stain further down Basil Reel in Masailand around 1930. (below Tony’s belt and Jon’s left hand). Ranking 13th in RW’s 30th edition, these Likewise, the same black striation runwill now move up to 12th position. Basil ning up past the left side of this small Reel was a renowned ivory hunter and stain appears in both photos.

safari outfitter of the 1920s and ’30s. David Chandler’s book, Legends of the African Frontier (Safari Press 2008) has the following entry: “Reel, Basil... was a professional hunter based in Tanga, Tanganyika, during the 1920s. He took the biggest elephant ever shot in British Tanganyika, with tusks of 168 and 160 pounds.” Chandler was apparently unaware of the Sibilia tusks. Other than this, his statement is accurate given that, when the world record was shot in 1898, Tanganyika was not British (besides, the w o r ld r e c o r d t u s k s w e r e n ’ t entered in RW until 1962). Little was known of the Tippu Tib tusks when Basil Reel shot this bull around 1930, so it’s understandable he was credited with shooting ‘Tanganyika’s biggest elephant’. And Tanganyika/ Tanzania was no longer British in 1971, when the policeman poached the Ruaha Park 190-pounder. Chandler’s weights were probably those recorded by the Game Department when Reel first brought in the ivory. The tusks were re-weighed for RW. In White Hunters: The Golden Age of African Safaris, Brian Herne says Tanganyika professional, Clary Palmer-Wilson, named Reel as his mentor.

urrent Magnum contributor, Royce Buckle, remembers Basil Reel as a family friend. Royce was born in Tanganyika in 1937. His father, a hunter, was friends with Basil Reel, Mickey Norton (who shot some 2 000 elephant doing control work) and George Rushby, an ivory hunter who later became Deputy Game Warden for the whole of Tanganyika. In 1953, Royce, then aged 16, first met Basil Reel in Tanga, Tanganyika, when Reel was aged around 65 or 70. Royce clearly remembers his father asking Reel why he used a .600 Nitro Express; Reel’s answer was, “Because they don’t make anything bigger”. Sometime in the 1950s, Basil Reel gave Royce the two photos shown over the page. I

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Basil Reel with tusks then-believed to be the Tanganyika record. It is not known which are the ‘record’ tusks, the single set or the outermost tusks of the two sets. Photos courtesy Royce Buckle

One of Tippu Tib’s ivory stashes. This photo, taken by HM Stanley (“Dr Livingstone I presume?”) appeared in London News Magazine in 1889. Photo courtesy Jon Speed can’t say for certain which tusks in the photos are the 165-pounders recorded in Rowland Ward’s; it could be the single set or possibly the outermost tusks of those in the other photo. I had never before seen a photo of Basil Reel or his famous tusks. Neither Royce nor I know how Reel’s tusks – each recorded as weighing 165lbs – came to be entered in Rowland Ward’s. It is highly unlikely that Reel himself registered them, since this entry does not

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appear in my 1992 edition of RW, when Reel would have been at least 104 years old. I am missing the 1995 edition, but Reel’s entry appears in the 1998 edition, registered under J Basil-Reel, perhaps a descendant who owned the tusks at the time of registration. Royce says Reel always referred to himself as Basil Reel, and the name hand-written on the back of the photos is Basil Reel. Royce Buckle quit farming to become a professional hunter, and several of his

clients shot hundred-pounders in Tanganyika. He tells me he did see one set of tusks shot in Tanganyika that were heavier than Basil Reel’s. One day, an Arab hunter/trader brought Royce his Cogswell & Harrison .404 which had started shooting “to one side” and asked Royce if he could fix it. As with many sporting rifles, the permanent standing leaf of the rear sight had a central vertical line engraved on it precisely beneath the point of the ‘V’. After sighting the rifle in at the factory, the gunsmith would stamp a small line on the barrel or sight-ramp, precisely to coincide with the position of the vertical line on the sight blade. If the rear sight element got bumped to one side, you could tap it back again until the two lines met, thereby correctly re-aligning the sight without expending ammunition. Royce immediately noticed that the two lines on the Arab’s rifle did not coincide – the sight had shifted laterally in its dovetail. Without firing the rifle, Royce tapped the rear sight back into position, handed the rifle to its owner and said, “Try it now”. The Arab went off, and Royce forgot the incident.

Sometime later, Royce was in town when the same Arab appeared, inviting him to come and see something at the Game Department offices. Royce walked in to see a set of monstrous tusks which the Arab had just brought in to be weighed and registered on his licence. The tusks were freshly shot; they still had blood and traces of meat on the bases. Royce personally witnessed these tusks being weighed – both registered over 170lbs. They were never entered in Rowland Ward – the Arab immediately sold them to a trader who sawed them up into armlength sections for crating and shipped them off to London.

must tell of one other set of very big Tanganyika tusks which never got into RW. I recently met Pat Rundgren, nephew of the famous game ranger and professional hunter, Eric Rundgren (Pat’s father was Eric’s brother) and we chatted about his uncle. Eric Rundgren was a highly controversial figure in East Africa – people either loved or hated him. He was known to be ill-mannered, boorish, bullying and rude. However, all agreed that he was the most successful hunter in East Africa, known to have personally shot, and found his clients, more 100lb-plus elephants than any other hunter. Once he’d spotted a big tusker, nothing deterred him, no amount of time, effort, discomfort, pain, hunger or thirst would make him give up until he or his client had bagged it. Rundgren’s biggest known elephant was a 178-pounder. While on a hunting holiday in Kenya, he saw the 178pounder close to the Tanganyika border and went after it with all his usual grim determination. He followed it for two days without eating, and drank only from

Eric Rundgren with some very big ivory. fouled waterholes. Unfortunately, the bull crossed the border into Tanganyika. Whether Rundgren was unaware that he’d crossed the unmarked border, or was aware but did not care, is unknown. He claimed he shot the bull in Kenya, where he held a licence. However, in White Hunters: The Golden Age of African Safaris, Brian Herne (a renowned Kenya professional of those times) states that Tanganyika’s chief game warden, Jerry Swinnerton, personally went to inspect the carcass, and then asked John Alexander, a warden at Tsavo National Park and qualified land surveyor, to verify the carcass’s position. Anderson confirmed that Rundgren had crossed the border and shot the bull 1½ miles inside Tanganyika. To get rid of the evidence, Rundgren sold the tusks to an Asian dealer who, fearing confiscation sawed them up and shipped them off. Rundgren was heavily fined. In Africa’s Greatest Tuskers, Tony Sanchez-Ariño writes that Rundgren’s

biggest tusks ever were 160lbs a side. Tony knew Rundgren, and feels sure that if Rundgren had shot a 1 7 8 - p o u n d e r, h e would have told him. Perhaps Rundgren simply wanted the matter kept quiet. The photo of Rundgren shown here, I got from Stephen J Smith in the early 1990s, when he was editor of Rowland Ward. He’d also been a personal friend of Rundgren. Steve put this photo in his own book, The Hunter and the Go-Away Bird; his caption states the tusks to weigh 160/160 and 172/174 lbs (these are not the illegal Tanganyika tusks). All this leaves me wondering how many giant tuskers went unrecorded. Sportsmen accounted for comparatively very few, and of these, fewer yet were recorded. Far more were shot by ivory hunters who knew nothing or cared nothing about record books. Poachers shot yet more and secretly sold them to local dealers who cut them up and shipped them off to become carvings, piano keys and billiard balls. Today, 100-pounders are extremely rare outside of game reserves. Imagine the Eden Africa was in the 1800s…

Basil Reel’s safari outfitting company brochure, circa 1920s. Photo courtesy Jon Speed

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Thabazimbi, Limpopo Cumberland. Impala, kudu, blue wildebeest, eland, warthog, bushbuck. Gert 084-8185161 (WhatsApp), impalagame@yahoo.com Komas-Hochland, Namibia Wilderness camp. Mountain zebra R8 500, kudu R20 000, oryx R9 000. Daily rate R2 500/day. John +264-811288373, info@prohuntingnamibia.com Polokwane, Limpopo Ivy Safaris 3 500Ha. Riﬂe, bow and wingshooting. Biltong/ trophy hunting. Numerous species. Kudu, blue wildebeest, waterbuck and red hartebeest cows R3 750 each excl. Picturesque lodge/rustic bushcamp. Fully catered/ self-catering. Equipped abattoir. Beginners and families welcome. Mark or Lisa 082-802-3688, info@ivysafaris.com Zimbabwe 7-day free range buffalo hunt near Musina on the Limpopo River. R120 000 includes daily rates and trophy fee, add a second buffalo for R70 000. Plenty of dagga boys. Carl Knight 082-749-1747, carl@takeaimsafaris.com Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal Buffalo bull packages R99 950 (5 days, 2 people - ave horn over 40 inches), giraffe packages (R7 000R13 000). Biltong prices: impala R2 000-R2 500, blesbuck R2 500, blue wildebeest R4 000-R4 500, bushpig R1 800, warthog R1 800, and more. Accommodation

