78 Royal Tine Images Bears, and Big Bores, Story and photos by Diana Rupp photos Storyand byDiana Buffalo m o c . d l e i f A s t r o p S Try out a variety variety a out Try shooting clinic. shooting stop a charge at at charge a stop game rifles and and rifles game learn how to to how learn of dangerous dangerous of this unique unique this 0 1 0 2 y r a u r b e F / y r a u n a J to choose and test a dangerous-game rifle. We also learned We also rifle. dangerous-game a test and choose to three types were on hand to discuss what to look for and how and lever guns for use on dangerous game, and experts on all actions,bolt doublerifles, of disadvantages and advantages tion as well as plenty of shooting practice. and Sunday) clinic packs in an incredible amount of informa shoottheones available attheclinic.The two-day(Saturday ofdangerous game. Participants canbring their own rifles or own or are about to purchase a large-bore rifle for the pursuit rifles, however, were we willing to put heaviestin thethe practice even withtime.shots good be tolearned have could physique,which surprised me. It seemed to me that any of us and their reactions did not necessarily relate to the size ofers at theirthe clinic loved the .470, for example; others disliked it, es, but an individual’s tolerance is hard to predict. butSome restingshoot slightly low on the cheek. That helped, is inwith mostthe stock cas pulled snugly into the pocket of the shoulder,cheekbones down on the stock of a big bore—the proper hold lier in the day. We were reminded, for example, notnique to make jama difference,”our Sells had explained to our class ear Arms bolt gun in .416 Rigby. enamored.470Heymtheof anotherand Granite Mountain Doug Turnbull’s beautiful .475 Turnbull lever gun. I was less and.375 GraniteMountainH&HboltArmsrifle a as well doubleHeymbecomeoftheI’dfan a.450/400 in 3-inch, as tolerancefor far recoilexperts.ofSoundereyewatchful the rifle styles and calibers, and to assess my own preferences big-bore different and of number a shooting in experience gain to Ranch:Idaho’s atB Clinic Flying Stopping Rifle annual foundtherecoil unpleasant. But that’s why Iwashere, at the .470doubleinsimilar Nitroarifle Express, andwith target need to shoot the .470 again—thanks for the offer, though.” fle—it’s really comfortable to shoot,” I said. “But I don’t really did you think?” he asked. “Want to try it with the .470?” valuablescoopedrectorUSA,theHeymbrass.upof“What casesarced over my right shoulder. Chris Sells, marketing di at you, but you get the idea,” said PH Joe O’Bannon. holes in its nose. ler—creaked to a halt right in front of me with two .40-caliberattached to a rail and rolling toward me via a remote control said. Could I really stand my ground and let him come? held my fire. settledthe sights again, slid my finger to the rear trigger, and recoil,the ofout came Icoming. keptsquarely,buffalo the theprofessionalas hunter hadinstructed. opensettledthesightsandbetween nostrils,bleits rifle just A Theclassroom sessions muchfeatured discussion of the TheStopping Clinic Rifle isgeared toward hunters who Rci i a ujcie hn, u eprec ad tech and experience but thing, subjective a is “Recoil somemovingrhinoshotstakenaI’d at dayEarlier that I grinned at him as I handed the rifle back. “I love this ri I broke open the double rifle and two enormous .450/400 “It’s a little more difficult when it’s a real buffalo coming Boom! of the trees, coming at a steady clip. I readied the dou horns, and chest as itface, startedits towardwas mebuffalo fromCape thelarge edgethe of see could I ll The buffalo head—a realistic cardboard facsimile Wait until he’s so close you can’t miss, Boom! Though hit the PH had ------

