Just got back from South Africa

[nakneker]

I've shot them exclusively in Africa. The HVLDs kill instantaneously but it's very difficult to convince most African PHs who have for decades been using partitions, Swifts and other sledgehammer type bullets. A misplaced shot with that type of bullet, a common occurrence with first timers, almost guarantees a long, arduous tracking exercise following a blood trail through acacia bushes concluded with a large size box of bandaids.

That was my experience too. After the PHs watched a few kill shots they were asking questions though, taking a closer look.

 

[nakneker]

One thing about the bullets you choose to use that helps make a good decision is that you pay for any wounded animal too. If there's any blood you pay. I choose to keep my shots under 600 yards and I choose to use the Bergers, I've seen them in action on Elk and have a lot faith in how they perform.

If I guy wanted a place to shoot 1,000 yard long shots you couldn't find a better playground to do it. You just have to remember that if you hit in the toe your on the hook for the fee.

We didn't loose any animals. I missed one but that was the only mishap. The girls were shooting straight but they kept there shots at 350 or less.

 

[CaptainMal]

The stuff of dreams for most of us in the great masses of the unwashed.

 

[hogpatrol]

How far would you like to shoot? Zebras down in that valley.

One thing about the bullets you choose to use that helps make a good decision is that you pay for any wounded animal too. If there's any blood you pay. I choose to keep my shots under 600 yards and I choose to use the Bergers, I've seen them in action on Elk and have a lot faith in how they perform.

If I guy wanted a place to shoot 1,000 yard long shots you couldn't find a better playground to do it. You just have to remember that if you hit in the toe your on the hook for the fee.

We didn't loose any animals. I missed one but that was the only mishap. The girls were shooting straight but they kept there shots at 350 or less.

How far? There was a herd of zebras down in this valley, somewhere in the green stuff.

 

[varmit_hunter]

Great story and pictures thank you so much for sharing with us. I just get a new 280AI for father's day. I cant find any nosler 280AI brass anywhere everywhere is sold out. When I get some soon I hope. I am going to load 168gr or maybe 140gr Berger VLD bullets for white deer. I have read some people say too stay away from them. But I killed alot of deer with 140gr Berger VLD in 280 and 7mm mag. I shot a doe in the neck with one almost took her neck off. Again great story & picture. Ty

 

[Sniper338]

Now the taxidermy... thats where its expensive!!!

 

[nakneker]

Great story and pictures thank you so much for sharing with us. I just get a new 280AI for father's day. I cant find any nosler 280AI brass anywhere everywhere is sold out. When I get some soon I hope. I am going to load 168gr or maybe 140gr Berger VLD bullets for white deer. I have read some people say too stay away from them. But I killed alot of deer with 140gr Berger VLD in 280 and 7mm mag. I shot a doe in the neck with one almost took her neck off. Again great story & picture. Ty

If you need some brass to get you started I have some once fired, I could spare 40 pieces or so if you don't want to wait.

 

[nakneker]

Now the taxidermy... thats where its expensive!!!

Yep. The outfitter uses a Taxidermist down there locally and the cost is about a third of the guy I use in my hometown. were only going to do 5-6 shoulder mounts, most will be European mounts with a framed picture under it and then there will some flat skins. You do have to pay the crate fee and arrange pick up at the airport but it's not too bad.

 

[varmit_hunter]

If you need some brass to get you started I have some once fired, I could spare 40 pieces or so if you don't want to wait.

Hi and thank u so much will once fire brass in a Ackley Improve. Full length size work in my rifle? I thought after it was shot in another 280AI it wouldn't work in another? I am new to the 280AI. I have always wanted one. Been my dream rifle. If u think it will I will buy. Again thank u so much. Richard.

 

[oldhoward]

NiIce review and some great animals, lovely kudu. You are correct once you go to Africa you are hooked. Think about my trip it every single day. Congrats on a great hunt!
oldhoward

 

[hogpatrol]

Yep. The outfitter uses a Taxidermist down there locally and the cost is about a third of the guy I use in my hometown. were only going to do 5-6 shoulder mounts, most will be European mounts with a framed picture under it and then there will some flat skins. You do have to pay the crate fee and arrange pick up at the airport but it's not too bad.

Which import broker are you using? They usually add a thousand dollars to the cost.

 

[nakneker]

Hi and thank u so much will once fire brass in a Ackley Improve. Full length size work in my rifle? I thought after it was shot in another 280AI it wouldn't work in another? I am new to the 280AI. I have always wanted one. Been my dream rifle. If u think it will I will buy. Again thank u so much. Richard.