R250-R495, hunting fee R250. Mias 072-506-7694, info@ nyamazanegameranch.co.za / www.nyamazanegameranch. co.za Alldays, Limpopo Biltong jag. Rooibok R900/ R1 500, blouwildebees R2 800/R3 500, gemsbok R5 000/R6 000, koedoe R3 000/R6 000, vlakvark R750. Trofee pryse beskikbaar op aanvraag. Dagtarief R350pppd. Gidse, koel-kamer, voertuig R750pd. Selfsorg slaap 6, basics & elektrisiteit, yskas, gasstoof. Derick 076-034-8580 WhatsApp, derickk@mweb.co.za Thabazimbi, Limpopo Impala R1 750, blesbuck R1 950, warthog R1 500, blue wildebeest R3 950, zebra R4 500, eland cow R7 500. Accommodation sleeps 4 in 2-bedroom cottage R385/R285/R195 pppn. Trackers, cold room, recovery vehicle. Deposit = Daily Fees. Mike 082-553-7406, mikep@ersupplies.co.za Bedford, Eastern Cape Belvedere Safaris. Your ultimate trophy and venison hunting experience with a wide variety of species. Full and self-catering accommodation. Venesia 082-5616005, venesia@r63.co.za / www.belvederesafaris.com Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Dawn Till Dusk Safaris. Kudu, impala, warthog, fallow deer, blesbuck, nyala, eland, waterbuck, mountain reedbuck, bushbuck, bushpig. Catered or self-catering. Meat processing services available.

Phone or WhatsApp Jeane 082-563-4655/076-315-7629, dawntilldusksafaris@gmail.com Marble Hall/Roedtan, Limpopo Diphôfu Game Ranch. 1½ hours north of Pretoria. Trophy and biltong hunting. Impala, kudu, red hartebeest, zebra, waterbuck, eland, blue wildebeest, gemsbuck and more. Self-catering lodge accommodates 10 people. Narizanne 012-346-6305, hunting@diphofu.co.za / www.diphofuhuntingsafaris. co.za / https://www.facebook. com/Diphofu

guides, vehicle R350 p/day. Deposit R7 500. M Maartens 082-800-8369 / 062-644-3352, mdmaartens@gds.co.za. Zastron, Free State 14 spesies op 1 600ha. Biltong jag bv. blouwildebees R35/kg; eland R38/kg, koedoe R40/ kg geslag, asook uitstaande trofees bv. lechwe. Pragtige bos, savana, bosrante. Jaghuis vir 15 persone. Tania 061-847-1991 or Jacques 081-035-0876, glenrockhuntingsafaris@gmail. com / www.glenrock-huntingsafaris.co.za

Jagersfontein, Free State 80km south of Bloemfontein. Blesbuck, waterbuck, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, kudu, impala, eland. Accommodation/day fee R400 per person. Robert 082-787-9702, davisr@vodamail.co.za

Kalahari, Northern Cape On the Botswana border near McCarthy’s Rest border post. Gemsbuck, springbuck, eland, etc. Freezing, cooling and slaughter facilities. Camping and chalets available. Fernando 082-224-5000, mabuabookings@gmail.com

Thabazimbi, Limpopo Impala R1 500/R2 000, kudu R3 500/R5 500, blue wildebeest R3 500/R4 000, zebra R6 900, warthog R1 400, giraffe R18 400. Accommodation R575. Fred 082-445-0498, fcamphor@mweb.co.za

Petrusville Bo-Karoo, Northern Cape Volwasse springbok ramme R1 100; ander springbokke R800, gemsbokke R7 000; blouwildebees koeie R4 500. Oornagtarief R400 per persoon. Volledig toegeruste jagkamp slaap 12 persone met 5 badkamers. Pryse sluit BTW uit. Kobus 083-236-6816, karookobus@ hotmail.com

Platjan, Limpopo Grecro Safaris. Impala R1 250-R1 500, blue wildebeest R4 250, kudu cow R4 000, kudu bull R6 500- R15 000, warthog R950, bushbuck R7 500, waterbuck R6 000, duiker R2 000, steenbuck R2 500, plus more species. Selfcatering accommodation for 3 to 6 people. Hunters R450 pppd. Cold room,

Fouriesburg, Vrystaat Uitzicht Game Lodge. 10x spesies. Eland, blouwildebees, blesbok, springbok. Jag al twintig jaar slegs met SA jagters. Hannes 082-8567181, hb@prohb.co.za / www. uitzichtgamelodge.co.za.

publishes these free adverts in good faith as a service to game ranchers who have hunting for sale and, more MAGNUM importantly, as a useful guide to those readers who wish to ﬁnd new places to hunt. Publication of these adverts does not imply that MAN

Magnum endorses the offers made. Make full and unambiguous arrangements, and please check references before venturing into unknown territory... in more ways than one.

46 ManMAGNUM

M ay 20 21

GALLO/GETTYIMAGES

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Rescuing an Old Barrel by ROGER INGLE

A new lease on life

MPERFECTIONS must be expected when viewing an old and possibly abused rifle. When the bore is held up to the light for examination, the ravages of age may present in several ways and it might appear beyond hope of repair. However, these shortcomings should be tempered by awareness that veteran and even some antique firearms may be made to shoot surprisingly well, whether merely for amusement at the range or for more exacting use in historical shooting competitions. I have seen riflemen win medals with remarkable scores at such events using geriatric and certainly imperfect rifles. It is rewarding when an old military war horse with a distinguished past, or an old classic hunting piece, perhaps made by a bespoke maker, is returned to service to give pleasure to its owner. Most firearm actions fare quite well to age and neglect. More often, the state of the bore is the only impediment limiting an old rifle’s potential for reasonable shooting, in which case much can be done to restore an otherwise sorry condition. The conventional way of removing rust in the bore is by vigorous scrubbing with a phosphor-bronze bore-brush and alternating this with repeated wipes with oiled patches on a jag until they remain clean. Do not use a single-based lubricating oil; paraffin is best for this process, though commercial penetrating oils like Brake-Free, Wynn’s No 5 and Eezox will do. They are known as CLP lubricants which clean, lubricate and protect metal surfaces. It is the volatile hydrocarbons included in their formulations which infuse into and loosen rust and grime. Excessive rusting may require a different approach. In the days of muzzle-loaders, rust was removed from a bore with vinegar, this being a source of acetic acid. With similar chemistry, modern commercial rust converters, such as Deoxidene, use phosphoric acid. This relatively mild acid is most effective when applied correctly. But, although it will not damage steel or wood, it is by no means ideal for firearms. Phosphoric acid

48 ManMAGNUM

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A 4 bore badly pitted in the worst place.

will ruin blueing and other surface finishes on steel. If you use it, apply it to a patch and then wipe through the bore while taking care that it does not touch any other metal surfaces. Repeat this a few times, wipe the bore dry, then with a water-dampened patch, and finally, with a dry patch. Do not expect a shiny finish in the bore after removing the rust. Dull staining may be evident. Usually this is of little significance but a mild abrasive such as an automotive burnishing compound may partially remove it. This is a paste containing a soft polishing medium in a water suspension used to bring a high gloss finish to spray-painted surfaces. Handy Andy is an alternative – it also contains an abrasive suitable for delicate surfaces. Follow this by cleaning with water-damped patches then thoroughly dry with a clean patch. This process will remove all traces of oil, so re-oil the gun if you intend setting it aside for a while. apping is a process whereby a lead slug is cast to fit perfectly in the bore and to engage and follow the rifling. The slug is covered with a thin film of fine grinding paste and attached to a cleaning rod for resurfacing the bore. While it may be an option for a severely damaged barrel, I regard it as inadvisable. It is difficult to be sure that the slug will follow the rifling and not override it, in which case only the lands will be abraded. Recently, I examined a Holland & Holland rifle in .375H&H Magnum which was tumbling bullets just a few metres downrange. The bore turned out to be wildly over-sized at 0.374 inches. It should be 0.366". This caused the remaining rifling grooves to be extremely shallow at about 0.002" thus having insufficient hold on the bullet to rotate it. The rifle had apparently been re-blued. Why would one re-blue a Holland & Holland rifle? Because of rust? I believe a previous owner had re-blued the rusted rifle and aggressively lapped the bore to ‘restore’ it and, in doing so, removed 0.004" off the lands.

