CARRY LOAD LOOK AFTER HUNDRED DEVELOPMENT YOUR CARTRIDGE CASES POUNDER ELEPHANT

MAN

MAGNUMFOR HUNTERS & SHOOTERS EXCLUSIVE Mauser Paul Mauser’s First Ever Nitro Rifle

7.65x53mm

Kaokoland Self-Defence Hartmann Zebra Pistol Drills

2020 HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES

April 2020 R47,00 incl VAT Namibia N$47,00 Baikal Girsan 04493 .45–70 for Polymer

­under R20 000 9mmP MC 9S 9 770256 067003

VOLUME 45 NUMBER 4 APRIL 2020

ON THE COVER: Paul Mauser’s first nitro rifle Model 88 in 7.65x53mm. Read more on p36. Photos supplied by Jon Speed.

Features

Girsan MC 9S 9mmP André Grobler 12 Accurate all-purpose polymer pistol from Turkey A BOY’S RITE OF PASSAGE Kevin Thomas 16 Raised in rural Rhodesia DEFENSIVE HANDGUN TIPS Phillip Hayes 20 So you think you don’t flinch? THE NONCHALANT CLIENT Terry Irwin 22 Trophies are not always important SAKKIE: A HUNTER’S STORY Robin Barkes 26 Rekindling a flickering flame DEVELOPING CARRY LOADS IJ Larivers 30 …with Peregrine premium projectiles MAUSER REVELATION! Jon Speed 36 Never-before seen photos of Mauser’s first nitro rifle OUR NATIONAL BOK Gregor Woods 42 Graceful gazelle with an amazing past BAIKAL DOUBLE .45-70 André Grobler 46 Rough-and-ready big-bore brush-buster KAMANJAB BERGSEBRA Francois Jacobs 50 Kaokoland se rateltaai streep-donkies THE METRIC AND THE IMPERIAL Ian Myburgh 54 Honouring fond acquaintances of old CASE CARE Francois van Emmenes 61 Metal fatigue: the hidden foe HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES 2020 64 Book early for the coming season

Subscribe to our Digital Edition, go to www.manmagnum.com SUBSCRIPTIONS AND BINDERS (DURBAN OFFICE) Gina Mostert Tel: 031-572-6551 Fax: 086-520-3711 12 PO Box 35204, Northway, 4065 [email protected]

EDITORIAL OFFICE (PRETORIA) Tel: 012-485-9382 Xcel Park Building c/o Rodericks and Lynnwood Roads, Lynnwood, Pretoria Editor Phillip Hayes [email protected] Field Editor André Grobler Contributing Editor Gregor Woods Contributing Editor Malcolm Cobb Contributing Editor Francois van Emmenes [email protected] Senior Subeditor Gail Osborne [email protected] Design and Production Talita Meyer [email protected] ONLINE READERS MARKET Gina Mostert [email protected]

NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES [email protected] 64 Head Dirk Lamprecht 012-485-9356 [email protected] Account Manager Jacques Boshoff 079-528-8793 [email protected] Departments Western Cape Alan Walker 021-797-6449 or 072-148-5316 TRAIL TALK – 6 [email protected] A Season for Everything MEDIA 24 (Weekly Magazines) READERS LETTERS – 8 Man/Magnum is published Overbore Cartridges and distributed by Media 24, Old Licences and Permits a division of Naspers Consistent Hold Publisher Theuns Venter Category Manager Armand Kasselman CONSIDER THIS… – 10 Debtors’ Accounts Stranger than Fiction Soraya Essop 021-408-3521 Proprietor SA Hunt Publishing (Pty) Ltd Printed by Novus Print TEST REPORTS Distribution In the event of Evolution Eyewear for Shooters – 25 retail supply problems contact Ledlenser MH11 Head Torch – 35 Armand Kasselman, 021-503-7164 Hand Delivery Network (for SAHGCA Members) GOOD FOOD – 34 Michel Schoeman – [email protected] Side Dishes Tel: 012-808-9300

SUBSCRIPTIONS – 55

COLLECTOR’S CORNER – 58 Thoughts on Collecting Opinions expressed in advertisements or articles are GALLERY – 67 not necessarily those of the Editors or Publishers. Readers should take every care with firearms and Big Ivory ammunition. Magnum has no control over readers’ HuntEx 2020 – 10 Years On components or techniques and cannot entertain Swarovski Automatic Bird Identifier claims of any nature whatsoever. The Editors reserve Aging Eyes the right to change and/or shorten articles and letters. The Publisher accepts no responsibility for the content of advertisements.

Subscribe to our Digital Edition, go to www.manmagnum.com Trail Talk by ANDRÉ GROBLER A Season for Everything

IN MY HOME province, the hunting to feed core herds of cattle, had game enquired after the health of a farmer season opens at the start of April. For animals feeding among the cattle as if friend who, earlier, had been seriously the past couple of months, the devast- themselves domesticated. I have worried about the weather, and found ating drought laying waste to large hunted warthog and kudu on the farm him in high spirits. He was also almost parts of the country has been on every next door to where the warthog run up fully booked for the hunting season. hunter’s mind. At the time of writing to the house. The land, 30km south of I hope that by now, most hunters this, I spoke to a nephew in Douglas, Bray on the way to Tosca, belonged to have decided what and where they will where many game farmers are being my brother-in-law, and the family hunt this season. I phoned two of my inundated with enquiries by outfitters hunted there every winter holiday for regular hunting spots in the Free State and hunters regarding the availability many years. Kudu and warthog were and game prices for biltong hunters are of game species for clients and friends. always plentiful, though in that dense reasonable. In some instances, prices It made me think. habitat, I had to work hard each sea- were very similar to last year’s. Blue Although I have seen online pictures son for every kilogram of meat. Not wildebeest are available for R4 000 to and short videos taken by truck drivers long after I began hunting, coming R5 000, red hartebeest for R4 500 and and motorists, showing weak kudu from the open spaces of the Free R3 500, and gemsbuck at R5 000. I lying in dirt roads, and by farmers State, I got lost in the thick bush dur- mostly hunt for the pot and I’m always showing exhausted animals on porches ing one such outing. Now, it was heart- looking for wildebeest-size animals. during 2019, these images did not breaking to hear of this struggle in the Farmers who sell game by carcass really hit home. Maybe the regular area that provided many of my hunting weight are charging between R35/kg news of the ongoing drought in many memories. and R45/kg. For places to hunt this parts of the country has inured me to At the time, it was reported that the season, turn to our 2020 Hunting the point where the cumulative impact situation in the Northern Cape’s north- Opportunities on page 64; some good has been lost on me. In an information- ern and eastern regions was dire. The deals are available. Out of interest, I overloaded society, it seems that real farming body, AgriSA, estimated that looked up the April 2000 edition’s Hunt- news travels slowly. 20 million hectares were severely ing Opportunities; gemsbuck were sell- The gravity of the situation finally affected by the ongoing drought. Wild- ing at R2 900, springbuck was R12/kg, struck me when attending my niece’s life Ranching South Africa (WRSA) kudu cows for R1650 and hartebeest wedding in late November 2019. A reported that the province has lost an cows for R 1400. Those were the days. family friend, farming just south of estimated two-thirds of its game over Remember, you cannot really put a Bray in the Molopo, told of warthog the last three years. price on the experience of the hunt – running up to their house in search of I am relieved to hear that towards spending a few days in the outdoors, food and water – showing no fear of the end of February, many of these dry getting some exercise and sitting humans. During the discussion, it regions received rain. The national beside an open fire. If you maintain came up that there was ‘not a single rainfall forecast for early- to mid- good manners, you will make friends leaf in sight’ for many a hectare, and autumn (March-April-May) indicates for life and be welcome to return every that farmers putting out lucerne bales probabilities of below-normal rainfall season. The memories and the biltong over most of the country but higher can be savoured long after the money than normal temperatures. The South is spent. When booking, try to get all African Weather Service’s drought the prices, terms and conditions in writ- monitor shows that rainfall during Jan- ing; book early, hunt ethically and uary 2020 was normal to above aver- respect the landowner, his property and age in most parts of the country. It is the animals. my sincere hope that reports of ‘normal Lastly, HuntEx 2020, South Africa’s BACK ISSUES and above-normal’ rainfall continue. most prominent annual hunting and Don’t miss a single copy Nature has a fantastic ability to restore firearms expo, is just around the cor- itself in quick time and for farmers like ner. The event this year seems to hold www.manmagnum.com those in the southern Free State where some surprises that would make a visit rain was also desperately needed, the worthwhile. Magnum will again have a [email protected] prospects for the winter now look bet- stand, this time in Hall 5. We look for- [email protected] ter. Towards the end of February, I ward to meeting you there.

6 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020

Letters

Overbore Cartridges the modern trend to turn the .22-250 a previous example just filled in with I enjoyed the article regarding over- into a long-range cartridge by using a the particulars of the muzzle-loader in bore cartridges by Roger Ingle in your quick twist bore (1 in 7 instead of the question. The Magistrate signed it on ­February 2020 edition. traditional 1 in 14) to stabilise bullets the spot, stamped and handed it back It is indeed true, the ratio of case as heavy as 90 grains. The 90 grain to me. This one dated 9 January 1962. volume (or mass of propellant) in com- ­bullets exit at a seemingly pedestrian Very few of my earliest acquisitions had parison with the cross-sectional area of 3 000fps compared to the traditional 55 serial numbers, but the permits were the bore is a huge sinner in so far as grain bullets at 3 850fps, but barrel life granted nonetheless. bore erosion is concerned. drops alarmingly with the longer bullet. I have another permit, with There is however a third major con- My friends who follow this practice with slightly different typed wording, dated tributor to bore erosion that is often the .22-250 report significantly reduced 15/7/1971, signed by the Magistrate, overlooked. It almost seems counter barrel life. – Andrew Tonkin, Gauteng Bloemfontein. I don’t recall ever paying intuitive, but the contribution added by anything for a permit. A later permit, the sectional density (SD) of the bullet Old Licences and Permits dated 29/5/1979, was not typed, but is a major one. Allow me to explain. Gregor Woods’s request for informa- printed and signed by or for the Com- If we assume a certain maximum tion in “Gun Laws in SA History” (March missioner of the SA Police. This was of chamber pressure in a given calibre, it 2020) refers. I was fortunate to acquire course under the 1969 Act. follows that a heavier bullet (a longer a .22 Oberndorf Mauser from a fam- I don’t seem to have acquired any bullet) will be harder to accelerate ily member who also provided me permits dated later than 1983. – Johan during the breech pressure stage. For with his old licence certificate which van Zyl, Western Cape similar bullet shapes and material, the is 160x170mm in size, says “FREE length of the bullet is exactly propor- LICENCE TO POSSESS AN ARM”, and Consistent Hold tional to the SD. For similar breech is signed by the Magistrate, Pretoria, Reading Malcolm Cobb’s “An End to pressures, the higher SD bullet will dated 27/10/1937. No mention as to an Musketry” in Magnum March 2020, I not reach the same muzzle velocity amount which had to be paid. Interest- was reminded that a month or so back as a shorter bullet (unless a magical ingly the year on the licence corresponds I was on a local range helping a shooter constant pressure propellant can be to that of then new Act no 28 of 1937. zero the sights of his .223 M-4 on some found), and it almost seems logical to On a similarly worded licence dated 200m gongs. Although we got pretty assume that the slower muzzle velo­ 20/8/1955, signed by the Magistrate, close to the gongs for some reason we city of a longer bullet would be more Johannesburg, an amount of five couldn’t get the sights bang on and the benign on the erosion of the bore. ­shillings is indicated. So no longer free. hits were going right and left of the tar- Nothing could be further from the A third licence under the same Act get – even on the opposite side to where truth. As mentioned earlier, during the is 185x325mm in size, and shows an we were making the sight adjustments. initial acceleration of the higher SD amount payable of R2. It is signed by Eventually the problem was traced bullet, the maximum breech pressure the Magistrate, Bloemfontein, dated to the bipod, which was sometimes with (and therefore erosion) needs to be 16/4/1968. one leg on the edge of the shooting mat applied for a longer time to get the Years ago as a budding collector, I and sometimes off. Placing both bipod bullet moving. acquired a number of muzzle-loaders legs firmly on the ground produced three This phenomenon has been requiring merely a permit: “Magtiging solid hits in a row – problem solved. made patently clear inter alia with uitgereik deur landdros in terme van The point is, bipods can be a use- artikel 35 (d) wet nommer 28 van 1937.” ful aid to shooting but the basics of a I remember going to the Magis- firm, consistent ‘hold’ are still funda- trate’s office in Simonstown with my mental to good accuracy and no num- own permit document typed out by me ber of add-ons can get the shooter past at home. It was exactly according to that requirement. – EJ Thomas, Gauteng

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.

8 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020

Consider This... by CHRIS PARGETER Stranger than Fiction

THIS STORY IS almost unbelievable next police district. The area had sim- moved off in pairs and I ended up with and I have hesitated to tell it for fear ilar terrain and was home to the same Terry, the Mauser ’98 man. readers will regard it as fiction. antelope species plus leopard, hyena It was a beautiful farm with sweep- In 1966, as a 19-year-old in the old and tsessebe. However, due to the cost ing valleys, thick acacias and steep, Rhodesia, having left England a year and intermittent availability of rugged hills that could really be called earlier to fulfil my boyhood dream of 9x57mm ammo, I now used my .303 small mountains. We had the east side becoming a hunter and game warden, I most of the time, and in a fit of utter of the biggest hill. I had been drawn to was at last in the bush. I was posted to stupidity sold the 9x57. the Mauser but did not want to appear Essexvale, just outside Bulawayo; it was In 1978, an old friend invited me to over eager to handle another man’s Thardly the wilderness I longed for, being hunt in the Grahamstown district of the rifle, so I let it be. After a pleasant walk farming and tribal trust lands, but a step Eastern Cape. Eight hunters congre- but no sighting of game, we rested next in the right direction. I had a lot to learn gated at an old farmhouse for instruc- to a massive granite boulder. Terry about that beautiful country and about tions. While I listened to Derek lay out leant his rifle against the boulder and I hunting and rifles. The district had a fair the rules and describe the boundaries, walked over to it. Asking permission to population of various antelope species I allowed my eyes to roam in appreci- handle it, I told him the story of my and multiple terrain types. ation of the other men’s rifles. One roaming rifle. He consented, so I imme- I purchased a standard Mauser ’98 looked familiar. When Derek had fin- diately checked the serial number. in 9x57mm. This gave root to a love for ished, I walked over to the man with Believe it or not, it was ‘my’ rifle! German calibres that eventually led to the familiar-looking rifle and asked him “Sorry Chris, it’s not for sale. I love it.” my owning a 10.75mm for buffalo con- if I could examine it, explaining the Terry had bought it the previous year from trol work. The Mauser proved an excel- possibility of it having once been mine. a gun shop in Durban. Like me, he had a lent bush rifle, hard-hitting with the I wish I could say there was a nick on thing for Mausers and German calibres. ability to plough through the odd leaf or the stock or blemish on the action to Once again, the rifle had travelled, this twig when the going got tough. With it distinguish it, but there wasn’t. How- time over 700 kilometres, and miracu- I shot kudu, bushbuck, reedbuck, ever, the serial number, which almost lously, we had met up again. duiker, steenbuck and the odd impala. matched my police force number, Terry suggested, “How about us I was soon sent to Fort Rixon, the 727710, was the clincher. It was my old swopping rifles for the hunt?” Entirely friend, twelve years and two thousand overcome by his generosity, I gladly kilometres later! held on to the Mauser. He picked up my The man had purchased it two .303 and I waved him through to con- years earlier from a gun shop in East tinue with our hunt. It would be a lovely London, and had no idea of its history. end to the story by saying I bagged a It was like bumping into an old friend in beautiful kudu with my beloved rifle, a pub. The rifle looked well cared-for but that didn’t happen. We flushed a and it felt good to handle it again. But reedbuck and two grey duikers but we no, he did not want to sell it. On that were after kudu, nothing else. At times hunt I used a scoped Parker Hale .303 the going was a bit tight, so I let Terry and bagged a reedbuck; the 9x57 man walk ahead. As a valley suddenly was unlucky, and my faithful old friend opened up, we hesitated. Two kudu never got an opportunity to demon- bulls were standing half-in, half-out of strate its dependability. the fringe bush at the far end, about Much later, I moved to Zululand and, 80m away. They had not seen us. Terry in 2002, was on a group hunt in the looked at me; he was in a better posi- Babanango district. I now had a beautiful tion to shoot, so I nodded. The bull’s English .303 Army & Navy. A mixed bag horns measured 51ꞌꞌ. of rifles attended the hunt, one a I have since lost contact with Terry Mauser ’98, and I smiled at its but have no doubt that the 9mm is safe resemblance to my old 9mm. and well-loved. Maybe I will get to meet After being briefed we it again one day.

10 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020

Handguns

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Turkish polymer 9mmP challenger Girsan 2 MC 9 S by ANDRÉ GROBLER

12 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 3

IN 1993, GIRSAN started making firearms in the Turkish city of Giresan. They estab- lished their name with the Yavuz 16 and the Regard line of pistols and, in 2014, entered the polymer striker-fired market with the MC28 pistol in three models. Magnum recently tested Girsan’s latest polymer offering, the MC 9S, a single-action, 15-shot 9mmP that works on the short recoil system. It is 191mm long, 135mm high and 33mm wide. Barrel length is 108mm, and without the maga- zine it weighs 700g. IBreech locking occurs when the barrel hood moves up into, and bears against, the front of the ejection port. On fir- ing, the slide and barrel recoil together for a short distance until a cam on the underside of the barrel moves onto a shaft in the frame, drawing the barrel down to unlock it from the slide, which continues rearward to extract and eject the case. The single recoil spring on a metal guide-rod pushes the slide forward, which scoops a cartridge from the magazine, raises the barrel and locks up with it on chambering the round. The side-walls of the steel slide are grooved front and rear, and angled inwards in front to facilitate snag-free holstering. The slide is 27mm wide with a large ejection port and sizeable extractor. Slide-to-frame tolerances are close – free play is minimal. The slide runs on four rails integral to a steel chassis within the polymer frame. The three-dot sight system is dove- tailed into the slide, with a sight radius of 165mm. The rear sight’s notch is wide enough for fast and clear reference to the front blade.

THERE ARE SEVERAL safety features: an ambidextrous safety lever which locks the trigger, a firing-pin block, trigger-safety, loaded chamber indicator hole and a red cocking indicator at the back of the slide. The trigger’s polymer blade-safety is 8mm wide. 1: The pistol is well balanced with a low bore axis that helped keep Trigger-pull was a constant 6.5lb and like muzzle jump to a minimum. most striker-fired pistols, the trigger has 2: The medium grip insert fitted my hand well. The grip and insert quite lengthy take-up before it breaks texture are rough but not uncomfortable. The flat magazine release sharply with increasing pressure. The short button is excellent for concealed carry in a holster. reset can be felt but not heard. The MC 9S has an ambidextrous slide 4 3: The magazine well is slightly bevelled on the front and sides which helped guide a loaded magazine smoothly and quickly into the grip. release button. The disassembly lever is on the left side of the frame. The controls are all 4: The cocked striker protrudes from a recess in the centre of the rear low-profile buttons, grooved for secure con- of the slide, visible by the red dot at the end. The three-dot sight tact. The reversible magazine system is also visible. Aftermarket sights were not available at the time of writing the article.