I've bought 200 pieces of 280AI once fired here on the forum. I'm currently using 50 of those in my rifle and have had zero issues. The brass is Nosler and was 280AI to began with. I full length size them to began with and then once they are fireformed to my chamber I neck size them. I sent you a PM if I can help with the brass.

 

[nakneker]

Which import broker are you using? They usually add a thousand dollars to the cost.

I don't know at this point Hogpatrol. My outfitter uses two taxidermist and the guy I liked shops the shipping when the crate is ready. I'm really just counting on the outfitter and agent who both give the Taxidermist rave reviews. The only negative that I've heard about the taxidermy in Africa is that the tanning can be sub par compared to some of the tanneries here in the US. I'm gonna take a chance on it, if it the mounts only last 10 years than I can use it as an excuse to do it again, lol.

 

[swd]

Which import broker are you using? They usually add a thousand dollars to the cost.

At least that. It was $2400 for air freight and the import broker to bring in 1 buff skull and hide, 1 baboon skull and hide and 1 impala skull and hide in 09'. Not including dip and crate, transportation to airport and all the other little bs fees they like to nick you with. They love to charge full American wages for work done by guys literally making $2-$3 a day. The first time over is a HUGE learning expierence you literally have to pay for. But still a trip of a life time.

 

[nakneker]

At least that. It was $2400 for air freight and the import broker to bring in 1 buff skull and hide, 1 baboon skull and hide and 1 impala skull and hide in 09'. Not including dip and crate, transportation to airport and all the other little bs fees they like to nick you with. They love to charge full American wages for work done by guys literally making $2-$3 a day. The first time over is a HUGE learning expierence you literally have to pay for. But still a trip of a life time.

The estimates I got were much less than that, you know how that goes though. I feel like I'm in good hands. The agent, the outfitter and the Taxidermist seem to be on the same page, I'm relying on them.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I think I would make my brass from 30-06 lapua cases. Nice write up.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

Stunning animals! Glad you enjoyd your time over here, another part of the country for good hunting is the Northen Cape aka Kalahari but the scenary and hunting is completely different than where you hunted in Natal but its a stunning area. On the Bergers, its the only bullet (hybrids in my case) that I use in my rifles over here on paper, steel and game.

 

[nakneker]

Stunning animals! Glad you enjoyd your time over here, another part of the country for good hunting is the Northen Cape aka Kalahari but the scenary and hunting is completely different than where you hunted in Natal but its a stunning area. On the Bergers, its the only bullet (hybrids in my case) that I use in my rifles over here on paper, steel and game.

I've been a long time Partition, Barnes, BT, user but I tend to gravitate to what I see working the best, all of those bullets work just fine but the Bergers perform at long range better than any I've used. That's just my opinion from what I've seen and my personal experience. I'm slow to change but Im using Berger VLD hunters on all my big game now. To each their own, you gotta use the bullet you believe in. I've never tried the Hybrids on game but I keep hearing a lot of happy reports.

 

[Sniper338]

Yep. The outfitter uses a Taxidermist down there locally and the cost is about a third of the guy I use in my hometown. were only going to do 5-6 shoulder mounts, most will be European mounts with a framed picture under it and then there will some flat skins. You do have to pay the crate fee and arrange pick up at the airport but it's not too bad.

Oh man if they do it over there thats a world of difference! Last time I looked into it you had to get your hides and all treated and dipped and all this jazz and they sent it all back after it passed US customs importing bs. Its one of my biggest dreams to go to Africa hunting. We could do, but we have been Dave Ramsey-ing for the past few years.

 

[hogpatrol]

Oh man if they do it over there thats a world of difference! Last time I looked into it you had to get your hides and all treated and dipped and all this jazz and they sent it all back after it passed US customs importing bs. Its one of my biggest dreams to go to Africa hunting. We could do, but we have been Dave Ramsey-ing for the past few years.

Since the Big Recession, South Africa has experienced a drastic drop in foreign hunters, competition is stiff and prices have dropped every year. One can go to there and hunt for ten days for less than a western U.S. hunt. Where it gets pricey is if you want to hunt the high end trophy size animals and then get shoulder or full mounts shipped back to the U.S. For a shoestring operation, a cull/management seven day hunt package would be around $5k including airfare from the east coast to Johannesburg.

What's Dave Ramsey-ing?