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bore, leaving behind metal fouling at these sites. Remove this by wiping the bore with a gun-care fluid which has a copper and lead removing agent in the formulation, such as Hoppes No 9 or Barnes CR-10 solvent. The bore must be left damp with this fluid for a while and then cleaned. You may have to repeat this process many times until the patches show no green or black staining. In contrast to this, it is said that small deposits of bullet metal accumulating in the pitting may be beneficial and improve the surface. As with many preferences in our shooting experience, this is difficult to prove but there may be some truth to it. similar process is sometimes used for new, yet-to-be-used barrels by riflemen in the precision shooting disciplines. In this case the intention is to smooth out minute imperfections left by tooling, to achieve flawlessness before the rifle starts its competitive life. To ‘break-in’ the barrel, a sequence of firing a single shot, followed by cleaning, is repeated many times. It is a similar process to that seen in the early days of motoring when a new but slow-moving vehicle would have a ‘Please Pass – Breaking In’ sign in the back window. The moderate driving was to allow a perfect interface to form between the surface of the bearing shells and crankshaft journals. The engine was then considered safe for normal driving. Conditions in the bore may be secondary to imperfections at the extremities of the barrel. This refers to the bullet’s initial engagement of the rifling immediately ahead of the cartridge chamber, and at its exit from the muzzle. Whether the muzzle face is bevelled or flat, it is crucial that the crown or bore-exit be perfectly shaped. Small damage through the incorrect use of cleaning rods or other mishandling will have a degrading influence at the start of the bullet’s flight. A reputable gunsmith can repair such damage by removing a small amount of material and reshaping the crown. In bad cases, a front sight may have to be moved back a little. A square-cut muzzle form is the simplest option. A rounded one will require careful alignment of the cutting tool to ensure absolute symmetry with the bore and

50 ManMAGNUM

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Lapping slug.

should not be taken from the outside diameter of the muzzle. Rounded crowns are more pleasing to the eye. At the opposite end of the barrel, just ahead of the chamber, the first inch or so of bore may have a frosted surface. This is metal erosion. In time, depending on the calibre and powder capacity of the cartridge, and the powder type, this will occur in most barrels. However, it is particularly prevalent in some old British .303 service rifles, in which case the usual cause is cordite, an obsolete double-based propellant which burnt with a very hot flame. Nothing can be done about it. While it is unlikely to be a safety issue, it can limit a rifle’s ability to achieve reasonable accuracy. This is because this small section in the barrel is critical, as it contributes to the concentric String plug entry of the bullet into the rifling. Fortuwound onto nately, some rifles, despite having eroded the jag. bores, are still capable of excellent accuracy, while others are not. I have a charger-loading Lee-Enfield Mk I rifle which shoots well despite being more than a hundred years old and having an eroded bore. he only imperfection likely to occur in the chamber is rust, and this is dealt with as in the bore. However, on rare occasions, a rifle may have been put aside due to difficulties with cartridge case extraction. This may be due to severe pitting or damage caused by incorrect charges or unsuitable ammunition such as nitro charged instead of black powder. A gunsmith with the correct reamer may set the barrel back and re-form the chamber but this will be an expensive procedure. Many firearms of high collector-value have been adulterated by re-blueing. This significantly reduces their value. Never ask a gunsmith to re-blue a classic old firearm. Instead, lightly rub down the rusted areas with ultra-fine 0000# steel wool which has been soaked in oil. Hardware stores usually stock 0# steel wool, which is too coarse. If this is all you can find, apply it at the rust site with very light pressure and keep it well oiled. In difficult times, such as under lockdown, when access to shooting ranges or the bush was impossible, tinkering with guns can be the source of many hours of pleasure, especially when it results in an old piece being put back to useful service.

Good Food

by LESLIE VAN DER MERWE

Guineafowl with Coriander in a Phyllo Pastry Pocket

The ubiquitous guineafowl is not only found all over South Africa, but can also be used in a wide variety of dishes. When matured for a couple of days, the meat is tender and full of flavour, and should never be overcooked as it will become tough and stringy. Breast meat that has received a couple of pellets is ideal for this type of recipe, as the damaged meat is trimmed off and the rest of the meat is cubed, so nothing gets wasted. The phyllo pastry is light, crispy and crackly when you bite into it and the creamy hummus adds to the flavour and texture of the pastry.

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

Filling

The Filling

4 guineafowl breasts 2 eggs, lightly beaten ½ medium onion, finely chopped 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon ground black pepper salt to taste 2 knobs butter handful fresh coriander leaves

Pastry Pockets 1 roll phyllo pastry 2-3 knobs butter, melted 1 cup vegetable oil

Hummus Dip 1 tin chickpeas 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 small clove garlic, roughly chopped 2-3 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon ground cumin salt and black pepper to taste

Cut the guineafowl breasts into small cubes. Place the butter in a pan and add the chopped onion, paprika, cumin and salt and pepper. Sauté over a medium heat until the onion is soft. Add the guineafowl cubes to the pan and stir through, ensuring the meat is well coated, for 2 minutes. Add the beaten eggs, stir and fold the mixture, cooking until the liquids are absorbed – it should be almost dry. Remove from the heat and set aside. Roughly chop the coriander leaves and stir into the mixture.

The Pockets Place two layers of phyllo pastry on a clean and dry work surface. With scissors, cut the pastry into strips about 8 cm wide. Lightly brush melted butter on the lower two-thirds of the pastry strips. Place a large tablespoon of filling at the bottom end of each strip and fold up to

enclose the filling as follows: Fold the bottom right corner of the pastry strip upwards to the left, over the filling, aligning it with the left edge of the strip. Then flip the bottom left corner upwards, aligning it with the left edge of the pastry. You should see a triangle take shape. Continue folding the triangle, flipping left and then right in this manner, until you reach the end of the pastry strip. Tuck the end of the dough into the ‘pocket’ formed by the open edge of the pastry, trimming if necessary. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan, and fry the pastry triangles until brown, then flip them over to cook the other side. Drain on a rack.

The Hummus Dip Drain the chickpeas. Place all the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth, adding olive oil until the required texture is achieved. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the pastry pockets hot or cold with a dab of the hummus dip.

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ManMAGNUM

Biltong buck: affordable, easy-to-hunt, everywhere-available

Blesbuck

Popular Plains Dweller by KOOS BARNARD

HE blesbuck is a medium-sized antelope, once endemic to South Africa but now also found in some of our neighbouring countries due to relocation by game farmers. Like springbuck and impala, blesbuck are popular with local hunters. In some parts of our country, it is the animal on which many young hunters cut their teeth as they affordable and can be fairly easy to hunt. Due to the blesbuck’s preference for open, grassy terrain, which makes stalking them on foot difficult, they are often shot from vehicles rather than hunted. And the circumstances under which this takes place, strengthens the belief that blesbuck are dumb and easy to hunt. On

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Open, undulating plains – typical blesbuck habitat on the Otterskloof Game Reserve in the Free State.

many properties blesbuck are kept in fenced-in areas of 200 to 500 hectares. In these ‘hunting camps’ the animals are easy to find and you can keep an eye on them from afar – making it easy to plan your approach. Vehicles equipped with special shooting chairs or shooting benches are often used to ‘diesel stalk’ the blesbuck. Needless to say, the blesbuck try their best to avoid vehicles which often necessitates long-range shooting.

Another popular way of ‘hunting’ blesbuck is to ambush them using the so-called voorsit method where shooters are strategically placed out in the veld after which farm workers on horseback and/or motorbikes are used to ‘stir’ the animals i.e. move them around in the camp and within range of the shooters. Special, purpose-built shooting chairs providing solid rests are often used by these hunters.

(some believe they occurred in greater numbers) but they were hunted mercilessly for their meat and skins, and to ‘clean’ the land for stock farming. The north-eastern Free State is known as the Riemland due to the fact that the hides of the blesbuck shot there, were used for the cutting of rieme or thongs. For a number of years, tens of thousands of blesbuck hides were even exported annually through the port of Durban. This indiscriminate hunting decimated the blesbuck numbers but fortunately, due to the work of conservationists, the blesbuck was declared a protected species. Today blesbuck numbers are healthy again and they are an important source of income for many game farmers.

A mature blesbuck ram. Notice the characteristic straw-coloured horn ridges.