5: The ejection port is huge. The slide and sights have no sharp edges.

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ManMAGNUM | 13 7

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9 8 6. This group was shot against the clock with a full magazine of 15 rounds. 7. The magazine with the extension afforded a full grip but slowed down my magazine change time. 8. Three shots against the clock to a steel plate at 25m. 9. Note the standard Picatinny rail, squared trigger guard and ­ambidextrous manual safety and slide release buttons. 10. The MC 9S comes in a plastic case with two magazines, two additional grip inserts, cleaning brushes, oil bottle, magazine loader and manual.

release button is flat, square and finely grooved – ideal for spring and barrel from the slide. Re-assemble in reverse snag-free concealed carry. order. The frame has a Picatinny rail and the broad trigger-guard For the range session, I took Sellier & Bellot FMJ 115gr, is squared and grooved for a supporting finger-hold. The grip PMP JHP 115gr and CCI JHP 115gr, plus reloads with Bullet has textured front and sides for a secure purchase, even with Corp coated RN 124gr and Frontier RN CMJ 124gr bullets. wet hands. Interchangeable back-straps are supplied in three I fitted the medium back-strap, rendering the MC 9S com- sizes, also textured for grip. The front strap is slightly flared at fortable and well-balanced in my hand, with all the controls the bottom to support your pinkie and protect it during fast mag within easy reach when shooting with one hand only. When changes which are facilitated by a bevelled magazine well. applying a two-hand hold on striker-fired polymer pistols, The Girsan comes with two Italian-made, steel, double- I have an unfortunate habit of riding my thumb on the slide column Mec-Gar magazines. One has a grip extension and release button, which has taught me to count my shots. 15 witness-holes at the back; the other has only three witness-holes on the right-hand side at the 5th, 10th and THE STANDARD MAGAZINE dropped freely whether empty 15th rounds. The magazine floorplates or charged. With the extended mag, the bottom of my hand and followers are polymer. I found pressed against the extension; this held the magazine in it easy to load 15 rounds in each. place, forcing me to shift my grip to allow it to fall free. A To disassemble the pistol, make friend with medium-sized hands, and another with smaller it safe then draw the slide fully hands, experienced the same problem. I suggest carrying back and push the slide release 10 the pistol with the shorter magazine, reserving the button up. Turn the takedown extended mag for backup. lever clockwise into the upright I did a double-tap exercise at 7m, placing two controlled position. Push the slide stop shots in the A-zone of an IPSC target as rapidly as possible. lever down then carefully move When drawing, I got an excellent first-time grip on the the slide forward while simulta- pistol, with fast target acquisition. Then I did a failure-to- neously pulling the trigger until stop drill from concealment, which entails putting two the slide is drawn off the front of shots in the central A-zone and one to the head’s A-zone the frame. Remove the recoil as rapidly as possible.

14 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 11

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11. Using the finger rest at the front of the trig- 13 ger guard. 12. With a proper two-handed grip the sight picture was imme- diately available for a follow-up­ shot. 13. The pistol was easily accessible for a good first-time grip in this old Bianchi holster.

I followed this with an emergency clearance drill, against the clock, including a magazine change, having loaded a dummy round in each magazine to cause stoppages. Here I lost time through having to shift my grip when it impeded the fall of the extended magazine. When clearing the stoppages, I initially used my left thumb and forefinger in a ‘slingshot’ grip to rack the slide, but my thumb became too sensitive. I found that the stronger, overhand push-method afforded a better grip on the slide without my little finger obstructing the ejection port. During a later session, a fellow shooter and I did several grouping exercises at 7m, 10m and 15m, employing two- handed as well as strong- and weak-hand-only holds. The Girsan proved accurate with the various factory loads and reloads, and my fellow shooter was as impressed as I. All cases were ejected unmarked, landing 2.5m away in the 3-o’clock position.

THE GIRSAN MC 9S retails for R7 800 and is well worth con- sidering for everyday concealed carry, sport shooting and security work. We thank Dave Sheer of Johannesburg for pro- viding the test pistol. Contact them at 011-440-0345.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 15 Our house was on the banks of the majestic Sabi River - now called the Save River.

A Boy’s Rite of Passage ... during a bygone era

by KEVIN THOMAS

Many pools in the vicinity contained hippos which were left in peace unless Local Ndau tribesmen and boys would often abandon their fishing they plundered crops. efforts and tag along on my hunts.

16 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 Within two years of receiving the Diana, I had worn it out, and my dad bought me a .22 calibre Falke Model 90, a superb German-made air rifle which launched its big pellets at around 490fps. I was nine years old and in seventh heaven

MY GENERATION GREW up handling guns and Here I was 12 years old hunting game. I first became familiar with guns with my 12ga side-by- and the smell of gun oil around 1957. On my 7th side and young Labra- dor, Shandy. birthday I received my first gun, a .177 Diana Model 1 airgun. It was a break-barrel with a blue tinplate action and a wooden stock. Eventually, as the gun became worn from use, you could watch the pellet in flight. At the time, we had a dairy farm on the east- ern border of British Colonial Rhodesia (Zimba- Mbwe), where I was born. The Diana constituted my introduction to gun safety and to going out shoot- ing on my own. My dad periodically hunted for the larder, kudu being the venison of choice. He had a WWII era Oberndorf Mauser in 7x57, but I wasn’t allowed to handle it unless he was cleaning it. Like many farm-dwelling white kids of that time, I had a ‘minder’. He was the son of one of our farm labourers and a few years older than me. His family were of the Ndau tribe, a sub-grouping of the Shona people and his name was Makan- LEFT: Our second son, dende. He thought the Diana capable of dropping Keith, as a 10-year-old a duiker or even a bushbuck. Once, when we were with his first springbuck taken with a .270 in the walking to a field where my dad was working, we Ciskei during the mid- disturbed a magnificent bushbuck ram. It stood 1980s. majestically, staring at us in the early morning mist, before giving a throaty warning bark and fleeing. I took a quick plink at it with my trusty Diana and Makandende actually disappeared into the bush to search for blood! When he returned, he looked at me and mockingly remarked, “Wa posa” (You missed). Within two years of receiving the Diana, I had worn it out, and my dad bought me a .22 calibre Falke Model Come evening, I sat on our lounge carpet in the light of a 90, a superb German-made air rifle which launched its big hissing Tilley lamp and lovingly oiled the air rifle. Interest- pellets at around 490fps. I was nine years old and in seventh ingly, Falke are said to have made only about 400 of the heaven. My father insisted that I was not to shoot anything I Model 90 – to this day I wish I had kept mine. couldn’t eat. To test him, I shot an egret – he made me cook By the age of 12 I had two rifles: the constantly-used Falke, and eat it. I didn’t test him again. Doves and green pigeons and a hand-me-down Remington .22 LR, known throughout were my most sought-after prey, though the Falke also southern Africa as a ‘two-two’. The Remington had belonged proved adequate on spurfowl. to my grandfather, who’d then passed it down to my father. It was never really given to me; I just sort of took it over. Hard WITH MY TRIBAL friends tagging along, I’d endeavour to use had removed all its blued finish. It had a six-shot magazine collect about ten doves before we made a fire and prepared and despite its age, it was highly accurate. a birds-only feast, cooking the plucked and gutted carcasses At the end of each school term my dad would buy me 250 on skewers angled over the flames. We even had coarse salt, rounds of Eley-Kynoch hollow-point for the Remington and a carried loosely in my one trouser pocket. box of 500 Marksman pellets for the Falke. By the time I

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 17 For my 12th birthday my folks gave me a Belgian-made Alro 12ga side-by-side shotgun – a non-ejector with double triggers TOP: Kudu in the lush bush. In our region, most fathers chose the impala as the species ABOVE: An impala taken by me as a youngster. whereby they introduced their sons to serious hunting.

returned to boarding school at the end of the holidays, there For my 12th birthday my folks gave me a Belgian-made weren’t many rounds of either type remaining. In those days, Alro 12ga side-by-side shotgun – a non-ejector with double buying guns in Rhodesia was easy. In Chipinga, a small vil- triggers and 28ꞌꞌ barrels. By then we had relocated from the lage close to where we farmed, the gun shop and liquor store Chipinga farm to the embryonic Chibuwe Irrigation Scheme in were one and the same. Guns and ammunition were on the the Sabi Valley. It was wild and remote, an absolute Eden for left, and alcohol on the right. Try finding such a shop any- a young boy who loved hunting. The shotgun added a new where today! dimension to my hunting forays, as Chibuwe and surrounds had numerous huge natural pans which attracted various VERVET MONKEYS CONSTANTLY plundered my mum’s waterfowl species in their hundreds. A .22 bullet sent through vegetable garden; consequently I shot a lot of them with that the reed-beds saw clouds of wild ducks and geese suddenly lift .22 rim-fire. In those times vervet monkeys were classed as off, blackening the sky, at which point the shotgun took over. ‘vermin’. Later, as wildlife conservationists became more Late one afternoon, just as the light was fading, I shot an enlightened, crop-raiding animals were reclassified as ‘prob- African wildcat in a dense riverine thicket. I held back my lem animals’, irrespective of species. excited yellow Labrador, Shandy, while a tribal youngster

18 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 My dad was intol- erant of crocodiles and shot a number belly-­crawled into the thicket to retrieve the dead of them using his 7x57mm Mauser. cat. We then skinned it, made a fire and barbequed the hindquarters. Shandy ate most of it and, after experiencing the taste, I never tried cat again. I was also chastened by my father for shooting a species that did a lot of good. Hippo frequently plundered tribal crops, as did marauding elephant. Whenever this happened, Tom Orford, the government game ranger living upriver of the irrigation scheme, would arrive to deal with the problem. Throughout his lengthy Game Depart- ment service, Orford used a .505 Gibbs and it was he who encouraged me to pursue my post-school career, initially as a game ranger, and then after political changes in the country, as a PH. In time, I longed to shoot something bigger. Impala were well represented in the surrounding mopane woodland and were the usual quarry on which Rhodesian youths cut their hunting teeth. Geograph­ terrible, ongoing cycle of death and destruction that makes ical location has a lot to do with the particular species a me want to weep in frustration. youngster gets to shoot when learning to hunt. Across south- As I grow older, I appreciate more just how privileged I ern Africa’s varying terrain, the choice is usually one of was to have seen the tail-end of the old Africa. My hope too, impala, warthog, springbuck, mountain reedbuck, common is that the sport hunter of today never takes for granted what reedbuck or blesbuck. In Zimbabwe, it was mainly impala is indeed a very special privilege – to be able to hunt and warthog. My opportunity to grass an impala eventually well-managed game on a sustainable basis. came and I heart-shot it with a borrowed .22 Hornet. The 45-grain factory load at about 2 650fps ensured a clean kill.

SOON AFTER BECOMING a cadet game ranger in 1968, I bought my first .22 Hornet and over the next forty-six years I always owned one, and used it to cull hundreds of impala, warthog, mountain reedbuck and springbuck. Thinking back to my boyhood, it must have been quite a comical sight to see me and my entourage of followers head- ing out hunting. Aside from my regular ‘bearers’ (who shared my sandwiches), there were always lots of ‘hangers on’. Quite simply, as we moved along the Sabi riverbed hunting birds and monkeys with the Falke 90, the .22 rimfire and the 12ga, young boys and men would stop fishing the pools and backwaters and tag along with us. Protein of any sort is highly valued in remote rural Africa. My own sons were blessed with a similar boyhood in a place called Ciskei. Our home was also rural, relatively remote and surrounded by plenty of wildlife, though it was during the new era of game ranching and high game fences. As a father, I’m truly thankful for the boyhood they had. Sadly, Africa is rapidly changing. Ever-more frequently now, we read or watch news reports of elephant in Zimbabwe and Mozambique being poisoned by poachers using cyanide – at times, entire cowherds. Cyanide is an organo-phosphate and doesn’t break down. A while back, eighty-four endan- gered white-backed vultures and a few other vulture species were found dead alongside a cyanide poisoned elephant car- cass in Mozambique. Any animal that feeds on it will die – a

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 19 Defensive ­Handgun Tips

by PHILLIP HAYES

Practise with dummies

I’VE BEEN CARRYING my trusty old with some emergency drills with the string of shots against time, sending CZ75 Compact pistol on my right hip help of a friend acting as range officer some of my shots low. Adding a dummy for decades, and through the years, and using a timer to add a bit of pres- round to the magazine (I did not know fired thousands of rounds. However, for sure, left me embarrassed at my now which of the ten rounds it was) illu­s- the past six years, I have fired only a non-existent handgun skills. trated this clearly with the barrel few shots every couple of months to As I explained in Trail Talk, March ­moving sharply downward on pulling ensure that I keep my basic handgun 2020, the first problem to arise was that, the trigger on the dummy round. skills up to scratch – or so I thought. in casually emptying a mag or two at Thirdly, my emergency drills were Recently I realised with a shock that informal targets, I’d never really noticed hopelessly rusty. Loading a dummy these pitiful efforts of emptying a how far sightedness had affected my round to simulate a dud in among the maga­zine every once in a while were shooting ability. Yes, I was aware I live ammo in my magazines forced me Itotally inadequate to prepare or keep needed glasses for reading, but now for to perform the tap, rack, assess, me in shape for any handgun use, sport the first time it became abundantly clear engage drill to clear the stoppage. My or self-defence. that I cannot focus on my front sight. initial immediate action drills can only Yes, I’m on the range almost every Secondly, I ‘suddenly’ have a severe be described as those of a novice. Add- week, handling firearms and shooting, case of trigger jerking when firing a ing a mag change to the drill made but recently putting myself to the test things even worse. The exercise ended with me fumbling around as though I had ten thumbs, trying to catch the ejected magazine with my weak hand to prevent it hitting the ground and ­losing precious time mid-exercise try- ing to recall the next steps of the drill.

THE FIRST PROBLEM men- tioned cannot be solved by practice at the range, so I will not discuss it. However, for problems two and three there are easy fixes. To smooth out my trigger pull I reverted to a simple drill: load a maga­ zine with five or more rounds, insert the loaded mag in the pistol, chamber a round and then remove the mag. You then draw the pistol from your holster

20 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 and fire two rounds at a target and fire six rounds (dummy included) between five and ten metres away. Of at a target, clearing the stoppage when course only the first shot will go off, it occurs, change magazines and fire but dry firing that second shot imme- the rest of the shots, again clearing diately after the first (working against each stoppage as it occurs. time) will reveal trigger pull problems. After three range sessions spent Three range sessions and about 50 practising this, I can now comfortably rounds later my trigger control is much perform the drill in about 14 seconds improved. Of course dry firing alone while keeping all ten shots in the also helps, but I’ve found that the dry ­target’s A-zone. Of course the aim is to firing after firing a live round had me further improve my time. furious with myself more often as the Both these drills are easy to master live round gave rise to trigger jerking Using the MantisX firearms training system and ideal to get the basics of handgun the second shot, more than dry firing revealed trigger control problems. shooting under control. only. Doing this exercise each time you Lastly, not being able to buy dummy visit the range, even if only using five not first or last. To ensure that you rounds at my local retailer I decided to rounds, will improve trigger pull. It has don’t know the sequence in which the make my own. I loaded two rounds the added benefit of improving muscle dummies are loaded, you can get a exactly the same as the others, but memory for reloading. friend to load the mags, but I do it without primers or powder. I sprayed myself. After loading, I spin them them white with a quick-dry spray- TO WORK ON my tap-rack drill, I load around behind my back and then push paint, but any colour that makes your six rounds in each of two magazines, them randomly into the mag holders on dummies stand out from the live among which is one dummy round in my left hip. I pick a magazine, load and rounds will do. I use the spray-paint both magazines. The dummy can be holster the pistol. I set a timer on 20 sparingly and clean and respray after loaded anywhere in the mag, preferably seconds, at the buzzer I pull the pistol about every third range session.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 21 Every hunter has his own agenda

A FRENCH HUNTER, coming to Tanzania to visit a missionary friend, contacted me to arrange a few days hunting while there. He needed to hire a rifle and did not want a safari or any elaborate camp, being quite happy to sleep rough for a few nights to hunt a kudu. Michel duly arrived and, after some practice with my .30-06, we set off to Ahunt the Wami River area near my hometown of Morogoro. I took two one- man tents with bedding and a tarpau- lin, all of which fitted into my Land Rover. It was the height of the dry sea- son so there was little chance of rain. I also took one man to cook and look after the camp. Photo On the third day, Michel shot a good by Philip kudu. He wanted only the horns, not Huebsch. the cape, which isn’t unusual for Euro- pean clients who seldom mount their trophies. During the hunt Michel had expressed interest in doing a full safari to hunt buffalo and possibly an ele- phant. I described my safari operation in the Selous Game Reserve and we The Nonchalant agreed on dates for the following year. He paid the deposit for the Selous safari and left very satisfied. Client FOR HIS SELOUS hunt, Michel brought an 8mm Mauser rifle and a .470 Jeffery double. His main interest by TERRY IRWIN was a buffalo after which he would con- sider an elephant and other trophies. As usual, I started the hunt with stems from France’s Colonial African ers came up to congratulate me. Their lesser game such as impala and harte- period, when French hunters had no interpreter asked if I was a profes- beest for the pot and then moved onto professional guides and even had to sional hunter. When I replied in the sable antelope and a kudu. These were take their own equipment with them. affirmative, the group laughed and both good trophies but again, he They did not want it known that they comments passed between them. wanted no skins. As is common among were guided and backed up by a PH. I Apparently my client had told them he many French hunters, he manifested a once stayed with a client in Paris, who always hunts alone and that I was his dislike for including a professional took me to a live pigeon shoot. I did camp manager who looked after his hunter in any photos. I think this well, and afterwards a group of shoot- equipment between safaris.

22 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 ABOVE: Michel with ‘his’ tracker Kisengi. LEFT: Michel was interested in buffalo.

