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  1. AlSpaeth

    Musgrave Afrika Supreme 375H&H - Proudly South African

    Here is the letter from Musgrave.
  2. AlSpaeth

    Musgrave Afrika Supreme 375H&H - Proudly South African

    Finally an update. Willem Lombard in Pretoria is the Owner of XMA003. He found this letter from Musgrave dated 1989. They built three handmade rifles to show they could build rifles to compete with the best in the world. XMA stood for "Export Musgrave Africa_ XMA001 – Supreme Grade XMA002 –...
  3. AlSpaeth

    Hunting Lion

    I doubt anyone would answer "No" to that question. The question is how? Please see my comments on July 5 above on "conservation" vs "preservation".
  4. AlSpaeth

    Hunting Lion

    Correct - but the headline remains valid and that is what the public reads - and believes. I am just pointing out the adverse publicity being generated which affects us all. What actually happens to the lions sent to Tam cannot be proven either way.
  5. AlSpaeth

    Hunting Lion

    BillC - Unless you have hunted lion in Africa where they breed, feed and survive in the wild you will not understand. These lions fear man and recognise him as a predator as do most wild animals and birds we hunt. There are no areas in South Africa where this is possible. The lion may well have...
  6. AlSpaeth

    Hunting Lion

    Dave, The question is not how big the area is - it is simply was it captive bred and fed or was it born and raised in the wild? Canned lions are often released in to larger areas just before the client arrives. You might even see some impala and wildebeest in the same area be he doesn't have a...
  7. AlSpaeth

    Hunting Lion

    Hi Andrew, Excellent input and many valid points which I agree with. Have been involved in the hunting industry in South Africa for nearly 30 years here are my concerns: Hunting has played a huge role in wildlife condervation here in Africa and I started game ranching in 1985 as well as being an...
  8. AlSpaeth

    Musgrave Afrika Supreme 375H&H - Proudly South African

    Peter Capstick I mentioned that the only other Supreme I ever saw was Peter Hathaway Capstick's custom Rifle. I have found more info on his and am trying to get photos. His wife donated his Musgrave to Dallas Safari Club for the 2003 convention auction (proceeds to conservation) According...
  9. AlSpaeth

    Peter Hathaway Capstick Hunter

    I knew him and hunted with him In Botswana with Hunters Africa when it was owned by Gordon Cundill and met with him often in the USA at SCI. He was a gifted writer with a passion for Africa and the Safari. His favourite rifle was a 375H&H Musgrave Supreme whe he had built after he saw mine. His...
  10. AlSpaeth

    Musgrave Afrika Supreme 375H&H - Proudly South African

    Thanks Wayne - I have no idea how to value it - even for insurance. Any suggestions?
  11. AlSpaeth

    Musgrave Afrika Supreme 375H&H - Proudly South African

    Hi Wayne - tried the Wiki search - but not much info. Thanks
  12. AlSpaeth

    The "Perfect" Bullet???

    One last chirp - for what it's worth. Modern firearm ballistics have exceeded bullet construction technology. Just an observation but may of the comments above are owners with calibers I have never been fond of for Africa due to time wasted looking for wounded animals - many with good shot...
  13. AlSpaeth

    Old Winchester Silvertip Ammo - 300gr .375 H&H

    I have a lot of 375 ammo and Silvertips from that era. Use them for target practice or smaller game. My experience is bad. Bullet breaks up on bone. Poor penetration and weight retention. Get some modern ammo.
  14. AlSpaeth

    Caliber Comparison

    Second Wind - Interesting selection. I like the .275 which is the famous 7X57 Mauser - unknown to most in the USA and not impressive on paper. Not only PG, but "Karamojo" Bell shot over a thousand elephant - most with the 7X57. "The 7X57mm can offer very good penetrating ability due to a fast...
  15. AlSpaeth

    The 20th Century's Top Rifle Cartridge

    375 & 30-06 tops my personal list but I have to disagree with the 300 Weatherby mag - or any Weatherby mag. Animals cant read ballistics charts and I spent too much time tracking wounded animals with well placed shots - just too fast - not to mention the number of clients with stiched eyebrows...
  16. AlSpaeth

    Recommend a Bullet for Me?

    I have used 165gr Nosler Partitions for twenty years from Kudu down to Steenbuck and can highly recommend them for plains game. If you are hunting in heavy bushveld 220gr has excellent stopping power at shorter ranges and less chance of being deflected.
  17. AlSpaeth

    Musgrave Afrika Supreme 375H&H - Proudly South African

    Would like any info anyone might have on my 375H&H Afrika Supreme? I got the rifle in the 1980s while I was still in the Safari Business. The story I got from the dealer was: The rifle was the first Supreme ever built by Musgrave. Serial Number is XMA001 Musgrave intended to build these...
  18. AlSpaeth

    The "Perfect" Bullet???

    Nosler Partitions have never let me down for my 30-06 (165gr) 300H&H (180gr) and 375H&H. If it works - don't fix it!
  19. AlSpaeth

    .270 Winchester for plains game

    Ok I apologise if you were offended. I didn't know you were only 14 and assumed you had a sense of humor. I have been fortunate enough to have hunted hundreds of animals in my "mature" existance which was the basis of the advice I gave you. My experience with .270's has not been good and I...
  20. AlSpaeth

    SOUTH AFRICA: Screwed by my PH/outfitter

    Dont expect much from the Government departments. This is "Africa". This is commonplace and bad for South Afica and our hunting industry. I started in the early 1980's trying to get South Africa "on the map" as a safari destination. Is was tough because those were the days of internatioanl...
  21. AlSpaeth

    .270 Winchester for plains game

    Could be too many years in the African sun.
  22. AlSpaeth

    .270 Winchester for plains game

    My aplogies if you were offended. 270 is just a "necked down" 30-06. Trigger Creep (Christian) is just a "necked down" hunter as well in my humble opinion.
  23. AlSpaeth

    .270 Winchester for plains game

    Forget- Christian has wasted enough of our time. There is no comparison between a 30-06 and a 270. Just use a 165/167gr for long shots on plains game or a 180gr in thick bush/woods. Hundreds of articles have been written by those with far more knowledge than me. A 150gr 30-06 bullet will give...
  24. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    Zeiss - great optics but had two fail with clients on 338 and 300 mags. Leupold - My personal favorite. Never had a problem. If you have to spend more money then consider Schmidt & Bender.
  25. AlSpaeth

    Plains Game Rifle Selection

    30-06 is a great combo with your 375 H&H. 180gr for bushveld and 165gr for open plains. If you decide on a magnum then look a a 30H&H Mag as well. I love mine - extremely accurate, lower pressures and less recoil than 300 Win Mag.
  26. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    "375 Holland loaded with a 260 gr. premium bullet." Should be an interesting combo. As for recoil - remember a new rifle is a lot cheaper than an "ex-wife".
  27. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    I love mine but "hand load" my ammo with 180gr Nozler partitions. Loading dies are easy to find.
  28. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    No doubt African game is tough - from the smallest to the Big Five. I am amazed at you Impala story. In my PH years I have never seen a 30-06 or 308 fail. Good penetration, expansion, and weight retention all combine to put the animal down with little or no meat damage. What heads were you...
  29. AlSpaeth

    Your 3 favorite hunting cartridges of all time

    300H&H 375H&H 470 Nitro
  30. AlSpaeth

    .270 Winchester for plains game

    Agreed on bullets - hence my recommendations. Disagree on calibers - 30-06 is my choice over a 270 for all the reasons given above. 270 came out in 1925. It was a necked down 30-06 famous for pushing a 130gr bullet at over 3,000 ft/sec. In 1963 the 300 Win Mag came out and gave us a 30 cal...
  31. AlSpaeth

    .270 Winchester for plains game

    My experience as well with the .270. Mostly with factory ammo. Poor expansion resulting in a clean exit wound or sometimes bullet breaks up on bone resulting in many wounded animals. Poor to zreo weight retention. Never had the problem with .30 cals. I really can't give a technical explination -...
  32. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    Did the 308 let you down? 308 and 30-06 are both great calibers for plains game in South Africa. If you are confident and comfortable with the magnum recoil from your 375, try it with 260-270 gr heads. I have had good results over the years including Kudu and Eland. 270 gr shoots a little...
  33. AlSpaeth

    .270 Winchester for plains game

    I'll vote for the 150 gr Noslers - but not the 270. 165 gr Noslers in a 30-06 are even better and will give you 300 Win Mag range without the recoil. 270 can't comptete with 30 cal performance in the veld. I totally agree with Louw.
  34. AlSpaeth

    Craig Boddington Suffers Heart Attack

    I have had the pleasure of both knowing him and hunting with him in South Africa. Great, great guy. He's tough so we'll expect him back soon. Best wishes to Craig and family - our thoughts are with you.
  35. AlSpaeth

    Leopard Hunting Accident Involving Craig Boddington's Daughter

    Accidents happen. We shouldn't judge but rather hope for the best for all concerned. The dangers accociated with our sport are, for most of us, one of the reasons we pursue it. Hunters, PH's and trackers will continue to suffer injuries and sometimes death. They all know the risks. We will...
  36. AlSpaeth

    .270 Winchester for plains game

    9.3X62 would be better. I owned one. the 57 is popular in Europe but the 62 was developed for Africa as the German 375H&H equivalent. There's still nothing wrong with a 30-06.
  37. AlSpaeth

    Hunting Lion

    South Africa started "Canned" lion hunting in the 1980's and it became a huge industry. SCI played along and have only recently backed out. Lions in captivity breed like rabbits. These were hand reared cubs (pets) and artificially fed up to and including adult size. Breeders would come to the...
  38. AlSpaeth

    Is it reasonable charges for Dip and Packing?

    Is it reasonable? Be careful. Greed will damage our industry. As long as charges are reasonable and relate to actual costs, they will be understood and accepted by most. Many of our local taxidermists have built their businesses over the years through quality and competitive pricing. Many local...
  39. AlSpaeth

    .270 Winchester for plains game

    Hi Christian, I have shot wild oxen on my ranch which weighed over 1000 lbs with a 22LR. Single shot, center forehead, just above the eyes dropped in their tracks, but a 22 wouldn't be my recommended caliber for buffalo even though "it can do the job". I hunted deer in Michigan for years with a...
  40. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    Thanks enysse, For meat hunting I also use a 243 and a 223. Have culled dozens of kudu - all head and neck shots. Smaller game like Impala and Springbok body shots but use hand load nosler heads with the 243 as factory loads can cause lot of meat damage. But this is really "culling" not...
  41. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    At the risk of boredom My point exactly. Slow and heavy from 30-30 up has proven successful for hunting in the woods for generations for the exact reasons your dad demonstrated. I grew up in Michigan and had a Marlin 30-30 which I loved. One year I missed a buck at about 30 yds when my bullet...
  42. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    Oenpelli, Great calibers. I have also shot everything from Steenbuck to Buffalo with my .375H&H. 375 and 30-06 are a great combo. 300gr 375 ballistics nearly identical to 180gr 30-06 - same for 270gr 375 and 165gr 30-06. If you shoot a 30-06 confidently the move to 375 comes easy. Recoil is...
  43. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    Hi Sully, Thats exactly why I think the category "Various 7mm's" is a mistake. The 7X57 might be unimpressive on the ballistics charts but it is truly a great caliber. See the Norma ammo website NORMA - 7x57 Mauser. We are familar with it here in South Africa because "It was used with brutal...
  44. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    I was one of the first to start a game ranching operation in the Eastern Cape in the mid 1980's. I attended all of USA conventions to try and market South Africa as a hunting destination. With aparthied and sanctions it was not easy to convince the public. As a result, I got several well known...
  45. AlSpaeth

    The Woman Marine Pilot

    The Woman Marine Pilot The teacher gave her fifth grade class an assignment: Get their parents to tell them a story with a moral at the end of it. The next day, the kids came back and, one by one, began to tell their stories. There were all the regular types of stuff...
  46. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    Hi Jim, I had the pleasure of Hunting with Craig Boddingtion in South Africa twice in past years. There are great calibers - and there are great hunters. Craig is not just a great writer. His passion for hunting combined with his vast knowledge and experience with with an unbelieveable range of...
  47. AlSpaeth

    .270 Winchester for plains game

    270 experience That's the strange part. According to the ballistics charts the 270 should beat the 7X57. In reality from John "Pondoro" Taylor to today the 7X57 is legendary as a proven African caliber. I have only had one client with an 8X57 - I loaned him my Win Mod 70 30-06 for his...
  48. AlSpaeth

    .270 Winchester for plains game

    Hi Christian, It's possible to hunt almost any animal with almost any caliber - but not adviseable. The .270 Win looks great on paper, but in my experience, unless you hand load your ammo, it's a bit light. I've tracked lots of wounded plains game with seemingly well placed .270 shots. With...
  49. AlSpaeth

    Your opinion on Best Caliber for plainsgame in Africa?

    Ten years of hunting with clients taught me a lot. If we assume factory ammo then the "one gun" solution has to be 30-06. Hundreds of articles have been written to confirm my feelings. Many calibers look good on paper but perform poorly in the veld. "Various 7mms" is a mistake. 7X57 is still a...
  50. AlSpaeth

    History and Status Quo of Recreational Hunting in South Africa

    "Canned hunting and “Put-and-Take”) The initiative taken by Minister van Schalkwyk to draft norms and standards for hunting in South Africa, has been long overdue. Rogue activities by so-called “hunters” (mainly instigated by hunting outfitters) have done almost irreparable damage to the...
 
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