Rifles chambered for flat-shooting calibres, equipped with high-magnification telescopes, laser rangefinders and dead-rest shooting positions, guarantee fairly easy shooting. The blesbuck’s size also makes it easier to hit than a springbuck or vaal rhebuck and people seem more prepared to try long shots. If the shooter is a skilled shot and his equipment is appropriate for that kind of shooting, I don’t have a problem if he

stretches distances. The two-tone blesbuck (Damaliscus pygarus phillipsi) looks similar to its halfbrother the bontebok, a species originally endemic to the southern Cape. Blesbuck and bontebok will cross-breed and the hybrids are fertile. These two species should never be kept together where they can mix freely. In the past, blesbuck were almost as abundant as our ubiquitous springbuck

dult animals stand 80 to 95cm at the shoulder and live weight is 65 to 100kg (rams are heavier than ewes). Carcass weights vary from 32 to 48kg with an average of about 40kg for rams. Mature rams measure about 16" (40 to 45cm) deep at the chest and the heads are usually 10½ to 12" (26.7 to 30cm) long from the base of the horns to the tip of the nose. I have measured a number of their hooves and the average length was 8cm. The front feet are slightly bigger than the hind feet. Blesbuck are predominantly grazers, preferring short to medium-length grass but are adaptable and will survive on both sweet and sour veld. They need to drink daily or at least every second day. Strongly territorial, they occupy home ranges of 150 to 400ha. Blesbuck are diurnal and habitually spend long hours in the sun, often during the heat of the day. They have a peculiar habit of nodding their heads up and down. One scientist claims that blesbuck do this when they are happy or nervous or when the rams court the ewes; others claim it is due to an irritation caused by nasal worms. I disagree. I have dissected blesbuck heads and watched these animals for many hours under a wide variety of climatic and other conditions, and think that most of the explanations given for the nodding are pure speculation – although I can offer no explanation myself.

May 2 0 21

ManMAGNUM

The bontebok (LEFT) and blesbuck (RIGHT) look similar. The bontebok is darker in colour and the white on the rump, belly and legs is more pronounced. Bontebok rams also lack the straw-coloured ridges on the horns that blesbuck rams have.

Rams form bachelor groups but before the start of the rut will chase each other around to determine social status and ranking for the breeding season. During the rut (March to May) rams try to gather a harem and will defend their ewes against other suitors. Gestation is about 240 days after which a single lamb is born. I once watched an ewe give birth. The lamb was able to stand after only seven minutes and when the wind changed 14 minutes later, and gave me away, the small herd took off at speed with the lamb in tow. They ran about 300m before stopping and the lamb kept up all the way. When the adults stopped, the lamb flopped down but got up after three minutes and sauntered off with the rest of the animals when they moved off again. Beginner hunters often find it difficult to distinguish between male and female blesbuck because they are similar in size and both sexes carry horns. The rams’ horns are longer, thicker and are more heavily ridged with the front of the ridges being straw-coloured. The ewes’ horns are a uniform dark/black colour. Rams have thicker necks and their penis sheaths are easily visible when you can see the belly line. Ewes that have

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lambed have a slightly pot-bellied appearance. When a herd moves away after being spooked, the ram will often be at the rear, and stop several times to look back. Blesbuck are fairly easy to get into the record books. The minimum length for Rowland Ward qualification is 16.5" or 41.91cm and many rams carry horns of that length. In fact, horns of 17.5" are common. Look for horns that appear to be one-and-a-half times the length of the head – such an animal will qualify for Rowland Ward. The ears are about six inches long, so horns that appear to be 2½ times the length of the ears will measure 15 to 16".

lesbuck can be hunted successfully on foot. Except for the open plains of the Free State, they are common in the undulating areas of the Eastern and Northern Cape, North West, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal where you can easily stalk them. I prefer the challenge of the walk-and-stalk method. Probably the easiest way to hunt blesbuck on foot is to use high ground (where available) and search for them using binoculars. In the Northern Cape ‘bushveld’ I have often climbed wild olive

trees for a better lookout. Mature rams are sometimes found alone and it is always easier to stalk a single animal than a herd. Blesbuck are creatures of habit – they often use the same routes to and from water and grazing so, once you have established their pattern of movement, it is easy to ambush them. I did just that in March 2020 and dropped a good ram from 109m with a brain shot from my Savage rifle in .223 Rem. Another technique that works in open country is to approach the animals at an oblique angle by pretending to walk past them. That way you can often get to within 250m. If you don’t mind working hard, you can also crawl on all fours, but again, approach at an oblique angle and wear knee pads and gloves for protection. Once the animals have spotted you, be patient, stop often and pretend to ‘graze’. This technique has twice enabled me to get close enough to take blesbuck with my .44 Blackhawk revolver (I’ve had success with this method on gemsbuck and springbuck too). In the Daniëlskuil area of the Northern Cape, the numerous limestone pans (kalkpanne) are favourite hangouts for

A herd of blesbuck. Can you locate the ram?

many game species. About an hour or two after sunrise, blesbuck and springbuck will visit these pans to bask in the sun. Get to the pan (or any other resting spot the blesbuck favour) before sunrise, find a suitable ambush spot and wait patiently.

Dandrej Barnard poses with a blesbuck ewe taken on the Mpumalanga Highveld with a .30-06. The extendable bipod is folded up and out of the way for carrying.

The author hunted this blesbuck ram on foot at Otterskloof. It was taken at 240m with a .30-06 Remington and a 110gr Barnes TTSX-bullet.

hots beyond 250m are often the norm. The .243 Win loaded with 90 or 100gr bullets or the .25-06 with 100 or 115/120gr bullets are popular in South Africa and, for those who reload, the .243 Ackley Improved is a terrific choice. The .223 Remington and .22-250 Rem are also popular, but I feel the .223 should be restricted to distances of no more than 200m. I often use my .223 Rem loaded with 65gr bullets which, I have found, penetrate better than the 55-grainers. Any calibre that launches bullets of 90gr or heavier, at 3 000fps or faster, will do. However, those who are thoroughly familiar with their calibres’ trajectories and who use rangefinders to determine the exact distance to the animal, will do fine with slower calibres such as the .308 Win or .30-06. When hunting on foot I often attach an extendable bipod to my rifle. Remember to zero your rifle with the bipod attached as fitting a bipod afterwards might result in the rifle shooting low due to the added weight. Blesbuck meat has a gamey flavour which some people don’t like however, the meat of blesbuck I shot in the Verkykerskop area and parts of Mpumalanga was very good. We often mince blesbuck meat and mix it with beef, or make wors and biltong. I believe that the way in which you hunt an animal determines the quality of the meat. We do not cook the meat of animals that have been running around trying to avoid voorsit hunters or a hunting vehicle. I have a soft spot for this beautifully ugly animal. Hunt them on foot and they will provide an excellent challenge.

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The Not so Old Man and the Boykie by MICHIEL THOOLEN

Life lessons through hunting ABOVE: Proud father and son with Matthew’s eland cow. BELOW: Matthew cranked the winch to load his eland.

PARTICULARLY enjoyed Robert Ruark’s classic book The Old Man and the Boy. In it he tells a tale of the lessons of life, passed on to a young boy by his grandfather. There is a comfortable friendship between the two and during their many adventures together, they share their thoughts and deliberate the meaning of life. They do this while out fishing and hunting quail, duck and furred animals. I decided that to a certain degree, I would try to emulate this strategy. My son Matthew is now 19 and since he was young, he has come along on many of my outdoor trips. A month after he was born I bought a CZ in .22lr planning to teach him to shoot as soon as he was able to. I later had it fully customized and that little rifle has taught many young kids how to shoot and handle a rifle responsibly. On our early hunts, my aim was to instill in Matthew the values

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eland. So, after I had looked at the pricelist, I decided to let Matthew try for an eland cow. To my mind, allowing a relative youngster to hunt an eland bull was somehow disrespectful to these magnificent animals. The year before I had acquired a CZ550 in 9.3x62mm which I thought would perfectly compliment Matthew’s Oberndorf Mauser in 7x57mm – it’s actually mine until he gets to 21 years of age. He was still a bit recoil shy with the CZ but we attended a good few range sessions to get him used to the larger calibre. We planned to use 286 grain PMP ProAmm ammo and I had fitted a Leupold VX-R 1.25–4x20 scope.

