45-120 to Africa...?

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

My gunsmith just finished my Wickliffe actioned long range rifle in 45-120. With smokeless it runs neck and neck with the 450 NE 3.25" and 458 Win Mag.

I am headed back to South Africa at the end of April for another plains game hunt.

Eland (a ton), and Zebra (900-1000lbs) are the two heavy hitters on the list.
Along with Impala, Blesbok, Wart Hog, and Hyena.


One of you gentleman should challenge me to take the 120 to Africa and shoot the two big ticket items on the list with cast boolets.

Make it a $10 bet...

Rich

[stubshaft]

Let me get this straight. You get to go to Africa to hunt with a new 45-120 rifle and you want to make a $10 bet that you won't shoot/kill an Eland or Zebra with it using cast boolits?

I tell you what. I'll take that bet as long as you take only two cast boolits with you and use no more than one per animal. Any more than TWO holes (one entrance and one exit) in either animal and I win.

[lbaize3]

I'll take that bet, if you take me along to verify the kills.......

[405]

:mrgreen:
Since I don't owe you $20- no bet! But I am jealous.
Whether or not you recover a single slug? Depends on velocity and bullet construction/hardness so maybe 50-50 chance.

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

Stubshaft, et al,

I have to take 20 rounds so I can check the zero after 18 hours in a gun case in an airplane.

The challenge is accepted!

Now to decide PP or GC boolets.

I have killed American Bison with a single shot from my old Sharps LRE 45-70; 500gr Lyman at 1570fps, about 150yds.

Single shot rifles make one a better hunter...

Rich

[AkMike]

Single shot rifles make one a better hunter...

Rich

Especially if they're a double barreled single shot! :bigsmyl2:

[stubshaft]

Stubshaft, et al,

I have to take 20 rounds so I can check the zero after 18 hours in a gun case in an airplane.

The challenge is accepted!

Now to decide PP or GC boolets.

I have killed American Bison with a single shot from my old Sharps LRE 45-70; 500gr Lyman at 1570fps, about 150yds.

Single shot rifles make one a better hunter...

Rich


Entirely understandable. I always re-sight my guns when travelling and agree wholeheartedly with the one shot concept I own enough Ruger #1's and Encores to believe in it.

I wish you good hunting, you lucky dog!

Joe

[saint_iverson]

No bets on killing both with the same shot??

[405]

Oh ya, entirely possible for a twofer shot! especially with a heavy slug with lots of sectional density and not going too fast. Most likely of same species tho and usually no foul if you have enough $ for the extra trophy fee.

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

If I could just get a good Zebra stallion to stand right in front of an Eland bull...

[AkMike]

But if they were side by side then the twin shooter would work better!

[405]

Stubshaft, et al,

I have to take 20 rounds so I can check the zero after 18 hours in a gun case in an airplane.

The challenge is accepted!

Now to decide PP or GC boolets.


Rich

Nothing can be done about the "behind the curtain" antics with firearms in airports :( Just a well fit Pelican case and the right paperwork done ahead and a copy of the 4457 left inside along with ID info taped to inside of case. The greatest relief known to a hunter bound for Africa IS seeing your rifle arrive in good shape and on time at the other end. :)

About the PP or GC? No matter how tight my groups can get with the PP even on average a little better than the GC.... with such high stakes riding on each shot.... I'd likely choose the GC rounds. It'd be just my luck that once-in-a-blue-moon shot to the ozone that happens with PP would happen at the wrong time.

[stubshaft]

The second greatest relief is seeing the ammo for it!

[waksupi]

Check into the possible requirements of having loaded rounds in the original packaging and proper head stamp. May be problematic with a .45-120.

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

I have six boxes of new Norma brass, all headstamped RCBS .45 Basic. My gunsmith marked the barrel the same. Actually, I now have five boxes of new, the sun has been out and the temp got to 50 degrees today. I have started with the RCBS 500gr FN GC mould, using some Bhn 21 boolets. 56gr of Varget got me nearly 1900fps, and right at 4000 ft/lbs of ME. 5 shots at 200 at 2.7" groups. I think that is going to be enough ME to do anything on the list.

Yeah, I cheated, stuck my old Lyman All-American 35X scope on for the testing.

My "light" rifle is going to be an old TCR Aristocrat Double Set Trigger Magnum proofed rifle in 30-06. Wish me luck with HP 311247 GC boolets. One of my O-L-D Lyman handbooks shows some loads for 311284 at 214gr. If I can get it over 2000fps that will do for Impala, Blesbok, Wart Hog and Hyena. If the paperwork gets done, one of them will be used on Mr Spots.