Michel carried this one step further allocated to his safari, we could not illegal to shoot buffalo with that calibre by trying to plan and conduct the hunts move. I decided I’d better put a stop to and pointed out that he had only soft- himself while on safari with me. His this, so I told him he was paying a lot of nosed bullets for it. With the delay and efforts became annoying when we money for his safari and that a large arguing the buffalo took off. We followed started hunting his buffalo. On the first portion of the fee was for my them for two hours until they day he followed my directions, but after advice. I told him of all the We wasted crossed into the adjoining that he wanted to decide everything experience my tracker and I block and we had to abandon himself. had of hunting in this area, a whole day the hunt. That evening I and suggested that he let us looking in explained at length about ON DAY TWO he asked me which way decide where we should hunt. thick-skinned animals and we were going and I told him we would He very sheepishly agreed all the places how his 8mm soft-nosed bul- hunt downstream from camp. “No,” he saying he was only trying to he wanted to lets would hardly penetrate a exclaimed shaking his finger at me, “I help. buffalo’s hide. wish to go upstream.” I explained that it The next day we found hunt After two more days of was too dry upstream and there were no four buffalo bulls downstream hunting, I got Michel to within buffalo there. He insisted, so we went from our camp, lying in a wallow in the twenty yards of two good buffalo bulls. upstream. We wasted a whole day look- dry riverbed. However, when we got into He agreed to use his .470 and shot the ing in all the places he wanted to hunt. a shooting position and Kisengi, my buffalo, which was standing broadside, in This went on for a further five days, then tracker, handed Michel his double rifle, the shoulder. It ran off but we found it at dinner he said there was no game in he refused to take it. He wanted to use dead fifty yards away. Once again, only the area and that we should move to his ‘carbine’, adding that his ‘express’ he could appear in the photo. another block. As I had only this block was only for elephant. I told him it was Michel now decided he wanted to

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 23 It was then that I saw both tusks, which were long and ­carried good weight – I was sure it was a hundred-pounder. I mentioned this to Michel, who showed no extra excitement

A lone Selous elephant.

hunt an elephant. These were numer- After about half an hour we heard the bull and when it turned broadside, ous and fairly easy to hunt. The old him just ahead of us and soon caught I explained where to aim at the shoul- bulls had their own drinking spots away up. The wind was blowing towards us der. Michel raised his rifle and seem- from the cow herds and usually drank and we were able to stalk to within 25 ingly without aiming, fired. The elephant during the hottest part of the day. yards. It was then that I saw both collapsed instantly, the hindquarters Michel could not understand why I was tusks, which were long and carried going down first. He had shot it in the passing up so many bulls, he was good weight – I was sure it was a hun- brain! Once again, he had done things happy to shoot the first one we dred-pounder. I mentioned this to his way but at least this time, it was the approached. He did not insist on any Michel, who showed no extra excite- right way. particular trophy size but agreed that ment. We stalked to within 15 yards of This very old bull was obviously a we should look for a big tusker. 100-pounder and Michel agreed it was a ‘good elephant’ but, not knowing HIS FRUSTRATION SEEMED to anything about record books, he did increase when, a week later, we not understand when I explained still had not shot an elephant that it qualified for entry in the after passing up many with long book. He requested that I take a tusks. I explained that the photo of him with ‘his’ tracker. Selous elephant were small in We returned to camp, and I body size and their tusks were sent Kisengi with a team to thin. However, living in such soft extract the tusks. At that time, green habitat and not having to dig they were the largest set of tusks in salt-licks, Selous elephants grew we had taken in the Selous, a beau- very long tusks. Usually, the working tifully matched pair weighing 111lb and tusk was not worn much, and since the 108lb. Michel showed no more interest bulls seldom fought, there were few in this pair of tusks than he did in his broken tusks. buffalo and other trophies. I could not One day we were following a ridge, help feeling they were wasted on him scanning the valley below, when I and wished I had reserved the bull for a spotted a large lone tusker heading client who badly wanted, and would towards the waterhole ahead of us. As appreciate, a hundred-pounder. we approached, I saw the bull had veered off and was travelling towards I WAS FURTHER shocked when, back a dense thicket. We left the in Dar es Salaam, Michel asked me if he vehicle and hurriedly proceeded could sell his tusks. I naturally refused down the valley. Soon we had and told him it was his best trophy. picked up his tracks; he was The following year when I visited his slowly feeding into the wind home in Paris, the tusks were not as he went. among his other trophies.

24 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 Evolution Eyewear for Shooters Test Report

EVOLUTION EYEWEAR APPEARED­­ months. They were comfortable on the market in 2007 and the company even when worn for long periods, now offers various models and gave no discomfort when of sunglasses, safety and worn with electronic ear- shooting eyewear. muffs during some ­Magnum recently tested lengthy shooting Evolution’s Switch 4 range sessions. The eyewear. fit was snug enough The unisex style not to shift even Switch 4 package when I fired rifles of comes with four inter- significant recoil. changeable one-piece Used in conjunc- lens sets (spanning both tion with scopes, the eyes) in grey, yellow, orange lenses showed no distor- and purple. Being polycar- tions towards the edges bonate, the lenses are impact- when I turned my head, nor resistant, shatterproof and comply did they hinder my vision with the EN166 European standard even when shooting at dis- for protective eyewear, carrying a class tances up to 500m. The lenses 1 rating, meaning suitable for continu- by ANDRÉ GROBLER fitted the contour of my face well and ous use. wrapped far enough around the sides The lenses have a high UV protec- of my orbital bones to give adequate tion rating (UV400) and are rimless, the lens-set, and are of lightweight, protection. offering unobscured vision. They are durable plastic with a textured soft On the range, I mostly used the yel- lightweight, with scratch-resistant rubber strip making skin contact low and amber lenses. The yellow coatings that help repel water, oil and behind the ears. lenses would be helpful at indoor dust and limit fingerprint smudges. shooting ranges for their light-enhanc- Evolution states that the smoky- THE LENS CASE includes a printed ing ability. coloured (including grey) lenses reduce diagram showing how to switch lenses Obviously, no lenses can be smudge all light equally and are best for general in two easy steps. To disassemble, hold free, but water ran off them leaving no wear in bright light and sunny condi- the lens-set and pull off the temple tips marks. A single shake got rid of small- tions. The package we received had by gently tugging them downwards. ish drops leaving the lens blemish-free smoky-coloured lenses with a blue hue, Insert the sides of the chosen lens-set during a rainy day on the range. and amber-coloured lenses giving your into the small slots in the front of the surroundings a ‘warm’ appearance and respective temple tips; apply light THE FOUR LENSES come in a hard also increasing contrast – objects upward pressure and the two parts carry case with a sponge recess for appear in sharper focus – which are snap together. An audible ‘click’ con- each individual lens, a soft pouch, suitable for most weather and light firms they’re in place. Likewise with the cleaning cloth and an assembly pam- conditions. The yellow lenses enhance nose piece – a ‘click’ affirms that it is phlet. Evolution also has an option to light, provide high colour-contrast and securely attached to the bridge section accommodate prescription lenses with are ideal for low light, low visibility and of the new lens-set. protective eyewear. cloudy conditions. The purple lenses I wore the smoke-coloured lenses Quality eyewear is something are excellent for all-round use, dulling as everyday sunglasses for a couple of every shooter should take seriously. the brightness of objects and increas- Evolution shooting eyewear is ing contrast. ­purpose-made and is to be recom- mended. THE NOSE PADS are of soft, non- I have seen the Switch 4 package slip rubber and fasten onto a advertised online in South Africa hard-plastic clip attached to the from about R700. For a retailer ‘bridge’ of the one-piece lens near you contact National set. The arms are attached ­Cartridge Company at 065- by means of ‘temple tips’ 964-9161 or email pta@ which fit onto the sides of suburbanguns.co.za.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 25 ABOVE: The warthog lies where it fell to a neck shot. ABOVE RIGHT: Author loading a ­muzzle-loader while Sakkie looks on with interest. BELOW: Sakkie prepares to fire at a warthog on the distant open ground.

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26 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 Sakkie: A Hunter’s Story

by ROBIN BARKES

A happy Sakkie with the first animal he’s bagged Steps in a journey of triumph over tragedy in four years.

THIS IS THE story of Sakkie, a man a comfortable three-roomed cottage. ground. He did just fine – in fact, better whose dream of being a professional Owner/outfitter Loodt Buchner kindly than I was doing; my 80-year-old eyes hunter was cut short by a single gun- allowed us to sleep here and hunt a struggled to find good footing. shot that shattered his left leg. warthog or two. Heading down the slope, we I met Sakkie when PH Neil Pretorius The three of us were itching to get hugged the bush line with the grass- fetched me for a two-day excursion into into the bush, so our gear was soon lands on our left. Every so often we the bush. Sakkie hailed from a town in unpacked and the rifles made ready. paused to examine an open patch the Western Cape and had ridden all Since our primary objective was for through a gap in the bush. We had a the way to Port Elizabeth on his motor- Sakkie to shoot a wart- few moments of excite- bike. Neil had already told me how his hog, he would use Neil’s ment when we spotted friend had lost a leg in a hunting acci- .270. My intention had Sakkie brought a warthog but the Tdent through no fault of his own, and been to use a .50 cal- up the rear and I encounter was brief and now had an artificial leg. The traumatic ibre muzzle-loader but, in seconds the hog was incident had occurred four years earlier due to ominous black watched with inter- gone. And so it went for and caused Sakkie to lose all interest in clouds and a light driz- est how he coped a few kilometres; walk, hunting, the outdoors, and anything to zle, the conditions were stop, look, then walk do with firearms. But now a flicker of not favourable for hunt- with the broken again. the old flame was beginning to flare ing with black powder; I ground. He did just once more and Neil wanted to get his decided to carry only WHILE THE TWO rifle- friend back into the bush and hunting my camera. I was fine – in fact, better men were up ahead again. I felt honoured to be a part of pleased to see Neil sling than I was doing scanning the bush, I this endeavour. his .458 Lott over his looked across the open We headed north in the Land shoulder because we plain hoping to spot the Cruiser, our destination the foothills of would be wandering around in buffalo animals usually found there. On previ- the distant Zuurberg Mountains, a leis- country. ous hunts in the area, I had seen urely trip of about an hour and a half. With Neil leading, we walked across springbuck, blesbuck, impala, blue and Our accommodation would not be the the open hilltop then began a slow black wildebeest, and zebra. But now, 5-star lodge used by the overseas cli- descent into the huge valley. Sakkie due to the long drought, the grassland ents of Tootabi Hunting Safaris, but a brought up the rear and I watched with was fast becoming a dustbowl and large shipping container converted into interest how he coped with the broken there wasn’t an animal to be seen.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 27 Sakkie fires his first ever shot with a muzzle-loader.

After a while we were nearing the the long walk back to the cabin to fetch rounding wheat fields. So Sakkie had valley floor when suddenly I noticed that the truck. While we waited, I again bought an air rifle and kept his eye in Neil and Sakkie had stopped to glass a applauded Sakkie for his good shoot- by sniping at the pesky birds. “Heck,” distant corner of the parched plain and ing, especially considering it was the he said, “I must have shot about eighty that Neil had set up the shooting sticks. first time he had fired a rifle in four of the blighters.” I hurried over and made ready my years. Eventually we heard the growl of ­camera as Sakkie rested the .270 on the “Well, that’s not strictly true,” he the truck coming across the veld. Neil sticks and took aim. I couldn’t see any- replied. He explained that in the area picked us up and we headed for the thing out there, but the blast of the shot where he lives, there has been an downed warthog. It was a young sow, was followed by the distant thwuk of a explosion in the rock pigeon population, neatly shot through the neck with no bullet hitting flesh and bone. Seconds and these birds had formed a habit of damage to the best-eating parts. Neil later, with a loud cheer, Neil confirmed resting and messing on the roof of his swiftly gutted the carcass and, after the successful hit and threw his arms home, when not feeding in the sur- loading it, we headed back to camp around his friend to con- where we hung it in the gratulate him. shade of a tree with a stick holding open the cavity to WHEN THEY POINTED allow the mountain breeze out where the warthog lay, to cool it down. I gasped in amazement With a few hours of because it looked half-a- daylight left, we headed mile away. Using his bin- for the steep hills that rose oculars with a built-in up to become the Zuur- range-finder, Neil berg Mountains. Neil fig- announced that the dis- ured there could be no tance was only 173 yards better way of boosting – an excellent shot. I Sakkie’s spirits than to let grumbled to myself, “I’m him have the pleasure of too darn old for this long- seeing wild animals in the range stuff; better stick to bush again. As we trav- muzzle-loader ranges elled slowly along the where I can count the ani- rough road that ran mal’s eyelashes.” through the jungle-like Leaving Sakkie and me bush, Neil pointed out at the spot, Neil set off on The hunting vehicle makes its way through the thick East Cape bush. places where visiting for-

28 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 eign hunters had shot various animals, debeest, red hartebeest and blesbuck never seen an old-fashioned gun in including buffalo. all milling about together. Although action and looked on with interest as I During our ramble, Neil showed the dams along the valley floor were went through the loading procedure Sakkie deep cuttings in the earth at dif- all bone dry, the swampy ground with a light charge of powder for target ferent places. Some years back, during between them held lush green grass shooting. I think everyone remembers my first venture into the area, these which explained the their first shot with a strange cuttings had mystified me – absence of grazing ani- Needless to say, muzzle-loader. I could some had been laboriously dug out but mals on the dry plains. see that Sakkie relished others were blasted through solid rock. Then at dusk, we were a passing squall of the moment, standing The mystery was solved when I learned lucky enough to see a rain was not enough there in a cloud of white that the cuttings originally held the rails herd of buffalo – a per- smoke and taking in the of the very first train line from Port Eliz- fect ending to our game to dampen our distinctive aroma of abeth into the interior. It must have viewing. Most import- spirits – though it burnt gunpowder. His been a wonderful trip through that wild antly, Sakkie had next shot was even and beautiful countryside. enjoyed every moment. ruined the more spectacular It was dark by the cigar I had saved because, for realism, I WE SOON BEGAN spotting animals time we arrived back at for the occasion used my full hunting on the bush-covered slopes surround- the cabin but a big load of 90 grains of ing the track. It was strange seeing camp-fire soon provided ­powder in front of a antelope like gemsbuck in the thick all the light we needed. It had been heavy Maxi-ball. After that shot all the bush but, lack of feed on the drought- many months since I’d last sat around grinning shooter could say was, “Wow, stricken plains had such species seek- a hunting camp-fire, and years since that was terrific!” ing nourishment in the bush. On one Sakkie had done so. Needless to say, a I guess you could say that our small open hilltop we saw the unusual passing squall of rain was not enough short, but very enjoyable, interlude in sight of kudu, impala, bushbuck and a to dampen our spirits – though it the bush ended with a bang. I am sure troop of baboons all looking down on ruined the cigar I had saved for the the outing has helped Sakkie on his us. Later, when we crossed a more occasion. road back to enjoying the bush; the open area, we saw herds The next day, in the early morning challenge of the chase; and to cherish of blue and black wil- sun, we enjoyed coffee and rusks once again all the things that before I hauled out the muzzle-loader make a man what he was for Sakkie to have a few shots. He had born to be – a hunter.

The first train from Algoa Bay into the interior once puffed its way through this cutting.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 29 I RECENTLY ORDERED 250 170gr .45-calibre Peregrine SD (self-defence) bullets to work up a carry load for my 1911 pis- tol. Peregrine Bullets of Pretoria have a well-deserved reputation for high-quality monolithic rifle bullets, and I was intrigued by the concept of a monolithic hol- low-point for handguns. Pere- grine’s website says the SD I­bullet is specifically designed for one-shot stopping capability and for use in all popular hand- guns; it is also a very good ­tactical bullet and can be used highly effectively in counter-terrorist­ appli- cations. Peregrine recom- mends a muzzle velocity of around 1 200fps. I did a theor- etical comparison between the Peregrine SD bullets and the Federal Hydra-Shoks I was car- rying at the time. The Federals are typical jacketed hol- low-points, the 230gr adver- tised as having muzzle velocity of 900fps, indicating muz- zle energy of 414ft.lbs. On paper, Peregrine’s rec- Developing ­ ommended velocity of 1 200fps for a 170gr bullet easily tops this with 544ft.lbs. I worked up test loads Carry Loads starting at 1 000fps as a baseline for my full-size 1911 Frankengun built on an Essex Arms frame. Cases were once- …using Peregrine’s self-defence bullets fired Winchester Western .45ACP; I used Winchester large pistol primers and Somchem’s by IJ LARIVERS MP200 propellant.

I HAVE ALWAYS been wary of theoretical projections of a has served us very well when developing rifle loads, espe- bullet’s ballistic performance, but a program we’ve had a lot cially for heavy, dangerous game cartridges. QL’s default of success with in Zimbabwe – and which is also recom- database has some 2 500 projectiles, 1 200 cartridges, and mended by Peregrine Bullets – is QuickLOAD (QL). This is a over 225 powders extant, but is also tailor-made for input- Windows-based application which predicts ballistics perfor- ting data directly for working up your own loads. mance based on the cartridge case, the projectile, the barrel The principle behind QL is determining the actual internal length, the propellant, and the cartridge overall length. QL capacity of the cases used. This is achieved by weighing

30 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 empty once-fired cartridge cases from a production lot, then filling the cases to overflowing with water and weighing the water-filled cases. Working on the premise that 1cm3 of water weighs approximately one gram at 40°C, the added weight of the water is then used to establish the liquid vol- ume and in turn the case capacity. It is important to use cases from the same I cannot over-­ manufacturer and to meas- ure a number of cases, say emphasize the need ten, from each production to err on the side of lot. When inputting that data into QL, you use the caution and to make average case capacity. haste slowly with This software clearly demonstrates how changing propellant incre- variables affect ballistic per- ments – not only formance, and can predict the effect of variables such for safety’s sake, but as ambient temperature because increased (especially important when propellant weight developing dangerous game loads for places like the does not necessar- Zambezi Valley), bullet ily translate into seating depth, and barrel length. However, QL is increased bullet merely a computer simula- ­performance tion; this portends certain limitations. When using any such program, it is the shooter’s responsibility to cross-reference the software’s predictions with load data supplied by the propellant manu- facturer, and to employ caution when working up any load. While I have been impressed by the accuracy of QL’s predic- tions, I strongly urge you to heed these warnings.

I ASKED QL to predict a suitable charge of MP200 to achieve velocities of 1 000fps, 1 100fps and 1 200fps using the above components. The variable here was the propel- lant; I also used S121, S221 and MS200. QL didn’t give me any options that would achieve even 1 100fps within safe working pressures. So, I got in touch with Peregrine’s ballis- tics expert, Adriaan Rall, who told me that the QL data was a couple of beats off for their SD bullets. He sent me his own data, which was 7.6gr of MP200. Peregrine’s excellent little reloading manual also had a 7.8gr charge, but I didn’t go that far. I started with the QL prediction of 6.9gr, keeping a close watch on pressure signs and felt recoil. Velocity was but one variable I sought; more important to me were accu- racy, reliability, and an estimation of terminal performance. When charting new reloading territory, I cannot over-emphasize the need to err on the side of caution and to make haste slowly with propellant increments – not only

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 31 FAR LEFT: Chris Paken- ham setting up the LabRadar chrono- graph.

BELOW FAR LEFT: We developed loads in 9mm and also in .44 magnum.

BELOW: Peregrine’s monolithic bullets are well presented, and the bullets tipped the scale at exactly the stated weight.

for safety’s sake, but because increased propellant weight powder measure to provide a very accurate and consistent does not necessarily translate into increased bullet perfor- charge. A quick check confirmed that the bullet diameter mance. This was a mistake a lot of wildcatters made with was in fact .451, so all good to go. their so-called ‘improved’ loads in the days before everyone owned a chronograph. Some of their loads lived up to expec- I WANTED A reliable, accurate and manageable load. I tations but, quoting Field & Stream’s gun guru David Petzal, used a LabRadar Doppler chronograph, which can track a “In real life, most improved rounds produced piddling projectile to record diminishing velocities up to 100 metres. increases in velocity but huge increases in pressure.” It records maximum and minimum velocities, and calculates I assembled five rounds of each test load on a single- averages, standard deviations and extreme spreads (see stage RCBS press, using the Hornady Lock-n-Load electronic table).

32 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 At 20m, the 1 070fps load – pretty much the velocity I had decided on – shot into ‘minute of IDPA target A-zone’, which is exactly what they are intended to do

Higher velocity may give more impressive muzzle energy, but I wanted to test other factors, including the bullet’s reliability in feeding, its deformation with repeated chamber- ings, its accuracy, terminal perfor- mance and recoil recovery time. ABOVE: Working Loading for a cartridge overall length of 1.250ꞌꞌ, which is up the test loads well within the SAAMI maximum of 1.275ꞌꞌ, I experienced no with varying pow- der charges. problems with magazine fit or reliability in feeding (the SD ogive is very similar to that of an FMJ ball projectile). To RIGHT: Accuracy check for deformation I chambered several rounds ten times at 20m was each; these exhibited the expected markings on the bullets, more than good but the SD’s petals were pretty much unaffected. enough. I have a 16-pound recoil spring in my 5ꞌꞌ-­­barrelled pistol; I expected my SD loads to bite some, but the recoil was not at all noteworthy. At 20m, the 1 070fps load – pretty much the velocity I had decided on – shot into ‘minute of IDPA tar- get A-zone’, which is exactly what they are intended to do. When the FBI assesses any cartridge, they test for pene- phone directories provide the same comparison potential: a tration, velocity and accuracy. I had yet to test for penetration. bullet’s performance in a wet paper medium may differ from Many years ago, I was assisting the late Detective Superinten- the same bullet’s performance in ballistic gelatin, but wet dent Charlie Haley to do comparative terminal performance paper nevertheless provides a consistent medium for compar- tests with various dangerous game bullets. Charlie was the ing the performance of different projectiles in the same commanding officer of Police Forensic Ballistics in Harare, and medium. Besides, here in Zimbabwe, phone books were in Don Heath of National Parks had asked him to evaluate several plentiful supply, as no one uses landlines any more. different bullets. Charlie came up with what he called the ‘ele- So, I took a heap of water-soaked phone books out to the phant sandwich’, which consisted of numerous water-soaked range and let fly. My load penetrated 19cm into this telephone directories interspersed with the odd elephant femur medium, which I consider acceptable. The recovered bullets and hip-bones. This had expanded to 29mm proved quite effective for and looked pretty much MUZZLE MUZZLE testing bullet penetra- BULLET POWDER MP200 like those on Per- VELOCITY ENERGY tion and expansion. At egrine’s website. 170gr SD 6.9gr 921fps 320ft.lbs the time, I’d been read- ing anything I could find 170gr SD 7.0gr 991fps 371ft.lbs PEREGRINE’S SD by Dr Martin Fackler, 170gr SD 7.1gr 1 011fps 386ft.lbs BULLETS measured who was the originator 170gr SD 7.2gr 1 022fps 394ft.lbs up to the company’s of modern ballistic gela- 170gr SD 7.3gr 1 026fps 397ft.lbs claims, and I had a lot tin, which is probably as of fun playing with all 170gr SD 7.4gr 1 033fps 403ft.lbs good as it gets for termi- the latest toys like the 170gr SD 7.5gr 1 070fps 432ft.lbs nal performance tests. LabRadar chrono- To my mind, wet tele- 170gr SD 7.6gr 1 065fps 428ft.lbs graph.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 33 Good Food Side Dishes by CHARLOTTE-ANN AUCAMP

THE YEAR IS in full swing and I’m sure egar and salt. Slowly bring to the boil, you will be preparing quick and easy stirring constantly. When boiling, turn meals. Here are two simple recipes that down the heat to a gentle simmer. Add you might like to try. the chopped tomatoes with the seeds Use the cheesecloth to remove and skin. (You need the pectin in the excess whey from the yoghurt. Place CHILLI AND TOMATO JAM seeds to set the jam.) the cheesecloth in a colander or mesh This jam makes an excellent accom­ Cook gently for 30 to 40 minutes, strainer or funnel to give it some paniment to cold meat leftovers and it skimming off foam as it forms. Stir every ­support. If the cheesecloth pulls or goes well with a variety of other dishes five minutes to move the solids that falls into the colander (no matter how – even a plain cheese sarmie. ­settle on the bottom of the pot. When it careful you are), clip the cloth to the is done, pour carefully into warm steri- edge of the colander with clean clothes INGREDIENTS lized glass bottles and allow to cool to pegs, or hold it in place with a large n 1kg ripe tomatoes, washed room temperature. Keep in the fridge. rubber band if that works with the n 8 to 12 red chillies (can use all shape of the colander. colours) LABNEH Place the colander in a high n 8 garlic cloves, peeled Labneh is a popular mezze dish in ­container so that the bottom of the n 80g fresh ginger, peeled and ­Middle Eastern households. As we have ­colander is not touching the bottom of roughly chopped a few groups of Lebanese clients during the container. n 600g white sugar the hunting season, I have made a Free Pour the yoghurt mixture into your n 200ml red wine vinegar State version of this dish. It is easy to secured cheesecloth. n 1 teaspoon salt make and very versatile. Keep in the fridge for 2 days to let n 4-5 glass bottles, sterilized all the water drain out. INGREDIENTS Place in sterilized glass bottles and METHOD n 1 litre double cream plain keep refrigerated. In sealed bottles, Cut half the tomatoes into small 5mm yoghurt the labneh will keep for up to three pieces and put aside. Blend the rest of n 1 tablespoon salt weeks. the tomatoes, the chillies, garlic and n 1m cheesecloth (buy at any hab- Labneh can be mixed with fine bil- ginger in a food processor. You can erdashery shop) tong, grated cheese, fresh herbs, remove some of the chilli seeds before n 2-3 glass bottles, sterilized spring onion and many other options. blending if you want a milder jam. Serve cold with whatever you fancy Put the puree into a large thick-bot- METHOD such as farm bread, toast, crackers, tomed pot. Add the sugar, red wine vin- Mix the salt into the yoghurt. pita etc.

34 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 Ledlenser MH11 Head Torch Test Report

THE LEDLENSER MH11 head torch is by ANDRÉ GROBLER different scenarios using all the torch’s this German company’s first Bluetooth abilities. For example, you can set a enabled outdoor light that works in profile for hiking or general camp use. conjunction with a smartphone and the RGB mode uses the red, green and After a profile has been created it is Ledlenser Connect App. The App blue LEDs. Red works well for reading sent to the torch. The phone can then extends the standard capabilities of the and provides a measure of night vision. be put away as the torch is pro- MH11 as a head torch in that it affords Green is suitable for low-light condi- grammed to the pre-defined profile customized settings. You can operate tions such as fog. Blue is best for settings. There is an S.O.S. function the MH11 torch by using only its ­signalling. which can only be activated through ­manual switch or with the App, which is Connected via Bluetooth, the App the App. This sends a distress signal in available for Android and iPhone. mode’s main menu shows the four pri- Morse code (3x short, 3x long, 3x The torch weighs 179g and is 88mm mary functions: direct control, timer, short). wide out of its hard plastic cradle; the The MH11 has an IPX4 water class­ part which contacts your forehead is soft ification (resistant to water splashes foam rubber. In the cradle, the beam from any direction) and an IP5X dust can be adjusted through 120-degrees rating (the inside is protected from up or down. The cradle’s durable head- dust). It can be hand-held as a band also has a strap going longitud- torch. I used it at the coast for a inally over the top of your head. The couple of weeks. On full flood adjustable elasticized bands attach to a setting, the white light broad plastic disc at the back of your was bright enough to head for a comfortable and secure fit. light up the whole The LED output is 1 000 lumens backyard for every- attaining a maximum range of 300m. one to see The rechargeable 18650 3.6V battery clearly has a minimum burning life of four during a hours and a maximum of 100 hours, braai. depending on use. The torch comes With the with a USB magnetic charger. focused beam on THE MH11 HAS three mode set- Boost I could see tings: App mode, white (light) mode, people moving in the shadow and RGB mode. You can switch modes of a dune on the beach at 250m. I by holding down the on/off switch at intervals and switch profiles. With used it to walk along narrow footpaths the top for varying durations. direct control, you can set the bright- between the dunes and the coastal White mode has four power set- ness of the white beam to three ener- bush – it was like being in sunshine. tings: 750 lumens provides high output gy-saving levels, and it gives you suitable for most outdoor situations; access to the red, green or blue LEDs. THE UNIT’S MANY App functions were low power saves battery life and is suit- Also, the Blink and Optisense functions almost daunting and I used the sup- able for reading and close working con- can be used or disabled. Settings used plied Quick User Guide extensively. I ditions; mid-power provides a medium in direct control cannot be saved. then lost the User Guide, but fortu- output for general work. Mid-power Using the timer function, the torch nately it is available on Ledlenser’s mode also has an Optisense function can be set to turn on (for 20 minutes at website. At a recommended retail price whereby the torch automatically adapts 150 lumens) at a specific time or be of R2 500, the company’s flagship out- to the existing light conditions and turned off, within a 24-hour cycle. The door head torch is not cheap, but it is helps to counter glare. On Blink func- intervals function sets the torch to blink an excellent package for all night-work, tion it sends out light impulses at regu- at particular intervals, while in use, hunting, fishing and camping. In South lar intervals and the Boost function such as every ten minutes as a timer. Africa, this torch has a two-year war- emits 1 000 lumens for a short duration The App’s real benefit is in the ranty if not registered online. If regis- if needed. Rotating the milled ring on switch profiles setting which enables tered online, with a unique code, the the lens housing adjusts the beam from you to personalise the torch’s function, warranty is for seven years. For more a very wide field of view to very narrow programming it for specific light information contact Awesome Tools on reaching out to 300m. needs. Eight profiles can be saved for 021-981-6672.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 35 Exclusive

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RevelationMauser by JON SPEED Paul Mauser’s First Nitro Rifle Model

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36 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 EDITORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Jon Speed, widely acknowledged as the world’s foremost living authority and author on Mauser rifles and history, has afforded Magnum the privilege of being the first to present these never-before published images and details.

1: Rifle Model 88, right view. 3 2: Model 88 system dismantled, right side with maga- zine. Note the magazine cut-off lever to facilitate single-shot use while reserve ammo remains in place. Note push-button magazine release behind the maga- zine.

3: September 22, 1888 Mauser letterhead, an inter- nal company document to Paul Mauser from Director Schmid informing Paul that his Belgian patents had been processed.

4: October 8, 1888 Ludwig Loewe letter to Paul Mauser informing him that if any UK representative could con- vince the British to accept the New Model 88 Mauser, Loewe-Mauser would pay up to 15% commission on the total value of any finalized contract. At the time, Paul was in London, at the Kaiser Royal Hotel.

5: Joe Jonas’s letterhead, September 1, 1888, to the Mauser company’s office manager, Mr Gronki, giving dates and status of trials in London.

4 5 Please Turn Over

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 37 Model 88 system dismantled; left side with magazine.

IN HIS CLASSIC books on Mauser rifles, Ludwig Olsen’s description of Paul Mauser’s Model 1888 test rifle in calibre 7.65x53mm was based solely on images from the Mauser Patent book of 1908 – he never had the opportunity to lay hands on an actual example of this rifle. Ludwig’s first trip to Mauser’s Oberndorf­ factory and museum took place sometime in 1956. The first examples of this Imodel only came back to Oberndorf cartridge than the standard German developed the first new nitro propellant in 1968, by which time not even the 11mm used in his Model 71/84 rifles. for use in smaller calibre rifles. The crit- folks at Mauser had any idea what This new round was of 9.5mm calibre ical time had arrived when new and this rifle represented. and had slightly higher velocity with a better rifles in smaller nitro calibres At the end of WWII, with the French lighter bullet. Hoping to attract interest were coming on line. occupation of Germany, France had in this cartridge, Paul made up a few taken over the Mauser factory at Model 71 type single-shot rifles in the BEFORE THE FINAL Turkish contract Oberndorf on April 15, 1945. The new calibre to hand out to procurement was drawn up, Paul Mauser received a French took the entire Paul Mauser col- officials from several countries. Mean- letter from Germany’s General Baron lection and the company’s reference while, by 1886, Mauser and the Ludwig von der Goltz who was one of a team of collection back to France. As part of a Loewe firm (which owned the Mauser German army officials responsible for new post-war diplomatic relationship company) were in the process of draw- training the Turkish Military in their between France and Germany, the ing up a contract with Turkey. Paul modern war methods. Goltz questioned French returned 600 rifles to the decided to offer his new 9.5mm round Paul Mauser about his efforts with his Mauser factory, among which were two in a new upgraded Model 71/84 type 9.5mm round and felt the time had examples of Paul Mauser’s Model 1888 rifle. Also by 1886, the French had come for Germany to develop new rifles test rifle in calibre to handle the up-and- 7.65x53mm Rimless (not coming smaller calibre to be confused with the nitro cartridges. The German 1888 Commis- problem was that Paul sion rifle in 8x57 rim- had committed his factory less). The Mauser factory to building a New Turkish hired Hans Lockhoven to Model 87 rifle chambered make a full assessment for his 9.5mm cartridge, of these rifles. The and since the Turk con- detailed B&W images tract was almost ready to used for this story came sign, he could not back from Hans Lockhoven out of this deal which before he passed away a involved a total of 550 000 few years ago. Hans and rifles and carbines. I had talked about this Paul Mauser consid- rifle’s place in Mauser his- ered Goltz to be the most tory; here is the story of knowledgeable of all the how this rifle came to be. high-ranking German In 1884, Paul Mauser military officials in Turkish inspectors at Oberndorf shooting range in 1903, shooting for group sizes was working on creating with the New Model 1903 Rifles in 7.65mm, the first Mauser to use what we call the regard to arms and a better black powder Intermediate system. The Turks bought 200 000 of these rifles. ammunition production.

38 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 LEFT: Mauser Paul and Goltz became good Patent Book 1908 friends and kept in touch on shows D.R.P. No. all matters during the Ger- 45561, April 18, man/Turkish relationship up 1888, New Model rifle. Note use of a to and throughout WWI. rimmed case which The Turks also liked Goltz was soon conver- for his unique skills in dealing ted to rimless. with them in terms of their Paul Mauser had culture and military abilities. ­chambered his first rifle in .303 for the In 1916, to show their high British rifle trials. regard for Goltz, the Turks minted a medal embossed with a bust of Goltz. The Turks had heard about LEFT: Clip set-up the new nitro ammunition, so in Mauser’s 1888 they included a clause in the system, from patent contract to state that if Paul book 1908. Such Mauser created any new mod- drawings are not to els, his production line had to scale but simply to show the principle. drop the Model 87 and com- mence production of Paul’s new models for the remaining numbers ordered in the con- tract and for a similar price. This would put the Mauser factory under increased pres- sure in every aspect involving blueprint drawings, new tool- ing, gauges, test procedures, materials etc. By early 1888, Paul Mauser had decided to develop a new nitro cart­ ridge, the 7.65x53mm (rimmed), and design a new rifle to accommodate it. Paul was influenced by world famous ­German Paul Mauser chambered his studied the patents of various bolt- ballistics expert, Professor Wilhelm­ action systems whose bolts had vari- Hebler, who, in 1886, wrote in detail first rifle for the .303 cart­ ous types of multiple locking lugs. Paul about the need for new ammunition in ridge for submission to the worked night and day to come up with calibres in the 7–8mm range, and new a robust new bolt-action system, the bullet types and new powders. Hebler British rifle trials. The Brits bolt of which had two large rear lugs ran tests comparing Germany’s old showed little interest as they that locked into corresponding black powder 11mm round with the new recesses in a solid receiver bridge cartridge in calibre 7.65mm. Hebler and preferred their Lee Enfield (unlike his Model 71 and 71/84 that Goltz knew that black powder rifles were model over all others tested had split-bridge receivers like the obsolete and so did Paul Mauser. ­Mannlicher). While these various events were developing, Paul heard through his Ludwig Loewe Company. Later, this FIDEL FIEDERLE, DESIGNER of the industry contacts that the Spandau rifle was made by other German State famous C96 ‘Broomhandle’ auto pistol, arsenal was also developing a new factories as well as Austria’s Steyr did most of the machine work on the rimless 8mm cartridge and rifle, which Company, Paul Mauser’s biggest com- Model 88 test rifles. Engineer Drössel would become the commission Model petitor! Within a few months Paul had supervised the test shooting for accu- 88. This rifle was first produced by the developed his 7.65mm round and had racy on all these Test rifles.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 39 He made up a trial rifle, later designated the Belgium 89, which he submitted to the trials. This new model swept all other competitors off the field and went on to bring Paul and his firm world acclaim

Bolt stripped, showing its two main parts: the shaft with two rear locking lugs and the bolt-head with guide-rib. The guide-rib also acts as a dust- shield when the bolt is closed, having ridges on the side that match recesses in the receiver wall. The bolt locks up like a bank vault with no play at all.

Paul Mauser chambered his first Steyr system which employed a als, so within three months he rifle for the .303 cartridge for submis- packet-type unit which remained designed an all-new solid-bridged sion to the British rifle trials. The Brits inside the magazine box until all the action employing a one-piece bolt with showed little interest as they preferred rounds were used up, and was then two large dual-opposed locking lugs at their Lee Enfield model over all others ejected. the front of the bolt. He made up a trial tested. Paul was disappointed but then Paul was determined to get a rifle, later designated the Belgium 89, had the opportunity to submit his rifle Mauser rifle back into the Belgian tri- which he submitted to the trials. This for Belgian trials starting in new model swept all other late 1888. This rifle was in competitors off the field and Paul’s new 7.65x53 (now with went on to bring Paul and his a rimless case). firm world acclaim. Paul Mauser offered his PAUL MAUSER HAD a close new Model 89 rifle to the Ger- friend named Joe Jonas, who man military, but because was a major steel provider Loewe, Spandau and other (Continental Steel) in the UK. state factories, as well as Jonas was Paul’s inside man Paul’s biggest competitor, regarding arms development Steyr, were in full production in the UK and other countries. with the Commission Model 88 He went on to become well- rifle in 8mm, the powers that known in UK politics. be did not want to disrupt the Paul had big hopes for his industry. It was not until 1895, new rifle, but during test-fir- when Paul designed his New ing in Belgium, a cartridge Model 95 rifle with its three- ruptured, resulting in some lug bolt, which then evolved minor damage to the bolt- into the legendary Mauser face and extractor of his two- Gewehr 98, that he found part bolt. Due to this failure, worldwide acclaim. And the his rifle was dropped from the rest, as they say, is history… trials. Crushed by this event, Paul Mauser’s bolt with two Paul stated that it was most rear locking lugs could have likely an incorrectly loaded been modified into a more cartridge and not a fault of usable practical system, as in the rifle, but no one would modern times Mauser has listen. Test target, September 4, 1888, for rifle number 4 set up with the used such concepts in hunting Paul went on to develop a new clip loading function. The clips fed ammo directly into the rifles, namely the Models 77, new cartridge clip, unlike the removable magazine. 83 and 86.

40 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020

A mature female springbuck. Photo above and below by Philip Huebsch. Our National Bok The springbuck in history

by GREGOR WOODS

42 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 In June 1823, George Thompson saw a migration near Beaufort West which he estimated to number 100 000 in a solid column 80km long

IT IS GENERALLY assumed that the springbuck was chosen waves, drank salt water and died. Their bodies lay in one as South Africa’s national animal because it was our most continuous pile along the shore for over 30 miles, and the common species, and for its historical association with the stench drove the Trek Boers, who were camped near the early Cape, birthplace of our nation. That may be so – coast, far inland”. although I can find no historically recorded reason for this Another account says that a migration, walking steadily, choice. Interestingly, the early Dutch settlers encountered took three days to pass a given point. On reaching the Orange many other species, including the Big Five, before encounter- River, those coming from behind pushed those in front into ing the springbuck some 30 years (and possibly as long as the water where they drowned in their thousands. 120 years) after their arrival. During the era of black powder and lead bullets, a single According to Historical Mammal Incidence in the Cape springbuck made a difficult target. Historical accounts indic- Province, Volume 1, by CJ Skead, the earliest (but uncon- ate that hunters seldom if ever tried to shoot individual ani- Ifirmed) record of what may have been springbuck appears to mals – they fired into the massed herds – usually riding after be that of Olof Bergh who, in 1682, near Garies (Vanrhyns- them on horseback. In Travels into the Interior of Africa via dorp area) wrote what translates as: “About two hours from the Cape of Good Hope, Volume 1, François Le Vaillant, trav- Olifants River, I saw so many wild bucks that they were elling on the Sundays River south of the “Sneeuw-Bergen” in uncountable, and I shot one there.” The description the late 1790s, encountered “a large number of Spring-Bock” “uncountable” suggests springbuck, but without more infor- and decided to spend the whole day hunting them. He killed mation, is not definitive. Conceivably, seven, and later wrote, “Although gemsbuck could have been another they are swift runners, on a horse possibility. one can easily catch up with them. It was not until 1773 that the As they run in a dense herd like next sighting was recorded by Mas- sheep, they impede one another, and son and Thunberg in the Bokkeveld this slows them down. If one aims of the Ceres district – regarded as one shot carefully, it can go through the first positive record. The Bokke- two, sometimes three, and even veld was named for the springbuck more.” migrations seen there. Then, in 1796, the naturalist, François le Vail- THE FRENCH NATURALIST, Adul- lant encountered springbuck “on the phe Delagorgue, hunting the Karoo way to Little Namaqua­land after in 1838, wrote of seeing swirling col- passing Koekenaap and Krakeelklip­ umns of red dust rising 200 feet into on the west coast” (north of the Olif- the air, as large herds of “spring- ants River). booken… 3 000 to 10 000 strong, Historically, the springbuck’s nat- Drawing titled “Springbuck Feeding” by the naturalist crossed each other’s paths as they ural habitat was South West Africa, and artist JG Millais from his 1885 book, A Breath from swept over the plain.” He had to keep extending southwards into Little the Veldt (Galago reprint 1986). assuring himself that it was not a Namaqua­land, and the Kalahari, vision. He describes hunting these extending southwards into the Northern Cape, Free State and herds with a party of seven Boers, all mounted on horseback, Northwest Province. Early Cape encounters were largely in yet who “brought back only eleven spring-booken after three times of the great migrations which drove the massive con- hours of relentless pursuit”. Springbuck meat was regarded gregations southwards. These were not frequent, but as the very finest, and the local farmers rarely killed an ox or immensely impressive. a sheep, as springbuck meat supplied all their needs. In June 1823, George Thompson saw a migration near Gordon Cumming, who hunted in SA from 1844 to 1849, Beaufort West which he estimated to number 100 000 in a wrote of witnessing a vast springbuck migration in the Beer solid column 80km long. During the drought of 1860, a Valley area of the Karoo. Awoken in the wee hours by the migration headed south into Little Namaqualand where there noise of their travel, he lay in his wagon listening to them for was neither water nor grass, and the herds died in their two hours until dawn, and then could not believe his eyes as thousands. One report said, “Millions of them crossed the he beheld the ground “covered with a dense living mass of mountain range and made for the sea. They dashed into the springboks, marching slowly and steadily along…” They were

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 43 emerging from a gap sively on his farm, for in the distant hills, the pickings were flowing past his camp slim. They rode at full and disappearing over gallop straight a ridge opposite, a towards a distant further mile away, the herd of about 30 mass being half a mile springbuck, but with wide, continuously 300 yards still separ- “pouring like a flood of ating them, the herd some great river”. He took off at “an aston- watched it for a fur- ishing pace”. Grun- ther two hours, un- veldt dismounted and abated, then mounted fired six or seven A fine old springbuck ram; note the rearward-curling horn tips – a sign of mature age. up and rode among shots into the herd, them, firing into the with Sandeman copy- mass until he’d killed fourteen, then ing him, but neither hit any. Sandeman ceased, adding that he could have killed There is no record of wrote of using a Westley Richards falling 30 or 40 in a morning, and was migrations returning block (probably a .450 No2 Musket) and astounded that they “allow me to ride so a “long-range rising block rifle” (possi- near them”. Later, he saw a further mass whence they’d come once bly a Swinburne in .577/.450). They of springbuck which “infinitely sur- the rains started again. galloped after the same herd, which passed” that which he’d seen that morn- took off at 400 yards this time; a lucky ing, densely covering the plains for as far They all just perished shot from another ‘fusillade’ brought as he could see in any direction. down one springbuck. By then their Springbuck will drink if horses were exhausted. water is available, but can survive without it, obtaining TRAVELLING TO THE sufficient moisture from the Pretoria-­Lydenburg area, San- vegetation. Clearly, these deman crawled to within 400 migrations were due to a coin- yards of a ‘nice lot of spring- cidence of huge populations bôk’ and fired into their midst, and severe droughts destroy- luckily dropping one. They ran ing the vegetation. The vast off and he fired four more shots herds would congregate into the mass, felling another. where the last grazing and He rode back to camp for a browse remained, until it ran pack-horse; on his return to the out, forcing them to trek. carcasses less than an hour I doubt that these were later, vultures had left him migrations to seek new habi- nothing but the skulls and tat. I think this was nature’s bones. He told a Boer of this, Two springbuck rams fighting during the rut. Note that they curl their way of controlling their num- who showed no surprise, saying tails between their legs when fighting. bers. Virtually all the ‘migra- he had several times shot into a tory’ springbuck died during herd at 800 to 900 yards, and the trek. Those leading, ate whatever grazing they encoun- by the time it took him to ride directly to the carcass, vultures tered, leaving the ground bare; those coming behind died of had swooped down and stripped it. thirst and starvation along the way. I know of no record of Sandeman wrote that prior to the wholesale slaughter of any arrival of masses settling in pastures new, nor of local the herds when they were changing their summer or winter populations increasing in numbers after a migration. There is quarters, “…it was no uncommon thing for a waggon to have no record of migrations returning whence they’d come once to pull up for an hour at a time while the herds crossed the the rains started again. They all just perished. path in front… spring-bôk went past in such crowding masses With the spreading of farms after the Great Trek, the that they never swerved as shot after shot was fired into the ‘migrations’ drew to an end. In 1878, William Sandeman, line; but that is a thing of the past. The bôk are now [1878] author of Eight Months in an Ox Waggon, visited a Free so wary that, however big the herd, it is no easy matter to get State Boer named Grunveldt, who’d clearly hunted exten- within shot unless on horseback…”

44 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 In A breath from the SA Amateur Ath- the Veldt, the naturalist letic Association at the JG Millais, wrote, English championships. “Although the spring- They wanted to wear bucks of today [1895] an emblem for identifi- are but a scattered cation, and being regu- remnant of what they lar springbuck hunters, were… they are still by they got their eldest far the commonest sister to embroider a representative of the springbuck on their antelope tribe in that vests. In 1906, Paul country.” The Boers Roos, captain of the with whom Millais Drawing by JG Millais showing a ‘coursing’ scene – the hunting of springbuck with first local rugby team hunted used Martini greyhound dogs, horses and horse-drawn scotch-carts. to play against Eng- Henrys; he does not land, wanted a sym- state what calibre he used. By now, however, the era of bolic name to prevent the British press from inventing one for small-bore jacketed bullets and nitro propellants was under- the SA team. It is said that his choice of a springbuck was way; the world already had the 8x50R French Lebel, the 8x57 impromptu, but the Blignaut family claims it was at the sug- Mauser, the .303 British and the 7x57 Mauser. These flat- gestion of Piet and Phillip who knew Roos. ter-shooting rifles could reliably hit the vitals of an individual springbuck at ranges up to 200 yards. IN 1910, WHEN the Union of SA was formed, Arthur Holland, Millais writes of ‘coursing’ for springbuck, which was of the Government Printing Works in Pretoria, designed a clearly a British introduction. In sporting terms, coursing national coat-of-arms – he chose a springbuck emblem. refers to running down the game with greyhounds. In this Whether he was influenced by the Blignaut-Roos choice is instance, the hunters followed on horseback and with horse- unknown. The springbuck remains SA’s national animal. drawn two-wheeled scotch-carts. Millais says a good grey- hound can catch a springbuck or run it to a standstill. He wrote that the Boers hunted springbuck by means of a properly-worked chain of hunting carts or mounted horsemen stretched across the veld at intervals of 1 000 to 1 700 yards, guided by an old hand usually positioned in the centre giving directions. “… if the game be properly played and the line well kept, each and every shooter will get good sport.” He adds, “A rifle shooter going out by himself into the Karroo stands but a poor chance with the bucks…” The Boers, hunt- ing in a party, “largely contribute to each other’s sport by driving the bucks to one another.” This long moving line seemed to confuse the herds, several hundred in number, which moved back and forth, not knowing at which point to try to circumvent the approaching hunters. Millais fired 25 shots before wounding a ram, which they lost. He later shot, at 300 yards, the only springbuck bagged by anyone that entire day; next morning he shot one at 400 yards and another at 200, all aimed at individually. This suggests Millais was using a modern small-bore nitro calibre. The last massive migration was recorded in 1896, wit- nessed by WC Scully. Inevitably, farm fences, borehole water and flat-shooting rifles ended the migrations. But they cer- tainly left a memorable impression. How did the springbuck come to be our national animal? Politically, ‘South Africa’ did not exist until the Union was formed in 1910. The coat-of-arms of the Cape Colony from 1875 until 1910 included a black wildebeest and a gemsbuck. In 1895, the Blignaut brothers, Piet and Phillip, represented

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 45 Baikal Double .45-70

by ANDRÉ GROBLER

Disassembled for easy transport.

46 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 Rugged bushveld ‘breker’

BAIKAL IS ONE of three firearm dovetailed and which is brands from Russia’s Kalashnikov also grooved for mounting Concern, manufacturers of a wide a scope or red-dot sight. range of civilian and military weap- The rear sight is held in ons. The Baikal and Ishmash ABOVE: Barrel chambers - the place by a screw, has a walls are 6mm thick. brands focus mostly on civilian U-notch, and is adjustable LEFT: Breech face, double under- hunting and sporting firearms, bolts. for windage. The front while the Kalashnikov brand RIGHT: Barrel lumps with bites. sight-ramp forms part of focuses primarily on military arms. the solid-looking muzzle The test rifle, Baikal’s MR-221 link and is finely grooved to double, is one metre long overall prevent reflection; its Band weighs 3.1kg. The lacquer-finished opening the action. When the safety is sight-element is a post, adjustable for walnut stock has a low comb for open engaged, it reveals a small spring- elevation. sighted use, with no cheek-piece and loaded steel bead just ahead of it. The barrel chambers appear solidly no cast-off, hence is adaptable for both When pushed forward to disengage, it fused together and the chamber walls right- and left-handed use. It has a reveals a small, red indent behind it, are 6mm thick – stout for a .45-70. The somewhat swept-back pistol-grip, well- indicating the fire position. barrels are not soldered together, but suited to double-trigger rifles, with The top-lever is within easy thumb- separate to facilitate regulation by the fairly coarse cut chequering for a reach but was somewhat stiff – doubt- owner to the load of his choice. They secure hold. The skeletonised recoil pad less just newness – and I had to are joined at the muzzles by a is 22mm thick. consciously push it all the way robust link. The left The slightly beaver-tailed fore-end across to open the barrels. The ­barrel is fixed; the is 215mm long, 50mm wide, but shal- smooth-faced double triggers are low, with chequering similar to that on 5mm wide; the front one’s length of the hand-grip; its recessed release- pull is 35.8cm, and the rear one, lever, positioned centrally, is spring- 33.7cm. Both triggers broke cleanly at loaded and smooth-operating. about 5lb pull. The box-lock action is beefy and robust, and the metal-work is blued THE 23.6-INCH barrels have an The Baikal’s open action and throughout, but for the triggers, which integrated quarter-rib Leupold scope. The extractor pushes the empty cases out of are gold-coloured. The tang-mounted into which the rear the chamber far enough to be safety-catch engages automatically on sight blade is easily removed by hand.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 47 ABOVE: With open sights the Baikal mounted smoothly for quick shooting and felt recoil from offhand shots was negligible.

barrel’s regulating screw is in a rib VX Freedom 1.5-4x20 scope ready- beneath the barrels ahead of the sling- mounted and two boxes of .45-70 swivel. Rotating the screw adjusts a ammo: Winchester 300gr JHP and Hor- wedge system which moves the right nady 325gr LEVERevolution FTX. barrel in relation to the left, to coincide Using an X-bag, I bench-rested the their respective shots to a point-of-aim rifle and found the left barrel to be at a distance of your choice. The rib is zeroed at 100m. The Winchester made of sheet metal, and visually ammo, clocking 1 928fps at the muzzle, closes the gap between put three shots into a the barrels. 46mm group. Four shots The rifle ­fitted with the Hornady ammo THE ACTION WAS me well and printed a 56mm group, newly stiff and did not three of these clustering fully open unless I mounted into 40mm. I then fired at a tugged down the barrels smoothly for 50m target to determine at the final stage to the distance at which the enable me to extract the quick shots, barrels were regulated. The spent cases and to including follow-­ two Hornady bullets struck ensure the cocking rods ­up shots 56mm apart, precisely on set the strikers. The the same horizontal line; extractors drew the the Winchesters hit further spent cases far enough out to enable apart but also on the same horizontal me to grasp them easily. The barrels line. I did not attempt to adjust the reg- locked up very tightly against the ulation as this can be a time-consuming standing breech. exercise requiring many identical loads. The test rifle arrived with a Leupold Still using the scope, I took fast shots at various 50 and 75m targets, and LEFT TOP: Three-shot group at 100m with Win- found the rifle to be accurate. chester’s 300gr JHP. I then removed the scope to try out MIDDLE: Shots from 25m with the HornadyLE- the open sights. Shooting freehand, I VERevolution ammo. BOTTOM: Four-shot group at 100m with Hor- fired at a 300x300mm gong from 25m nady’s 325gr bullets. and both barrels were spot on. There-

48 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 after I fired several shots at the gong of black powder. The original from ranges between 25 and 38m. With muzzle velocity with a 405gr the open sights, it was as if the Baikal bullet was 1 333fps. had suddenly come into its own, with American hunters took both barrels landing shots right next to to it for hunting game each other. all the way up to The rifle fitted me well and mounted bison, moose smoothly for quick shots, including fol- and grizzly low-up shots with the second barrel. bears. The cart- Felt recoil from offhand shots was neg- ridge retained ligible, whereas the Baikal kicked heav- its allure and TOP: ‘Made in Russia’ and Baikal brand name under the receiver. ily when fired from the bench. However, was later pro- doubles aren’t designed for bench-rest- duced as a nitro ing, nor meant to be tack-drivers. This cartridge, though factory smokeless thin-skinned game in dense bushveld. It rifle is probably intended for driven ammo was not loaded to its full poten- also lends itself exceptionally well to European boar hunts where the action tial due to the many black powder cast lead bullet loads. is close, fast and potentially furious, .45-70 rifles still in use. According to The Baikal feels light, but is nicely and for that, it’s perfect. Cartridges of the World, in mod- balanced and points well with open ern-made rifles designed for smokeless sights. While it is no beauty, it is solid I THINK THE .45-70 cartridge is well propellants, careful hand-loads with and rugged, which is what you want in suited for low-cost double rifles. Intro- H-4198 powder can take the 400gr bul- a low-cost working rifle. Baikal is duced in 1873 as a military cartridge for let all the way up to 2 000fps, and 300 known for robust, durable firearms at the single-shot Springfield ‘trapdoor’ and 350-grainers to 2 200fps. PMC an affordable price; this rifle retails for rifle, its designation indicated a .45 offers a 350gr factory load at 2 025fps. R19 000. For more information contact (.458) calibre bullet driven by 70 grains The .45-70 is a good choice for large Savuti Arms on 011-744-2539.

‘S CHOICE ‘S CHOICE ‘S CHOICE ‘S CHOICE ‘S CHOICE

MAGNUM REGULARLY TESTS products to find quality and good value worth sharing with our readers. If it meets the mark, then the product gets a ‘thumbs up’ with the ‘Magnum Choice’ seal. When you see an item in-store with the special sticker or badge you’ll know that its been chosen by the Magnum team. Below is a short list of our current selection. So look out for the seal of approval and ask for the products by name.

BUSHILL MOA BAG RRP R595 Learn more at www.bushill.co.za Designed by the experts in bench bags for extreme accuracy BISLEY PCP FILLING and versatility in load develop- STATION AND CYLINDER ­ ment, sight setting and shooting RRP R5 825 fun. Light weight rear and front Learn more at bags with height adjustment. www.bushill.co.za New in SA, the ­Bisley 5 litre, 300 Bar PCP cylinder AIR ARMS DIABOLO FIELD PELLETS with integral gauge, Air Arms 4.5mm 8.4gr Diabolo Field Pellets high pressure hose RRP R229 for tin of 500 and stand. A complete Air Arms 5.5mm 16.0gr Diabolo Field Pellets charging solution. RRP R319 for tin of 500 Learn more at www.bushill.co.za Air Arms’ bespoke and super accurate pellet range, manu- factured to factory specifica­ tions for Air Arms, by JSB.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 49 LINKS: Die plek waar die jag begin het is geleë in die oop vlakte op die horison in die agtergrond. REGS: Natuurlike watergat in die berge.

Kamanjab Bergsebra

deur FRANCOIS JACOBS

...klippe kou in Kaokoland

50 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 LINKS: Daar was kameelperde aan die voet van die berg. REGS: Die tweede sebra wat geskiet is en my Mausergeweer in .30-06.

