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CZ_hunter
.275 member

Reged: 08/07/13
Posts: 70
Loc: Prague, Czech Republic

single shot rifle for African hunting trip
#233420 - 03/08/13 06:59 AM

How many of you are willing to bring to Africa single-shot rifle only? (considering plains game is on menu only)
Would you do so only in case you have a magazine rifle spare (as a pair)?

Thank you in advance for your comments.

CZ

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CZ

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alexbeer
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Reged: 10/04/08
Posts: 389
Loc: Tasmania, Australia

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: CZ_hunter]
#233432 - 03/08/13 09:14 AM

Hello CZ

If you are comfortable and proficient with a single shot, then by all means take it.

I use Ruger No.1 single shots a lot, and would be more than happy to take one to Africa hunting plains game. Actually I'd be more than happy to hunt the big stuff with one of my No.1's as well.

Best
ALEX

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Details matter!

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grandveneur
.400 member

Reged: 21/09/08
Posts: 1299
Loc: France / Germany

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: CZ_hunter]
#233433 - 03/08/13 10:22 AM

If you are accompanied by a PH with a good back up rifle you can take what you want !

If you are alone only with a guide and trackers the situation is a little bit different . "Close encounters of the third kind" cannot be ruled out ! I mean lion's , elefants , hippos ... The case is rare , but a single shot rifle is imho not suitable for this situations ! The time of the safaris with a lot of gun bearers behind you is finish !

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Claydog
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Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: grandveneur]
#233435 - 03/08/13 10:37 AM

I could think of nothing I would rather take for plains game than a nice single, especially that farquarson .303 with Selous plates posted not too long ago.

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AZDAVE
.275 member

Reged: 12/02/09
Posts: 75
Loc: Arizona, USA

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Claydog]
#233437 - 03/08/13 12:52 PM

Just got back from my first safariand my primary rifle was a TC encore single in 9.3x74R. I also took a double because I was going to Africa, but the TC shot from 55-292 Meters it performed great. Take what you shoot well and have a blast.

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Huvius
.416 member

Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3536
Loc: Colorado

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Claydog]
#233439 - 03/08/13 01:24 PM

Quote:

I could think of nothing I would rather take for plains game than a nice single, especially that farquarson .303 with Selous plates posted not too long ago.

Me too!
Ever since reading Ross Seyfried's article in the DGJ about taking a Cape Buffalo with his 461 Gibbs that has been my dream safari.
I would have to take two single shots. The 461 and the 303!

--------------------
He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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tophet1
.400 member

Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Huvius]
#233443 - 03/08/13 03:22 PM

If I could afford a take down single shot (for ease of travel) I would take one. No problem.

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CptCurl
.450 member

Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5275
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: tophet1]
#233452 - 03/08/13 10:22 PM

I have a super nice Farquharson that would be perfect:

Army & Navy CSL Farquharson - .450/.400 3.25" NE

But I must admit the Gibbs Farq with Selous plates puts mine to shame.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.

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Rell
.375 member

Reged: 03/12/04
Posts: 642
Loc: Oyster Bay, NY, USA

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: CptCurl]
#233462 - 04/08/13 10:17 AM

I have a custom takedown Ruger #1 in 35 Whelen that I use a lot when hunting in Alberta.

I chose not to take it to Africa in 2011 and 2013. I was worried that the lack of a fast follow up shot may be a detriment when hunting in the think bush on the eastern cape. I'm happy I had the scoped double and bolt gun. I shot both kudu I took twice and I doubt I could have gotten a second shot with the #1.

I was nervous and really wanted a kudu above all other trophies and I think any advantage, even if it's mostly mental, is important when hunting for something really special. Next time I might be tempted to bring the #1 and add a little new challenge to the trip.

If it's your first trip give yourself every advantage, take a rifle you have used a lot and can shoot really accurately.

--------------------
450-400, 9.3x74r and 7x65r.

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poprivit
.333 member

Reged: 09/04/07
Posts: 397
Loc: Las Vegas, NV

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Rell]
#233463 - 04/08/13 10:28 AM

In 2008 I took my Ruger #1 in 458 Lott to hunt Cape Buffalo in Zim. Worked a treat. Buf really didn't know that I only had one shot. I had to take a quartering shot into the left hip with a solid. Dug the slug out in his brisket. He went about 50 yards.

Hell, yes, take one. The knowledge of only one shot improves one's concentration remarkably.

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grandveneur
.400 member

Reged: 21/09/08
Posts: 1299
Loc: France / Germany

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Rell]
#233474 - 04/08/13 04:38 PM

In the last 30 years i used different rifles and calibers for hunting in Africa and Asia .