Man, is it April 29th yet?

Rich

[idahoron]

Good luck fellow Idahoan. Pictures are needed as soon as you get back. Ron

[MtGun44]

South Africa, 7 yrs ago, your ammo had to match the gun, but I had all handloads and
made up nice computer printed labels and they didn't bat an eye.

Bill

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

I hunted there in 2010, and they never even looked at the ammunition, other than to count rounds. 20 each, of .470 NE and 9,3x74R for my two double rifles.

This time, one shot, one kill...

MtGun44, very nice looking wart hog. One is on my list.

[MT Chambers]

I would think that the .45/120 would take care of those beasts, loaded with Black.

[405]

I hunted there in 2010, and they never even looked at the ammunition, other than to count rounds.

Same here for Jburg- chaos would best describe it. Have the SAP paperwork all in order prior to the trip and should have no problems. I know that some wait to get all that paperwork done but then have to endure standing in lines and the added stress, confusion and wasted time at the airport.

In both Jburg and Lusaka they just glanced at the gun(s) and didn't look at the ammo- just asked the number of rounds. A bulletin was put out last year that required ammo to be carried in its own locked case. Took reloaded ammo in 2 slip top boxes, labeled on outside as to caliber and number and both carried in a lockable pistol case that was also labeled on the outside.

Since the slip top boxes are usually shorter than the longer big boomer rounds I used a wooden dowel dummy slightly longer than a loaded round in each corner hole instead of a loaded round (only took 32 rounds). Put thin foam in lid to prevent rattling. The dowels would prevent jamming to shorter OAL in case the slip tops were compressed or rough handled. Each slip top box was secured with 2 sided velcro strap. Scrap foam was glued to the pistol case to secure the ammo boxes. Small pad locks were used for the pistol case. That arrangement worked very well for transport and very well in the field.

[mroliver77]

The 311284 can easily be pushed accurately to 2000+fps in the 06. Your Varget powder should get the job done well!

At 2000+ the boolit really don't need to expand. I put a small flat on the tip when sizing the fresh dropped boolits using a flat top punch. I set the depth adjustment so that top punch bottoms out and give me the desired meplat. In deer sized animals this gives me a 1" or larger wound channel that drives deep. The Lyman #2 alloy(or most any alloy where antimoney % equals the tin %) is hard and very tough! it does not shatter or break like WW alloy will.

You are my hero taking these calibers and cast boolits to Africa! ;)
Jay

[MtGun44]

Thanks for the warthog compliment. I took a second one at the end of the hunt, and it
had even bigger tusks! Both with the .44 629, my own Keith cast 250 over 20 gr 2400. One
shot each, two holes. PH bought my extra ammo (3 rds sight check, 1 rd each on 2 warthogs)
for his Dad's Contender after seeing what I did with it. I let him have it dirt cheap,
he was thrilled. I always wish I knew how his Dad did with it.

You'll have no problems killing with that cartridge as long as placement is good. The
'06 will work well, I would also expect. I am a 'heavish for caliber' guy, myself. I used
160 gr Nosler Partitions on most things (7x57) and .45-70 with a 405 gr JSP at 1750
in a Marlin as the heavy rifle for wildebeeste and zebra. One shot on everything.

Best of luck, do it with one shot, like you said.

Bill

[SharpsShooter]

56gr of Varget got me nearly 1900fps, and right at 4000 ft/lbs of ME. 5 shots at 200 at 2.7" groups. I think that is going to be enough ME to do anything on the list.



Rich

What is this Varget substance you speak of ??? Some new brand of proper Black Powder perhaps??? :???:

Say it is not that white powder I hear spoken of by the irrational souls who have strayed. :wink:


SS

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

I have heard so many horror stories about black not working in the 3 and a quarter case that I needed a back up plan.

Herr Bagwell has preached the Holy Black to me, and hooked me up with Jerry Dean and his magic boolet with 1F KIK. I am going to try that next.

Rich

[stubshaft]

Just found this in my subscriptions. Do I owe you $10.00, or is it the other way around?

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

stubshaft,

you owe me. I hate to bring this up so late in the discussion, but it was actually $1000.
Cash, I do believe.

[XTR]

stubshaft,

you owe me. I hate to bring this up so late in the discussion, but it was actually $1000.
Cash, I do believe.

http://www.onlinehumidor.com/forum/Smileys/default/worthless.gif

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

Got an Email from Coppersmiths this morning. My trophies are shipping air freight on Friday and will be in Portland Monday. I am working on pictures of the animals for a post.

Rich

[Jim]

Well, get 'r done an' get 'em up! :bigsmyl2: