Trip Preparations

Andy the Aussie

Andy the Aussie

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So in about 10 days I will be jumping onto the big tin bird to fly to Africa for a couple + weeks. Some time in SA looking at things and taking pics and 10 days on Mozambique hunting.

As I am getting down to the wire it was time to get the rifle squared away, shot, zeroed and readied. So I took a quick 8hr drive west of Sydney to try and kick back a gear and make sure all was well.

As some other guys were on the property at the same time as me I elected to stay in the Shearer's Quarters as opposed to the old homestead I normally do. They are basic but comfortable.



The block closest to the camera is the kitchen, the next are 3 x 2 bed rooms and the last is the shower block.

Given it was about zero degrees most nights I spent a good portion of time in the kitchen near the wood stove before racing to my bunk and sleeping bags... ;)

Sunrise looking almost directly out the kitchen door ... :)



And the point of the exercise...



The .375 is shooting like a dream, three round cloverleaf groups :) :) the downside is that it looks like I got a bad batch of Remington primers as I had 6 duds in 35 rounds !! Second and third hits didn't get them to go bang nor did pulling them down and loading then in another case and trying a different rifle. Most disconcerting given the propensity of some critters in Africa to kill. The rifle religiously capped off another 50 factory and other loads after so that does not appear to be an issue. Got home and tried some primed cases (same batch of primers) and sure enough a few more duds.

Pulled everything down and reloaded with Federal LR Magnums. Tested some primed cases as well. Hopefully that is that.

Just before I left I also collected my stripped DSSF back from elof_alv sporting the new slimline sheath he made for me....





I have to finish cleaning the blade though. While the decarb layer makes for a nice look it is happily rusting away.

So now the rifle is cleaned and checked and I have started packing all my odds and sods for the trip... :) :)
 
Excellent pictures as always Andy! Have a Safe and Wonderful Hunt!!!



Look forward to the pictures and stories from the trip...Wish I was going with you!!!
 
Always love hearing about your trips and seeing pics. Thanks for sharing. Have a nice time.

That sheath looks perfect for the DSF. Nice work Elof.
 
Be safe and as always, take lots of pics! Your travel posts are always great
 
Love them pics:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Be safe mate. Get bit by the least amount o' critters as possible (unless she's blond with green eyes:D). Take as many pics as you can...... AND POST THEN HERE!!!!

Cheers mate and enjoy :)
 
I look forward to see what you do with the DSF...and as always Elofs sheaths look great! The slim clean look is really nice. Whats the blade height on the DSF?
 
Thanks all, with the rifle/ammunition stuff done and all the permits/paperwork in place (that can be, still have to obtain licences in SA and Moz on arrival) it is just packing my gear in a bag now and culling it all down to the "must haves" as space will be a premium.

The DSSF wont be making the trip with me, I have come down (it was a real test to get there as well) to a CG BATAC for that. The reality is that I could get away with just a little folder but I personally can't see myself in the bush anywhere without a sturdy fixed blade...you never know....I may have to go all Croc Dundee in the Zambezi...... ;) ;) ;) Given the lengths of the flights (14hrs each way), and as I am travelling alone, I may spring for a decent set of headphones for this trip as well.
 
You always do an outstanding job of documenting your trips through photos. I look forward to seeing these.
 
Andy the Aussie said:
Thanks all, with the rifle/ammunition stuff done and all the permits/paperwork in place (that can be, still have to obtain licences in SA and Moz on arrival) it is just packing my gear in a bag now and culling it all down to the "must haves" as space will be a premium.

The DSSF wont be making the trip with me, I have come down (it was a real test to get there as well) to a CG BATAC for that. The reality is that I could get away with just a little folder but I personally can't see myself in the bush anywhere without a sturdy fixed blade...you never know....I may have to go all Croc Dundee in the Zambezi...... ;) ;) ;) Given the lengths of the flights (14hrs each way), and as I am travelling alone, I may spring for a decent set of headphones for this trip as well.
Click to expand...

So Andy.....are you saying that you WON'T have an ASH-1 with you on your trip?!?!?! Say it ain't so :eek::eek::eek: How do you like the DSF by the way? Also, did you ever mention which animals you are hunting for in Africa? I am quite curious! I always wanted to get a Gemsbok if I ever went over there...those horns are just incredible.
 
You know it was close to being an ASH1. If it were anything but a pure hunting trip it would be, space and weight (not on the belt but in the bags/case) are an issue as well, if my CS .22s had have arrived in time for a leather sheath (they are already fitted with kydex) there is a GREAT chance it would have been one of them, but they may just land the day before I travel. The BATAC is a nice size compromise between the B4 and ASH ;). I was also really leaning toward a Boss Jack Proto I have (thanks mate.... I do love it BTW). I am also making some allowances for loss of the blade and what would bother me less.

The DSSF is a great and, IMHO underrated, blade. There is frankly not much that it cant do !! That one has spent a good bit of time at the sharpening post and cuts like a demon !!!!

As for hunting, Cape Buffalo (it is a 10 days Buff hunt I am on) with Croc, Warthog and Kudu if all goes well.
 
Good luck in all your travels and adventures my friend --- INFI and Gun Powder = Madness!! (The good kind)
 
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