The best rifle for a successful hunt is a bolt action rifle with a good scope !

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39340
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: grandveneur]
#233508 - 04/08/13 10:53 PM

If one has a real hankering to use a single shot, for example some historical or vintage rifle, that makes some sense. And if one is practiced in reloading quickly.

But if hunting, and taking a shot at a great sable, eland, kudu or whatever, and a quick second shot is needed and the animal is lost as a result, or a day or two of tracking is needed to find it again, then a bolt action is better. Or of course a double rifle within range, with the first barrel, and follow up shot with the second barrel.

With a double I learned to not take risky shots with the second barrel having already fired the first barrel at another beast. Same as a single shot with every shot.

A good classic vintage single does have a lot of class, and imposes a lot of discipline on their users.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Rule303
.416 member

Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 4941
Loc: Woodford Qld

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: NitroX]
#233585 - 05/08/13 05:50 PM

I'd take a my Ruger no1 in 303 for plains game if there was a back up for any encounter with any dangerous animals.

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moorjaeger
.224 member

Reged: 13/09/11
Posts: 5
Loc: Germany

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Rule303]
#233773 - 08/08/13 09:12 AM

I will start to my 29th trip to Afrika in October. I do not hunt on every trip, but my Ruger No1 Tropical in 375 H&H never made any problems. It is scoped with a 4x20 Nickel Scope. Baboon on 250 m or Buffalo on 30m, plains game on various distances, this gun tock a lot of game in Afrika. Take the rifle you are confident with and that fits you. The first shot counts !

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maral
.224 member

Reged: 17/05/11
Posts: 33
Loc: Norway

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: moorjaeger]
#234994 - 02/09/13 05:59 AM

I brought my Custom Ruger No1 in 8x68S to South Africa last year, and had no problems

Even if its a singleshot, it doesnt mean one cant reload it in a hurry.. After a little practice, I can shoot 3 shots controlled shots in 10-12 seconds. I always carry one spare round in my left hand when the stalk is "closing in", and 4 rounds in a ammo-holder in my belt. Getting a second shot off is really not a problem.

My first animal shot in Africa was a grand bull Oryx, and It really needed a second shot. I messed up and my first shot hit the oryx to far back. The second round in my left hand saved the day, though.

Edited by maral (02/09/13 06:03 AM)

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Rule303
.416 member

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Posts: 4941
Loc: Woodford Qld

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: maral]
#235007 - 02/09/13 08:08 PM

maral that is a good sized Oryx and the 8X68s is grand cartridge. Did you hand load the 8X68 or use factory loads?

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maral
.224 member

Reged: 17/05/11
Posts: 33
Loc: Norway

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Rule303]
#235020 - 03/09/13 04:52 AM

The Oryx is close to 40" :-)

I handload for the 8x68S.
The bullet I used in RZA was 220gr Woodleigh PP, loaded to 2850Fps.

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CZ_hunter
.275 member

Reged: 08/07/13
Posts: 70
Loc: Prague, Czech Republic

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: maral]
#235245 - 07/09/13 05:09 AM

Quote:

The Oryx is close to 40" :-)

I handload for the 8x68S.
The bullet I used in RZA was 220gr Woodleigh PP, loaded to 2850Fps.

Very nice trophy, indeed!
I would say the 8x68 is equal to the American 300 Weatherby Magnum /8 mm Remington Magnum
Woodleigh PP bullets are fine; actually it's a pity that there is no Woodleigh 220 grain bullet PP for 30 cal.
It would be a good competition/alternative to 220 gr Nosler Partition.

Maral, did you recover the bullet?

CZ

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CZ

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maral
.224 member

Reged: 17/05/11
Posts: 33
Loc: Norway

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: CZ_hunter]
#235536 - 12/09/13 06:20 AM

I did recover the two bullets from the oryx.

Sorry for the bad mobile-photo..

The right bullet went through the stomach, and was weighted 153grs (70% weight retention)
The left one went through both shoulders, thouched the spine and was found against the skin. It was 127grs( 58% wr)

The 8x68S was also used to bag a zebra, blesbuck, impala, duiker and a jackal. All one-shot kills.. The zebra ran 60 meters before it fell, and the smaller animals all fell like struck by lightning

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maral
.224 member

Reged: 17/05/11
Posts: 33
Loc: Norway

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Rell]
#238277 - 24/11/13 08:50 PM

Quote:

I have a custom takedown Ruger #1 in 35 Whelen that I use a lot when hunting in Alberta

A takedown Ruger No1 sounds interesting. Care to share some pics and info? :-)

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Rell
.375 member

Reged: 03/12/04
Posts: 642
Loc: Oyster Bay, NY, USA

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: maral]
#238302 - 26/11/13 12:15 AM

Sure, I'll get some this weekend and post. I meant to do that months ago and it fell off my radar.