and traditions of a responsible hunter. Our annual father-and-son hunting trips have become a highlight of my year. We enjoy the entire process together from planning the trip to shooting range practice sessions, purchasing the provisions and packing, the journey to our destination, enjoying good company around the campfire at night, and the challenge of the hunt itself. Fast forward to the end of July 2019 and we were on our way to Sheldrake Game Ranch near Musina. I had hunted there many times and this was to be our second father-and-son trip to this hunter’s paradise. As I already had venison in the freezer at home, Matthew was going to be up first. He had previously hunted various small to medium-sized plains game species. My hunting strategy for mopane bushveld is to look for species that thrive there like impala, kudu and

hen we arrived on the farm we checked the rifles on the range and for some reason my boy was shooting all over the place. I thought perhaps it was the scope so I let him take a few shots with my Winchester Model 70 in .375H&H loaded with 300 grain Barnes TSX ammo and topped with a Schmidt & Bender 1.5–6x42 scope. His first 3-shot group measured about 40mm. I thought this was too good to be true and got him to shoot another – with the same result. Matthew is left eye dominant and I am the opposite. All his rifles have been right-hand actions shot left-eyed but, for some reason, his eye lines up perfectly from the right side of the butt of my Winchester. He was thus good to go. Early the next morning we were dropped off in a far corner of the farm with our tracker, Norman. I had hunted with Norman before and knew we were in good hands. The benefit of using an experienced tracker is that they know every bush and tree, every gully and water source – and they know where the animals are. We started off slowly, keeping the gentle breeze in our face, scanning the bush ahead. To me, this is the

best type of hunting, walking quietly through the thick mopane bush, soft red sand underfoot all the while avoiding the cornflake-like dry mopane leaves. By mid-morning we were at a dry riverbed and decided to walk upstream keeping the riverbed vegetation to our right, upwind. We had gone about 500 metres when we spotted movement up ahead, over a slight rise on the righthand side of the riverbed. I could just see five or six eland browsing and moving towards our left. We quickly dropped down and proceeded to bum shuffle towards a small tree in the middle of the riverbed to try and get into some cover. Before we could get there an eland cow walked out towards the middle of the riverbed and turned to look downstream towards us. She had probably spotted our movement but did not appear alarmed, more intrigued. Norman got the shortened shooting sticks up in one smooth, deliberate movement and Matthew quickly got steady behind the scope. I was directly behind him with my binoculars. I softly talked Matthew through the shot. The cow was facing us head on which was not ideal but there was nothing behind her. The instruction was; one third up from the bottom, straight in the middle, remember to breathe, when you are ready…

Matthew and our tracker Norman. The smiles tell the story of a succesful morning’s work, all part of the process of becoming an experienced hunter.

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metres away when Matthew took the shot. Once we confirmed she was dead, we hugged and congratulated Matthew on his success. Norman walked off to get some radio signal to request assistance to recover the eland which gave us some time to be together and reflect on the hunt. We had done this many times before – pay respect to our quarry. We sat in the soft sand and leant our backs against the cow. Matthew talked me through the process; what our intention was, the fact that she did not suffer, how we would utilize every bit of the healthy venison, what his thoughts were at the time of pulling the trigger, all done as it should be.

B o o m ! T h e s h ot r e ve r be rat ed through the riverine bush. We heard the clear ‘thud’ of a solid hit and I quickly instructed Matthew to reload while I kept the cow in view with my binoculars. She stumbled at the shot and started running towards us. I was on the point of telling Matthew to shoot her again but, at that exact moment, her legs folded and she collapsed into the soft sand. Absolute silence surrounded us. I could hear my own ragged breathing and my heart was racing. I gently put a hand on Matthew’s shoulder and could gradually feel the tension leave his body. Slowly we got up, Matthew made the rifle safe and we approached the cow. She had fallen less than 20 metres from us and was probably only 60

Matthew helps skin and gut his eland.

Dads and lads enjoy sundowners under a massive baobab.

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Defence Handgun

Fashionable

Self-Defence for Women O

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NE of the most significant and, we feel encouraging, trends in firearms ownership today is the large number of women who have made the decision to purchase a firearm for personal defence and protection of their loved ones. Of course this decision to own a firearm brings added responsibilities. Two of the most important are that women should receive proper training in the use of their firearm and learn the legal aspects of using it in a defensive situation. We cannot emphasize this enough. If you cannot, or are not willing, to follow these two basic steps, perhaps owning a firearm is not the right choice for you. Once you have chosen a defensive firearm – for the purpose of this article we will assume it is a handgun – have received extensive training in its use, and are knowledgeable as to the legal aspects of using it, the next decision is how to carry it on your person. The primary advantage of a handgun is that its size and weight allow you to carry it all the time. If carrying a handgun is so uncomfortable or inconvenient that you end up leaving it in the safe at home, then it is of no use should you be faced with an attack upon your person or your family. For men the answer is simple: a holster. This can be carried on the belt using an OWB (outside waistband) or IWB (inside waistband) holster. Other choices are a pocket holster or – what we feel is a less than optimal choice – an ankle holster. All of these allow you to carry a handgun comfortably for extended periods, only require a light outer garment to conceal them and, except for the ankle holster, allow fast, fumble free access to your handgun. However, for most women their physique and fashion choices make carrying a concealed handgun more difficult.

On-Body Carry In case some of you XY chromosome types (a.k.a. males) haven’t noticed, women are shaped differently to men. While the majority of males tend to have the same body shape (wide torso, narrow hips and legs), there are three generally recognized shapes for women: Hourglass (proportionate bust line and hips with a narrow waist); Apple (proportionate bust line and waist with narrow hips and legs); and Pear (narrow upper body with most weight carried below the hips). These present challenges when attempting to carry a concealed handgun with a belt holster. With an hourglass or pear shape, a holstered pistol’s grip will cant inward against the body making it difficult to access and draw and, with an apple shape, the pistol will cant away from the body producing significant ‘signature’ which indicates that you are carrying a handgun. One way to overcome this is to use a cross-draw holster that positions the handgun towards the offside front of the body in the appendix position. When using a compact or subcompact handgun and wearing a light outer garment, the handgun can be positioned in such a way as to be unobtrusive to onlookers but can be accessed easily and presented smoothly. When dressing informally, Becky prefers this method of carry with her S&W Model 49 revolver carried in a Galco Hornet Belt Holster that Galco made up on special order for my left-handed spouse. In some cases an IWB holster may be suitable for a woman. One of the best we have found is Blackhawk’s TecGrip IWB holster. The TecGrip’s outer shell is a special material that will hold fast to

by PAUL & BECKY SCARLATA

1. Galco Front Pocket Horsehide holster in front pocket of jeans. 2. Galco Hornet Belt Holster that Galco made up on special order for Becky. 3. UnderTech UnderCover’s Concealed Carry Leggings appendix carry. 4. Leggings with the holster at back. 5. Close-up of Galco’s Front Pocket holster.

Off-Body Carry While on-body carry is the preferred method, a lot of women also carry their firearms in a purse or handbag. Carrying a handgun this way has both advantages and disadvantages. Certain items of clothing or accessories scream, “She is carrying a gun!” The most common being belt or fanny packs and/or photographer’s or safari-type vests. The primary advantage of using a handbag to carry your firearm is that the weapon is ‘invisible’. By that we mean that most women routinely carry a handbag and as such this does not make them stand out in a crowd. Also, no special clothing is necessary.

The Desantis Bag-Packer shown in a handbag (top) and close-up (below).