TYDENS ʼn KOUE oggend op Potchef- oor, so ook ʼn tweede en Die belangrik- dit maar by die huis as jy stroom, net voor die wintervakansie, by die derde berg het ek berge gaan aanpak, anders het ek na die jagveld verlang en die spoor verloor. Terwyl ste item wat gaan jy huil. Jou jagklere reëlings getref vir ʼn Hartmann-bergse- ek op die spoor was, was enige jagter moet vaal en aangepas bra jag in Kamanjab se onherbergsame ek weer in verwondering wees vir die dorre berg- berge in die noorde van Namibië. Dit hoe dié sebras dit regkry moet hê tydens wêreld. ʼn Goeie verkyker was nog altyd ʼn groot droom om dié om nou voetpaadjies so ʼn jag is goeie en afstandsoeker is ʼn moet. sebra in hulle natuurlike habitat te jag, langs steil kranse te volg. Dit is baie belang­­rik om maar ek was nog nie suksesvol nie. Dié Ons het besluit om na die en gemaklike gereeld onder ʼn boom te vakansie was ook die eerste keer dat ek naaste bergkruin te stap stapskoene­ gaan sit om elke vallei en my meisie, Renate, sou saam neem en van daar die valleie kruin deeglik te fynkam vir T‘huis toe’. met verkykers te deur- enige beweging. Dit is Die plaas waar die jag gereël was soek na die sebras. gewoontlik ʼn bewegende oor of stert het diep in die bergreeks gelê en het Ek het harde lesse geleer op my wat die bergsebra weggee. slegs een pad gehad wat deur dit vorige jag na sebras in die berge. Die geloop het. Die res van die plaas was belangrikste item wat enige jagter OMDAT EK SELDE verder as 150m vir kilometers slegs te voet toegank- moet hê tydens so ʼn jag is goeie en skiet, het ek my betroubare Mauser­- lik. Renate en ek was vóór dagbreek gemaklike stapskoene. Alhoewel die geweer in .30-06 saamgeneem. Dit was by ʼn watergat. Ek het onmiddellik die betroubare Namibiese koedoeleer toegerus met ʼn Swarovski Habicht 4x36 vars spore gevolg. Die spore is ʼn berg veldskoen sy plek het in die jagveld, los teleskoop en ek het handgelaaide 180gr

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 51 PMP patrone gehad. Dit is ook bel- angrik om iets te ete te neem en genoeg water vir minstens 12 ure se stap. Omdat Renate by was het ek ʼn ligte piekniek-ete gepak met romantiese bedoelings. Sy was egter ná agt ure se stap in die skroeiende hitte nie meer so opge- wonde oor haar eerste besoek nie. Ons het ook eers teen laat middag drie sebras gewaar, maar hulle was baie ver. Die Hartmann-bergsebra, wat in groot dele van Namibië se berg- reekse voorkom, is een van die gehardste diere. Hulle oorlewing in droë dorre areas, insluitend die Namib woestyn, is vir my ʼn natuurlike wonder. Die gemiddelde massa van ʼn volgroeide Hartmann is tussen 210 en 230kg. Hulle is besonders goed gekamoefleer teen ʼn bergagtige agtergrond en raak maklik weg as jy jou oë van hulle afneem. Hulle vel met wit en swart strepe gee jagters verkeer- delik die idee dat hulle sou uitstaan in hulle omgewing. Bergsebras lyk ook altyd nader as wat die afstand BO: Hartmann-bergsebras is goed gekamoefleerd in die berg terrein. werklik is en daarom moet ʼn jagter baie seker maak hoe vêr die skoot is. Dit ONDER: Die sebras het my tot hoog in die berg laat klim. is hoogs onwaarskynlik dat jy ʼn sebra sou gewaar voordat hy jou gewaar. Soms hoor jy net klippe rol en kan jy seker wees dit ʼn bergsebra was wat op die vlug geslaan het. Ek het geleer dat hulle tydens die hitte van die dag in ʼn skaduwee kol onder ʼn bergkruin rus tot temperature in die valleie weer daal. Vroegoggende en in die aande beweeg hulle dan weer af op soek na weiding en water. In die berge is wind geneig om te dwarrel en ek het geleer dat dit altyd beter is om so hoog as moontlik op die berg se kruin te loop, maar nie so dat jou silhoeët maklik gesien kan word nie.

RENATE, MET DIE meeste toerusting, het onder ʼn boom gewag terwyl ek verder agter die drie sebras aan- beweeg het. Die terrein voor my sou veroorsaak dat ek soms die sebras buite sig sou hê en daarom het ek ʼn rotspunt bokant hulle as mikpunt ge-

52 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 identifiseer. Daarna het ek elke vallei saamgevat om takdraagbare vir die en mopaniebos tussen my en die vleis te maak. sebras as skuiling gebruik om nader Ons het die 8km in die bergagtige­ te beweeg. Na meer as ʼn uur se terrein met ʼn volmaan en kopflitse bekruip was hulle skielik minder as aangepak. Teen ongeveer 23:00 het 80 tree voor my gewees. Dit het ons na vier ure se stap by die kar- gelyk of hulle reeds van my geweet kasse aangekom. Die slagters was het, maar het nie weggehardloop nie. teen dié tyd nie meer baie opge- Toe ek aanlê het bokkoors my oorval wonde nie veral toe hulle besef hoe sodat my hele liggaam gebewe het. ver die vleis en velle teruggedra Ek het my hele lewe lank gedroom moes word. Om die gemoedere te lig om ʼn Hartmann te jag, maar daar is tydens die afslag het ek ʼn vuur niks wat jou kan voorberei vir die gemaak en vir hulle lewer gebraai. oomblik as jy die sneller moet druk Om die twee sebras te slag en die nie. Ek het diep asem gehaal en die BO: Die skrywer met vaal jagklere wat gepas honderde kilogram vleis op die self- geweer in my skouer gelig. Die skoot was vir die dorre bergwêreld. gemaakte takdraagbare te pak het ons was oorverdowend in die berg. Vir ʼn amper die hele nag geneem. Met die oomblik het ek getwyfel oor die skoot ONDER: Son opkoms voor die dag se jag terugtog het van die moeë slagters begin. want al drie sebras het nog steeds na eenvoudig inmekaar gesak en wou net my gestaan en kyk. Dit was die tou opgee. Ons was eers teen sonop vreemdste gedrag wat ek nog ooit dit pikdonker raak het ons vir so ʼn weer by die bakkie. gesien het. Die sebra waarna ek geskiet rukkie gewag vir die maan om op te By die opstal het ek met my vuil lyf en het het toe ʼn paar tree gegee en gaan kom - dit was gelukkig volmaan en ons klere in die bed geklim! Ek was aan die lê. Die ander twee sebras het 20m kon darem so min of meer ʼn paadjie slaap voor my kop die kussing getref het. verder geloop en weer gaan staan. Ek sien. Die stap na die voertuig was ʼn het weer die geweer gelig en nog ʼn naelbyt-affêre. Uiteindelik het ons by DIE MOORDENDE DAG kan nie maklik bergsebra op die blad geskiet wat 60 die bakkie aangekom en opstal toe vergeet word nie en ten spyte van die tree verder neergeslaan het. Ek was gery. Ek het vinnig iets geëet en toe swaardra uit die berg het die velle mooi baie gelukkig dat die twee karkasse nie sewe slagters opgelaai om te help om behoue gebly. Vir ʼn onvergeetlike teen die steil afgrond afgerol het nie. die­ sebras te herwin. Ek het met die ervaring moedig ek jagters aan om dié Nadat Renate by my aangesluit het terugstap orals stukke toiletpapier aan sebra te voet te jag. Renate (en ek) het het ek skielik besef wat se reuse taak die bome vasgemaak, sodat ons die die jag oorleef en hoewel sy my seder- voorlê. Die roete terug na die voertuig pad na die sebras maklik in die donker tdien op baie jagtogte vergesel het, sit was omtrent 8km oor berge en deur sou kon kry. Elk van die slagters het ʼn sy haar voet neer vir nog ʼn sebrajag in valleie, en dit het donker geword. Toe koplig gehad en ons het genoeg tou Kamanjab se berge!

Vir ʼn onvergeetlike ervaring moedig ek jagters aan om ʼn bergsebra te voet te jag

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 53 The Metric and the ­Imperial

by IAN MYBURGH

A mentor, a rifle and a vehicle honoured

MY FATHER’S COUSIN, Nick and I have always shared a love for guns – more specifically rifles – and the great out- doors. Whenever we could, we’d be out camping or hunting. Nick was a land surveyor and had the privilege to survey and to explore parts of South Africa and neighbouring countries that we can only dream of. I desperately wished I could live his life, but he was away from home for long periods and this meant sacrifices, mostly family life. Nick is a traditionalist and loves his metric calibre rifles, Mspecifically Mausers, and his Land Rovers. His camping gear reflected the safaris of yesteryear – everything utilitarian but with both the traditional and practical items required to live comfortably in the great outdoors. Some time back, Nick’s health took a turn for the worse and he was diagnosed with debilitating diabetes. Sadly, I lost contact with him. Recently I took a chance and called at his last known address. To my elation he was there and we had a wonderful time catching up on our past experiences together; the stories, experiences and memories flowed freely. We spoke of hunting, rifles and the great outdoors and we felt as if we had missed out on nothing! Isn’t that hunting camaraderie? When we chatted about our favourite rifles, he looked me straight in the eyes and announced that he wanted me to take over the rifle that, many years ago around the campfire, he had promised I could have when he moved on to the happy hunting grounds. I declined but he vehemently insisted. It was my dream rifle, a single square-bridge Oberndorf Grade

MAIN LEFT: The 9.3 on the saddle from which I took my shot.

54 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 The Landy at the turnoff to the farm.

A Mauser in 9.3x62 manufactured in 1933. Again I refused his offer, insisting that we would yet hunt together, but he got the upper hand and won. For fifteen years I had been looking for a traditional, metric Mauser but the Boer OVS Mauser was out of my financial reach, and now Nick, in an instant, had fulfilled my dreams. I left with an elated but also heavy heart because I was taking Nick’s beloved rifle from him. Nick noticed this, and gestured that I should come with him. We walked outside and he took me to his second love, a Land Rover 110 Defender R450 R780 R1480 and announced that I should leave in style, as he physically could not drive it anymore! R450 R780 R1480 This was truly a privilege as I had been part of the team that built these vehicles in the 1990s. I instantly became R450 R780 R1480 sentimental, and that is where the idea was born that I would go on a hunt in this Land R200 Rover and with this rifle, and honour Nick by telling the story in Magnum and dedicating it to him. I would hunt with the Imperial and the Metric!

THE 9.3x62 needs no introduction as it is one of the most versatile and widely used cartridges in Africa. Its recoil is manageable, yet this cartridge can handle anything Africa can mete out – assuming you put the bullet where it counts. Nick gave me a mix of 130- odd cases, of which about 100 were RWS

.338 Win Mag (left) and a 9.3x62 cartridge.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 55 Author with his blesbuck ewe. Notice the two bullet holes – the right hand bullet hole is the second shot that exited.

ABOVE: Dad heading back to camp with his and Norma, plus a few Lapua. I planned want them cracking under pressure impala strapped to the quad bike. to use a 286gr Nosler Partition for dan- when I took that critical shot. BELOW: Taking a break in the shade with the gerous and heavy game, and a 180gr With the help of my friend Sean, I quad bikes. Impala for general plains game. My worked up two good loads: the Impala reason for the latter bullet choice was 180gr with S355 produced 2 880fps availability and affordability, and the with no signs of excessive pressure, fact that the 180gr Impala is stable at and the 286gr Nosler with S355 pro- 2 880fps, affording it a nice flat traject- duced 2 350fps. Be warned, however, ory. The ranch on which I intended to that the velocities I achieved were quite hunt called for both long and close different from those stated in the Som- shots. chem tables for the same powder When I resized the cases I noticed charges, so to be safe, start at Som- fine cracks on the shoulders of about chem’s minimum load, or even 10% ten of the RWS cases, so I threw them below that, especially if using an old out. I annealed all the cases as I did not rifle.

Claude’s blesbuck as the sun was setting.

56 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 I replaced Nick’s Leupold 1–4 LEFT TOP: Author at the river crossing. MIDDLE: Claude with his blesbuck. scope with a Leupold Compact 3–9 BOTTOM: A natural mountain spring runs which I felt would be better suited for through the camp. hunting a variety of plains game. Originally the rifle had been factory- fitted with a quick detachable side- mount which, though unwieldy, was heater did not make any difference functional. Nick never liked the look inside, I was content, feeling as if I and feel of the side-mount and fitted was on my own safari. a quick-detachable ring and base set The farm owner briefly showed above the receiver. Because the rings us the lie of the land and warned are not interchangeable, I have to that the game was wild and that we live with the height of the rings as could expect some pretty challeng- they are. The bore was perfect, the ing hunting. rifling sharp, and I was not disap- By the second to last afternoon, pointed with its accuracy. Trigger conscious that we were running out pull, which I regard as a major con- of time, Jarda and I went to a spot tributor to accurate shooting, broke where you crest a saddle and have a cleanly at 3.5 pounds. view over an open plain. Luck was on our side: three blesbuck were MY BIGGEST BUGBEAR was the grazing, unaware of our presence. height of the scope above the comb The downhill shot was a true 229m with the rings/base setup. This I measured with my Bushnell Fusion remedied by making up a leather rangefinder binoculars. With no cheek piece to elevate my eye while opportunity to get closer I opted to affording me a better cheek-weld for take the shot. Fortunately, I could faster crosshair acquisition. Also, take my time; I used my bush- the look now lends itself to an Out of jacket as a rifle rest and lay prone Africa rifle. so that I was shooting over the edge With the rifle sorted, I turned my of the ridge. I held four inches high attention to the Landy. It had been and squeezed the trigger. built in South Africa at the BMW The blesbuck staggered and Rosslyn plant. At the time it was then veered away from the herd. It built, I was a Project Engineer in the walked slowly away from us then lay BMW engine plant where we sup- Everyone in our party bagged down. I walked down the slope plied dressed gearbox and engine their animals by outsmarting towards it through some tall, thick assemblies to the Land Rover grass. At the sound of my footsteps assembly line. As a result I have a and out-manoeuvring the the blesbuck jumped up and I certain affinity for this specific extremely shy game dropped it in its tracks. My first shot model. All the Land Rover needed had angled down through the chest was a new battery and a complete service and it was good to cavity and was slightly higher than I would have liked, but it go. My Hilux was not happy! had gone through the top of the lungs. After we had taken Next – the hunt. I made a booking for our usual hunting photos we loaded it onto the quadbike and took it back to group at a friend’s ranch in Badplaas – our first visit there. camp for slaughter. The 1 000 hectare ranch has the most beautiful variety of As it turned out, everyone in our party bagged their ani- terrains an all-round hunter could ask for. It has a mountain mals by outsmarting and out-manoeuvring the extremely shy on its northern border and the hunting camp is in a valley game. It was a nice change from the bushveld, where finding through which a natural mountain spring runs. There are your prey is easy, but the challenge is to get close enough. open plains, a river with various thickets of bush, washes and The 9.3 did not disappoint and proved how amazingly gullies allowing for fair-chase walk-and-stalk hunting meth- versatile and suited it is to our African conditions. It really is ods for kudu, red hartebeest, impala, warthog and zebra. a beautiful all-rounder. That evening, with the stream bub- I left at 04h00 in the morning in order to meet the farmer bling over the rocks, our campfire burning and the whisky at 06h30 to get the gate keys. The Land Rover went beautifully tasting that much better, I drank a toast to Nick and to Paul and although it was minus 2 degrees Celsius outside, and the Mauser and lastly to my faithful steed the Landy.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 57 Collector’s Corner by RON BESTER

A lovely little .303 double rifle by Lang and Hussey that was professionally restored by Bennie Laubscher of Paarl. The engraving was freshened by Armin Winkler. Thoughts on Collecting

COLLECTING FIREARMS HAS provided me with an lecting something you know nothing about? Collecting is immense amount of pleasure over many years. Furthermore, more than merely acquiring another firearm; it entails study- firearms represent some of the best investments I have made ing that firearm’s history, development, manufacture, distri- – not that I intend selling any. Collecting has also put me in bution, use, and so on, as well as collecting the militaria and contact with some wonderful people – and a few scoundrels accoutrements associated with that piece, such as bayonets, too. It occurred to me that some of my thoughts and experi- cartridge clips, cleaning kit, etc. For this, reference books and ences may be of interest to Magnum readers. firearm magazines like Magnum are essential. As do most novice collectors, at a young age I feverishly As a collector, it is imperative to network widely. Attend col- started accumulating every old firearm I could lay my hands lectors’ association functions, meet fellow collectors and find out on. However, with time, I realised this was not the way to what they are looking for. If you come across an item that lies go and I collected only those firearms in which I had a outside of your theme, notify someone who collects such Cspecial interest, and got rid of the others. As a result, items. More often than not, that person will recipro- when new legislation required that cate. Respect dealers: do not press them hard for we collect according to bargains; remember they must make a themes, it was no hard- profit or they’ll be forced to ship for me – mine was close down. Yes, you already in themes. The are entitled to ask for days when someone their best price, but might just give you an pay what they ask or old Martini or other pass up the item. This 19th century firearm The woodwork has been very badly way, dealers will get to that had been standing ­patched up and the lock-plate is off-dated know you as a good in a bedroom cupboard for years, are long – 1876. Hardly worth collecting. customer, one who over. Almost all new additions must be bought, does not bicker, and and my disposable income forced me to collect according to they will notify you when an item comes in that matches your my themes. theme. They will start collecting for you. But they won’t do that I must say, I consider it a good thing that a Certificate of for a person who wastes their time haggling about price. If you Collectability is now required when applying for a licence, as get to know them well, take them out to lunch occasionally. You it forces us to research the firearm. What is the point of col- may be surprised how such a good gesture pays off.

58 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 A good example of one of the .500 Westley Richards Monkey Tails bought by the O.F.S. in 1883. An example of a “dog”. What, then, is it doing in my collection? It is the only handgun I have ever come across that is marked to The same applies when you do deals with other collectors. the Z.A.R. Never cheat another collector (there are many ways of doing so). Sooner or later the word will spread. Build up a good name – in the long run, this will pay dividends. If possible, never buy a firearm sight-unseen. If you cannot examine it yourself, try to get a know- ledgeable friend to do so. Failing that, insist on good pho- tographs. Beware the seller who is unwilling to send more On the other hand, steer clear of items that are in a very photos if asked to do so. bad state of repair – or, as we say, a “dog” – unless it is some- thing extremely scarce or you want to fill a gap in your collec- WHEN NEGOTIATING A deal with a private individual, I am tion until you can replace it with something better. Invariably, disinclined to press too hard. If I cannot reach an immediate such relics do not increase much in value. Value increases agreement, I just “plant a seed” by requesting the owner to exponentially with condition. Junk remains junk. consider me if he/she is willing to come down in price. I do the Consider your wife or partner. First prize if you can also same if I know of a firearm I’d like to buy but which the owner get her interested in your hobby. Otherwise discuss the situ- does not wish to sell. Once in a while, I’ll make contact again. Sometimes, even years later, I may receive a call and we final- ise a deal. Unfortunately, there are also people who are not true to their word. For instance, some years ago, I was told of a firearm that a man wanted to sell. I phoned him and learned that it was a Westley Richards .318 Rimless Nitro Express rifle. Wow! I asked what he wanted for the rifle. “I had it made for me in the early 1950s while I was living in Zambia. It cost me £400 then. £400 equates to R800 in today’s money. But I also have 100 rounds in tropical tins, so I want R1 000 for the rifle and ammunition.” “Sir, if the rifle is in the condition you say it is, it could be worth quite a lot more. May I send a knowledge- able friend to evaluate it, and if I can afford it, we can strike a deal.” “Okay, that’s fine.” Two weeks later, when my friend phoned him to make an appointment, he had taken the rifle to a nearby dealer and let it go for an absolute song. So, pay what the vendor wants, and once the rifle is yours, let your conscience be your guide. On occasion I have let an extremely rare item slip through my hands due to financial constraints. For instance, many years (and tears) ago, I had a Colt Model 1873 (Peacemaker) serial number 55 in my hands but I did not have R1 500 to buy it. Do you know what that revolver is worth today? I am still kicking myself. Moral of the story: if you come across an ultra- rare item, find the cash and purchase it. Beg, borrow or… well, don’t steal, but do not let it slip through your fingers. Be a Boer and “maak ’n plan” – you may never get the opportunity again. I can speak from experience, as I have made this mistake a number of times, all of which I sincerely regret.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 59 ation with her and come patina of the stock. All to an amicable compro- metal parts are then mise so that you don’t well-oiled and reassem- end up in the dog box for bled. The woodwork can a week every time you sometimes do with a Some of the acquire another firearm. few layers of Scherell’s cleaning Allow me to share my equipment I Schaftol. I use the clear views on cleaning and use. variety. Apply it very restoration. I like to sparingly – just one or clean all my military fire- two drops on the palm arms, but not restore of your hand go a long them. By definition, to way. Rub it in well, once restore is to “bring back to original state.” In my opinion, a day, and repeat for two or three days. restoring a military firearm decreases its value. It goes without saying that the bore must also be Most collectors have their own ways of cleaning newly cleaned: we all have our own modus operandi for this pro- acquired firearms, and what follows here is not necessarily cedure. Take time to do it properly. It is amazing how well the only way. You’ll need a rag (I prefer towelling), brushes old barrels can clean up if the necessary effort is applied. (an old toothbrush is fine), and a set of punches and screw- Lastly, if they are missing, I have no compunction about drivers, among other tools. It is of vital importance that you replacing the correct minor parts, such as swivels, volley have a good set of screwdrivers, as these must fit perfectly sights on Lee-Metfords/Enfields, clearing rods and what- into the slots of the various screws so as not to slip and burr not, especially if the replacement parts have no serial num- the screw-head or scratch the surrounding metal or wood. bers on them.