It is a take down Ruger, but not in the classic sense. It's a stainless steel 35 Whelen with a MPI fiberglass stock. There is a long through bolt in the but stock with a 13mm nut. There is a hole in the recoil pad and you simply back the nut out and remove the rear of the stock. The barrel and action are about 30 inches long and it fits in a takedown case.

Great for bush planes in Alaska, Yukon and Nunavuit.

--------------------
450-400, 9.3x74r and 7x65r.

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Englishman
.275 member

Reged: 09/12/09
Posts: 62
Loc: Lot,France

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Rell]
#238472 - 01/12/13 04:55 AM

What it comes down to in the final analysis, is how familiar you are with your chosen rifle, I practice regularly reloading my Farquharson (the Gibbs with the Selous side plates) without taking my eye off the target, and I can get off a second shot (by holding a spare cartridge between my fingers) in about the same time as when using a bolt gun, I have seen so many hunters fire,then take the rifle from their shoulder and look at their target,then start to work the bolt,that is more time lost than with a Farquharson, that said I would probably be using my 475 No 2 Jeffery to give me a bit more edge!
Chris,
France.

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39340
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: maral]
#238514 - 02/12/13 04:05 AM

Quote:

I did recover the two bullets from the oryx.

Sorry for the bad mobile-photo..

The right bullet went through the stomach, and was weighted 153grs (70% weight retention)
The left one went through both shoulders, thouched the spine and was found against the skin. It was 127grs( 58% wr)

The 8x68S was also used to bag a zebra, blesbuck, impala, duiker and a jackal. All one-shot kills.. The zebra ran 60 meters before it fell, and the smaller animals all fell like struck by lightning

Quite a lot of weight loss, which would not be unexpected with the Woodleigh bullet in a fast 8x68S. However your results speak for themselves.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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grandveneur
.400 member

Reged: 21/09/08
Posts: 1299
Loc: France / Germany

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: NitroX]
#379617 - 26/09/23 01:44 AM

This topic has already been discussed several times on this forum as well as on others.

Some people hunt with such weapons in Africa, but as client you have a PH with a suitable weapon behind you. In the African bush, and without a PH for backup, I does not want to walk around and to hunt armed only with a single shot rifle.

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: grandveneur]
#379618 - 26/09/23 01:53 AM

If I made it to Africa for a hunt, I would not be carrying a single shot rifle, PH or no PH.
For me, 2 shots would be a minimum and a Mauser magazine rifle perhaps preferred over-all.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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grandveneur
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Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: DarylS]
#379622 - 26/09/23 03:22 AM

If you are hunting alone with only a guide and trackers, you are also not well armed with just a Double Rifle. In such cases you also have to carry a bolt action rifle, like in the old days. Unfortunately, the days when you had a gun bearer are over.

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xausa
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Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: grandveneur]
#379626 - 26/09/23 04:18 AM

We were driving down a road in the Selous and came upon an open field with a small herd of kudu in the middle. We stopped and the cows moved quickly into the tree linie at the far side of the field. By the time I had dismounted, retrieved my Model 70 Winchester .300 H&H and the vehicle had pulled away, leaving me by myself, the bull had moved to the edge of the trees and was looking back over his shoulder. I quickly lined up my shot, standing, unsupported, and fired. The bull took a mighty lunge and disappeared.

When we reached the edge of the treeline where the bull had been standing, there he was, piled up at the far end of his final jump. If I had had a BAR, I couldn't have killed him any deader. That said, it may be that the full magazine made the rifle balance better. It was the only shot I ever had at a greater kudu, and I'm glad I didn't flub it.

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grandveneur
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Loc: France / Germany

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: xausa]
#379627 - 26/09/23 04:27 AM

Nobody claims that you cannot shot game with one shot, or rather a single shot rifle, but in Africa it is often not just about the game you hunt, but also about the fact that yourself are sometimes hunted. You have to be able to defend yourself, and with a single shot rifle you are very limited.