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PHOTOS BY PAUL BUDDE

most fabrics, eliminating the need for a clip. It remains where you put it and does not move when you draw the pistol. It is best when paired with a small, flat profile pistol such as a S&W .380 Bodyguard or Ruger LC9, and when worn on the strong side appendix position under a light outer garment. Another on-body carry option is the pocket holster and we are fond of Galco’s Front Pocket Horsehide Holster, an all-enveloping rig that provides several advantages. It slides inside the front pocket of your trousers and holds the pistol in the correct position for fast acquisition and easy draw. The rough outer surface of the holster body clings to the inside of your pocket and remains there while you draw the pistol. And, its flat shape has no signature. It is best used in trousers with large front pockets and although the front pockets on women’s trousers tend to be shallower than those on men’s, as long as an outer garment is worn, the pocket holster works well. A unique way for women to carry a concealed handgun is UnderTech UnderCover’s Concealed Carry Leggings. Leggings have become fashionable garments for women who engage in physical activities and also for general wear. These Concealed Carry Leggings which come in different lengths, feature two holster pockets, one in the front and one in the back (right- and lefthand holsters are available). Many women carry and conceal a handgun in one of the holster pockets and a cellphone in the other. They are very convenient, position the handgun securely, and both holsters include an easy on/ easy off retention strap. With a light over garment, even compact sized pistols can be carried without any signature yet can be accessed immediately simply by pulling up the outer garment. With lightweight, compact handguns, these leggings might just be one of the more practical means of on-body carry for women.

ome of the disadvantages of offbody carry can be alleviated, to a degree, by using a handbag specifically designed to consistently position a handgun for fast access. A number of manufacturers offer such handbags that in no way detract from their usefulness as a

SOURCES: GALCO - WWW.GALCOGUNLEATHER.COM, DESANTIS HOLSTERS - WWW.DESANTISHOLSTER.COM, GUN TOTE’N MAMAS - WWW.GUNTOTENMAMAS.COM, CAMO WESTERN - WWW.CAMOWESTERN.COM, GTM HOLSTERS - WWW.GTMORIGINAL.COM, UNDERTECH - WWW.UNDERTECHUNDERCOVER.COM, BLACKHAWK – WWW.BLACKHAWK.COM

The main disadvantage of carrying a firearm in a handbag is that the firearm is difficult to access and get into action. In addition, you don’t want to carry a handgun loose in your handbag because as you move, items inside the bag, including your weapon, move around. Your firearm may end up in a position that makes it hard for you to obtain a firm purchase and withdraw it. You must also take into consideration that a handbag could be snatched from you. The primary way to avoid this is to use a cross-carry bag worn on a long strap over the shoulder and across the front of the body.

‘normal’ handbag. In addition, these handbags are offered in a variety of styles adaptable to anyone’s taste or style of dress. Depending on the design, these handbags have ambidextrous zippered compartments that allow access to the handgun from the open top or from the side. Many include retention straps or a holster with Velcro pads that allow you to position the holstered handgun in the compartment in such a way that it can be accessed quickly and securely. Handbags where the handgun is carried in an exterior compartment, should be worn so that the compartment is against the body so, if need be, the weapon can be accessed without being obvious to bystanders. Some of the companies that offer concealed carry handbags include Galco, Gun Tote’n Mamas and Camo Western. For those who wish to carry their small handgun without the expense of buying a specific, or several, concealed carry handbags, DeSantis offers their Bag-Packer M34. This is an ambidextrous holster component with suspender clips and an adjustable C-clip that comes with an adjustable holster so it can be placed in any number of bags in a suitable position. All of the products discussed were made from high quality materials, displayed excellent workmanship and we feel they provide women with a number of excellent options for concealed carry. Some of these companies ship internationally, so check their websites for details.

Book Shelf

TallTales by BUZZ CHARLTON

UZZ CHARLTON, well-known for his series of DVDs on elephant hunting, is one of Zimbabwe’s most experienced current professionals. He specialises in elephant hunting, and has guided such safaris for 20 seasons, averaging 20 elephants per season. Naturally, these have also included Zimbabwe’s other game species. On leaving high school, Buzz was apprenticed to PH Lou Hallemore. A year later, he moved to the Dande North area and was apprenticed to Dengesai Makoni, the first African in Zimbabwe to become a licenced PH – and one of the most successful, with a very high clientreturn rate. Buzz describes him as one of the bravest and most skilled PHs he ever knew – the “almost perfect” professional hunter. Buzz’s career got off to a bit of a wobbly start. For his practical exam, he was instructed to shoot a cow elephant with a frontal brain shot. Having felled the elephant, he discovered that it had a penis. The examiner failed him. Buzz qualified in 1995, and on his first solo hunt as a licensed PH, he was charged by an elephant cow which he could not shoot as she had a small calf. He was standing right on the edge of a 5-metre vertical bank, hence was trapped. He fired a shot over her head which did not deter her, and he had no time to chamber another round. She swatted him with her trunk, which cracked the stock of the rifle he held up, and he went over backwards – straight down the 5m drop. Unable to get down to him, the cow left. However, Buzz’s fall had broken his coccyx. This entailed an agonizing 5km piggy-back ride on his tracker, then the long drive to Harare, followed by two months of rehabilitation. He continued working for Zambezi Hunters until they lost their Dande concession. He then started his own safari company, and later went into partnership with Myles McCallum, forming Charlton McCallum Safaris (CMS) operating in the Dande, Save, Kwe Kwe and Hwange

areas, and in Mozambique and Tanzania. The book has a chapter which forms the best concise description I have yet read of the Zambezi River and the terrain through which it flows from its source in north-western Zambia to the Indian Ocean off Mozambique. Buzz writes that poaching and over-hunting of elephants has reduced the size of available tusks. Gone are the days when older bulls carrying 70 to 80lbs a side were common. He says elephant hunting in the Zambezi Valley is more difficult than in the north-western areas around Hwange. In the Zambezi Valley there are many more cows than bulls, whereas the opposite is true of the northwest. Tracking is more difficult on the harder ground of the Valley than in the sandy soils of the NW. Zambezi Valley elephants are smaller in body; those in the NW are among the biggest in Africa; likewise, Valley elephants have smaller tusks, 30 to 40lbs being a fine trophy, while hunters in the NW can hope for 60lbs or bigger. Also, Zambezi Valley bulls are much harder to approach, and the Valley’s dreaded jesse (extremely dense combretum and other bush) makes elephant hunting more difficult and much more dangerous. Interestingly, tuskless cow hunts are now more popular than trophy bull hunts. It’s very hard work – you must find a cow that is mature but with no calf in tow. On average you will approach 300 elephants to find one suitable tuskless cow. It is much more exciting hunting, and very much more dangerous. During his career, Buzz has been forced to shoot many elephants in self-defence – all but two have been cows. A huge appeal is that tuskless cow hunts are cheaper

even than buffalo hunts. Today, a bull elephant hunt costs US $40 000. The book encapsulates the more unusual, dangerous and humorous incidents which Buzz and his clients experienced during his 25-year career. There is no shortage of hair-raising charges and dangerous encounters, including his being deliberately hunted down by cow elephants determined to kill him, and a canoe safari on the Zambezi which lasted all of seven minutes before an enraged hippo bit all three canoes into wrecks. However, the book is also an informative ‘how to’ on hunting all of Africa’s dangerous species. If I may point out one small error: Buzz writes that his mention of being a descendant of Lt Col Anthony Durnford “of Anglo-Boer War fame” incurred him the wrath of a senior Afrikaans resident of Zambia who responded as if that war ‘ended last week’. To avoid Buzz any further needless acrimony, history records that Col Anthony Durnford was killed at the battle of Isandlwana during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. He never took part in the Anglo-Boer War. This hardcover book, published by Safari Press of California, is filled with superb colour photos on quality paper. It is an excellent representation of dangerous game hunting in modern Zimbabwe, and a highly entertaining read. It costs R775 plus postage/courier costs from Gauteng. Email: info@halseton.co.za. – Gregor Woods

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Tech Talk

The Beretta DT11 that was destroyed as mentioned in the text. The CIP proof of 1560 bar can just be made out on the lower barrel.

Dangerous Damascus Revisited S

ome years ago I read a book by the famous science writer, Carl Sagan, titled The Demon-Haunted World, Science as a Candle in the Dark. In it the reader is cautioned against inter alia pseudoscience, superstition, and a lack of scepticism. Above all, it states that extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. I involuntarily thought of this when I read “There’s Double Danger in Damascus” on p52 in the September/ October 2020 edition of Magnum. I shall start off by first listing the scientific work (as far as I know the only such research) that has been done on the subject of Damascus/twist steel and steel barrels for shotguns, then say something on the subject of provisional and definitive proof over the last 150 years or so, and then question some of the statements mentioned in the article. In Experts on Guns and Shooting (by GT Teasdale-Buckell, then editor of Land & Water), mention is made of a remarkable experiment conducted by the Birmingham Proof House, employing a select committee gleaned from the trade in Britain. They tested all barrels available/manufactured by the trade in order to scientifically opine on the matter of the merits of steel versus Damascus/ twist steel. British makers supplied 117 barrels, and more were sourced from foreign (mostly Belgian) suppliers. These samples were tested to destruction with more than one sample per type being tested to avoid the ‘sample of one’ delu-