NEVER FORCE A screw. Douse recalcitrant screws with a GOOD SPORTING ARMS can also be carefully cleaned in releasing fluid. For a good, cheap releasing fluid, mix 750ml like manner. If the piece has minor dings and scratches, with of diesoline with 750ml of paraffin, to which add 200ml of minimal blueing loss or damage to the stock – in other water-soluble cutting oil. (This is a tip from an old gunsmith words, showing honest use – I would leave it as it is. How- with decades of experience.) Apply this to the screw daily, ever, if damage is more severe, I believe the piece can ben- carefully testing it each time with the appro- efit by restoration which will increase its priate screwdriver until it gives way. Screws value. When to clean or when to restore is a invariably come loose, but it may take weeks. I sincerely believe decision each owner must make for himself. If the recalcitrant screw is affixed to a metal Restoration must be undertaken by someone part that is removable, and which is not spe- that we, as very knowledgeable and skilled. If you are cially tempered, there is another way. Use a collectors, are the not absolutely certain that you can do it small blowtorch to heat the screw and its sur- yourself, spend the extra money and leave it rounding metal and then immediately flush primary custodians to an expert. However, just remember that with cold water. Repeat this process until you of our country’s not all gunsmiths, no matter how good, will can turn the screw (success usually comes have a “feel” for classic old and obsolete fire- after two or three treatments). firearm heritage arms. If yours is a top-grade sporter, go to I dismantle and strip down the firearm as the best. Let me reiterate that these are my far as I possibly can. I then remove all dirt, personal views. You may differ, but please do grime, grease and old oil from all metal parts. not rush in unless quite certain you’re doing For this I use Ballistol aerosol spray, but many other solvents the right thing. It is best to get informed opinions first, are equally good. I prefer Ballistol because of its smell; if they rather than to do irreparable damage. made a Ballistol aftershave it would be my first choice. I sincerely believe that we, as collectors, are the primary Ballistol and 0000 (four noughts) steel wool will remove custodians of our country’s firearm heritage. Many museums most of the surface rust on the metalwork without damag- do not want to receive firearms due to legislative issues. ing the blueing. Mild rust pitting, if not too advanced, can Some of those that do have firearms, lack the capacity, or sometimes be removed by scraping it with the edge of an knowledge for that matter, to properly preserve them. It falls old copper penny. Again, no damage will occur to the blue- to us, the collectors, to do so, no matter how challenging this ing. The layers and layers of grime on the woodwork can may be – we must simply do what it takes. also be cleaned off with Ballistol and 0000-grade steel Happy collecting, and may the ‘gun’ of your dreams fall wool. Be careful, however, not to overdo it and destroy the into your lap.

60 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 Case Care by FRANCOIS VAN EMMENES

Practical tips for extending case life

Insipient case head separation.­ The cracks appear black, meaning the burning gas has been A .243 Lapua case (below) after six firings in a forced through them i.e. .243 ­Ackley. Notice the dark ring caused by the cracks go all the way ­escaping gasses. Repeated firing of hot loads through the wall. Firing it ­enlarges primer pockets. This one measured again will certainly cause .34mm larger than standard. the head to separate.

THE CARTRIDGE CASE is a vital the same batch are similar; always component – it brings bullet, pro- weigh and measure them. pellant and primer together and is Repeated firing of a brass case the only component that can be causes repeated stress. In a millisecond, used more than once. That is, if you expanding gasses swell the case to the look after it. size of the chamber. As the pressure How do we ensure maximum drops, and provided the cartridge wasn’t lifespan for our brass? Firstly, not all overloaded and the case has not been brass is created equal. There is a pleth- overworked, the brass will be springy ora of manufacturers, each using their enough to instantly contract slightly – own raw materials, equipment, tech- but not to its original unfired dimen- Tniques and quality controls, hence sions. When a case is fully re-sized, the quality differs. die reduces its external dimensions to a Many years ago, when I acquired set industry standard. Dies that draw an my .500 Jeffery, I bought some expander-plug through the case neck to Not all cases are created equal. Notice the unfired Star cases – at the time I was thick webbing above right hand side case increase its internal diameter to specs, unable to find any others in the coun- head. Also note the bulged shoulder of the add a further stressful event to the pro- try. I weighed them individually and case on the left as a result of forcing too long cedure endured by the brass. All else was astounded to find that the a case into a seating die. being equal, repeated firing and full- extreme spread in case weight was a length resizing will drastically shorten a massive 88.2gr between the lightest were five in the batch that weighed case’s life. and heaviest. This equated to a more than 377gr and two that Case life can be extended by partial 27.2% difference between the aver- weighed less than 320gr. The point is, re-sizing or neck sizing only. Partial age and the heaviest case. There you should not assume all cases from re-sizing is achieved by slightly raising

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 61 Cracks can occur any- where on a case. Notice the cracked A .303 case with shoulder of this the tell-tale bulge .243 Ackley case. just ahead of the case head caused by an oversized chamber.

A bent paper clip with a sharp bur on the end makes a good inspection tool. This case had to be forcibly removed from the rifle’s chamber by a gunsmith who tapped it from the inside.

(unscrewing) the full-length resizing Try to avoid repeated full-length neck with a pair of pliers to render it die in the press, so that it does not resizing of your brass. The exception is unusable. Anneal your cases regularly re-size the full length of the case. Neck reloads intended for hunting dangerous to extend case life and enhance accu- sizing is a good option, but ONLY with game, which should always be fully-re- racy. Read more on annealing in brass that was last fired in the specific sized to ensure they chamber readily. ­Magnum’s March 2019 issue (p51). chamber you are reloading for. With In 1995, I bought a CZ ‘Brno’ model neck sizing, the body and shoulder of ANNEALING CAN REDUCE much of 600 in .30-06, 100 rounds of Winches- the case are left unchanged; only the the metal fatigue caused by repeated ter ammo and 100 Winchester cases. neck is reformed to size to provide a re-sizing, as it alters the molecular With repeated annealing, I am still proper grip on the new bullet shank. structure of the brass, making it more reloading about 80 of these cases after Typically, the neck’s internal diameter malleable for reshaping. Cases can countless shots, with very acceptable should be .001 to .002 inches smaller crack, and an unseen crack in a loaded accuracy. than bullet diameter. I own various cartridge case can result in disaster. In contrast, my .243 Ackley’s Lapua neck sizing dies of the bushing and Cracked cases, no matter how minute cases did not last five reloads, even collet-type designs and have yet to the crack, should be discarded immedi- with annealing. The Ackley uses higher decide which one works better. The Lee ately. A good practice is to crush the charges than the standard .243 Win, Collet Sizing dies are excellent and which proved too much for these cases. do not cost an arm and a leg. A 6.5 Creedmoor case loaded to maximum charge. The excess pressure forced brass from the case head into the tunnel of the depres- sed ejector plunger in the bolt face. As the Too much lube on this .375H&H bolt rotated during opening, the extruded case resulted in dents forming on brass was sheared off, leaving a bur on the the neck and shoulder. case head. It is easily corrected with a fine file but is a clear indication of excessive pressure.

62 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 The primer pockets expanded so much that new primers can be finger-seated in the pockets, and one even fell out of its pocket when I opened the bolt after the shot. Discard such cases immedi- ately. A tell-tale sign is a dark ring around the spent primer, caused by escaping gas. Case inspection should be a crucial step in your reloading routine. For this, a clean case is imperative; a small crack in a dirty case can easily go unno- ticed. I am a firm believer in case tum- A good magnifying glass and proper lighting are useful for inspecting cases. bling, either wet or dry, to get my brass looking as new. A final step in my case preparation the case mouth should a bullet base mouth. I correct these by pushing a regimen is to wash the cases in warm snag on the lip. Large diameter cases calibre-sized bullet from a dummy water with a teaspoon of dishwashing such as .500 Jeffery are more vulner- round into the case neck to bring it liquid and half a teaspoon of tartaric able to deformation than say, .270 or back into shape before re-sizing. acid. It removes any traces of lube or .223 cases. The neck wall thickness is Certain calibres have their idiosyn- tumbling media. I then let them dry in about the same, but the large circum- crasies. The ‘doughnut’ effect of the the sun for at least a full day before a ference of the bigger calibre case ren- .243 Win comes to mind where brass final inspection. Never use abrasive ders the structure weaker. Flare the flowing towards the junction of neck agents such as Brasso or other ammo- case mouths of big cases only slightly and shoulder causes a raised ring on nia-based solutions to clean brass. and ensure that the bullet base is fully the inside, reducing the internal dia- Over time these chemicals can corrode within this flare, and the bullet shank meter of the case neck, thus increasing and weaken the brass. properly aligned before seating. Dan- its grip on the bullet, potentially raising gerous game calibres should be taper- pressures to dangerous levels. Another SOMETIMES A CRACK in a case is not crimped to hold the bullet in place dur- visible on the outside, but has started ing recoil and to resist bullet impact on the inside, normally circular, around with the magazine wall during the inner periphery some 8 to 15mm recoil. Use either a taper crimp or from the case rim or extractor groove. factory crimp die. When applying A neat little tool to detect these cracks a taper crimp, all cases must be is a paper clip. Straighten it out, bend of uniform length to ensure con- the one end 90 degrees and snip off a sistency. millimetre or so with side-cutters to Assuming uniform case length, it leave a small bur on the end. Insert this is essential to set up your dies correctly A bullet puller can salvage propellant and end into the case all the way down to for ALL the steps in the reloading pro- bullets from a deformed case. Both of these the web, then draw the burred end cess. When full-length sizing, it is cru- are collet-type bullet pullers: Hornady (left) and RCBS. back against the inner case wall of the cial to use the right amount of lube. Too case. If there is a crack, the sharpened little will result in the case becoming end of the wire will snag on it. A good stuck in the die (Morkel & Crouse of cartridge notorious for short case life is magnifying glass and desk lamp are Pretoria tell me they get about two the .303 British. Military rifle chambers essential equipment for distinguishing requests a week to remove stuck are deliberately oversized to accommo- between cracks and scratches. cases). Too much lube will cause dents date dirty or corroded ammo in battle Certain case preparation procedures to form in the case shoulders. Normally conditions, resulting in case over-ex- can also affect case life. Dies of almost these cartridges will feed and fire-form pansion. Full-length resizing causes all calibres, but certainly those bigger with the next shot, but it places undue rapid metal fatigue resulting in case than .458 Win Mag, come with a case stress on the brass and reduces case head separation after only 3 or 4 shots. mouth expander-plug that slightly life. Forceful ejection of a spent case Lastly, record keeping is essential to flares out the lips of the case mouth to (such as from dangerous game rifles keep track of the number of times a allow easy entry of the bullet base dur- where bolts get worked hard and fast) batch of cases has been fired, or when ing seating so as to prevent damage to can lead to severe dings in the case last annealed, etc.

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 63 Find the hunt you’ve been searching for in Magnum’s Hunting Opportunities for 2020. Make a fair deal • Book early • Hunt ethically • Hunt safely... • Good hunting! Hunting 2020 ­Opportunities

t Alldays, Limpopo: hunting experience, with a t Swart Umfolozi, sebra R6 000. Maks 10 per- Brombeek Safaris. Biltong wide variety of species. Full ­KwaZulu-Natal: sone. Leon 082-578-5581, en trofeejag. Kdoe, rbok, and s/c accom. 082-561-6005, Spoor Safaris. 5 000ha with [email protected] gems, eland, vlkvk. Slag en [email protected] / www. lots of game. Bow/rifle ­koelgeriewe. S/s akkom, belvederesafaris.com ­hunting, great trophies. t Zimbabwe: volledig toegerus. Susara Hunter R400pppd. Bush Kholisa Hunting Safaris. ­ 082-554-8922, brombeek. t Alldays, Limpopo: camp sleeps 10, s/c, cold Ele, buf, croc, hip and plains [email protected] Ledrea Game Lodge. room, guides, vehicle. Liona game hunts available in 3 000ha mopane bush. 083-275-5390, spoorsafari@ Zimbabwe from March to t Beaufort West, Imp from R1 300, kudu bundunet.co.za December 2020. Regional Western Cape: from R6 000, wbeest, hunts available at good 35km north east, against eland, ­waterb. Accom for t Musina, Limpopo: rates. +263-7783-68488 Neuveld mountains. 21x 12 people, en-suite cha- 5 600ha mopane veld. (WhatsApp), +263-712-­ ­species on farm, 10 to hunt. lets, slaughter­ing facilities, Biltong/trophy hunting. 334550, bstarsafaris@ No minimum group size. cold rooms, guides, vehicle. ­Specialise in corporate and yahoo.com­­ www.badshoek.co.za / Ben 082-463-4768, ben@­ small groups. Accom up ­[email protected] benheysteksafaris.co.za to ten hunters/observers. t Roedtan, Limpopo: Facebook Riebelton Safaris. 16x spesie. S/s volledige t Sentrum/Thabazimbi, t Daniëlskuil, Northern Michael 082-469-7856, info@ toegeruste huis met slaap- Limpopo: Cape: riebeltonsafaris.co.za plek vir 9. Gidse, slagters, 2 000ha game fenced, 10x Mount Carmel Safaris.14x volledige toegeruste slag/ species. All inclusive day fee, species. Cold room, meat t Sentrum/Thabazimbi, koelkamer. Geen rokers nie. R500pppn. Johann 084-294- processing, many ex- ­Limpopo: Jag Sondag tot Vrydag. 083- 8051, [email protected] tras, 2 meals pd. 33 years Rbok R1 200-R2 000, vlkvk 254-6000, [email protected] in business, satisfaction R750-R1 000, bwbees R4 000- t Bedford, Eastern Cape: ­guaranteed. Andries van Zyl R6 000, waterb R4 000 t Elandsfontein/­ Belvedere Safaris. Your 082-578-1989, mtcarmel@ -R10 000, nyala R12 000, buf Thaba­zimbi, Limpopo: ultimate trophy and venison yebo.co.za POA, swartwitpens R35 000, Shabalala Game Ranch. Imp

64 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 bbuck bontebuck/ hbees hartebeest rrib rooiribbok bontebok hip hippo spbok springbuck/ blkwbees black wildebeest imp impala springbok blsbk blesbuck/blesbok kdoe koedoe steenb steenbuck/ bshbk bushbuck/bosbok kmpd kameelperd steenbok bshpig bushpig krok krokodil swbees swart wildebeest buf buffalo kspring klipspringer tses tsessebe bwbees blue wildebees leo leopard vaalrbk vaal rhebuck bvrk bosvark luip luiperd v/rib vaalribbok croc crocodile mtnreed vlkvk vlakvark d/hert damhert mountain reedbuck volst volstruis dkr duiker mtn zebra mountain zebra wart warthog ele elephant ost ostrich waterb waterbuck/wa- flwdeer fallow deer rbok rooibok terbok gems gemsbuck/ reedb reedbuck wbees wildebeest gemsbok rhbok rhebuck gir giraffe rib ribbok

accom = accommodation • s/c = self-catering akkom = akkommodasie • s/s = selfsorg

MAGNUM publishes these free adverts in good faith as a service to game ranchers who have hunting for sale and, more ­importantly, as a useful guide to those readers who wish to find new places to hunt. Publication of these adverts does not imply that Magnum endorses the offers made. Make full and unambiguous arrangements, and please check references before venturing into unknown territory... in more ways than one.