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Waidmannsheil
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Reged: 19/04/13
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Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: DarylS]
#379634 - 26/09/23 07:32 AM

One of the chaps at our BGRC is a collector and shooter of Ruger No.1 rifles and he has one for basically every event that will allow it, and with the right practice and set-up he is just as quick as most guys with a bolt action. In our Special Snap event which is 8 rounds in 35 seconds he is just as fast as all the others, using either bolt actions or doubles. It just takes a lot of practice.

Matt.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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grandveneur
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Reged: 21/09/08
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Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Waidmannsheil]
#379644 - 26/09/23 05:27 PM

I don't know in which Africa they all hunt, but in mine there are lions, elephants, crocodiles and hippos in the rivers, and recently even dangerous terrorists. To stay with hunting, apart from gangs of poachers or terrorists, I would feel myself very under-gunned with only a single shot rifle. Also noticed, I don't know a PH who does backup only armed with a single shot rifle.

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Shootingsticks
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Reged: 27/07/23
Posts: 10
Loc: Victoria, British Columbia

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: grandveneur]
#379899 - 08/10/23 04:09 PM

I'm taking a Ruger No 1 in 416 Rigby to Africa next year as my DG gun, my buddy is taking one in 450-400. Speed is important, but that first shot is more important, regardless of the action type. Having said that, we're also training by shooting at 75 on the sticks and then two follow up shots off the sticks at 50 and 25.

--------------------
"One cannot resist the lure of Africa" - Rudyard Kipling

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grandveneur
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Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Shootingsticks]
#379901 - 08/10/23 05:26 PM

Quote:

I'm taking a Ruger No 1 in 416 Rigby to Africa next year as my DG gun, my buddy is taking one in 450-400. Speed is important, but that first shot is more important, regardless of the action type. Having said that, we're also training by shooting at 75 on the sticks and then two follow up shots off the sticks at 50 and 25.

No problem, and once again, one can easily shot game in Africa with a single shot rifle, no one needs to demonstrate that, but not do the backup and generally use such a weapon for self-protection. The absolute majority of the clients are accompanied by a PH and therefore suppresses everything that can happen around a hunt for a particular game, meant the danger that arise by the game that one hunted, but also by other game species of the African bush. Think as African hunter. Heia Safari.

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DoubleD
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Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: grandveneur]
#379909 - 08/10/23 10:41 PM

If fear of terrorist attack is part of the hunt, them most countries won't let you bring the correct rifle anyway.

--------------------
DD, Ret.

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grandveneur
.400 member

Reged: 21/09/08
Posts: 1299
Loc: France / Germany

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: DoubleD]
#379910 - 09/10/23 01:54 AM

Quote:

If fear of terrorist attack is part of the hunt, them most countries won't let you bring the correct rifle anyway.

That's true, but that's not the point.

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Shootingsticks
.224 member

Reged: 27/07/23
Posts: 10
Loc: Victoria, British Columbia

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: grandveneur]
#379932 - 10/10/23 04:54 AM

CZ, sorry, got off track with ref to DG. My same buddy has a Ruger No 1 in 300 H&H; classic combination. I would take that rifle for plains game.
Falling block actions are just cool. They can be more than accurate for hunting and almost as fast with a follow up shot if you practice. I think we all have different experiences and desires for what we want to hunt different game with; Left hand vs right hand, affordability, caliber availability, classic vs high tech, etc. Choice is a wonderful thing.

--------------------
"One cannot resist the lure of Africa" - Rudyard Kipling

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NitroX
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Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: Shootingsticks]
#379949 - 10/10/23 10:34 PM

I again saw shooters using single shot rifles shooting well even in timed event at the BGRC Nationals on the weekend.

And one should not forget in black powder days the usual firearm for elephant hunting was once single shots. Often a pair of them.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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grandveneur
.400 member

Reged: 21/09/08
Posts: 1299
Loc: France / Germany

Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: NitroX]
#379962 - 11/10/23 05:27 AM

Quote:

...

And one should not forget in black powder days the usual firearm for elephant hunting was once single shots. Often a pair of them.

That was a very short time in Africa.

F.C.Selous used first a muzzle loader caliber 4 for shooting elephants, but that was in 1871. Thereafter Double Rifles caliber 8 or 4 were used. Black Powder weapons were used in India for a longer period of time, supposedly until the twenties, but those were also mainly DR, most caliber 500 Black Powder Express.

Edited by grandveneur (11/10/23 05:36 AM)

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: single shot rifle for African hunting trip [Re: grandveneur]
#379966 - 11/10/23 07:36 AM

The guns first used by Selous, like the one in the photo, were Dutch 4 BORE fowlers, shortened for portability.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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