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sion. The results, in order of merit of the top five from a total of 32 were: 1. English machine-forged laminated steel, in three rods. 2. English fluid compressed steel, Whitworth process. 3. English machine-forged best Damascus, in two rods. 4. English steel, Siemens-Martin process. 5. English hand-forged best Damascus, in four rods. The test process was severe to the extreme and is described fully on pages 534 to 541 of Teasdale-Buckell’s book. ohn Brindle in The Double Gun Journal (1994 to 1995), explains the golden thread of gun proof and the available evidence regarding pressures, failure and merit. He traces reasons for specific proofs and why black powder was used for nitro-proof well into the 20th century. In several articles by engineer and experimental ballistician, Sherman Bell, also published by The Double Gun Journal over several years, Bell and professional ballistician Tom Amburst, conducted several experiments, two of which were; the pressure required to destroy Damascus/ twist steel barrels and, the increase in pressure caused by shooting overlong cartridges in short chambers. Two findings relevant to this article were, yes, 2¾-inch cartridges do indeed increase pressures if fired in 2½-inch chambers, and yes, it is very difficult to destroy Damascus barrels by overload alone. The pressure spike mentioned above was typically 10 – 12%, not the

gun-destroying spikes predicted. Even so, it would definitely be unwise to do this, and today there is no need as there are 2½-inch cartridges available. et me now turn to the proof of guns in Britain at the turn of the 20th century. Because modern scientific techniques (X-ray et al) were not available to the trade, a very strenuous proofing was required, and therefore employed by both the Worshipful Company (London Proof House) and the Guardians (Birmingham Proof House). This compulsory proof was an early version of consumer protection. For a normal 12-bore gun, a provisional proof of 9¾ drams of fine T.P. powder was used with a shot charge of 547 grains. This is 3 times the normal load of powder and used with a heavy service shot load of 1¼ ounce. If this test was passed, the gun was finished in the factory and then submitted for definitive proof, 6½ drams of T.P. powder combined with 738 grains of shot. This is twice the powder charge with 160% of the service charge of shot. Thus, the notion that the old black powder proof was ‘benign’ is not valid. The proof rules in Britain went through various phases to keep up with innovations such as choke, smokeless powder, etc. The one constant was that the proof for 12-bore game guns was considered ample to ensure a gun was safe to use with cartridges producing 3 long tons/square inch of pressure.

by ANDREW TONKIN

So, if a gun was proofed during say 1896, it would have been for a service charge of 3 tons/square inch, and anytime thereafter the service pressure for a game gun would be the same. Three tons/square inch in modern language is 3x2140x1.11/14.7=484 bar. The 1.11 factor is an approximate conversion to move from the old LUP lead crusher reading that was used to calculate the tons/square inch to the modern piezoelectric pressure of CIP prescription. Modern CIP convention does not consider a service pressure for proof but requires a game gun to withstand an applied proof of 850 bar. (This boils down to a proof pressure that is approximately 75% greater than the service pressure.) So, if your game gun shows a proof mark of 850 bar, do not fire cartridges that operate at 850 bar! I’ve seen Italian cartridges that state on the carton that the working pressure is 1 200 bar! eturning to the Magnum article. I do not think anybody disagrees that the correct cartridges should be used in modern and vintage guns. (It is well known that a .308 Winchester cartridge will headspace and fire in a .270 Winchester chamber, but that does not make a .270 Winchester a dangerous rifle.) So, the use of overlong cartridges in short chambers has nothing to do with Damascus, it’s a common sense problem. In the article, iron barrels are mentioned. I’ve never seen nor heard of iron barrels. If I ever encountered a set of barrels made of iron and welded along the side seam, I certainly will not touch

them. The main stress in barrels is so-called hoop-stress i.e. stress that is applied in a tangential direction, and I believe a side-welded iron barrel will be rubbish. The failure rate quoted at proof of 8% is precisely because the rules of proof were very severe. Also, to state that obstructed Damascus barrels were prone to bulge is stating the obvious. Teasdale-Buckell recalls an interesting conversation that he had with Stephen Grant before the latter’s death, (p372-373): “On the subject steel vs Damascus, Mr. Grant is very clear, and much prefers Damascus for hard-worked guns. In this connection he related an anecdote of one of his patrons, whose keeper stupidly put a 12-bore cartridge into his master’s gun without knowing that he had previously inserted a 20g case, which had stuffed up the barrel. Fortunately, no burst occurred, but a big bulge which, however, Mr. Grant hammered down, and the gun is now as good as ever.” Of course, this is not scientific proof (sample of one), but it is interesting. A friend of mine had the same unfortunate experience with a Beretta DT11, a 20-bore down the chamber and into the barrel, then a 12-bore 28 gram competition load, and the barrel was completely destroyed (see photograph). Regarding the gunsmith quoted in the article stating that some Damascus barrels are safe, some not, I find this perplexing. Has he seen the ‘dangerous’ specimens fail? Did they fail because they were Damascus, or were they simply damaged and unsafe?

I have been in the privileged position to trade in vintage guns for 25 years, made more than 60 trips to the auction houses of Great Britain, and have handled and shot with hundreds of Damascus-barrelled guns. I have also spoken to the greatest experts in the world about the subject. I know not of a single failure of any gun that can be attributed to the fact that it was fitted with Damascus barrels and not steel. Maybe a reader out there can correct me? ased on what I have seen and heard, a Damascus-barrelled gun is completely safe on condition that it is used with the correct ammunition (pressure and length), it is not damaged, and it is within the proof parameters imposed upon it so many decades ago. I have recently re-read the Greener book and I cannot find any reference to the danger of Damascus, neither in the Burrard book. His long cartridge short chamber statements have been covered above. It is also not entirely clear to me what modern welding engineers could add to the subject. Forged Damascus welding is surely totally different to any modern form of welding? In the day, Damascus welding required an apprenticeship of seven years, and was mastered by very few. From time to time Damascus barrel blanks are discovered in dusty storerooms in Great Britain. Almost invariably these are snapped up by the world’s great collectors who have the best makers fashion them into modern masterpieces.

Should something like this be retired just because the barrels are Damascus? The author thinks not. Grant 16-bore (left) and Atkin 12-bore.

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BIRTHDAY HDAY WISHES Looking Back The ﬁrst issue of SA MAN in May 1976 was subtitled “the new magazine for men of action”. It had 46 pages and sold for 50 cents. It contained a mix of material that included handgun articles, a trip to Chobe, a review of the Chevy Nomad, an extract from hunter-explorer William Baldwin’s diary, outdoor gear options, an introduction to para-planing, a report on a shark attack and more.

Congratulations on your 45th Anniversary. Wishing you many more exciting years

Now, 45 years later, you are reading the May 2021 issue! A number of advertisers and suppliers from the early years have joined us to celebrate this milestone – it is amazing that we still have ties with so many of them. Here’s to 45 more years of your favourite hunting and shooting magazine!

Durban 53 Hunter Street T +27 31 337 6424

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Congratulations Man Magnum on 45 years of publishing. We are grateful for your contribution and dedication to the industry, may you continue to climb new heights.

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As proud and loyal advertisers, Guns & Bows would like to congratulate Man Magnum on their 45th birthday and we wish you all the best for the future. Retail 021-949-2891/2 Email: sales@gunsbows.co.za Wholesale 021-949-2701 Email: mark@gunsbows.co.za www.gunsbows.co.za

Happy 45th Birthday. Wishing you lots of success in the years ahead.

Congratulations on celebrating 45 years of publishing. 33 Darwin Ave , Savoy Estate, JHB | Tel: 011 883 3059

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HJ Drinn (Pty) Ltd congratulates on their 45th Birthday 031 301 1325 Email: info@drinns.co.za

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WELL DONE MAGNUM! 43 Van Riebeeck Avenue, Alberton North 1449 Tel: 011-907-1107 Email: info@diebloumeul.co.za

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Whylo Distributors wishes Magnum all the best for their 45th Birthday 031 584 8088

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Gallery NEW ON THE MARKET FROM VORTEX Vortex 10x42 laser rangefinding binocular The Fury® HD 5000 AB 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binocular features in-display ballistic data, built-in environmental sensors, and crosswind and wind bearing capture mode, all of which provide ballistic solutions in an instant. Wind and drop solutions are handled via the integrated Applied Ballistics® Elite Solver and you can customize ballistic profiles via the Fury HD App. It can also pair with Kestrel wind meters and Applied Ballistics Garmin devices.

Tripods Several new Vortex tripods are now available. For rifle shooters there are the Radian Carbon Fibre with Levelling Head and, the Radian Carbon Fibre with Ball Head. Both share the same tripod, but the Levelling Head has 15 degrees of play and tools to quickly and accurately find and hold your angle. The Ball Head has independent pan and tension control and a robust ball head which can handle precision rifles with heavy scopes. Both feature a detachable counterweight hook, stainless steel spiked feet, a multi-tool, carry case, quick-release plate with ¼-20 thread, and 5mm, 4mm and 3mm Hex wrenches. For hunters, the High Country II (aluminium), Summit Carbon II (weighing only 2.5 pounds) and Ridgeview Carbon are excellent choices for spotting scopes.