R2 350 (20-24ꞌꞌ), R1 300 (f), stays free. Imp R1 500, blsbk and walk & stalk hunts only. t Waterpoort, Limpopo: bwbees R4 000 (under 26ꞌꞌ R1750, wart R1 000, ­bwbees Kudu R45/kg, spbok R42/kg, Wild Rock Safaris. Biltong/ & f), wart R2 200 (m), R2 000 R3 750, zebra R4 500, plus 9 more species. Full trophy/cull hunts, for local (f). Hunter R500pppd. S/c, eland cow R7 000. 4 sleep- catering accom for 9 peo- and international guests. cold room, vehicle, services er cottage, s/c. R250pppn. ple. No minimum groups. Plains game to Big 5. From of guide & skinners incl. Mike 082-553-7406, mikep@­ Ian Hattingh 082-879-9233, bush camp to fully catered Mike 082-905-0817, ­­ ersupplies.co.za [email protected] lodges, at fair prices. Charles [email protected] / 084-444-0306, charles@ www.ssafaris.co.za t Rhodes/Barkly East, t Alldays, Limpopo: lawproc.com / ­ ­Eastern Cape: Kaalkraal Lodge. 1 350ha. www.wildrocksafaris.com t Fouriesburg, Vrystaat: Pure Hunt Africa. Grey- Biltong/trophy. Kudu, imp, Uitzicht Game Lodge. 10x wing francolin shooting zebra, bwbees, waterb, t Louis Trichardt, spesies. Eland, bwbees, over English pointers and eland, gir. 5x en-suite Limpopo: blsbk, spbok. Jag al twintig ultimate Macnabs with serviced chalets, accom Imp R1 000, bwbees R3 750, jaar slegs met SA jagters. mtnreed, brace of greywing for 10, R500pppd. Includes kudu R4 500, bshpig Hannes 082-856-7181, hb@ and wild trout. F Steynberg equipped lapa/boma, R2 000, red dkr R20 000. prohb.co.za / www.uitzicht- 082-640-2930, fred@line- guides, vehicle, slaugh- More species available. gamelodge.co.za casters.co.za ter ­facilities, cold room, Hunters R150pppd. S/c firewood. Cheryl 082-781- accom for 18 guests, cold t Thabazimbi, Limpopo: t Murraysberg, 1870, cheryl@kaalkraal. room, guides, vehicle. Imbabala Game Lodge. Western Cape: co.za. Facebook: Kaalkraal Hanno Roos 081-353-3788, Special dads & kids, mom Hattingh Safaris. Backpack Lodge. [email protected]

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 65 082-781-8256, nicolaascoet- ­Billike pryse. Jan 082-775- [email protected] 2229, Joan 079-397-4309, [email protected] t Mkuze District, ­Kwa-­Zulu-Natal: t Jansenville District, Bayala Nyala Ranch. Imp, ­Eastern Cape: nyala & bwbees available. Saxony Hunt & Lodge. Lodge sleeps 16 in 8 com- Biltong hunt. Kudu R32p/ fortable rooms. Fully fitted kg, spbok R600. Large s/c facility. 082-804-7976, lodge, groups 8-10. Week- mail to: pumbasafaris@ ends June to August. Braai, mweb.co.za Wifi, Dstv. R500 day/R500 night fee. 074-356-9845, t Thabazimbi, Limpopo: t Zastron, Vrystaat: t Heilbron, Vrystaat: ­[email protected], Imp F R1 250, M R2 000, Diepfontein Plaas. Blsbk (wit Gewone blsbk vanaf R1 700. and Facebook bwbees R3 000, kudu R3 500, en bruin) trofee/vleisbokke Pa & seun/dogter asook wart R1 000, zebra R8 500. vanaf R1 450, swbees vanaf groepe welkom. Koelkamer t Zastron, Free State: More species available. R2 400. Gerieflike s/s geriewe & slaggeriewe. S/s jaghut Highlands Safari Lodge. Hunters R570pppd. S/c R400pp. Koelkamer en beskikbaar, slaap 8 persone. 16 species to hunt. 083-611- accom for 8 people, ­voertuig ingesluit. Afslagfooi Dagtarief R200pp. Alwyn 0930, [email protected] coldroom, guides, vehi- betaalbaar. Thea 082-855- 082-540-8474, 058-852-3103 cle. Fred 082-445-0498, 2012, Wicus 072-108-7033, [email protected] t Platjan, Limpopo: ­[email protected] [email protected] Greco Safaris. Imp R1 500- t Bronkhorstspruit, R1 750, bshbk R12 500, t Zastron, Vrystaat: t Rustenburg, North-West: ­Gauteng: zebra R8 000, dkr R2 000, 14 spesies op 1 600ha. Bil- Imp R1 200, bwbees R3 500, Day hunts. Bwbees R4 500, steenb R2 500, waterb ­ tong jag bv. bwbees, swbees kudu R10 000, wart R550, blsbk R2 500, zebra R6 000, R7 500, wart R950, ­bwbees R36/kg, eland, kdoe R45/kg, gems R5 500, plus more eland R15 000, imp R2 500, R4 250, kudu cow R5 000, geslag asook uitstaande species. Hunters R550pppd. gems R7 500, red hbees kudu bull R7 500-R17 500. trofees bv. lechwe. P­­ragtige S/c accom for 10 people, cold R6 000, waterb R7 500. R450 hunter/non hunter, bos, savana, bosrante. room, guides, vehicle. Dylan Coenrad 072-146-5221, Deposit R7 500. ­ ­Jaghuis vir 15 persone. Tania 079-977 3205, bushwacksafa- ­[email protected] M Maartens 082-800-8369, 061-847-1991, Jacques [email protected] [email protected] 081-035-0876, glenrockhunt- t Jagersfontein, Free State: [email protected] / t Marble Hall/Roedtan, Nietgedacht Boerdery. 80km t Klerksdorp, Noord-Wes: www.glenrock-hunting Limpopo: from Bloemfontein. Blsbk, KMK Safari. Ons jag die safaris.co.za Diphôfu Game Ranch. 1½ waterb, bwbees, red hbees, volgende: Buf, kmpd, eland, hrs north of Pretoria. Biltong kudu, imp, eland. Accom kdoe, gems, rooi hbees, t Musina Limpopo: and trophy hunting. S/c R400pd. 082-787-9702, bwbees, swbees, rbok, Imp R1 800, kudu bull lodge accom 10 people. ­[email protected] spbok, blsbok, swart wit- R12 000, gems R6 000, ­Narizanne 012-346-6305, pens en vele meer. Japie wart R1 000, bwbees [email protected] / t McCarthy’s Rest, 061-733-1034, 084-373-7874, R4 500. S/c bush camp for www.diphofuhuntingsafaris. ­Noord-Kaap: ­[email protected] 10 people, guides included. co.za Kalahari, 7km van Botswana 082-784-0920, 082-256-6360, grens. Gems R4 200, eland t Queenstown, [email protected]­ t Musina, Limpopo: R45/kg, spbk R2 000, bwbees Eastern Cape: Mopane Ranch. Ideal for R3 400. Jagters ­R350pppd. Rheebokfontein. Eland t Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal: ­rifle/bow hunting. Kudu, Chalets & kampering R11 000/ R9 000, bwb Inhlanhla Game Ranch. imp, wbees, wart and many beskikbaar. Koelkamer en R3 900/ R3 600, wart R650, ­Trophy/biltong hunts. Kudu more. S/c accom for 14 slaggeriewe. Fernando imp R1 900/ R1 500, kudu R5 500, bwbees R4 500, clients, cold room, vehicle ­082-224-5000, R6 500/ R4 000, blsbk zebra R5 000, blsbk R1 900, and trackers. 064-533-6557, [email protected] R1 800/ R1 600, mtn reed imp R1 500, wart R1 800. [email protected] R1 800, zebra R5 500, Hunters R450, non-hunter t Steenbokpan, Limpopo: ­Kalahari spbok R1 700/ R350. Christo 082-375-4615, t Wepener, Vrystaat: Verskeie wildsoorte. Jag- R1 500, flwdeer R2 750, Monika 082-255-0324, Biltongjag. Blsbk R1 450, kamp met 2, 3 en 5-bed common spbok R1 200/ ­[email protected] / ­spbok R900, wit blsbk, ­chalets. Eskom krag, R1 000, waterb R8 500/ www.inhlanhlagamefarm. R1 600, bwbees R3 200. koelkamer en slaggeriewe. R6 600. 082-494-0819, co.za S/s R180pppd. Nic Coetzee S/s akkom vir 10 persone. ­[email protected]

66 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 Gallery

Big Ivory stated tusk weights, adding that the hunter was a German, and Dr Rall had accepted this information in good faith. The article “In Quest of Big Ivory” by Dr Henk Rall has drawn The stated weights of 240 and 220lbs, if valid, would rank input from a number of readers. The opening page showed a these tusks pretty much equally with the world record tusks photo of men standing with two pairs of very large elephant – those shot by a slave of Tippu Tib on the slopes of Mt Kili- tusks and a car in the background which appears to date the manjaro in 1898, which originally weighed 235 and 226lbs and photo as late 1940s. In the text, Dr Rall stated that the photo are now in the British Museum. (In Africa’s Greatest Tuskers, was given to him by Otilio de Vasconzalez of Mozambique, Tony Sanchez-Ariño states that the Tippu Tib tusks were and that the two tusks on the right side of the photo each re-weighed in 1962, giving 226 and 214lbs, having dried out weighed roughly 240lbs, and the two on the left each weighed over the intervening 64 years.) A comparison of the two pho- about 220lbs, the elephants having been shot at a waterhole tos shown here clearly reveals the Tippu Tib tusks to be longer south of Lourenço Marques on a Sunday morning by the Ger- and heavier than the Wally Johnson tusks (use the heights of man man appearing in the centre of the picture. the respective men in the photos for scale, and the size of their The readers raised various questions, but to cut to the crux, hands relative to the diameters of the tusks). Walter Johnson Bill Feldstein emailed the article to his friend, American hunter Jnr and Joe Coogan ­estimate the Wally Johnson tusks to weigh and author, Joe Coogan (who, incidentally, has just been about 180 and 160lbs. awarded Gun Digest’s coveted John T Amber Award). Joe Something about the tusks in the Wally Johnson photo thought he recognised the central man in the photo as the late seems odd. The two on the right are both white at the bases Wally Johnson, one of Mozambique’s most famous professional (the sections within the elephant’s maxilla) which would seem hunters of that era. Joe Coogan happens to be a personal friend to indicate their being a pair from the same elephant. The two of Wally Johnson’s son, Walter Johnson Junior, to whom he for- on the left are not white at the bases, which would seem to warded the article. Walter Jnr positively identified the central indicate they are a pair. However, of the two on the right, the man in the photo as his father, Wally Johnson, and the man on outermost tusk appears very much thicker at the base than the the right of the photo as Harry Manners, another of Mozam- one immediately next to it, which seemingly contradicts their bique’s famous ivory hunters of that period. Walter Jnr said he being from the same bull. Likewise, of the two tusks on the left, remembered seeing the identical photo in the family album, and the outermost one appears significantly thicker than the one dated it at around late 1940s. He says his father shot the two right next to it. Going by their respective thicknesses, it would bulls north of Lourenço Marques. As to what became of the seem likely that the two outermost tusks on each side are a pair, tusks, he says that while his father was away on safari, his and the two innermost tusks are a pair. But what, then, explains mother needed money, and sold all four tusks locally for a total the difference in colouration at their bases? I guess we’ll never of £300 sterling. know. Our thanks go to those who contributed to this debate. We contacted Dr Rall for comment, who told us that Otilio More on these particular tusks will appear in future editions of de Vasconzalez, when giving him the photo, also gave him the Magnum. – Gregor Woods

April 2020 | ManMAGNUM | 67 Gallery

HuntEx 2020 – 10 Years On

The HuntEx expo, celebrating its 10th year, will be held at the Gallagher Con- vention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng, from 24 – 27 April. HuntEx first opened its doors here as a 3-day event in April 2011, featuring three hunting destina- tions and seven firearm dealers as the main attractions. More than 16 000 visi- tors attended that year. Within two years, visitor numbers had more than doubled and exhibitors increased to 400. Now HuntEx features 40 hunting desti- nations and outfitters, 35 local firearm dealers, plus a growing number of for- eign firearm and optics manufacturers, and other exhibitors. HuntEx’s Adriaan Woudstra says the expo enables exhibitors to present their products in a world-class environment. He says the average HuntEx visitor has done the homework on prices and prod- ucts and is not easily fooled by sales talk. Exhibitors using the expo to build rapport with potential customers benefit in the long term. “Where else can you potentially get 33 000+ people to see your brand and visit your stand in four days?” To avoid long queues, the ticketing system has been streamlined. In the past, overcrowding in native and renewable energy-generating equipment to the halls has impeded interaction between visitors and exhibit this year. Likewise, crime has increased awareness exhibitors. “Should the need arise, we can temporarily limit of personal safety, increasing the need for security prod- access, as having satisfied visitors and exhibitors is more ucts and services, which will be well represented, as will important than cramming people in,” says Woudstra. The self-defence firearms. Don’t miss the ATA Arms exhibit average visitor spends about six hours at the show, and representing ­Turkey’s firearm industry, or the exhibitors some return the next day, as they were unable to explore from France and USA. Several exhibitors will be launching all ­26 000m2. new products this year. For newcomers to the One of the new attractions at HuntEx 2020 is sport, several hunting and shooting associa- a shooting range under Hall 1, sponsored by tions will be present to discuss all the require- Southern Sky Operations, enabling visitors to ments for participating in the shooting sports. test-fire the smaller calibre firearms (.223Rem, Visitors can even take part in archery 9mm, .22LR) marketed by this company. Having axe-throwing events! firearms on the premises requires much stricter Wildswinkel will present a timed online security than found at other big expos. Visitors bringing fire- auction of specialised firearms and other products aimed arms in order to ask advice of exhibitors can make use of gun at the serious enthusiast. On Saturday 25 April, Classic safety zones in the halls; specially trained security and emer- Arms’s 67th auction of 500 lots of rare and sought-after gency medical personnel will be present. firearms will again take place. #HelpJag, a charity that is Well-aware that the firearms and hunting industries, part of a feeding scheme for underprivileged children run like all others, are affected by the Eskom power crisis, HuntEx’s organisers have approached purveyors of alter- Continued on page 70 ➤

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Continued from page 68 ➤ by Helpende Hand Kosblikkie Project, will assist hunters to bag an extra animal for donation to this feeding scheme. Visitors are encouraged to make use of the Bullet- pass online ticket system, which is cheaper than buying tickets at the gate and also offers multi-day tickets at reduced prices. The exhibition halls open at 09:00 but the main gates open at 07:00 to allow early visitors to enjoy coffee before official opening time. Visit www.huntex.net or HuntEx’s Face- book and Instagram @huntexnow. – André Grobler

Swarovski Automatic Bird Identifier

Swarovski Optik have launched their 8x25 Automatic Digital Bird ID with Swarovski dG (Digital Guide) – an optical device that combines bird viewing with the automatic digital identification of the bird. It also documents it, or you can live-share it with five other people on their smartphones or tablets. At the push of a button, the bird’s image is transferred from the device using the Swarovski Optik dG Mammals app that can identify most com- dG’s app working in conjunction with the Merlin Bird ID app for mon European mammals. automatic identification. Your smartphone will almost instantly The dG is a monocular of 8x magnification with an objective reveal what bird you have seen. Part of the package is the lens diameter of 25mm. The field of view is about 119m at 1000m, and the minimum focusing distance is 2.5m, with eye relief of 17mm. It is powered by a rechargeable­­­ Li-Ion 2600 mAh battery; regular operating time is six hours and it has an auto- matic switch-off timer. Battery life ­during maximum operation is 3.5 hours. The power and LED status indicators are visible on top of the housing (3 & 4 above). The dG weighs 550g. The camera channel is independent of the optical channel, meaning no data or numbers appear in the field of view. The camera’s digital system focal length is approximately 500mm, which is around 10x magnification. The camera resolution is 13MP (4192x3104) and video resolution is HD (1280x720). All the key functions of the dG can be operated using a single button on top of the housing (1/2 above). The housing protection rating is IP67 meaning heavy rainfall will not damage the dG. The Swarovski Optik dG app connects the monocular with other apps and mobile devices. It is available for iOS and Android. The app is essential for activating the dG and includes Find Us On several functions. It manages the camera settings, works the live stream facility, transfers photos taken with the dG to all con- Facebook nected devices, and enables connection to other apps such as the Merlin Bird ID. The dG can store up to ten images provided there is an active Wi-Fi connection between the dG and a mobile device. If the link to the dG app or another dG-compatible app is interrupted, up to ten images will be stored temporarily. An inte- grated Wi-Fi hotspot allows several people, within a range of five Visit our ManMagnum metres, to follow the live stream of the dG. You can also share all Facebook page for great monthly ­competitions. the photos and videos on social media using your phone. Follow and share our SWAROVSKI OPTIK says precise information about the range page to WIN! at which animals can be identified is difficult, because it depends

70 | ManMAGNUM | April 2020 on animal size and specific light conditions. However, at about 20m smaller animals can be reliably identified, while the dG can identify larger animals at 100m and further. PEOPLE The Merlin Bird ID app allows you to identify about 5 000 bird spe- cies worldwide. The dG will be available in South Africa by the end of Gunsmith of the Month: April and the bird package for Southern African birds can be expected Andy Fuller on the Merlin app at much the same time. For more information contact Whylo Distributors on 031-584-8088. – André Grobler Andy lives and works in the Western Cape. He qualified as a gunsmith in Aging Eyes 1974 at the Olifantsfontein testing cen- tre while he worked at the SA Defence Force. Andy special- Phillip Hayes’s Trail Talk (March 2020) discussed the age-related ises in doing verifications for the Gunsmith Trade Test and problem of the eyes’ inability to achieve a usable compromise of repairing all types of firearms. He does not build rifles. focus on the rear sight, front sight and target when using He is working with the PFTC on a program whereby Patridge sights on a handgun. I have the same problem. It is new gunsmiths can qualify, now that Olifantsfontein has optically impossible for the eye to focus on three spatially sepa- closed down, and he has been involved in the introduction rated objects simultaneously, but younger eyes can achieve a of a Trade Test to afford qualification to those who have close enough compromise to facilitate accurate shooting. Not so been working in the industry without any formal qualifica- older eyes. Phillip’s solution of a reflex sight which enables the tion – this is currently on the basis of RPL (recognition of shooter to place the easily visible red dot on the target is one prior learning). Andy is also deeply involved in developing answer, especially for low-light shooting in a defensive situation. a semi-automatic rifle for sport shooting. This reminded me of another solution which my late friend, Fifi Andy considers Vektor rifle barrels (hammer forged) to Hundt, a Windhoek gunsmith, came up with (readers may recall be extremely accurate and reliable and SAKO actions the article series on ballistics by WA Hundt in SA MAN during the would be his choice for hunting and precision rifles, spe- 1980s). Fifi preferred revolvers to auto pistols for defensive use. cifically the SAKO TRG action. His favourite wood for hunt- He didn’t regard ‘combat pistol’ shooting (as Practical Pistol was ing rifle stocks is walnut. then called) to be altogether practical, so he formed a club for A regular hunter, mainly in the Eastern Cape, Andy shoots practical revolver shooters. He found that he and his fellow shoot- only for the pot. He has been a SAPSA member for about ers – whether young or over 40 – achieved better scores (faster 40 years and still participates. He is a member of the SA times and improved practical accuracy) if they used ghost-ring Hunters and Game Conservation Association and does rear sights on their revolvers. This obviates the need for sharp Dedicated Hunter’s training for SAHGCA in the Garden focus on both sights – you simply ignore the rear sight (your pupil Route area. instinctively centres in the ghost-ring) and focus on the front sight. If you need prescription glasses, have a pair made that Subscriber of the Month: focus at handgun front-sight distance. I have a pair that focusses at PC screen distance (as distinct from reading glasses) and these Wayne van Heerden work perfectly for handgun use. A slightly out-of-focus target is Wayne lives in Gauteng and his favour- not a problem, especially at defensive handgun range. ite hunting ground is the Cumberland Fifi made the ghost-rings himself and mounted them on any region in Limpopo Province. He uses steel-framed revolver, whether stainless or carbon steel, though his .44 Magnum for handgun hunting his preference was for the Ruger Security Six or Ruger Speed and also enjoys hunting with his old 6.5x58mm Portu- Six, both in .357 Mag. Fifi welded (or soldered – I can’t recall) guese Mauser. For longer shots, he prefers his .300 Win the ghost-rings on so as to become integral to the frame (per- Mag. He is also an avid 12-bore wingshooter and hunts on fectly sighted in) and the junction was invisible, even on stain- the lucerne fields on the farm. During his last hunt in the less steel. Because a handgun’s rear sight is held slightly further Cumberland region he bagged a warthog. from your eye than a rifle’s receiver sight, the ghost-ring aper- Wayne also likes sport shooting and participates in ture needs to be slightly larger than a rifle’s. I can’t recall if Fifi matches using his .22LR and .300 Win Mag, shotgun and put ghost-rings on pistol slides (you could dovetail one in, just handguns in 9mmP and .357 Mag. He is a member of the like a Patridge sight). I found his ghost-ring sights excellent, but South African Hunters and Game Conservation Associa- never owned one as I was young enough to use Patridge sights tion and the National Hunting and Shooting Association. on my .45ACP, and my wife’s .38 special had an aluminium alloy Wayne has been buying his Magnum magazines at the frame. But for older eyes, I think ghost-ring sights on handguns shops since 2013 and became a subscriber only two well worth considering. – Gregor Woods years ago.

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