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The most indestructible, Outfitting hunters in versatile, convenient gun what these experts prefer in terms of sighting systems on big-bore rifles; depending able weather can make otherwise depend- Central Asia since 2002 (and bow) case you on the specific application, these ranged from high-quality, rail-mounted scopes to able rifles behave badly. Goll also related and Canada since 1999 can buy. Guaranteed. red-dot sights or traditional open sights. several exciting stories about these huge with over 10 years of Tuffpak cases are so tough, they’re Most interesting to me, however, were the detailed discussions regarding where bears and how to stop them. “A charging experience! guaranteed for life. They provide to shoot elephant, buffalo, and big bears. An actual elephant skull was used to il- Kodiak can cover twenty-five feet in one ultimate protection and give you an lustrate the proper shot placement for the brain shot on a pachyderm, and PH Joe bound,” he told his riveted audience. infinite number of packing O’Bannon even imparted a few pointers on how best to get away from a charging For a hunter who is planning to invest options…and they wheel through elephant (advice I hope I’ll never need to put into practice). With an incoming buf- money in a dangerous-game hunt and/or airports like a breeze. falo, we learned that if it is racing toward you with its head up, shoot for the nose. a big-bore rifle, knowledge is power. The www.huntersheadquarters.net But if you wait until the buffalo is close, it will likely drop its head at the last minute. Flying B’s Stopping Rifle Clinic can help For a full color brochure 817.267.3700 At that point—if your nerves hold—you can shoot right down into the brain. prepare you for one of hunting’s most in- contact us at service@hunters Longtime brown bear guide Chris Goll discussed Alaska bear hunts and made some tense and satisfying experiences. [email protected] headquarters.net suggestions about the best rifle and caliber choices for this hunt, where the unpredict- * www.asianmtnoutfitters.com For information on the Flying B Bryan Martin Ranch or the 2010 Stopping Rifle Clinic Owner & Operator (scheduled for this spring), see www.flying- Canadian Mountain Outfitters branch.com or call 800/472-1945. [email protected] Professional English-speaking (250) 317-5525 Guides Available Upon Request The Double Rifle ww.canadianmtnoutfitters.com

The Heym rifles I shot at the Stop- ping Rifle Clinic were my first experi- ence with double rifles. Like all double rifles, they are expensive, but they have an advantage that no other danger- Made in the USA ous-game rifle can match: two shots instantly available, without the need to Professional Grade Firearms Cases The availability of factory-loaded ammunition from Hornady for double rifle calibers such work a bolt or lever. They are also fast Designed to Travel the World as the .450/400 3-inch has made it easier to own a double rifle in recent years. and fun to shoot, as they balance be- tween the hands just like a side-by-side s$OO&DVHV$SSURYHGIRU$LU7UDYHO The Lever Rifle shotgun. These rifles feature automatic s2YHU6WDQGDUG&DVH0RGHOV ejectors, articulated front triggers, in- Few think of lever guns when they think of dangerous-game rifles, but Doug Turn- tercepting sears, cocking indicators, s3HUVRQDOL]HG&XVWRPHU6HUYLFH bull’s custom rifles, built on the super-strong Winchester Model 1886 action and cham- and non-automatic safeties, and they s&UDIWHGLQ:D[DKDFKLH7; bered in .475 Turnbull, are a viable option for game such as buffalo. This cartridge is ca- are stocked to fit the client. You can pable of shooting 350-grain bullets at 2,300 fps, 400-grainers at 2,500, and 450-grainers find more information on Heym dou- at 2,050, producing around 4,100 foot-pounds of muzzle energy for each load. These guns bles at www.heymusa.com. Factory are lighter than double rifles, and they feature a single sighting plane, an advantage when ammo for most double-rifle calibers is shooting at moving game. Experienced shooters can work a lever action very quickly, and now commercially available from Hor- it has the advantage of holding several rounds for follow-up shots. For information on nady: www.hornady.com.—D.R. Doug Turnbull’s Rifles, see his Web site: www.turnbullrestoration.com.—D.R. ZZZ$PHULFDVHFRP Investment Opportunity Current Alberta outfitter looking to expand operations into Northern British Columbia. Looking for investors interested in owning a percentage of area or financing expansion. Principal will be paid annually and interest will be paid through hunts in British Columbia or Alberta. The area I am looking to purchase has a strong huntable population of Stone Sheep, Mountain Grizzly, Mountain Goat, Heym’s Chris Sells proves that the .450/400 3-inch is not just fun to shoot—it’s also Moose, Caribou and Black bear. There is also excellent steelhead fishing in the rivers and various Doug Turnbull’s beautifully customized Winchester rifles can take on the biggest game. deadly on dangerous game. other species in the lakes. A fly in lodge is built and there are other camps throughout the area.

For more information please email Jeff at [email protected] or call 780-933-8001. 80 81