SPARC Solar Red Dot Sight The SPARC SOLAR red dot sight harnesses the power of the sun to extend battery life to up to 150 000 hours. Although solar powered, it has Auto D-TEC Technology to automatically switch from solar to battery power, can be activated by motion and has a daylight-bright 2 MOA red dot.

Spitfire HD Gen II 3x and 5x Prism Scopes The redesigned HD optical system cuts inches and ounces off the original platform, being only 3 inches long and weighing 255g. Eye relief is 2.6 inches, windage and elevation can each be adjusted with 250MOA, and the mount height can be changed. The BDC-style reticle has sub-tensions to correspond with the trajectories

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of most popular 5.56mm cartridges for quick holdovers at known distances. The 5x magnification model also has an MRDS mounting platform on top.

L-X FIREARM LUBRICANT Johannesburg based Lubrication Engineers (LE) developed L-X Heavy Duty Chemical Supplement to keep engines clean and reduce frictional wear by combating carbon, varnish and gum deposits that prevent an engine from operating at maximum efficiency. L-X can also be used for cleaning and lubricating firearms. LE states that the same factors that ensure L-X protects engine parts make it an excellent lubricant for handguns, rifles and shotguns. In an engine, L-X works by physically permeating the metal surfaces and adding a sacrificial layer to protect rings, plugs, pistons, valves, carburettors and fuel injectors from heat, corrosion and acids. In handheld firearms, L-X cleans and lubricates in one go. The oil reduces internal friction in firearms, but also cleans dirt and contaminants from exposed metal surfaces and displaces moisture from metal pores. For stockists phone Lubrication Engineers on 011-464-1735. Next month’s Magnum will carry a Test Report on L-X Firearm Lubricant and we will have 10 bottles of L-X for a reader competition.

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Jess Isden has a PHD in Animal Behaviour, and has spent the past seven years in Botswana, running human-wildlife conflict mitigation programmes with local communities who live alongside large predators. She recently shared these two photos of gemsbuck she encountered in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The one shown above, a very young bull emerging from sub-adulthood into adulthood, has a dense expanse of spider-web between his horns, occupied by live spiders. When I commented that I’d never seen a web as densely woven as that – it’s like a solid fabric – Jess said the denseness of the web is what caught her attention. She writes, “We saw it from far back, and at very first, thought it might be plastic or something man-made wrapped in the horns. We waited for the animal to come a little closer to the road where we could see with binoculars and camera that it was a web. And there were definitely living spiders in the web too.” It would be easy to dismiss this phenomenon as merely the result of the bull having walked into a spider web suspended between two bushes and carried it off on his head. My guess is that this is how the web initially came to be there, but if you look closely, you will see that it has been deliberately woven tightly and securely around the horns all the way up, and also goes down onto the animal’s face. The unsupported upper edge of the web has a neat, unbroken finish and there are no holes in the web. This, in conjunction with the unique denseness of the weave, strongly suggests deliberate and ongoing work by the resident spiders. Face it, that animal would have had to walk through a great many webs accidentally to accumulate so dense a fabrication. And when you think about it, it’s an ideal set-up for the spiders: the horns form a perfect frame for such a web, and animals attract insects such as flies, mosquitos and

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ticks. Not much vegetation passes between a gemsbuck’s horns, and any peripheral damage can be quickly repaired. I am not suggesting any sort of symbiotic relationship between spiders and antelope, but merely that these spiders seem opportunistically to have made themselves right at home here and, given the mobility of the animal, have taken necessary precautions by spinning vastly more strands to reinforce their residence and workplace. They’re thinking on their feet, so to speak – not to mention the gemsbuck’s. Furthermore, in the second photo, the animal on the left also has a partial spider-web (or the beginnings of a newly spun web) low between its horns. When I pointed this out, Jess said she’d seen this at the time, which is why she photographed both animals together. She writes, “If it was just this one [with the small web] I could definitely believe that it had just walked through a web, but it’s the denseness and intactness of the main gemsbok’s web that really caught my attention, and led me to believe that there could be more to it than just wandering through bushes and collecting the odd section of web.” Jess adds, “I still believe that the spider was quite okay with its new ‘mobile home’.” Of further interest, there are more spiders than one, living in the web. Most spiders are solitary. A few species of communal spiders occur, but they are very rare. My guess is that the gemsbuck walked through a web occupied by a female with babies or fertilised eggs

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which hatched on board ship. Jess agrees, adding the possibility of the animal having walked through more than one occupied web, though she doesn’t remember seeing any webs around in the bushes that were as thick and dense as this. However, given that an accompanying gemsbuck also had a partial web between its horns, it’s possible this area may have supported several webs. Dr Jess Isden says her studies have never included arachnids or entomology; both she and I would be very interested to receive any authoritative opinions on this phenomenon. - Gregor Woods

PANGOLIN VEHICLE HANDGUN SAFES UPDATE Pangolin, local manufacturer of a series of handgun safes for vehicles (see our Test Report, Jan/Feb 2021 edition), and Roxsure Insurance Brokers now offer a value-added package to customers who buy a Pangolin safe. Quick Track has done research and development to fit and secure the safe

with a tracking device. This unit has its own battery and, should the vehicle be stolen, the client can phone a recovery centre which will dispatch a team to retrieve the vehicle and safe. Pangolin states that if a client has short-term insurance with Roxsure, the firearm in the Pangolin safe will automatically be covered. Roxsure have also contracted a company that supplies value-added legal services. For R350 a month, the cost of the tracking device and around-the-clock legal advice is included and, if required, legal representation will be available. For example, should a client be arrested by the police and the officers don’t fully understand the law in terms of safe-keeping of a firearm, then the service provider will, at its own cost, send an attorney to the police station, assist the client with his statement, show the required law to the arresting officer to have the charges dropped, if needed post bail on behalf of the client and, in the event the case is not dropped, provide court representation to ensure that the charges are dropped and the case is withdrawn. The service provider will also assist clients with their firearms licence applications, follow-ups with the licensing department, lodge an appeal if required and, should the client be involved in a shooting incident, provide an attorney, prepare statements for submission, apply for bail and post bail on behalf of the client. For more information contact Andrew on 065-131-9266.

PRIZE WINNERS Thank you to all those who entered the competitions in our January/February 2021 edition.

Well done to the winners:

Ian Gaylard won the Tork Craft Rifle Case and Trevor Damster won the Pangolin H Vehicle Safe.

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Gunsmith of the Month

Ralph Badenhorst Ralph lives and works in Ermelo, Mpumalanga. He started his apprenticeship as a gunmaker in 2014 under his father at Ralph Badenhorst Geweersmede. They specialise in any custom and bespoke rifles ranging from bolt-action, precision, doubles to single-shot Kipplauf rifles. Both hunting and precision rifles are crafted and manufactured in-house. Ralph’s favourite calibre to build for hunting is .375H&H, for precision shooting is any 6mm variant, and for dangerous game is .577 Nitro Express in a double or .500 Jeffery in a Magnum Mauser bolt action. They currently manufacture big bore barrels in-house from .375 to .600NE. He is rebuilding his Jeffery and Co .500 Jeffery in a takedown version with a DSB Magnum Mauser action which he will Color Case Harden. Ralph says that when he worked in KZN as a Wildlife ecologist, he hunted a lot but nowadays he enjoys gong-style competitions. His bucket list hunt is a sable in Tanzania or Zambia.

Subscriber of the Month

Simon Acutt Simon is a farmer living in KwaZulu-Natal and has been a Professional Hunter for the last ten years. His favourite hunting ground is Bedford in the Eastern Cape and his last hunt was for an eland in the KZN midlands. His first choice of calibre for hunting is the .375H&H and, he has a buffalo at the top of his hunting bucket list. Apart from hunting, Simon’s favoured sport discipline is clay shooting. He shoots with a 12-gauge Beretta over/under shotgun and is a member of Reveille Clay Club. A Magnum subscriber for ten years, Simon describes himself as a passionate hunter and conservationist who supports ethical hunting and sustainable utilisation. He feels that South Africa offers many wonderful opportunities for hunters and cherishes his hunting trips with mates and family. He appreciates reading old time hunting books by Jim Corbett, John Hunter, Ian Naishens, Fred Everett and the like.

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